On a recent trip to Kansas for a friend’s wedding, I came to the realization that airplane food is just never going to do it for me.
There are rarely any good vegetarian options that aren’t slathered in five kinds of cheese, and there’s hardly ever a fresh vegetable in sight.
OK, rant over. The solution? Bring your own lunch! And so I did.
This recipe is inspired by my simple airplane salad that requires just 30 minutes to make, and it’s insanely healthy and delicious. Let’s do it!
The base of this salad is organic spinach and mizuna lettuce from our organic CSA! However, you can use whatever greens you have on hand. I think kale and green lettuce would also work well.
Next comes sweet potatoes that are roasted until tender and golden brown, as well as a ripe avocado for plenty of plant-based fiber and healthy fat.
Lastly? The dressing! It’s all about the dressing, which is my go-to 3-ingredient lemon-maple tahini dressing! It’s creamy, citrusy, and subtly sweet, and it complements this salad perfectly.
That’s really it! It’s light and refreshing yet satisfying.
For added protein, I sprinkled on a healthy dose of hemp seeds, which are a “perfect protein” and contain all 20 amino acids (among other amazing health benefits). Can we say superfood much? However, you can also add something like crispy baked chickpeas for added protein and fiber.
I hope you all LOVE this salad! It’s:
Simple
Quick
Fresh
Healthy
Satisfying
& Crazy delicious
This makes a perfect portable lunch, as it can be served chilled or at room temperature (making it ideal for long flights!). It’s delicious on its own and serves one as an entrée (with 22+ g protein!). And it would also make a delicious side to mains like my Grillable Veggie Burger, Chickpea Bolognese, or 8-Ingredient Zucchini Lasagna!
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram so we can see what you come up with. Cheers, friends!
Sweet Potato & Avocado Green Salad
Ingredients
SWEET POTATO
- 1 large organic sweet potatoes (can sub 2 small per 1 large // skin on, halved then sliced into 1/4-inch rounds)
- 1 Tbsp avocado or coconut oil (or water)
- 1 pinch sea salt
DRESSING
- 1/4 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup (omit if you prefer a less sweet dressing)
- 1 pinch sea salt
- Water (to thin)
SALAD
- 5 cups greens of choice (I mixed organic mizuna + spinach)
- 1 medium ripe avocado (cubed)
- 2 Tbsp hemp seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (as original recipe is written // use more baking sheets if making a larger batch). Add sweet potatoes, toss in a bit of oil (or water) and salt, and spread into an even layer.
- Bake 15 minutes. Then flip/toss to ensure even baking. Bake 5-10 minutes more or until tender and golden brown.
- In the meantime, prepare dressing by adding tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, and salt to a small mixing bowl. Whisk to combine. Then add water a little at a time until a semi-thick, pourable dressing is achieved.
- Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more lemon for acidity, salt for saltiness, or maple syrup for sweetness. Set aside.
- Assemble salad by adding greens to a serving bowl and topping with roasted sweet potato and avocado. Sprinkle on hemp seeds (optional), and serve with dressing.
- Leftovers keep (stored separately) in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Dressing will stay for 5-7 days.
Shani says
This was Soo so so good!! I made a huge bowl along with the dressing. 🥰 And shared some with my dad. This is going to be a go-to for sure. And so simple and easy but so flavorful.
Woohoo! So glad you enjoyed, Shani. Thanks for the review!
Christin says
Absolutely delicious! Just made this for dinner tonight & loved how easy it was to make — will be a regular for sure! Thank you for another wonderful dinner. Xoxo.
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Christin. Thanks so much for the lovely review! xo
Bgajria says
Easy and simple work week lunch ! Super Yum and delish.
Yay! Thank you for sharing, Bgarjria! xo
Cierra says
Hello! Is there another dressing you recommend instead of the tahini dressing? *I don’t like tahini*
Hi Cierra! Really any creamy dressing you like would be good here, the ingredients are pretty neutral and versatile! We think our vegan ranch, creamy chipotle dressing would both be good!
VICKI TAYLOR says
I’ve just discovered this site and I am super impressed. I can’t wait to read more. Vicki
Aw, we love hearing that, Vicki! Welcome and enjoy =)
Sarka says
I made this salad for lunch during this very hot summer. The result is very tasty and surprisingly fulfiling because of tahini. Thank you. Will make this salad again.
