Ever met a salad that feels like a little celebration on your plate? That’s exactly what this Sweet Potato Salad with Tahini Dressing, Feta, and Avocado Recipe does—it’s creamy, zesty, and just the right balance of comforting and fresh. Perfect for those days when you want something bright yet satisfying.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Sweet Potato Salad with Tahini Dressing, Feta, and Avocado Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Sweet Potato Salad with Tahini Dressing, Feta, and Avocado Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Sweet Potato Salad with Tahini Dressing, Feta, and Avocado Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I stumbled on this salad during a week when I wanted to eat something wholesome but also exciting enough to make me look forward to mealtime. The combination of roasted sweet potatoes with creamy tahini dressing and salty feta plus buttery avocado is genuinely a flavor hug you deserve.
- Simple yet gourmet: The ingredients are straightforward, but together they feel fresh and sophisticated.
- Versatile for your mood: Works beautifully as a light lunch or a side dish for dinner parties.
- Nutrition-packed: Sweet potatoes provide fiber and vitamins, while tahini adds healthy fats, making this salad both delicious and good-for-you.
- Customizable: Easily swap or add ingredients to match what you have on hand without losing the essence.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This salad is a medley of textures and flavors—creamy, crunchy, tangy, and subtly sweet. Each element has a purpose, and knowing why helps you make smart swaps or tweaks without losing that magic.
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Roasting brings out their natural sweetness and soft texture, which contrasts beautifully with tangy feta.
- Tahini Dressing: Adds a velvety, nutty richness that feels indulgent but is totally plant-based and wholesome.
- Arugula: Its peppery bite cuts through the creaminess and adds a fresh, leafy base.
- Feta Cheese: The salty crumble gives a sharp contrast that brightens every bite.
- Avocado: Creamy and mild, it pairs perfectly with lemon juice to prevent browning and add zesty freshness.
- Toasted Pepitas: These crunchy little seeds bring texture and a pleasant nuttiness.
- Lemon Wedge: A little squeeze wakes up the whole salad with brightness.
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that elevate every ingredient’s natural flavor.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about the Sweet Potato Salad with Tahini Dressing, Feta, and Avocado Recipe is how easy it is to personalize—whether it's a little extra heat or making it vegan-friendly. I often tweak it depending on what’s in season or what mood I’m in.
- Variation: Try adding some chopped fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for extra brightness—sometimes I toss in a bit of finely diced red onion for a sharper bite.
- Make it vegan: Swap feta for a sprinkle of toasted nuts or vegan cheese alternative, and you’re good to go.
- Spice it up: Adding a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika in the dressing gives the salad a gentle kick that I love on cooler days.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Sweet Potato Salad with Tahini Dressing, Feta, and Avocado Recipe
Step 1: Roast the Sweet Potatoes to Perfection
Start by roasting your sweet potatoes—this is where the flavor foundation is set. I like to cut them into evenly sized chunks so they cook uniformly. Toss them with a tiny bit of olive oil and roast at 400°F (200°C) for around 25 minutes, turning halfway through. You want tender edges with a little caramelization but not mushy.
Step 2: Whip Up a Creamy Tahini Dressing
While the potatoes roast, prepare your tahini dressing. Here’s a little secret: making sure the lemon juice and a touch of warm water blend well with tahini prevents it from thickening up too much or getting lumpy. Add a pinch of salt and garlic for flavor. Whisk it all until smooth—you’ll want a consistency that’s pourable, not paste-like.
Step 3: Build Your Salad Layers
On a large platter or bowl, lay down your fresh arugula and drizzle about half of the tahini dressing. Next comes the sweet potatoes, then a generous sprinkle of feta crumbles. Top it off with beautiful slices of avocado—don’t forget to squeeze lemon over them right away to keep the color bright!
Step 4: The Finishing Touch - Pepitas and Seasoning
Scatter toasted pepitas over the salad for crunch, then give a final drizzle of tahini dressing. Season with a little sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste. Done! This salad shines best when everything is fresh and just lightly dressed, so take your time plating it beautifully.
Top Tip
I’ve made this salad a dozen times at this point and learned a few key things that really help it shine every time.
- Even cutting for roasting: Try to keep your sweet potato chunks similar in size so they roast evenly and avoid some pieces being undercooked while others burn.
- Tahini consistency: If your dressing thickens too much, add a teaspoon of warm water at a time—this keeps it silky and easy to drizzle.
