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Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Tahini Dressing. Small red sweet potatoes tossed with a mix of spices, then roasted until lightly charred, crispy, and delicious. Tossed together with kale, orzo, and my creamy lemon honey tahini dressing. Then topped with spicy cheddar cheese and avocado. So much flavor and color in this hearty winter salad! Enjoy for dinner and save the leftovers for lunch. It’s the salad that everyone can’t get enough of!
Possibly my favorite salad of all time. Well, I’m not positive about that, but this is such a delicious winter salad. And it’s not boring in the least!
I ADORE salads. Like I really do love them. But I love a salad that can truly be enjoyed as a meal. A hearty salad! My favorite salads usually have something warm, especially in the winter, because aside from ice cream, I really don’t enjoy cold food.
This is my ideal winter salad!
When I set out to create my January recipes, I knew I needed at least one salad. I thought hard about this salad for days and finally landed on just the salad I wanted to create.
It turned out better than the picture I had painted in my head. And whenever that happens, I get overly excited to share! You’re going to want to make this salad several times this winter!
Here are the details
Ingredients – for the salad
- sweet potatoes – red sweet potatoes are my favorite! They have the best color and flavor
- salted butter or olive oil
- chili powder
- smoked paprika
- honey
- kale, or swap for your favorite mix of greens!
- sesame seeds
- cooked orzo pasta
- cubes of cheddar cheese – I use the Rattlesnake cheddar from Whole Foods
- avocado
- pomegranate arils
Ingredients – for the dressing
- olive oil
- lemon juice
- tahini
- honey
- Worcestershire sauce
- garlic
- parmesan
- chili flakes
Special Tools
Nothing special, but a sheet pan and a salad bowl!
Step 1: roast the sweet potatoes
My sweet potatoes were short and skinny, so I cut them into quarters and roasted larger chunks. You can do the same, or if your potatoes are larger, cube them. I wanted to have the outer pieces of the potatoes crispy, but have more soft flesh inside each potato. Like a baked sweet potato with some charring!
On a baking sheet, toss the potatoes with butter or oil. I prefer butter. Then add the seasonings: chili powder, smoked paprika, honey, and salt.
Roast the potatoes until they’re very soft, about 20 minutes. Smash them with a fork, then roast for another 5 minutes.
Step 2: make the dressing
This is truly one of my favorite dressings. I make it all the time.
A combination of creamy tahini (sesame seed paste), lemon juice, honey, and a couple of teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce. The tahini provides a wonderful creamy dressing, while the honey and Worcestershire sauce add sweet, savory, and salty flavors.
Oh, and parmesan too! It’s just delicious.
Blend all the ingredients with a blender or food processor, then add water as needed to thin the dressing out. You’ll need more water than you think, so make sure you season the dressing with salt.
Step 3: toss the kale
Now, add the kale to a big salad bowl and pour over the dressing. Massage the dressing onto the kale to help break it down and make it less tough.
Top the dressed kale with sweet potatoes, sesame seeds, cooked orzo pasta, and cubes or slices of cheddar.
Then top with the avocado and pomegranate.
This is a wonderfully big and nourishing salad that’s great for winter nights. I love to toss the sweet potatoes on the salad while hot. The cheese gets a little melty from the heat of the potatoes. So yummy!
Excited for you all to try this salad. I hope it brings some color into your January dinners!
Looking for other salad recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Fall Harvest Roasted Butternut Squash and Pomegranate Salad
Shredded Brussels Sprout Bacon Salad with Warm Cider Vinaigrette
Pomegranate Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts
Autumn Harvest Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad
Lastly, if you make this Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Tahini Dressing, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Tahini Dressing
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 641 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 3-4 small sweet potatoes, quartered
- 2 tablespoons salted butter or olive oil
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt and black pepper
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 4 cups shredded kale
- 3 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 1-2 cups cooked orzo pasta
- 1 cup cubed spicy cheddar cheese
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 1/2 cups pomegranate arils
Tahini Dressing
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1-2 cloves garlic, grated
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan
- chili flakes
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 425° F.2. On a baking sheet, combine the sweet potatoes, butter/olive oil, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Bake for 20 minutes until the sweet potatoes are soft and charring on the edges. Gently smash them down with a fork. Drizzle each with honey, then bake another 5 minutes until lightly charred. 3. Meanwhile, make the dressing. Combine all ingredients and 1/4 cup water in a blender. Blend until smooth. Add water to thin the dressing as desired. Season to taste with salt and chili flakes.4. Add the kale to a big salad bowl and pour the dressing over the kale. Massage the dressing into the kale. Top the salad with roasted sweet potatoes, sesame seeds, orzo, and cheese. Arrange the avocado and pomegranate arils on top. Serve warm or at room temperature.