Woohoo! We love to hear this. Thanks so much for the lovely review, Sarka!
Leia says
I made this for supper on a warm spring night. My 3 teenage sons cleaned their plates (Everyone assembled their own plates). They all love baked sweet potatoes! The dressing was very nice. I added a bit more maple syrup and made it thin enough to pour easily. I also fried your some tofu cubes on the cast iron to add to the salad. Definitely a winner and simple.
Woohoo! We’re so glad to hear you and your family enjoyed it, Leia. Thank you for the lovely review and for sharing your modifications! xo
Andrea says
I didn’t have tahini, so I used plain Greek yogurt in the dressing. It did the job! I’m not vegan, not vegetarian either but love all your recipes Dana.
We’re so glad you enjoy our recipes, Andrea! Thanks so much for sharing! xo
Liza says
This salad was scrumptious and super easy to put together. We did not have any hemp seeds so substituted with chia seeds.
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Liza! Thanks so much for the lovely review! xo
Wanda says
Another winner! Such amazing flavours together. Very good!
Yay! We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Wanda! Thanks so much for the lovely review!
Luci says
I am not a fan of tahini, until I tried your recipe. The tahini dressing is so simple and delicious! I subbed lime for lemon as that is what I had on hand. I served it over the sweet potato and avocado salad and the combo works!
I used the leftover tahini dressing over brown steamed rice and roasted sweet potato-yum!
Whoop! Thanks so much for sharing, Luci!
Keo says
The simple tahini dressing was absolutely perfect. I have to admit I was skeptical at first but a first taste quickly put that aside. The salad is delicious, easy to make and feels like a meal, making it a new favorite staple.
Thanks so much for the lovely review, Keo. We are so glad you enjoyed it! Next time, would you mind leaving a rating with your review? It’s super helpful for us and other readers. Thanks so much! Xo
Melissa says
The dressing is sooooo delicious! I added a little paprika and cumin to the sweet potato before baking and it was perfection. Thank you for another wonderful recipe!
Thanks so much for the lovely review, Melissa. We are so glad you enjoyed it! Next time, would you mind leaving a rating with your review? It’s super helpful for us and other readers. Thanks so much! xo
C. van Rijn says
Yes crazy delicious dressing, aesthetically pleasing, immensely satisfying salad. Am an omnivore so added a little cold roast chicken. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing! Sounds great!
Manon says
I just want to give you a general love letter.
And say thank you.
I was so desperate to be such a bad cook for many years but here I am now: not-so-terrible!
After following your recipes for the last 2 years, I have actually improved. I have been hosting friends who now ask me how I did it and what’s the recipe? Minimalist Baker: Dana!
Your simple recipes have taught me a lot and given me so much confidence.
I really feel you’ve been a part of this “becoming”.
I’ve tried so many other recipes, so many blogs and always managed to ruin everything. I never could understand why and I just couldn’t see where to start. I also never used to understand in American or English cups and measuring systems, I always got confused somewhere womehow and ended up with dinners that were absolutely toxic!
The simple fact that you’ve integrated the “metric” option shows such an attention to details and dedication.
So yes. I’m (for the first time) posting a comment, because of a strange reaction I’ve just had really.
I was browsing your blog, looking for inspiration (I have a friend coming for few days next week). And anyway, I came across this recipe and found myself muttering “hmmpf that one’s easy, I do it all the time”
“Wait what?” I can’t help but mock myself for such condescending reaction. “Hold on girl, look what just happened!”
What just happened is a realisation that baby-step by baby-step I’m getting better and that’s all thanks to you!
So thank you for being part of my routine and as my cooking education!
Please keep on making beautiful recipes and photographs, sharing your words, ideas and exciting our “papilles”!
Lots of love!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Manon! We are so glad that you have enjoyed our recipes! Happy cooking! xo
Isabel says
I found a link to this recipe on a recent newsletter and we made it last week for dinner. I was craving a good salad…
I love tahini, lemon and sweet potato, and the combination of flavors worked perfectly (next time I will skip the maple syrup). We used avocado oil for the sweet potatoes, and mix of lettuce and baby spinach. Added to my list of favorites!
Licia says
The flavors in this recipe work so well together! I needed a comforting food hug on this cold, damp winter night and this salad was exactly that. The roasted sweet potatoes and avocado are highlighted perfectly with the lemon tahini dressing. I stuck to the recipe exactly and now I dare someone to try to get to the leftovers before me tomorrow!