- Prevent avocado browning: Lemon juice is your best friend here; drizzle it immediately after slicing to keep avocado looking fresh and inviting.
- Toast pepitas yourself: Pre-toasted pepitas can be bland—quickly toasting them on a dry pan brings out their nutty crunch in a way you won’t want to skip.
How to Serve Sweet Potato Salad with Tahini Dressing, Feta, and Avocado Recipe
Garnishes
I love finishing this salad off with a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or mint when I have them on hand—it brightens the whole bowl and adds that herbal aroma that just makes you smile. Sometimes a pinch of za’atar or a few chili flakes work wonders too if you’re feeling adventurous.
Side Dishes
This salad is quite versatile on its own but pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or fish if you want some extra protein. I often serve it alongside warm pita bread or a simple lentil soup for a cozy meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like assembling this salad in little mason jars or individual bowls so guests can enjoy the layers of color and texture. Another favorite is to spread a bed of baby spinach under the arugula for extra greenery that looks stunning on a bright platter.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers? Great! Keep the salad in an airtight container but store avocado and dressing separately if possible to prevent the avocado from browning and salad from becoming soggy. I usually slice fresh avocado just before serving any leftovers the next day.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing this salad because the fresh avocado and arugula don’t thaw well, and the creamy dressing can separate. Stick to making just enough or saving leftovers for 1–2 days in the fridge.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy warm sweet potatoes again, gently reheat them separately in the oven or on the stovetop before reassembling your salad with fresh greens, avocado, and dressing.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Just swap out the feta cheese for a vegan cheese alternative or toasted nuts for a similar salty crunch, and ensure your tahini dressing doesn’t include any non-vegan ingredients.
The best way is to squeeze fresh lemon juice over the sliced avocado right before adding it to the salad—this slows oxidation and keeps it looking fresh and appetizing longer.
Yes! You can roast the sweet potatoes and prepare the tahini dressing a day ahead, storing each separately in the fridge. Assemble the salad just before serving to keep the greens crisp and avocado fresh.
Sunflower seeds or chopped toasted almonds make great substitutes for pepitas, adding a similar crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the salad.
Final Thoughts
This Sweet Potato Salad with Tahini Dressing, Feta, and Avocado Recipe remains one my favorite go-to dishes for its bright flavors, easy prep, and satisfying texture combo. I’m so happy to share it with you because I truly believe it can turn a simple meal into something special. Trust me—you’ll want to make this again and again, and hopefully, it becomes a little kitchen tradition for you too.
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Sweet Potato Salad with Tahini Dressing, Feta, and Avocado Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A vibrant and nutritious Sweet Potato Salad featuring roasted sweet potatoes, peppery arugula, creamy avocado, and tangy feta, all tossed in a rich tahini dressing and topped with crunchy toasted pepitas, perfect for a wholesome lunch or side dish.
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 roasted sweet potatoes
- 4 cups arugula
- ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 lemon wedge, for squeezing
- 3 tablespoons toasted pepitas
- Sea salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Dressing
- 1 recipe tahini dressing
Instructions
- Prepare the roasted sweet potatoes: Roast the sweet potatoes according to your preferred recipe or until tender and caramelized, then let them cool slightly.
- Make the tahini dressing: Prepare the tahini dressing following your chosen recipe, ensuring it's smooth and flavorful.
- Assemble the salad: On a large platter, spread the arugula and drizzle some tahini dressing over it to lightly coat the greens.
- Add sweet potatoes and feta: Arrange the roasted sweet potatoes on top of the arugula, then sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese evenly over the salad.
- Add avocado and lemon juice: Place the sliced avocado over the salad and squeeze fresh lemon juice directly onto the avocado to prevent browning and add brightness.
- Finish with toppings and seasoning: Drizzle more tahini dressing over the salad and scatter the toasted pepitas on top for crunch. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve promptly: Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the contrasting textures and fresh flavors.
Notes
- Roast sweet potatoes at 400°F for about 25 minutes or until tender.
- Use ripe but firm avocados for best texture and flavor.
- To toast pepitas, dry roast them in a skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- You can substitute arugula with baby spinach or mixed greens if preferred.
- The tahini dressing can be made ahead and stored refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Add a pinch of smoked paprika to the dressing for a smoky twist.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 12 mg
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