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  1. Food and Cooking
  2. Recipes
  3. Sweet Potato Salad

Sweet Potato Salad

Toss it together with bacon, cranberries, pecans, and goat cheese.

By Sarah HoldenPublished: Jan 13, 2026
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the pioneer woman's sweet potato salad
C.W. Newell
Yields:
4 - 6 serving(s)
Prep Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
20 mins

This sweet potato salad proves that potato salad recipes don't need mayonnaise to be satisfying. Roasted sweet potatoes form the base, balanced by peppery arugula. But it's the mix-ins that really set it apart. Think tart dried cranberries, toasted pecans, creamy goat cheese, and fresh parsley scattered throughout. There's also crispy, salty bacon, plus a sweet-and-tangy dressing made with apple cider vinegar, a touch of maple syrup, and warm bacon fat. Every forkful brings a different flavor or texture—and that’s what makes this salad so good.

Hearty enough to stand on its own for lunch or dinner, this salad also shines as one of the best sweet potato side dishes next to a roast chicken, pork tenderloin, or steak. However you serve it, this dish is one you’ll keep coming back to.

What makes this sweet potato salad different from classic potato salad?

Instead of a creamy, mayo-based dressing, this sweet potato salad leans on roasted sweet potatoes and a tangy, bacon-based vinaigrette. The result is lighter and packed with flavor.

Can you make sweet potato salad ahead of time?

For the best texture and flavor, wait until just before serving to fully assemble the salad. But the components can easily be prepped ahead of time: you can roast the sweet potatoes, cook the bacon, toast the pecans, and whisk together the dressing up to 2 days in advance. Store each ingredient separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator, then toss together right before serving to keep the arugula crisp and the nuts nice and crunchy.

Leftover sweet potato salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a day, but keep in mind the ingredients will soften as they sit.

Is this sweet potato salad best served warm or cold?

This salad is best served slightly warm or at room temperature, when the sweet potatoes stay tender without wilting the greens. It’s also great cold—just warm the bacon dressing in the microwave so it loosens up before tossing.

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Ingredients

  • 3 medium sweet potatoes (about 8 ounces each), cut into 3/4-inch cubes
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
  • 3/4 tsp. black pepper
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • 3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tsp. maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp. dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup pecan halves
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 3 Tbsp. parsley, roughly chopped
  • 2 oz. baby arugula
  • 2 oz. goat cheese, crumbled

Directions

    1. Step 1Preheat the oven to 425°F. 
    2. Step 2In a large bowl, toss together the sweet potatoes with the olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, cayenne, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper until coated. Spread on a baking sheet in a single layer and roast until tender and browned, 25 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through. Let cool 10 minutes. 
    3. Step 3Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crispy, about 8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
    4. Step 4Strain 3 tablespoons of the bacon fat into a medium bowl, reserving the remaining fat for another use. Whisk in the cider vinegar, maple syrup, dijon mustard, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Taste and season with salt as needed. Set the dressing aside. 
    5. Step 5Reduce the oven to 325°F. Spread the pecan halves in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast until fragrant, 7 to 10 minutes. Let cool, then roughly chop. 
    6. Step 6In a large bowl, combine the roasted sweet potatoes, toasted pecans, bacon pieces, dried cranberries, parsley, arugula, and goat cheese. Drizzle the dressing over the top and toss to combine. 

Love This Recipe? Try One of These Next!

  • Enchilada Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
    1 hr 30 mins
  • Sweet Potato Chili
    45 mins
  • Southwestern Salad
    30 mins
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