Donna says
This delicious dish was surprisingly filling enough to stand alone for dinner for us! I used water for the sweet potato instead of oil for the first time, and it worked out well. I wouldn’t do it for say, sweet potato fries, but in a dish with a sauce and other things it works.
I added in some fresh summer oven-roasted corn. Two small ears for two, with a drizzle of oil and a dash of smoked paprika, tossed in a bowl to coat, then baked on a tray until as crisp as you like!
K says
I made the recipe as-is and found the dressing so bitter as to be inedible. I’ve read that tahini can taste different depending on the type of sesame seeds use. Perhaps I had one with a particularly bitter sesame seed?
Perhaps yes. The dressing shouldn’t have been so bitter. Either you added too much lemon or the tahini wasn’t great quality.
Donna says
I have had some more bitter tahini in the paat. Now I am trying Artisana brand, and I find it not bitter, almost sweet which is nice.
Carmel reilly says
Always love your recipes. They’re always so good! Question for you: what would you use instead of citrus? (That and tomato causing my gorg 13yo dermatitis on the face ??♀️) many thanks.
Hi Carmel! You could try using vinegar, but I would cut the amount in half!
Tamara Campbell says
Dana this was amazing!!!
Mariah Kadera says
Wow you’ve done it again!!!! This salad is amazing!!!! I have yet to be disappointed by one of your recipes! This has just the right combination of flavors and textures!
Mariah says
Hey so I love the idea of bringing this along for a flight. I’m traveling to Australia next week so this will be an awesome meal along the way. Did you put the dressing on ahead of time or bring it separately? This doesn’t count as a liquid?
Alexa says
Looked deliciious but the dressing was not good at all.
Sorry to say. Not my fav. Threw the dressing in the vitamix, added some tomato and tamari.
Was much better after. Felt like the sallad and dressing was missing something. Will not make again.
Emily says
Loved everything about this! Simple, easy, tasty – adding this to the regular rotation for sure. Another incredible recipe – thank you Dana!
Laura says
Meal prepping this for lunches..so excited! I don’t have hemp seeds, would you recommend flaxseed meal, nooch, or neither? (looking for some added protein)
Hi! You can leave it out, it already has 22g of protein!
Katie says
I made this for lunch today for my entire family (with sunflower seed instead of tahini because we have a sesame allergy ?)my husband and I loved it!! The kids could eat it with minimal complaining!! Everything I make from you is delicious!! EVERYTHING! Thank you! You will never know the peace you have helped me find in the kitchen. God bless you!
Rebecca says
Hi Dana,
I have fallen in love with your tahini dressing, It has become one of my staples. So much so, that I go through it rather quickly. I have been buying the organic Whole Foods brand, but was wondering if you had any other tahini suggestions? Perhaps one that comes in a larger quantity that isn’t too pricy?
Thank you!
Cait Appleman says
If you have a Mediterranean market around you, check there. I get a tub of it for half the price of grocery store/organic brands. I know it’s late, but I hope it’s helpful.
Ttrockwood says
I always do a massaged kale salad for traveling- the sturdy greens hold up well and get softer and more tasty after a few hours. I make it the night before if i have an early departure.
Adding roasted sweet potatoes is a fantastic idea! My standard additions include some crumbled or chopped tempeh (sautéed with a splash of oil and soy sauce) and then just whatever veggies i need to use up and a good handful of nuts or seeds instead of avocado since that turns brown quickly which weirds me out somehow.
I always always bring my own food for planes! Although i have to say that i did eat my meal on Korean Air- nyc to Seoul in business class- they serve wonderful little banchan and then i asked for the bibimbap without the omni protein (which makes it vegan) and it was excellent with a nice assortment of marinated bean sprouts, mushrooms, greens, sesame seeds, shredded radish…. obviously an unusual exception!
Patti says
I was doubtful about this, but it was so delicious and I ended up scraping the rest of the dressing out of the measuring cup. It only needed salt and pepper. Next time am trying roasted sunflower seeds though.
If I were going to take it on a trip, I’d leave the avocado pit attached so it doesn’t turn brown.
Thank you so much, from a newly-vegan, newly-diagnosed allergic-to-dairy person!! I am getting a lot out of your recipes and website.
mary says
Looks delicious!Interesting that you’ve left the skin on the sweet potatoes. Unlike a regular potato, the skin of which I devour, the sweet potato skin always seemed a bit thick to me, so I’ve never eaten it! And it always separates from the baked sweet potato somewhat. But looks like in the picture it doesn’t!
