Roasted Japanese Sweet Potato Kale And Quinoa Salad

If you’ve been craving something hearty yet fresh then this Roasted Japanese Sweet Potato Kale And Quinoa Salad is a must-try. It’s cozy, full of plant-based protein, fiber, and healthy fats, and it tastes amazing.

This is one of those meals that checks every box: easy to prep, nutrient-dense, and totally satisfying. The combination of roasted Japanese sweet potatoes, quinoa, kale, and kidney beans creates a satisfying grounding base, while the apple cider vinaigrette adds the flavor.

You can enjoy it as is for a light, energizing lunch or boost it with your favorite protein- roasted chicken, baked salmon, or crispy tofu all pair perfectly!

What you need (serves 3):

1 large Japanese sweet potato, cubed
4-6 cups kale, destemmed and chopped
2 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
1 15 oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 tbsp cooking oil
A few pinches of salt
Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Optional prepared protein: roasted chicken, salmon, or tofu

Apple Cider Vinaigrette

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1–2 tsp honey (to taste)
A dash of garlic powder
2/3 cup olive oil
Salt + pepper to taste

Whisk (or shake in a covered jar) together in a jar until well combined, or shake in a jar for easy storage.

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 420F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss the sweet potato cubes with a drizzle of cooking oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Meanwhile, add chopped kale to a large bowl with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Massage with your hands for about a minute until softened and deep green. Add the cooked quinoa, kidney beans, and roasted sweet potato to the kale. Pour over the vinaigrette and toss until everything is evenly coated. Add your choice of protein.

This salad is amazing with the dressing on it for a few days as long as you store it covered in a glass Tupperware. If you prefer to keep your sweet potatoes crispy, wait until serving to add your cooked sweet potato.

Love this recipe? Try out one of my other favorite lunch recipes here. It’s an Easy Brown Rice Tuna Salad.