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Home » Recipes

Sweet Potato Spinach Salad (Vegan)

Published: 20 Oct 2023 · Updated: 20 Oct 2023 by Julianne Lynch · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · Leave a Comment

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Sweet potato and spinach salad pin.
Sweet potato and spinach salad pin.

This Sweet Potato Spinach Salad is the perfect combination of fall harvest flavors. You get sweetness from the mission figs and sweet potatoes, saltiness from the vegan feta and bacon bits, crunchiness from the sunflower seeds, and acidity from the creamy apple cider dressing. Perfect for make-ahead lunches, potlucks, or a light dinner.

Spinach sweet potato salad in a bowl.
Sweet potato spinach salad is perfect for meal prepped lunches or a light dinner.

This Spinach Sweet Potato Salad was inspired by the flavors of fall. In testing this recipe I tried to create a balance between the sweetness of the sweet potatoes and figs, with the saltiness of the vegan feta and bacon bits.

One thing I love about this salad is that it's really easy to make. And if you've pre-roasted the sweet potatoes, you can put this meal together in just a few minutes!

I tested this salad with roasted pumpkin. I liked the flavor but preferred the firmer texture of the sweet potatoes. That said, if you're looking to use up some leftover roasted pumpkin or butternut squash, this salad is a great way to do it!

Looking for more unique vegan sweet potato recipes? Check out these vegan sweet potato pancakes or this sweet potato chickpea curry!

Jump to:
  • Ingredient notes
  • Instructions
  • Variations
  • Equipment
  • How to serve
  • Storage
  • FAQ
  • More vegan salad and dressing recipes
  • 📖 Recipe

You'll love this recipe because it's:

  • Simple & Delicious
  • Quick & Easy
  • Vegan/Vegetarian
  • Easy to make WFPB & Oil-Free
  • Perfect for fall, meal-prepped lunches, and holiday potlucks.

Sweet potato spinach salad ingredients.

Ingredient notes

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

  • sweet potatoes -- Also called yams. Purple potatoes would also work if you can find them!
  • oil or water -- To help the seasoning stick
  • granulated garlic -- For some light seasoning.
  • salt

Other Salad Ingredients

  • spinach -- Fresh and delicious baby spinach is the base of this salad! Mixed greens or baby kale are also fine.
  • vegan feta -- Store-bought or make your own.
  • pumpkin seeds -- Sunflower seeds or pecans would also be great!
  • vegan bacon bits -- Either store-bought or use the linked recipe to make your own.
  • dried mission figs -- Regular figs, raisins, or craisins are also fine.

Creamy Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing

  • tahini --Almond butter could work in a pinch.
  • apple cider vinegar
  • maple syrup -- For sweetness
  • dijon mustard --For a little tang.
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • water  -- Just to thin the dressing out as needed.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Here are step-by-step instructions with photos.

Roasted sweet potatoes on a baking sheet.

Preheat the oven to 450F or 230C.

Wash and cube the sweet potatoes (no need to peel!). Season with garlic, salt, and oil or water. Then spread on a baking sheet.

Bake for about 30 minutes, or until fully cooked and nicely browned.

Toasted pumpkin seeds in a skillet.

While the sweet potatoes are in the oven, do the rest of the prep work (including washing and drying the spinach if it's not already).

Roast the pumpkin seeds over medium heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Chopped figs on a cutting board with a knife.

Chop the mission figs into halves or quarters, removing the stems.

Hand whisking a bowl of creamy apple cider vinegar dressing.

Add the dressing ingredients to a bowl and whisk to combine. (Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water for a thinner consistency, if desired.)

Sweet potato spinach salad in a bowl.

When the sweet potatoes are done let them cool for about 5 minutes. Then add all of the ingredients to a bowl and toss together with the dressings. Serve right away!

Hint: Want to save time? Make the sweet potatoes and dressing in advance. Then just assemble the salad and enjoy!

Variations

Here are a few variations if you want to switch things up.

  • Squash! - Swap out the sweet potatoes for roasted pumpkin, butternut squash, or your favorite winter squash.
  • High Protein - For a higher protein meal, try adding this marinated tofu.
  • Balsamic Vinaigrette - Substitute the apple cider dressing for your favorite balsamic vinaigrette or make this homemade version.
  • Candied Pecans - For something extra special swap out the pumpkin seeds for these Air Fryer Spiced Pecans.

