I’ve got to share this fan-freaking-tastic Sweet Potato Salad with Walnuts, Cherries, and Lime Zest Recipe that has quickly become one of my go-to dishes for gatherings and weeknight dinners alike. It’s a vibrant, sweet and tangy salad that feels both comforting and fresh at the same time, combining tender roasted sweet potatoes with crunchy walnuts, chewy cherries, and a zingy lime dressing you’ll want to drizzle on just about everything. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through exactly how to nail it every time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect balance of flavors: The sweetness of sweet potatoes and cherries blends beautifully with the zing of lime zest and vinegar.
Crunchy texture contrast: Toasted walnuts add that irresistible crunch that makes each bite interesting.
Easy to prep ahead: You can roast the sweet potatoes in advance, making this salad a breeze for potlucks or busy weeknights.
Versatile serving options: It works equally well warm or cold, so it’s perfect all year round.

This image shows a white bowl filled with a colorful mix of cubed orange sweet potatoes, dark red dried cranberries, and light brown walnut pieces, all mixed with bright green fresh parsley leaves. The sweet potato cubes are soft and slightly glazed, giving them a shiny texture. The dried cranberries add a wrinkled, chewy look, while the walnuts have a rough, crunchy texture. The parsley is scattered evenly across, adding fresh green color to the dish. The bowl sits on a white marbled textured surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Sweet Potato Salad with Walnuts, Cherries, and Lime Zest, healthy sweet potato salad, vibrant fruit and nut salad, easy summer salads, flavorful vegetable salads

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this Sweet Potato Salad with Walnuts, Cherries, and Lime Zest Recipe, the ingredient list is simple but mighty. Each plays a crucial role—from the tender roasted sweet potatoes to the zingy lime zest that lifts the whole dish. When shopping, I always reach for firm, bright sweet potatoes and fresh limes to ensure the best flavor.

Flat lay of bright orange cubed sweet potatoes, glossy toasted walnut halves, deep red chopped dried cherries, fresh green minced parsley sprigs, small piles of golden honey drizzle, and thin strands of grated lime zest, all beautifully arranged with smooth dollops of creamy mayonnaise and a few scattered white vinegar droplets, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Sweet Potato Salad with Walnuts, Cherries, and Lime Zest, healthy sweet potato salad, vibrant fruit and nut salad, easy summer salads, flavorful vegetable salads

Sweet potatoes: Look for firm, unblemished ones. They roast nicely and hold their shape well.
Olive oil: This helps the sweet potatoes roast to perfection with a golden exterior.
Walnuts: Toast them gently to boost their nutty aroma and crunch.
Dried cherries: Get good-quality ones with no added sugar if possible for natural sweetness.
Fresh parsley: Adds a pop of color and fresh herbaceous flavor.
Reduced-fat mayonnaise: Makes the dressing creamy without feeling heavy.
White vinegar: Provides brightness and acidity to balance the sweetness.
Honey: Adds a subtle natural sweetness to the dressing.
Lime zest: This fresh zest is the secret that takes the salad from good to memorable.
Salt: Just enough to bring all the flavors together.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how versatile this Sweet Potato Salad with Walnuts, Cherries, and Lime Zest Recipe is — you can easily tweak it to suit your taste or what’s in your pantry. Over the years, I’ve discovered some fun variations that keep it fresh and exciting.

Add some spice: Sometimes I toss in a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne; it adds a nice warmth that plays well with the sweet and tart elements.
Nut swap: If walnuts aren’t your thing, pecans or toasted almonds work beautifully and bring their own unique crunch.
Fresh fruit twist: In summer, I swap dried cherries for fresh pitted cherries or even juicy blueberries for added juiciness.
Make it vegan: I’ve tried using vegan mayo or a tahini-based dressing with good results — just adjust the vinegar and honey accordingly.

How to Make Sweet Potato Salad with Walnuts, Cherries, and Lime Zest Recipe

Step 1: Roast the Sweet Potatoes to Tender Perfection

Start by peeling and cubing your sweet potatoes into roughly 1-inch pieces—this size helps them cook evenly and be perfect for tossing in a salad. Spread them out on a baking pan sprayed with cooking spray to keep them from sticking. Drizzle with olive oil, toss gently, then roast at 400°F (about 200°C) for 30 to 45 minutes. You want them tender inside but with a bit of a golden edge that adds depth of flavor. I’ve learned that stirring them halfway through roasting helps everything brown evenly and avoids any soggy patches.

Step 2: Toast Walnuts and Prep the Mix-Ins

While the sweet potatoes are roasting, toast your walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant and lightly browned—this usually takes about 5 minutes. Toasting nuts really amps up their nuttiness, which is a game-changer here. Chop your dried cherries roughly and mince the fresh parsley. These little ingredients bring freshness and subtle sweetness that create layers of flavor you’ll appreciate.

