This Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad has roasted vegetables, zingy dressing, and easy preparation to make this a hit with your whole family. Since this recipe tastes even better after being in the fridge, it is perfect for a delicious lunch the next day or a quick dinner.
Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad
This tasty dish brings together roasted sweet potatoes, red bell pepper, and quinoa, all coated in a simple yet flavorful dressing. It's a fantastic meal that your entire family will love. Using basic ingredients, it's a fast and easy way to add a variety of flavors and textures to your little one's plate.
I like to cook a large batch of quinoa to enjoy throughout the week. It is versatile and nutritious, and making it in advance makes my life a whole lot easier on busy days.
I love to add it to chicken quinoa casserole, beef quinoa meatballs, sweet potato patties, and overnight quinoa oats.
This salad is easy to whip up quickly once the ingredients are cooked, and it can be enjoyed warm or cold depending on when you are eating it and how your little ones prefer it.
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Ingredients
I am highlighting just the ones that need further explanation. The complete list is in the recipe card below.
- Quinoa - Yellow quinoa is my preference for this recipe, although you can use another variety if that's what you have on hand. Quinoa packs some great plant-based protein into this recipe, and you can make a large batch to meal prep and use throughout the week.
- Vegetables - Sweet potatoes provide a sweet, creamy texture, and beautiful color to this dish. Red bell pepper and red onion add crunch to this hearty recipe, creating a medley of fiber and flavor that your little ones will love. Roasting the vegetables for this recipe makes them sweeter and softer for little ones to eat, and gives the quinoa something to stick to for little hands to pick up.
- Dressing - The zingy dressing made with lemon juice, lemon zest, balsamic vinegar, oil, and maple syrup/honey makes this salad the flavorful and delicious delight that it is. The perfect blend of tart and sweet, you will love the combination of flavors with the other ingredients and how easy it is to make this dressing.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Rinse the quinoa under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the quinoa is cooked and the liquid is absorbed. Fluff the quinoa with a fork and let it cool.
Step 2: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Add sweet potatoes, red bell peppers, and onion to a baking sheet. Toss with oil and the seasonings. Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast for 25-20 minutes or until tender and lightly browned. Allow them to cool.
Step 3: Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the dressing.
Step 4: In a large bowl, add the cooked quinoa and the vegetables. Add the chickpeas. Pour in the dressing and toss until everything is well coated. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate for a few hours to allow the flavors to meld.
Tips for Success
- Cook ingredients ahead. Cooking the quinoa and/or roasting the vegetables in advance will save you time so you can just combine everything the day of, making it even easier to feed your hungry kiddos a hearty meal.
- Refrigerate. While you can enjoy this salad immediately, I recommend refrigerating for a couple of hours to allow the flavors to meld.
Variations
- Southwest quinoa salad - Swap out chickpeas with black beans and add corn, avocado, and fresh cilantro.
- Autumn harvest quinoa salad - Add some diced apples, toasted pecans, and dried cranberries to your sweet potato and quinoa mix. It's SOO good!
- More protein - Chicken, tofu, or salmon would be delicious with this salad.
- Add cheese - Sprinkle feta cheese or goat cheese onto your sweet potato bowl for another delicious flavor.
Storage
These sweet potato quinoa bowls taste great leftover as the flavors continue to combine to make it even more delicious.
Store any leftover sweet potato quinoa salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Store in individual containers for a healthy lunch the next day.
If you are planning to make this a day or two in advance, store the dressing in a separate container in the fridge. I wouldn't freeze this recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rinsing quinoa before cooking helps to wash off a coating called saponin, which can taste bitter or soapy.
Keep your cooked quinoa in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days, or in the freezer for up to two months.
More Easy Salads
Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!
Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound sweet potatoes, diced into ½ inch pieces
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons cumin
- ½-1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup yellow quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups water (or broth)
- 15 ounce can of chickpeas
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2-3 teaspoons maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Rinse the quinoa under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the quinoa is cooked and the liquid is absorbed. Fluff the quinoa with a fork and let it cool.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Add sweet potatoes, red bell peppers, and onion to a baking sheet. Toss with oil and the seasonings. Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast for 25-20 minutes or until tender and lightly browned. Allow them to cool.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the dressing.
- In a large bowl, add the cooked quinoa and the vegetables. Add the chickpeas. Pour in the dressing and toss until everything is well coated. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate for a few hours to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
- Cook ingredients ahead. Cooking the quinoa and/or roasting the vegetables in advance will save you time so you can just combine everything the day of, making it even easier to feed your hungry kiddos a hearty meal.
- Refrigerate. While you can enjoy this salad immediately, I recommend refrigerating for a couple of hours to allow the flavors to meld
Marija says
I made this for my babys birthday party and it was a huge hit. I looove it!
Thanks for sharing great recipes always!
Devon says
Loved this one so so much for my toddler and me. I did the pecan and apple addition. So thankful for thus recipe!
Min says
Oh I'm so glad you enjoyed this salad!! You're welcome!
Ellie says
oh yeahhhh I love Sprouts!!!! they have the best deals too! When I shop there, I get about as much if not more food than if I were to shop at a regular store. And great recipe! 🙂 Many times when Greg sees me cooking or baking up a storm he asks me if I'm feeling alright, since baking is like fun therapy for me. 🙂 Hang in there and God bless you today sissy!
freshlifefindings says
Yum! I love sweet potatoes and quinoa so I definitely want to try this recipe out 🙂 I miss my family too! I'm printing some pictures from our weekend to put up in my apartment to help me cope 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend min!
Min says
I've gotten so bad about developing pics as of late....I should go to Costco! Hope you have a blessed Sunday!!
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts says
This salad sounds amazing! Hopefully it not only lifted your day but helped the rest of the week improve too. Also, thanks for stopping by my blog - great to discover yours too 🙂
Min says
Thanks, Kari! And I'm so glad you stopped by my blog as well =).
myhealthyohana says
Your family is too cute! Sorry you had a blah day yesterday, but I'm so impressed that you were able to turn it around and make that delicious, healthy meal and get energized from it!! That's awesome 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend, Min!
Min says
I wanna take a dive in your swimming pool...Right now!! Oh, and I went and bought some mangoes today =). I wonder why hehe.
myhealthyohana says
You are welcome anytime...and Tim and Kona too of course 🙂 Yay for mango pie, hope Tim likes it!!
Yoonie says
I love that 'candid' picture!!! I think you look the most hilarious... ^^
Min says
Yes..appa kept on saying that the picture's going to be a masterpiece..and look how it turned out haha. I do look pretty hilarious huh? I wish you and Noah were in the picture..sniff sniff