Sweet Potato Bacon Salad with Warm Cider Dressing

This salad is a delicious mix of smoky, sweet, and spicy flavors! Tender sweet potatoes are roasted with a blend of seasonings, then tossed with shredded kale, sesame seeds, crispy bacon, and juicy pomegranate seeds. Drizzle it all with a warm, tangy cider dressing infused with fresh citrus and ginger. Packed with vibrant colors and bold flavors, this kale salad is a total crowd-pleaser! Perfect for sharing at holiday gatherings or dinner parties—it’s the kind of salad people keep coming back for.

Sweet Potato Bacon Salad with Warm Cider Dressing

This salad is a delicious mix of smoky, sweet, and spicy flavors! Tender sweet potatoes are roasted with a blend of seasonings, then tossed with shredded kale, sesame seeds, crispy bacon, and juicy pomegranate seeds. Drizzle it all with a warm, tangy cider dressing infused with fresh citrus and ginger. Packed with vibrant colors and bold flavors, this kale salad is a total crowd-pleaser! Perfect for sharing at holiday gatherings or dinner parties—it’s the kind of salad people keep coming back for.

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The holiday recipe train is rolling full speed this week! Honestly, this is my favorite time of year to share new recipes. Even with all the hustle and bustle, getting to create and share these dishes with you during the holidays means the world to me. I feel so lucky to do this year after year!

Nothing makes me happier than hearing how these recipes become part of your family traditions and get passed around at gatherings.

And let’s be real—no holiday table is truly complete without a gorgeous, hearty salad.

For holiday salads, kale is my go-to green. It’s sturdy enough to prep ahead—whether the morning of or even the night before—and still stays fresh and crisp!

This salad is the perfect side for all your festive meals. The mix of smoky, sweet, and spicy flavors is absolutely delicious!

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Here’s What You’ll Need

Ingredients

• Sweet potatoes – I love red sweet potatoes for their rich color and flavor!
• Salted butter or olive oil
• Smoked paprika
• Chipotle chili powder
• Cinnamon
• Kale (or swap in your favorite greens!)
• Sesame seeds
• Pomegranate arils
• Chili flakes
• Bacon
• Shallot
• Apple cider vinegar
• Honey
• Fresh thyme
• Pickled or fresh ginger

Special Tools

Nothing fancy here—just a trusty skillet and a big salad bowl

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Step 1: Roast the Sweet Potatoes

Since my sweet potatoes were long and thin, I sliced them into rounds. If yours are chunkier, feel free to cube them instead.

Spread the potatoes on a baking sheet and toss them with butter (my preference) or oil. Then sprinkle on the seasonings—smoked paprika, chipotle chili powder, cinnamon, and salt.

Roast them until they’re super tender, about 20 minute

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Step 2: Make the Dressing

While the potatoes roast, whip up the dressing.

Start by crisping the bacon, then drain off the extra fat. In the same skillet, caramelize the shallot. Next, add apple cider, thyme, orange zest, honey, and ginger. Season with salt and chili flakes.

Step 3: Toss the Kale

Add the kale to a large salad bowl and pour the warm dressing over it. Gently massage the dressing into the kale to soften it up a bit

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Finish the Salad

Now, add the roasted sweet potatoes to the dressed kale and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Top it off with the crispy bacon and pomegranate arils.

It’s going to look so pretty!

This salad is wonderfully simple yet perfect for any holiday spread—whether it’s Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving, or Christmas!

Sweet Potato Bacon Salad with Warm Cider Dressing | halfbakedharvest.com

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I really hope you try this cozy, wintery salad!

Looking for more salad inspo? Here are a few favorites:

• Fall Harvest Roasted Butternut Squash and Pomegranate Salad
• Shredded Brussels Sprout Bacon Salad with Warm Cider Vinaigrette
• Pomegranate Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts
• Autumn Harvest Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad

Lastly, if you make this Sweet Potato Bacon Salad, I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment or rating—I read every single one and always do my best to reply. And if you share it on Instagram, don’t forget to tag me! Seeing your recreations is my absolute favorite.

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