This post was originally published on January 6, 2025
I’m so thrilled with this dish! Just made it for my first time and already know this will be on repeat ! Thank you Tieghan for sharing inspiring recipes.
Much love ,
Carol
Hi Carol,
Yay!! Love to hear this salad turned out well for you, I appreciate you making it! Have a great day! xx
Tieghan,
Thank you for sharing your mouthwatering recipes! I absolutely ADORE hearty salads bursting with vibrant, colorful ingredients, and this one is packed with so many of my all-time favorites—I can’t wait to dive in! What brand of tahini did you use? The flavor can vary so much between brands, and I’d love to know your go-to!
Thanks so much, Michelle! I used Whole Foods 365 brand. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Are the sweet potatoes peeled before putting on the salad?
Hi Maureen,
I did not peel my sweet potatoes for this recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
This looks amazing can’t wait to try!
How long would the dressing last in a jar if not all used in one go?
Thanks so much, Lisa! The dressing is good in the fridge for 2 weeks. xx
Probably one of the best meals I’ve ever had. We subbed quinoa for the orzo because we had that on hand, it was great. We are a small family so we had plenty of left overs and they held up perfectly for 2 days.
Hi Aadi,
Wonderful!! So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe, thanks for making it! Have the best weekend!☃️
Im tragically allergic to dairy and wondering what could work in the dressing as a substitute for the Parmesan that’s non-dairy?
Hi Paige,
Nutritional yeast would be a great option for you. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
This salad was hearty and delicious! Chocked full of nutrient dense foods. I lived the blend of flavors. Another home run for Tieghan!
Thanks so much, Christian! So glad you enjoyed this salad, I appreciate you giving it a try! xT
This was sooo good! I didn’t have tahini, so substituted with sunflower butter.
I’ll definitely be adding this to my rotation! Thanks! 😊
Hi Jodi,
Fantastic! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe and appreciate you making it! Have a great week! xxT
I absolutely loved this recipe.
I added in grilled carrots and roasted pistachios.
The only issue was that when I made the dressing. It turned into a thick stodgy mess. I kept adding water and more water and it still didn’t thin out. I ended up dumping it and making my own lemon maple mustard dressing.
Hi Meredith,
Fantastic! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe and appreciate you making it! Sorry to hear about your dressing…wonder if it was the brand of tahini? Have a great week! xxT
This salad came out really well. Delicious! Thanks for another great winter salad!
Hi Nicole,
Amazing! Thank you for making this recipe and your comment, so glad it was enjoyed! xxT
Is this able to be made GF?
Hi Anita,
Totally, just use a gluten free orzo orzo or arborio rice. I hope this helps, please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Hi Anita! I am not sure I would use GF orzo with this particular recipe. I have Celiac Disease and have used GF orzo. Once you cook the orzo you will end up with clumps which won’t break apart easily. Personally I would opt for wild rice instead of the GF orzo.
I’d recommend making quinoa instead of orzo. It’s GF, his more protein, & works beautifully in salads.
Do you not peel the sweet potatoes?
Hi Lisa,
I did not, but you absolutely could if you wanted to. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Why didn’t you go to Austria? Many people have been asking and you’ve been ignoring their questions, even though you say you respond to everyone. It’s not a good look.
Chill Rosie. She’s not your family. She owes you nothing.
Lisa, she owes people who visit her site and put money in her bank account honesty and authenticity. She spoke of going to Austria multiple times. Can’t get mad when people ask about it.
Are you working on any recipes inspired by your trip to Austria? I absolutely love their cuisine!
Hiya! What would be a good gluten free substitute for the orzo? Thanks in advance!
Hi there,
You could use gluten free orzo or arborio rice, both would work nicely for you. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
How would you suggest cooking Arborio rice if not in risotto?
Hi Leah,
I would just follow the package instructions for cooking:)
When do we get to hear about your Christmas in Austria? 🙂
Melinda- Why so obsessed about Austria? It’s kind of creepy
Hope you’re having a happy new year, Joanna. God bless you!