Southwestern Sweet Potato Salad

Name: Southwestern Sweet Potato Salad Recipe
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 75 min
Ingredients: 3 cups diced sweet potatoes (about 3 med-large peeled sweet potatoes; or pre-cut sweet potatoes); 2-3 tbsp olive oil; 1/2 tsp salt; 3/4 tsp ground black pepper; 1 1/2 cups cups sweet corn (I used frozen that I heated until warm); 1 (15oz) can black beans, drained; 1 1/2 cups diced bell peppers (I used green, yellow, red, and orange); 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped ((plus more for garnish)); 1 tsp seasoned salt (or to taste); 1 tbsp fresh lime juice; 3-4 tbsp roasted red pepper dressing (or, you can use chipotle ranch, southwestern flavored dressing, etc.)

5 from 9 votes

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By: Julie Evink10 Comments

Posted: 08/21/18

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This Southwestern Sweet Potato Salad Recipe is an easy side dish recipe that is perfect for summer! The southwestern flavors from Sweet Corn, Black Beans, Peppers, Lime Juice and Roasted Red Pepper Dressing take this Sweet Potato Salad to a whole new level!

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Sweet Potato Salad

I was a little late to the whole sweet potato party, but now I’m arriving with this Southwestern Sweet Potato Salad and I’m coming in with a bang! It’s loaded with black beans, corn, peppers, lime juice and roasted red pepper dressing. Now, that my friends is a Sweet Potato Salad that packs a punch!

To me, sweet potatoes were just the things that came out at Thanksgiving and maybe Christmas (and the thing I avoided like the plague unless they were baked in a Sweet Potato Bundt Cake or mashed in these Sweet Potato Biscuits).

In fact, I was so late to the party, I didn’t even know that sweet potatoes were sold year around. (I know, I’m lame.)

Sweet Potato Salad Recipe

Fast forward to college, and everyone and their mother (or so it seemed) had jumped aboard the sweet potato train, or at least the sweet potato fry train. People were raving about sweet potato fries and how they put regular french fries to shame (even though they cost at least $2 more).

At the time, I just wasn’t ready to hop on the bandwagon (umm, I really love potatoes. This Cheesy Asparagus Potato Tart?? I’d eat it everyday).

You know what? I was missing out. Majorly.

The key thing for me was to recognize the sweet potato for what it is and enjoy it for what it is. It won’t ever replace the flavor of a regular potato for me, and that’s all right. In fact, I much prefer it that way. Sometimes I’m in the mood for sweet potatoes and sometimes I want all the starchy goodness of a white potato.

For instance, as much as I love a classic potato salad recipe, I was super interested in trying to create a version with sweet potatoes. I wanted to work with ingredients that complemented sweet potatoes, creating a unique summer side dish that focused on a different ingredient.

Cue all the dancing, because we hit the jackpot here with this southwestern sweet potato salad recipe!

How to Roast Sweet Potatoes

First things first, let’s talk roasting sweet potatoes in the oven. I love the flavor and texture of roasted sweet potatoes, and while you could boil the sweet potatoes for this recipe, I’d highly suggest roasting them. They get a little caramelized with a crunchy exterior and a tender interior, and the roasted flavor truly enhances the overall flavor of the potato salad.
A few things you need to roast sweet potatoes in the oven: non-stick foil (this is a lifesaver and will make clean up a breeze), olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Lastly, you need the oven to be fully preheated to 425 before putting the potatoes in. The high heat in combination with the oil will help the outsides of the potatoes crisp (otherwise, they might be a tad soggy in texture).

Sweet Potato Salad Recipe Tips & Tricks:

This salad can be served warm, at room temperature, or cold.
I used a roasted red pepper dressing in this recipe, but you can customize the dressing however you want. A chipotle ranch, a southwestern dressing, or even a salsa ranch would all pair extremely well with this recipe.
You can add onion, tomatoes, avocado, etc., to this recipe. Feel free to customize it or change it up based on what you have on hand. The flavors are simple and super versatile.

How to Make Sweet Potato Salad!

The first step is roasting those sweet potatoes! Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spread sweet potatoes onto a non-stick foil lined large sheet pan. Then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir so they are evenly coated.

Roast sweet potatoes in oven fro about 30 minutes.

Next grab a bowl and mix together sweet potatoes, corn, black beans, bell peppers, cilantro, seasoned salt, black pepper, lime juice and dressing.

That’s it! You are done. Either serve the Sweet Potato Salad immediately or serve chilled whichever you prefer!

Make sure to watch the video below to see me make Sweet Potato Salad and just how easy it is!

If you enjoy watching these videos make sure you subscribe to my YouTube Channel to be notified each time a post a new video!

Here are a few more delicious potato salad recipes that I know you’ll love!

I think I’m in love.

Here are some other recipes from A Latte Food:

Sweet Potato Bundt Cake

Sweet Potato Biscuits

Cheesy Asparagus Potato Tart

Meet Julie Evink

I'm here to help you win in the kitchen again! Life is Busy, Life is Crazy, but that doesn't mean you can't make your family dinner! Julie's goal is to provide you with easy, family, friendly recipes that use pantry staples. Dinnertime will be stress free again!