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    Home » Recipes » Dinner Recipes

    31/05/2018 Dairy Free Recipes

    Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad with Sesame Dressing

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    Salads are only worth eating if they're going to fill you up and make you feel amazing. This sweet potato quinoa salad does exactly that. Drizzle with a good helping of creamy sesame dressing and you've got a perfect lunch or dinner.

    I am loving the summer salads right now. It makes me so happy when I eat a salad that makes me feel full and puts a smile on my face.

    So far this summer I've been obsessing over this super simple pasta salad with an incredible balsamic dressing and this smoky aubergine salad but those two might just be about to be overtaken by this filling, healthy and vibrant salad.

    Overhead shot of Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad with Sesame Dressing on a blue background

    I can only eat salads that are mainly carbs and dressings. I mean I could eat the mainly leafy ones if I really had to but ideally I want ones that fill me up for hours and taste amaaaazing. No more boring salads!

    As much as I'm normally a carbs and cheese kinda gal I do have a tendency towards craving salads as soon as the weather gets warm. And it has been warm recently although it's been storms and rain today, British weather...go figure.

    Roasted sweet potato for Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad with Sesame Dressing recipe
    Jar of sesame dressing with a spoon on a blue background

    Storms in the UK are mostly like all other weather in the UK, half-hearted and unremarkable but for once the storms in London have been pretty epic. I can't remember the last time I saw full on bolts of lightening across the sky here but that's what we were getting on Saturday night and I find it all pretty exciting.

    Stormy weather aside though it's been pretty pleasant and I've got fingers firmly crossed for a hot and beautiful summer full of fun outdoor activities (and by this I obviously mean barbecues, picnics and drinking in beer gardens) and delicious summer salads.

    Overhead shot of ingredients for Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad with Sesame Dressing on a blue background

    So this sweet potato and quinoa salad then. My approach to salad is basically like one of those games you play as a kid where each person draws a body part and folds the page over until you end up with a full drawing of a person. I take a random selection of all my favourite ingredients and throw them all into a bowl until you get what I loosely call a salad.

    So, the ingredients in this salad are as follows:

    • Sweet Potato - Peeled, chopped and then roasted until gooey and delicious
    • Olive Oil
    • Chilli Powder - Feel free to switch this out for another spice if you prefer, I just love that hint of heat
    • Salt and Pepper
    • Puy Lentils and Quinoa - I used a ready mixed and cooked packets of grains because they make your life so much easier but if you'd prefer to cook your own grains then go right ahead 😇
    • Fresh Coriander - If you hate it then switch it for something else, I won't be mad
    • Sesame Seeds
    • Kale - We so healthy
    Close up of Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad with Sesame Dressing

    Now once you've got all your yummy salad ingredients tossed together in a bowl you're going to need plenty of dressing to tie everything together. I made a sesame dressing which I honestly could eat with a spoon.

    I strongly advocate for you making double this dressing recipe and storing the rest in the fridge to dip everything else you're eating in it for the rest of time. It's nutty and sweet and garlicky and just fills me with joy in the way only food can.

    Ingredients you need to make sesame dressing:

    • Tahini - This is something that it is definitely worth keeping a stock of in your fridge at all times.
    • Lemon Juice
    • Maple Syrup
    • Garlic
    • Salt
    • Water

    It really is that simple. Measure out each ingredient into a jar, pop the lid on and give it a good shake (or whisk thoroughly in a bowl) and you are ready to go.

    Overhead shot of Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad with Sesame Dressing on blue background with dressing, lemon and coriander
    Overhead of Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad with Sesame Dressing ingredients on a blue background with lemon and dressing

    I like to put everything in a big bowl and then drizzle on a few tablespoons of dressing. Toss gently (and I mean gently because roasted sweet potato has a cheeky tendency to mush if you toss too hard) with the dressing so that everything is coated in a thin layer and all the ingredients are mixed thoroughly.

    Once I've tossed I then tip everything onto a serving platter with another good drizzle of dressing along with sesame seeds and extra coriander leaves because pretty. Obviously the final thing needs serving with plenty of dressing on the side so everyone can help themselves <----- plenty of dressing = vital to being a good host.

    Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad with Sesame Dressing on a blue background with lemon in the background
    Overhead shot of Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad with Sesame Dressing

    If you want more happy salads like this then don't miss all my other salad recipes!

    Keep scrolling to get the recipe...

    WONDERING WHAT TO DO WITH THE LEFTOVER INGREDIENTS ONCE YOU’VE MADE THIS SWEET POTATO & QUINOA SALAD?

    If you’re anything like me then you’re always looking for ways to save money and avoid food waste so I want to make sure you’ve get plenty of ideas on how to use up any ingredients that are leftover from my recipes!

    Kale Pasta with Chilli & Garlic

    Use up leftover kale in this super simple pasta dish.

    Two plates of kale pasta on a striped cloth and a blue background

    Roasted Aubergine with Satay Sauce

    Tahini is one of my favourite ingredients but if you're not sure how to use it up why don't you try making these roasted aubergines with a tahini satay sauce!

