Sweet Potato Salad is a combination of Southern hospitality meets flavor-packed Tex Mex. Seasoned roasted sweet potatoes, crunchy vegetables and a simple three-ingredient dressing bring it all together in perfect harmony. For an over the top delectable meal serve with Balsamic Vinegar Barbecue Ribs or Dry Rub Sweet Barbecue Pork Tenderloin.
Are you a sweet potato nut like me? I just love them. Have you ever had salsa on a sweet potato? It is phenomenal and part of the inspiration for this recipe. This amazing Sweet Potato Salad combines seasoned roasted sweet potato bites, blackened corn, sweet onion, crisp celery, sun-ripened red bell pepper, and scallions all in creamy salsa dressing. So incredibly delicious that you will want to make it over and over again this summer.
How do you make Sweet Potato Salad?
Start by peeling and cubing your sweet potatoes into bite-size chunks. Throw all those bright beautiful chunks into a large zipper storage bag. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and a couple pinches of red pepper. Then simply shake to coat Place the potatoes on a parchment-covered baking sheet and roast just until fork tender. This usually takes about 30-35 minutes. Let them cool while you chop the other vegetables
In a small bowl whisk together the mayo, salsa and lime juice and set aside. Add one tablespoon olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat and swirl to coat the pan. Add the chopped onion and corn to the hot skillet. Flip every couple of minutes with a spatula. After about 7-10 minutes the corn will turn a nice light golden brown and the onions will be lightly browned on the edges. Allow the corn and onion mixture to cool
In a large bowl add the cooled sweet potatoes, blackened corn and onions, celery, red bell peppers, and scallions. Add the salsa dressing and stir gently to combine. Refrigerate for several hours to meld all the delicious flavors together.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- Don’t skip seasoning the potatoes before roasting because it really takes this salad over the top.
- Leave space between the potato chunks on the baking sheet so the heat can flow and roast the potatoes.
- Cook the sweet potatoes just until fork tender. Start checking after 25 minutes and every 3-4 minutes thereafter.
- Cut your vegetables fairly small. They should complement the sweet potatoes as they are the star of the show.
- Blackened (charred) corn is fairly easy and is really hard to mess up. Simply leave it over the medium heat undisturbed for a couple of minutes, flip with a spatula and then repeat again until it is lightly browned. If it is browning too fast reduce the heat.
- For best results refrigerate the salad a couple of hours prior to serving, therefore, letting the flavors co-mingle for a little bit.
- If sensitive to heat omit the crushed red pepper and it will still be delicious!
More potato recipes you will love!
- Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
- Skillet German Potato Salad with Bacon
- Grandma’s Creamy Dill Pickle Potato Salad
- Fingerling Potatoes with Dipping Aioli
- Easy Fondant Potatoes
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potato Salad
Sweet Potato Salad is a perfect combination of sweet, savory, and a little spice! Tossed together with a creamy homemade dressing, this sweet potato salad is the perfect side dish for summer parties and picnics.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 35
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: potatoes
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: southern
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 lbs sweet potatoes peeled and cut in bite size chunks
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 1/2 cups corn
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- 1 red bell pepper diced small
- 3 scallions chopped
Dressing
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup salsa
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- Combine sweet potatoes, 3 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and crushed red pepper (if desired) in a large Ziploc style bag and shake to coat. Place on parchment covered baking and roast until fork tender; 30-35 minutes. Cool completely.
- In small bowl whisk together mayonnaise, salsa and lime juice.
- Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat and swirl to coat pan. Add chopped onion and corn to the hot skillet; flip every 2-3 minutes with a spatula. Cook 7-10 minutes or until the corn is light golden brown. Cool completely.
- In a large bowl combine sweet potatoes, corn and onions, celery, red bell peppers, and scallions. Add the salsa dressing and stir gently to combine.
Keywords: potato salad, sweet potato corn salad, summer potato salad, summer party food, recipe using sweet potatoes, blackened corn and sweet potato salad
Jen
I’m a huge tex mex fan so when I stumbled on this salad I had to make it! The sweet potato really gives it a nice sweet bite.
★★★★★
justine
Game changer, I think I like this better than using red potatoes!
★★★★★
Mary
I love sweet potatoes! These flavors work perfectly together!
★★★★★
Alina | Cooking Journey Blog
Love how colorful this salad looks! Really nice side dish, and healthier than a popular potato salad.
★★★★★
Katie
This recipe is amazing! I like your tips about making it better- such as seasoning the potatoes prior to roasting. One of those simple things that people don’t always think of, but important!
★★★★★
Mandy @ South Your Mouth
I would never have thought to use sweet potatoes in a salad like this so I’m glad YOU did! I can’t wait to make this!
★★★★★