Closeup of sweet potato spinach salad.
This spinach sweet potato salad is topped full of delicious fall harvest flavors.

Equipment

For this recipe, you'll need a baking sheet, knife, cutting board, and large bowl. A whisk is also helpful for mixing the dressing, but in a pinch, you could use a fork or spoon.

All of my favorite products and kitchen tools can be found in my Amazon shop.

How to serve

Serve this Sweet Potato Spinach salad as a meal prepped lunch, light dinner, or side salad.

If you're meal-prepping this salad, I recommend leaving the dressing separate until it's time to serve. Or you can store the salad in mason jars. Add the salad dressing first, then the sweet potatoes, bacon bits, pumpkin seeds, figs, vegan feta, and spinach at the top.

The delicious fall harvest flavors would also make this a perfect to Vegan Thanksgiving Salad!

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If the salad is already topped with the dressing, then it will only last about 1 day. If the dressing is separate, it can last 3 to 4 days.

Spinach salad with sweet potatoes and apple cider dressing in a bowl with a fork.
Drizzle the creamy apple cider vinegar dressing over the top and dig in!

FAQ

Can I use store-bought dressing?

Sure! I recommend an apple cider or balsamic vinaigrette.

Are figs vegan?

Figs share a symbiotic relationship with wasps, and during the pollination process, the wasps sometimes die. But as this is a natural relationship, rather than animal exploitation, figs are and should be considered vegan.

What are mission figs?

Mission figs are a variety of figs that are dark purple to black in color (when dried). They have an earthy, complex flavor, that perfectly compliments this salad.

Can I roast the sweet potatoes in the air fryer?

Sure! Cook them in the air fryer at 375F or 190C for 20 to 25 minutes. For full instructions, see this recipe for Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes.

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📖 Recipe

Sweet potato and spinach salad.

Sweet Potato Spinach Salad (Vegan)

This Sweet Potato Spinach Salad is the perfect combination of fall harvest flavors. You get sweetness from the mission figs and sweet potatoes, saltiness from the vegan feta and bacon bits, crunchiness from the sunflower seeds, and acidity from the creamy apple cider dressing. Perfect for make-ahead lunches, potlucks, or a light dinner.
4.67 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Share on Facebook Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Cooling time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 40 minutes mins
Course Lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 405 kcal

Equipment

ROYAL CRAFT WOOD Extra Larg...Shop on Amazon
Cutting Board
HENCKELS Classic Razor-Shar...Shop on Amazon
knife
Wilton Easy Layers Sheet Ca...Shop on Amazon
baking sheet
mixing bowl

Ingredients
 
 

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

  • 2 to 3 medium sweet potatoes (roughly 1.5 lbs.)
  • 1 tablespoon oil or water
  • ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Other Salad Ingredients

  • 4 cups spinach washed and dried
  • ½ cup vegan feta
  • ½ cup pumpkin seeds
  • ½ cup vegan bacon bits
  • ½ cup dried mission figs

Creamy Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing

  • ¼ cup tahini
  • 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons water (as needed)
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 450F or 230C.
  • Wash and cube the sweet potatoes (no need to peel!). Season with garlic, salt, and oil or water. Then spread on a baking sheet. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until fully cooked and nicely browned.
  • While the sweet potatoes are in the oven, do the rest of the prep work (including washing and drying the spinach if it's not already).
  • Roast the pumpkin seeds over medium heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Chop the mission figs into halves or quarters, removing the stems.
  • Add the dressing ingredients to a bowl and whisk to combine. (Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water for a thinner consistency, if desired.)
  • When the sweet potatoes are done let them cool for about 5 minutes. Then add all of the ingredients to a bowl and toss together with the dressings. Serve right away!
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Notes

  • Nutritional info is only an estimate and can vary based on the ingredients you use.

Nutrition

Calories: 405kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 12gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 824mgPotassium: 862mgFiber: 8gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 18968IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 232mgIron: 4mg
Keyword Sweet potato spinach salad
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Julianne, founder of No Sweat Vegan.

Hi, I'm Julianne! A dedicated home chef for over 20 years and a vegan recipe developer since 2020. I love creating simple and comforting vegan food for the whole family. Most of my recipes are quick, Whole-Foods Plant-Based, and easy on the budget. Thanks for stopping by!

You can also find me at AirFryerVeg.com.

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