Tasty Caribbean Sweet Potato Salad Recipe
Caribbean Sweet Potato Salad Recipe
Are you tired of serving the same old potato salad at your parties? Then, give this Caribbean Sweet Potato Salad recipe a try. Trust me; your guests will be wowed by the bold flavors and vibrant colors of the dish. This recipe is perfect for those who love to host tropical-themed parties or simply want to infuse a bit of island flair into their meals.
The Caribbean is famous for its exotic cuisine, which is a delightful blend of African, European, Indian, and Indigenous influences. This sweet potato salad recipe captures the essence of the region’s culinary scene. The sweet potatoes bring a pleasant candied flavor to the salad, while the black beans, corn, and cucumbers lend a burst of freshness and crunchiness to every bite.
As a home chef who loves throwing parties, I always look for easy-to-make dishes that are impressive and delicious. This Caribbean Sweet Potato Salad recipe fits the bill perfectly. The best part? You can whip it up in no time with common ingredients found in any pantry. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the recipe and learn how to make this show-stopping dish.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Are you tired of traditional potato salads? Do you want to excite your taste buds with something new and exotic? Look no further than this Caribbean Sweet Potato Salad recipe!
This salad is a perfect blend of savory and sweet, with tender chunks of sweet potato paired with crisp cucumber, red onion, and flavorful black beans. The tangy dressing is made with fresh lime juice, Dijon-style mustard, and canola oil, giving it a deliciously zesty kick.
But what really sets this recipe apart are the toppings. Crunchy peanuts add a satisfying texture, while fresh coriander adds a bright burst of freshness. This isn’t just any ordinary salad; it’s a flavor explosion in your mouth.
Plus, sweet potatoes are a fantastic source of vitamins and minerals, making this dish not only delicious but also nutritious. And if you have dietary restrictions or preferences, no worries! There are plenty of substitutions and variations available to make it work for you.
So why settle for bland potato salads when you can wow your guests with a Caribbean-inspired dish that’s sure to be the talk of the party? Trust me, you’ll love this recipe!
Ingredient List
Here are all the ingredients you’ll need to create this delicious Caribbean Sweet Potato Salad recipe:
For The Salad:
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed
- 1 large russet potato, peeled and cubed
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 ear of corn, grilled and corn removed from cob
- 1 medium cucumber, peeled and diced
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup peanuts, chopped
For The Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 tsp canola oil
This ingredient list includes everything you need to make a delicious, nutritious, and easy-to-follow Caribbean Sweet Potato Salad recipe. You’ll need a combination of sweet potatoes, russet potatoes, corn, cucumber, red onion, peanuts and cilantro to make the salad. The dressing is made from lime juice, garlic, Dijon-style mustard, black pepper, salt, chili powder and canola oil.
The Recipe How-To
Here’s the step-by-step guide on how to make this creamy and flavorful Caribbean Sweet Potato Salad!
Ingredients:
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed
- 1 large russet potato, peeled and quartered
- 1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup of canned corn, drained
- 1/2 cucumber, peeled and diced
- 1 medium-sized red onion, peeled and diced
- 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro
- 3 tablespoons of fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons of dijon-style mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
- Canola oil or extra virgin olive oil
Instructions:
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Preheat your oven to 375°F.
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Toss your sweet potato cubes in a bowl with a couple of tablespoons of canola oil or extra virgin olive oil . Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Do the same with your russet potato quarters, making sure everything is coated evenly with the oil.
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Bake for around 20 minutes or until the potatoes are golden brown and fork-tender. Remove from the oven and let cool.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together lime juice, Dijon mustard, garlic clove, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until it’s well combined – set aside.
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Combine your cooled potatoes together in a larger mixing bowl.
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Add black beans, corn kernels, diced cucumber, diced red onion, chopped cilantro to the potatoes.
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Pour over the dressing you made earlier whisking well so that all ingredients are coated well.
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Give everything a good mix to ensure all ingredients are well combined.
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Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for an hour or two before serving so that the flavors could develop better.
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Once ready to serve toss once again, scattering over additional fresh cilantro leaves as desired.
This delicious Caribbean Sweet Potato Salad can be made ahead or even stored for up to three days in an airtight container in the fridge – meaning there is no need to rush come party day!
Substitutions and Variations
Are you tired of the same old potato salad? Do you want to give your taste buds a tropical adventure? Then try out some substitutions and variations for this Caribbean sweet potato salad recipe. This dish can be customized with ingredients you love and ingredients that are available in your pantry.
Peanuts can be replaced with other nuts like cashews, almonds, or sunflower seeds if peanuts aren’t your thing. If you don’t have red onion, use shallots or scallions instead. You can also substitute cucumber for other crunchy vegetables such as jicama or carrots.
If you are not a fan of black beans or corn, try replacing the black bean salad with kidney beans or chickpeas to give it a different twist. Want to add more protein? Grill some chicken or shrimp and toss it with the salad.
For those who are allergic to mustard, you can substitute it with honey or agave nectar for that perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess. For a spicier flavor, mix in jalapeno or serrano peppers with the dressing. Or if you have guests who don’t enjoy cilantro, use basil or parsley instead of fresh coriander.
Moreover, some variations can make this dish even more delicious. Use roasted sweet potatoes instead of boiled ones for a smokier flavor, mashed potato for a creamy texture or irish/trinidad potato for a spudier one. Additionally, mixing in pasta gives it a new experience while mixed vegetables elevate its nutrition levels.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to customizing this Caribbean sweet potato salad recipe to suit your taste buds. So get creative and make it your own!
