Sweet Potato Apple-Raisin Salad
A vibrant, sweet and savory salad combining roasted sweet potatoes, crisp apples, raisins, and crunchy walnuts, dressed with orange and honey for a delightful flavor mix. Perfect for gatherings or healthy side dishes.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
- Place sweet potatoes in a medium microwave-safe dish.
- Add 1/3 cup water to the dish.
- Cover and microwave on High for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking. Drain and set aside to cool for about 15 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled sweet potatoes, diced apple, diced celery, raisins, and chopped walnuts.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, grated orange rind, orange juice, honey, and ground cinnamon.
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to combine.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Tips & Substitutions
For a quicker prep, you can use pre-cooked sweet potatoes or canned sweet potatoes. If you prefer a crunchier texture, consider adding diced bell peppers or swapping walnuts for pecans. For a lighter version, substitute the calorie reduced mayonnaise with Greek yogurt. This salad pairs beautifully with Dream Easy Salad.
Serving Suggestions
This Sweet Potato Apple-Raisin Salad makes a delightful side dish for grilled meats or a light lunch on its own. Consider serving it alongside Easy Hot Spiced Cider for a comforting meal. Garnish with additional walnuts or a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flavor and presentation.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will meld together, making it even tastier the next day. If needed, add a splash of orange juice to refresh the dressing before serving. Avoid freezing, as the texture may change.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sweet Potato Apple-Raisin Salad contains roughly 569 calories, with 7g protein, 64g carbohydrates, and 36g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (30% of the Daily Value) and vitamin C (30% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 770mg per serving (33% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the salad a few hours in advance. Just keep the dressing separate until you're ready to serve to prevent the ingredients from becoming soggy. This way, the salad stays fresh and crunchy.
What can I substitute for raisins?
If you don't have raisins on hand, dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots work well as a substitute. Both options add a nice tartness that complements the sweet potatoes and apples.
Is this salad suitable for vegan diets?
To make this salad vegan, replace the calorie reduced mayonnaise with a vegan mayo or a plant-based yogurt. The rest of the ingredients are naturally vegan, making this salad a great choice for those following vegan recipes.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).