Lorraine says
It’s hot now–can I boil the sweet potatoes instead of baking them?
Ashia Sanders says
Made This Last Night for the win! It’s definitely something I’ll make on a regular bases.
Stacie says
One of those rare recipes that lives up to everything you want and need it to be. Delicious and simple to make on what was a late work night and will inspire me to make sure I have sweet potatoes on hand!
Emily W says
I made this yesterday using butter lettuce and it was DELICIOUS! The dressing is phenomenal! I have made quite a few of your recipes and they are ALWAYS amazing, but this one was just so easy to put together and so delicious I had to leave a comment!
Casey the College Celiac says
This looks delicious! And it’s very similar to what I pack to eat on planes: roasted potatoes, roasted veggies, lettuce and avocado. A random snack/meal but it works! Sometimes I’l also take frozen chickpeas to act as an edible ice pack ;)
Julia Murray/Hooked On Plants says
Looks beautiful Dana!
Sandra Lea says
I’m curious about the option to toss the sweet potatoes in oil or water. Would water be enough to keep them from sticking?
If cooked on parchment paper, yes!
sophy says
very good
Melissa says
This looks amazing, but I don’t think anyone ever talks about your AMAZING drizzle skills! Girl, you’re rocking it!
haha, thanks friend! xoxo
Chelsey @ Chelsey Crafts says
Yes! Sweet potato and avocado are 2 of my all time favourite foods!
Lekan says
This recipe looks really good and filling. I’ll give it a try next week. And how did you get the meal on the flight, I always assumed I couldn’t bring outside food on (except when I took a bag of almonds in my backpack). Here I thought I was subtle when in reality I could bring them with no problem.
As long as there is no liquid / cream they let me through with food, which I pack in a plastic to-go container and a freezer bag to catch any drips. Never had a problem in security!
Haley says
Dana! This looks amazing, as always. Your tahini sauce sounds so so so yummy! & I love that you justify salad for breakfast – something only a genius like you could do.
Can’t wait for more!
Alexa says
Looks delicious and I know my seven-year old will love it. I can see now I’ve been roasting my sweet potato slices at too high a temp (no wonder they burn). …Can’t believe you actually got a meal on a flight, let alone one between here and Kansas, tho.
Kerstin Decker says
Dana I made this for a picnic lunch. My husband and I pack a lunch when we go somewhere for the day because we always go to the same restaurants because they serve us vegan. This salad and dressing is soooo good especially since one can eat it unrefridgerated . Thank you thank Kerstin
So kind! Thanks Kerstin!
Lacey says
I am about to attend a 3 day convention(Don’t give up). What other ideas do you have for unrefridgerated meals do you have? I love this idea! Feeling and satisfying
Samantha Voor says
Beautiful photos, simply delicious recipe. Dietitian approved :)
whoop!
Sarah says
Going to try this soon but was wondering about adding a spice to the dressing….what would you suggest? Dill?
I think that would be awesome! Also chives might work!
Rebecca says
Hello Dana!
I’ve been following your page for a bit now and I love all the recipes I have tried. Quick question, is there another dressing that you think would go well with this? I’ve been trying to like tahini, but I really don’t care for it and the taste always seems to stand out.
Thank you!!!
Hi Rebecca! No worries. I think my Chimichurri sauce would go lovely with this, as would my Vegan Caesar Dressing, and Cilantro Avocado Dressing!
https://minimalistbaker.com/easy-chimichurri-sauce-10-minutes/
https://minimalistbaker.com/5-minute-vegan-caesar-dressing/
https://minimalistbaker.com/mexican-quinoa-salad-cups-with-creamy-cilantro-lime-dressing/
Samantha says
Sometimes the simple things in life can bring us the most joy! Looks like a lovely salad, can’t wait to make this one!
Becca says
Such a great idea!! I’ll be taking a plane trip in a few months and this will be perfect to take along :):)
Thank you!
Of course! And I save the to=go container, wash it at the hotel, and grab another salad at the grocery store for my trip home!
Becca says
Yes!! I’m taking notes for our trip LOL
Davina says
Made this for lunch today, and it was delicious! Thanks for another great recipe Dana!
You’re fast! Glad you liked it. xoxo