Serving and Pairing
Now that your Caribbean Sweet Potato Salad is ready, it’s time to serve it up! This colorful dish is perfect for any summertime get-together. The bright orange of the sweet potatoes combined with the deep black of the black beans and red onions make this salad a feast for the eyes.
This salad pairs well with any grilled meats such as chicken, pork, or steak. In fact, a Caribbean Pork Sweet Potato Salad served alongside roasted or mashed potatoes can make a fantastic and flavorful meal. But if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, why not try serving it alongside some pasta salad? The mixture of flavors between the two dishes will be absolutely tantalizing to your taste buds.
If you’re looking for something less traditional, try serving this salad alongside a Jamaican-style baked sweet potato or perhaps even Irish potato pancake. These little twists on classic potato recipes add an additional level of flavor to an already delicious dish.
To really take things over the top, consider topping off each portion with some chopped peanuts and extra fresh cilantro. This touch brings out the nuttiness in the potato and adds an extra bit of crunch.
With so many pairing possibilities, Caribbean Sweet Potato Salad is certainly no one-trick-pony. Serve it up and watch the delight wash across your guests’ faces as they inevitably come back for seconds!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
When it comes to making a delicious Caribbean Sweet Potato Salad, one of the best things about this recipe is that it can be made ahead of time for an effortless and stress-free party meal.
To make this salad ahead of time, simply prepare all the ingredients up to the cooking stage and store in separate airtight containers in the fridge. When ready to assemble, boil the sweet potatoes and potatoes until tender, drain and let them cool completely before adding to the rest of the ingredients.
If you have leftovers, this dish can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. However, keep in mind that if you have added dressing or any other wet ingredients, the salad may become soggy and less fresh over time.
When reheating leftovers, it’s recommended to microwave them on medium heat or warm them up on low heat in a saucepan. For best results, add additional dressing or lime juice before serving to refresh the flavors.
Overall, this Caribbean Sweet Potato Salad is a versatile and flavorful dish that pairs perfectly with any main course. By following these simple make-ahead and storing tips, you can easily prepare a delicious salad that will wow your guests without any last-minute fuss.
Tips for Perfect Results
Preparing the perfect Caribbean sweet potato salad requires careful attention to detail. Here are some tips that will help you achieve great results:
1. Cook the sweet potatoes just right – overcooking them can result in mushy potatoes, while undercooking will leave them hard and crunchy. For best results, use a fork to test doneness – they should be tender but still firm enough to hold their shape when mixed.
2. Cut the potatoes uniformly – this helps ensure they cook evenly.
3. Use fresh, high-quality ingredients – they add flavor and texture to the dish.
4. Dress the salad while it’s still warm – the potatoes will absorb more of the dressing this way, resulting in a more flavorful salad.
5. Don’t skip the lime juice and mustard – they add tanginess and depth of flavor that is essential to a Caribbean-style potato salad.
6. Let it chill for at least an hour before serving – the ingredients need time to blend and fuse flavors.
7. Add a crunchy element – peanuts or cashews make a great addition, adding texture to the salad.
8. Serve it alongside your favorite Caribbean-inspired dishes. This salad pairs well with grilled meats, Jamaican jerk chicken or pork, and Trini-style curries. You might also like to serve it alongside some roasted mixed vegetables or as part of a pasta salad if you want something lighter.
By following these tips, you’ll be enjoying a delicious Caribbean sweet potato salad in no time!
Bottom Line
my dear readers, I hope you’re as excited about this Caribbean Sweet Potato Salad recipe as I am. Mixing the best of caribbean flavors with classic potato salad results in a dish that is irresistibly delicious and filling. This salad is perfect for outdoor picnics, cookouts or any time you feel the tropical vibe.
With ingredients such as fresh lime juice, ground black pepper, garlic clove and canola oil, you can’t help but notice the irresistible blend of flavors in every mouthful. The creaminess of the mashed sweet potatoes mixed with the crunchiness of the peanuts, cucumber and red onions makes it a wholesome meal and a delight to your taste buds.
What’s more? Even with your busy schedule, preparing this recipe will only take you less than an hour. And trust me, each second of that one hour will be worth it.
In summation, I assure you that this Caribbean Sweet Potato Salad recipe will leave you wanting more. Whether you’re trying something new or already a lover of caribbean flavors, this recipe will be sure to please everyone at the table.
So go on and give it a shot! Gather up these ingredients and prove that mixing classics with caribbean flavors is sure to wow your taste buds.
Caribbean Sweet Potato Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 large potato, diced
- 1 large sweet potato, diced
- 1 cup corn
- 1 teaspoon prepared dijon-style mustard
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cucumber, halved lengthwise and chopped
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup finely chopped peanuts
Instructions
- Place potato pieces into a large saucepan, and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil, turn the heat down, and simmer for 5 minutes approximately
- Add the sweet potato, and cook about 8-10 minutes more or until potatoes are tender but still firm enough to hold their shape.
- Once the potatoes are tender, add corn kernels; cook another 30 seconds. Drain through a colander.
- Fill the saucepan with cold water, and drop vegetables into water. Cool for 5 minutes, and drain.
- In a large bowl, whisk together mustard, lime juice, coriander, and garlic. Slowly whisk in oil. Mix in salt and black pepper.
- Add cooled potatoes, to dressing along with cucumber, and red onion. Toss well. Serve at room temperature or chilled. Toss the peanuts in just before serving.
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Anna is a culinary expert who specializes in grilling delicious BBQ dishes. She also enjoys sharing her recipes and experiences with her foodie community on her blog. She’s the total package for any backyard barbecue!