Looking for a side dish that’s as lekker as a braai itself? This Smoky Sweet Potato & Bacon Salad with Creamy Feta Dressing is the perfect blend of sweet, smoky, and tangy flavors. Roasted sweet potatoes bring natural caramelization, crispy bacon adds a salty crunch, and a creamy yogurt dressing ties it all together. Topped with toasted pumpkin seeds and fresh parsley, this salad is anything but boring!
Whether served warm or chilled, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any long weekend, family gathering, or outdoor feast. Plus, it’s super easy to tweak—swap the bacon for chickpeas to make it veggie-friendly or add a dash of peri-peri for some extra heat.
Light, flavorful, and packed with texture, this is the salad your braai table has been missing!
Smoky Sweet Potato & Bacon Salad with Creamy Feta Dressing
(Serves 4-6)
Ingredients
- 4 large sweet potatoes (peeled & cubed)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt & black pepper
- 200g streaky bacon (crispy fried & chopped)
- ½ red onion (finely sliced)
- ½ cup feta cheese (crumbled)
- ¼ cup toasted pumpkin seeds or pecans
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
Dressing
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (or mayo for extra creaminess)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
Method
- Roast the sweet potatoes – Toss them in olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Roast at 200°C for about 25 minutes until golden and caramelized.
- Make the dressing – Whisk together Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, and garlic.
- Assemble – In a large bowl, mix roasted sweet potatoes, crispy bacon, red onion, feta, and pumpkin seeds. Drizzle with dressing and sprinkle fresh parsley on top.
- Serve warm or chilled – It tastes amazing either way!
Twist Ideas
✅ Add a local touch – Swap feta for creamy blue cheese or add dried cranberries for extra sweetness.
✅ Make it veggie – Skip the bacon and add roasted chickpeas or smoked tofu for crunch.
✅ Spice it up – A drizzle of peri-peri sauce takes this to another level!
Enjoy!