    Platter of roasted aubergine with satay sauce on a white wooden background
    Overhead shot of Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad with Sesame Dressing

    Sweet Potato & Quinoa Salad with Sesame Dressing

    Salads are only worth eating if they're going to fill you up and make you feel amazing. This sweet potato and quinoa salad does exactly that. Drizzle with a good helping of creamy sesame dressing and you've got a perfect lunch or dinner.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mediterranean
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 386kcal
    Author: Amy Fulwood

    Ingredients

    For the salad

    • 4 Sweet Potatoes peeled and chopped
    • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • Pinch Chilli Powder
    • Salt and Pepper
    • 250 g Puy Lentils & Quinoa packet of ready cooked ones or cook your own
    • 250 g Kale stems removed
    • Bunch Fresh Coriander stems removed, plus a few extra leaves to serve
    • Sesame Seeds to serve

    For the dressing

    • 80 g Tahini
    • 1 Lemon juiced
    • 1 tablespoon Maple Syrup
    • 1 clove Garlic minced
    • Salt
    • Water as needed
    UK Measures - US Measures

    Instructions

    • Heat the oven to 200°C/400°F. Toss together the sweet potato, olive oil, chilli powder and a sprinkling of salt and pepper on a baking sheet. Place in the oven for 30 minutes until softened.
    • While the potatoes are cooking whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, garlic and a pinch of salt. Add water a few drops at a time until you reach the desired creamy consistency. Saute the kale in a few drops of oil over a medium heat until wilted.
    • Once the sweet potato is cooked place it in a large bowl with the kale, lentils & quinoa, coriander and a drizzle of dressing. Toss gently and serve with a sprinkling of sesame seeds, extra coriander leaves and more dressing.
    Nutrition Facts
    Sweet Potato & Quinoa Salad with Sesame Dressing
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 386 Calories from Fat 135
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 15g23%
    Saturated Fat 2g10%
    Sodium 104mg4%
    Potassium 1115mg32%
    Carbohydrates 54g18%
    Fiber 10g40%
    Sugar 10g11%
    Protein 14g28%
    Vitamin A 24700IU494%
    Vitamin C 94.5mg115%
    Calcium 185mg19%
    Iron 4.8mg27%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Notes

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    Like the look of this recipe? Make sure you pin it for later!

    Sweet Potato & Quinoa Salad with Sesame Dressing. Salads are only worth eating if they're going to fill you up and make you feel amazing. This sweet potato and quinoa salad does exactly that. Drizzle with a good helping of creamy sesame dressing and you've got a perfect lunch or dinner. #salad #vegetarianrecipe #healthyrecipe #thecookreport
    « Roasted Aubergine with Satay Sauce
    Greek Orzo Salad with Lemon Dressing »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Danielle says

      June 01, 2018 at 8:22 am

      5 stars
      Those chunks of potato salas look amazing. I love that you have added quinoa for extra protein.

      Reply
      • Amy says

        June 01, 2018 at 3:21 pm

        Thanks Danielle 🙂

        Reply
    2. Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says

      June 01, 2018 at 12:09 pm

      5 stars
      Oh My Gosh!!! Amy this recipe has my name all over it! You had me at sweet potato and quinoa but then the tahini and maple dressing has me swooning! Pinning!

      Reply
      • Amy says

        June 01, 2018 at 3:21 pm

        Thank you Katie 🙂

        Reply
    3. Marie - NotEnoughCinnamon.com says

      June 01, 2018 at 12:25 pm

      5 stars
      This salad looks SO GOOD! It has all my favorite ingredients - can't get enough sweet potatoes, quinoa and tahini. Seriously, I eat these weekly! Your photos are gorgeous Amy 🙂

      Reply
      • Amy says

        June 01, 2018 at 3:20 pm

        Thanks so much Marie!

        Reply
    4. colleen kennedy says

      June 01, 2018 at 1:12 pm

      5 stars
      This. Is. Gorgeous!! Pinned! Loving everything about this salad!

      Reply
      • Amy says

        June 01, 2018 at 3:20 pm

        Thanks Colleen 🙂

        Reply
    5. Ann says

      June 01, 2018 at 1:27 pm

      5 stars
      This. Looks. SO. Good. I'm immediately drawn to anything with sweet potatoes, and I love the way you use them in a lighter way with this salad. The tahini dressing sounds absolutely heavenly too. Pinned!

      Reply
      • Amy says

        June 01, 2018 at 3:20 pm

        Thank you so much Ann!

        Reply
    6. Shinta Simon says

      June 01, 2018 at 4:04 pm

      The salad itself look so good, and the dressing sounds divine! What a great idea. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Amy says

        June 02, 2018 at 12:42 am

        Thank you Shinta

        Reply
    7. Bri says

      June 06, 2018 at 4:51 pm

      All my favs together:) Love the sweet potato kale combo:))

      Reply
      • Amy says

        June 10, 2018 at 5:50 pm

        Thanks Bri!

        Reply
    8. Janis Hillier says

      December 21, 2020 at 4:53 am

      5 stars
      Made this for a large group of people at my house including vegans and gluten free crowd and it was a hit with everyone even the carnivores were loving it. Such an awesome salad thanks so much for posting this recipe we love it!

      Reply
      • Amy says

        December 21, 2020 at 3:49 pm

        Thanks Janis!

        Reply

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