Roasted Sweet Potato & Pecan Salad with Maple Vinaigrette

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A warm, golden salad that tastes like comfort and celebration in every bite.

🌿 Introduction

This Roasted Sweet Potato & Pecan Salad with Maple Vinaigrette feels like the season itself — bright, hearty, and full of quiet warmth. I first made it after Thanksgiving, when my kitchen still carried the scent of roasted vegetables and my heart was still catching up to the gratitude of the season.

It’s a salad that doesn’t rush. The sweet potatoes caramelize slowly, the pecans toast to fragrant perfection, and the maple dressing brings it all together in a way that tastes like home. Every bite is a reminder that nourishment can be simple — sweet and earthy, warm and crisp, all at once.

💛 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Beautiful balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors.
• Perfect warm salad for winter meals or festive gatherings.
• Naturally gluten-free and easily vegan.
• Packed with nutrients, fiber, and plant-based goodness.
• Delicious on its own or paired with your favorite protein.

🕰️ Quick Reference Snapshot

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Skill Level: Easy
Equipment: Baking sheet, mixing bowls, whisk
Dietary Info: Gluten-free, vegan adaptable

🍠 Ingredients

(US + Metric)

For the Salad

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 cups (60 g) baby spinach or mixed winter greens
• ½ cup (60 g) toasted pecans
• ¼ cup (30 g) crumbled feta or goat cheese (optional)
• ¼ cup (40 g) dried cranberries or pomegranate arils

For the Maple Vinaigrette

• 3 tbsp (45 mL) olive oil
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) maple syrup
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper, to taste

🌱 Seasonal Swaps

• Swap pecans for walnuts or pumpkin seeds.
• Use roasted carrots or parsnips instead of sweet potatoes.
• Add quinoa, wild rice, or farro for a heartier version.

🌿 From My Garden

By December, my greens have weathered more than one frost — but that’s when they’re at their sweetest. Spinach, arugula, and even kale thrive in the cooler air, teaching me that sometimes the cold brings out our best flavor.

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Roast the Sweet Potatoes

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss sweet potato cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread on a baking sheet and roast 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and golden.

Toast the Pecans

1. In the last 5 minutes of roasting, add pecans to the same pan (or toast separately in a dry skillet) until fragrant.

Make the Vinaigrette

1. In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon, salt, and pepper until smooth and emulsified.

Assemble the Salad

1. Arrange greens in a large bowl or platter.
2. Top with roasted sweet potatoes, pecans, cheese, and cranberries.
3. Drizzle with maple vinaigrette just before serving.

🍽 Serving & Pairing Suggestions

• Perfect alongside Herbed Turkey Pot Pie or Rustic Apple-Sage Pork Chops.
• Serve as a vibrant side to Roasted Garlic & Rosemary Chicken Thighs.
• Pair with Winter Greens & Citrus Salad for a colorful buffet spread.
• Enjoy with a cup of Coconut Cardamom Rice Pudding for a sweet finish.

🥡 Storage & Make-Ahead

• Store components separately for up to 3 days.
• Reheat sweet potatoes before assembling for best flavor.
• Leftovers make a perfect next-day lunch — even cold.

✨ Final Thoughts

This salad feels like a hymn of gratitude — each ingredient simple on its own, but together, something harmonious and whole. The roasted sweetness, the crunch, the gentle tang of maple — it’s a celebration of enoughness, of what the season already offers.

May every bite remind you that abundance doesn’t come from having more, but from savoring what’s already here. 🍠💛

🤝 Community & Connection

• Instagram — Daily garden moments & behind-the-scenes; tag your dish so I can cheer you on! 🌿📸
• Subscribe — Fresh recipes, seasonal tips, and printable freebies delivered weekly. ✉🍂
• Join FB Group — Ask questions, swap ideas, and share what’s growing with a kind, garden-loving community. 🌱🫶

🛒 Favorites from My Kitchen to Yours

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• Sheet pan set — for perfect, even roasting.
• Salad spinner — keeps greens crisp and fresh.
• Mini whisk — ideal for smooth vinaigrettes.

🌻 Related on Southern Soil Sunshine

• [Herbed Turkey Pot Pie with Garden Veggies] — A cozy, creamy main dish pairing.
• [Rustic Apple-Sage Pork Chops] — Perfect with this salad’s maple notes.
• [Winter Greens & Citrus Salad with Honey-Lemon Dressing] — A fresh, bright complement.
• [Italian Herb Focaccia Wreath] — Tear and serve with this warm salad.
• [Coconut Cardamom Rice Pudding] — Sweet finish to a wholesome winter meal.