Step 3: Whisk Up the Creamy Citrus Dressing

In a small bowl, combine the reduced-fat mayonnaise, white vinegar, honey, freshly grated lime zest, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until you get a smooth, tangy dressing that’s bursting with citrus notes. The lime zest is what really makes this special—it wakes up the salad and keeps it lively without being overpowering.

Step 4: Toss Everything Together and Serve

Once the sweet potatoes have cooled to room temperature, add them to a large bowl with the toasted walnuts, cherries, and parsley. Pour the dressing over the top and gently toss everything together so every bite is coated with that delicious, creamy lime dressing. You can serve this salad warm — which I absolutely love, especially on crisp fall days — or chilled. Both ways taste amazing, so pick whatever suits your mood.

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Pro Tips for Making Sweet Potato Salad with Walnuts, Cherries, and Lime Zest Recipe

Don’t skip toasting the walnuts: Toasting massively boosts the flavor and crunch, and it’s super quick to do.
Let the potatoes cool a bit: Tossing piping hot potatoes in the dressing can make it separate; wait until they’re warm or cool for the best texture.
Fresh lime zest is key: Using pre-grated or dried lime zest just doesn’t compare; fresh zest brightens the whole salad beautifully.
Don’t overcrowd the roasting pan: Give sweet potatoes space to roast evenly, or they’ll steam instead of crisping up nicely.

How to Serve Sweet Potato Salad with Walnuts, Cherries, and Lime Zest Recipe

A white bowl filled with small, bright orange cubes of roasted sweet potato that have a slightly crispy outside and soft inside, mixed with dark red dried cranberries, light brown walnut pieces, and bits of green parsley scattered evenly on top, all sitting on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Sweet Potato Salad with Walnuts, Cherries, and Lime Zest, healthy sweet potato salad, vibrant fruit and nut salad, easy summer salads, flavorful vegetable salads

Garnishes

I usually finish this salad with an extra sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley for that fresh green pop and a little more lime zest if I’m feeling fancy. Sometimes a few whole walnuts scattered on top help remind everyone of the crunchy goodness inside. If you want a little extra zing, a quick drizzle of good-quality olive oil or even a touch of chili flakes brings a subtle heat contrast.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken or fish, making for a well-rounded dinner. I’ve also served it alongside a simple green salad or crusty bread for casual lunches. My family goes crazy for it when it’s served at barbecues with a platter of grilled veggies and sausages.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, I’ve found serving this Sweet Potato Salad with Walnuts, Cherries, and Lime Zest Recipe in a clear glass bowl really shows off all the colorful layers—it’s like edible decoration. Another fun idea? Arrange on large leafy greens or endive leaves to turn it into an elegant appetizer. During the holidays, I love adding a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds for a festive touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, but the walnuts might soften a bit, so if you want to maintain crunch, consider adding some fresh toasted walnuts right before serving again.

Freezing

Since this salad has mayonnaise and fresh herbs, I’ve found freezing it isn’t ideal because the texture changes. I recommend enjoying it fresh or refrigerated rather than frozen.

Reheating

If you prefer it warm, I lightly reheat leftovers in the microwave for about 30-40 seconds just until warm, stirring halfway through. Avoid overheating to keep the potatoes from turning mushy and the dressing from breaking.

FAQs

Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes in this salad?

You could, but sweet potatoes give this salad its signature sweet and earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with the cherries and lime zest. Regular potatoes are less sweet and tend to be more starchy, so the overall balance might change. If you do use regular potatoes, consider adding a little extra honey or dried fruit to keep the flavor bright.
How do I prevent the sweet potatoes from getting mushy?

Roast them in a single layer with enough olive oil, and don’t overcrowd your pan. Stir them once or twice during roasting to ensure even cooking. Also, cutting them into uniform pieces helps them cook at the same rate which results in pleasing tender but firm chunks.
Can I prepare this salad entirely ahead of time?

Yes! You can roast the sweet potatoes a day ahead and store them in the fridge. Toast the walnuts in advance as well. Just wait to toss everything together with the dressing and fresh ingredients shortly before serving to keep the salad fresh and crunchy.
What can I substitute for mayonnaise in the dressing?

If you’d prefer to skip mayonnaise, plain Greek yogurt or a vegan mayo alternative works well, maintaining creaminess with a bit of tang. You might want to adjust the honey and lime amounts to keep the balance just right.
Is dried cherry essential or can I use other dried fruits?

Dried cherries add a wonderful tart-sweet flavor and chewy texture, but you can swap in dried cranberries or raisins if that’s what you have on hand. Just choose unsweetened or lightly sweetened versions to keep the salad balanced.

Final Thoughts

This Sweet Potato Salad with Walnuts, Cherries, and Lime Zest Recipe is one of those dishes I always come back to because it’s simply delicious, easy, and unexpectedly fresh. I love how each ingredient shines and plays off the others, creating something that feels special but not fussy. Whether you’re sharing it with family or bringing it to a potluck, it’s guaranteed to get compliments and second helpings. Go ahead and give it a try — I promise you’ll enjoy every bite!