Kale and Sweet Potato Salad

This vibrant, comforting Kale and Sweet Potato Salad will have you feeling all the cozy lunch vibes. It’s a healthy and simple lunch (or even dinner) option that’s loaded with nourishing goods; yet it’s so simple to prepare with minimal ingredients. All smothered in a creamy, restaurant-style balsamic vinaigrette that’s homemade and healthier than the store bought. A win-win!

What I like most about this salad

My Kale and Sweet Potato Salad has lots of hearty, satiating ingredients perfect for the chilly weather, but this would be a great meal option for any time. Plus, it doesn’t get much better than caramelized, deliciously seasoned and roasted-to-perfection sweet potatoes. That’s just the truth.

Combined with the slightly crisp red cabbage and kale, and toasted pine nuts…this is TOTALLY the salad that will have you craving leftovers. I love this salad as a great work or school lunch as well. Kale tends to hold up well for several days in the fridge, so you can go ahead and pack a few of these tasty salads, with the dressing in a separate container, and you’re good to go with a really hearty lunch option that won’t leave you starving in an hour. We all know those salads from the convenience store that have a few pieces of tomatoes and cucumbers, maybe a bit of carrot and that’s pretty much it. No thanks!

Some of my other favorite salad recipes are this Citrus and Avocado Watercress Salad and the super satisfying Roasted Cauliflower, Green Bean and Farro Salad.

This Kale and Sweet Potato Salad is:

• filled with RAINBOW colors (and nutrients to match)
• simple to prepare, great for MEAL PREP
• only a FEW ingredients
• super satisfying and COZY
• packed with TANGY CREAMINESS from the dressing and sweet potato
• all about that CRUNCH from pine nuts and cabbage

How it comes together

Peel and chop your sweet potatoes, and roast them on a sheet pan.

Meanwhile, in a large pan, lightly saute the red cabbage and de-stemmed kale.

Blend up the dressing.

Toast the pine nuts.

That’s it!

Items that come in handy for this dish

This Kale and Sweet Potato Salad is also great for company since it’s simple to make and is a colorful stunner.

We love these beautiful bowls for serving salads or pasta for company. They’re simple, the perfect size, and look pretty sharp filled with your delicious meals!

LE TAUCI Pasta Bowls Ceramic Salad Bowl, Large Serving Bowl Set 45 Ounce – Set of 4, White

Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker’s Half Sheet (2 Pack), Silver

These trays are great quality, and such a perfect size. I got the recommendation from the website of a fellow foodie friend (try saying THAT five times fast), Kate from Herbivore’s Kitchen.

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Warm Kale and Sweet Potato Salad

This warm, comforting salad is full of texture, flavor, and nutrients. Perfect for a nourishing lunch or dinner!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time25 minutes mins

Total Time35 minutes mins

Ingredients

• 1 tsp oil
• 1 bunch kale de-stemmed, roughly chopped, massaged a bit with lemon juice or touch of oil
• 2 cups thinly sliced red cabbage
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 large sweet potato cut into 2 cm cubes + salt and pepper for seasoning + 1 tbsp oil for roasting
• 1/4 cup pine nuts toasted .
• Dressing blend the following until creamy and smooth:
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp agave
• 1 small garlic clove
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1.5 tsp dijon mustard

Instructions

• On a baking tray, place sweet potato cubes and drizzle with the olive oil and seasoning. Bake at 375 degrees F for approx 15 to 20 min (may be longer depending on size of cubes) flipping halfway, until tender and lightly browned. Let cool somewhat.
• Meanwhile, in a large pan add the tsp of oil, kale, red cabbage, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat for 3 min, stirring often. Place lid on and cook another 1 to 2 min until kale is slightly wilted, if hasn't wilted during first few min. Remove to serving bowl, add cooked sweet potatoes, top with pine nuts.
• Remove to serving bowl, add cooked sweet potatoes, top with pine nuts.

Notes

Pine nuts are simple to toast, but you’ll need to watch them. Place the pine nuts in a dry pan over medium heat. After a few minutes, they’ll start to lightly brown. Stir them almost constantly for the next minute or two until they toast sufficiently, then remove from heat.