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Sweet Potato-Orange Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe

Contributors: Roberta Duyff, MS, RD, FAND

Reviewers: Academy Staff RDNs

Published: March 31, 2014

Reviewed: September 19, 2025

Sweet Potato-Orange Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe
Rebecca Clyde, MS, RDN, CD

Traditional German potato salad meets Southern charm! Made with beta carotene-rich sweet potatoes and vitamin C-rich mandarin oranges, this sweet and nourishing salad not only makes a flavorful and safe picnic dish, but also complements turkey, chicken, pork and baked ham at the family table.

Ingredients

3 medium (about 1 pound) sweet potatoes, peeled, cut in ½-inch cubes
¼ cup water
1 (11-ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
½ cup thinly sliced celery
½ cup chopped green or red bell pepper
½ cup dried cranberries
2 medium green onions, chopped
2 teaspoons grated peeled ginger root
¼ cup light honey mustard dressing
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ cup chopped pecans, toasted*

Directions

Before you begin: Wash your hands.

  1. Place the sweet potatoes in a microwave-safe container; add water. Cover and microwave on medium-high for 8 to 10 minutes until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender, not mushy. Drain and chill.
  2. Meanwhile, put the mandarin oranges, celery, bell pepper, cranberries, green onions and ginger root in a medium bowl. Add the sweet potatoes and toss gently.
  3. Pour the honey-mustard dressing over the sweet potato mixture. Gently combine, coating the ingredients with dressing. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Just before serving, mix in the pecans.

Cooking Note

  • *Toast the pecans in a small, heavy dry skillet over medium heat, shaking the skillet frequently for 1 to 2 minutes, to release the flavorful oils.

Nutrition Information

Serving size: ¾ cup
Serves 8 

Calories: 150; Calories from fat: 50; Total fat: 6g; Saturated fat: 0.5g; Trans fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 170mg; Total carbohydrate: 24g; Dietary fiber: 4g; Sugars: 13g; Protein: 2g

References

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