Sweetgreen is a healthy salad chain with locations all across the United States. Their Harvest Bowl is a fan-favorite featuring roasted sweet potatoes, apples, goat cheese, roasted almonds, warm wild rice and shredded kale drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
This copycat recipe is simple to prepare at home. Prep time may require partially cooking the rice and chopping apples in advance, but assembly should go quickly and smoothly.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Sweetgreen uses only simple, whole ingredients in their signature salads – such as the Harvest Bowl which includes kale, warm wild rice, roasted sweet potatoes, apples, goat cheese and almonds.
Roasting sweet potatoes in small, uniform cubes allows them to cook evenly, leading to plenty of caramelization and tasty caramelized edges. Try seasoning these delicious treats with just salt and pepper, or for extra spice try sprinkling ground cumin, za’atar or garlic powder before roasting!
Make homemade sweet potato fries instead of buying prepackaged versions – it’s quick, simple and tastes much better!
Wild Rice
Sweetgreen is a restaurant chain known for their healthy salad and bowl recipes, especially their Harvest Bowl dish which features massaged kale with balsamic vinaigrette, warm wild rice, roasted sweet potatoes, apples, goat cheese and toasted almonds.
Wild rice, also known as zizania grass, provides an enjoyable yet healthier alternative to white and brown varieties with its distinctive, more nutty aroma and taste.
To cook wild rice, begin by thoroughly washing and draining 1 cup. Next, bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a pot, add your grains, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 45 minutes before taking further steps.
Shredded Kale
Combine shredded kale with some salt, and rub its leaves together using your fingertips – this will help break down its ribs and soften up the texture for easier eating!
Copycat Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl Recipe. A tasty combination of healthy ingredients makes up this copycat sweetgreen harvest bowl, including roasted chicken, warm wild rice, shredded kale, apples, goat cheese and roasted almonds – each complementing each other perfectly!
This salad can be prepared and stored in the refrigerator, with the dressing kept separate to preserve freshness and avoid sogginess.
Chicken
Sweetgreen’s Harvest Bowl salad is one of their most beloved offerings and features hearty ingredients like warm wild rice, roasted sweet potatoes, apples, goat cheese and roasted almonds. Perfect for meal prepping; simply divide each bowl between Tupperware containers for lunch all week!
Sweet and savory flavors meld beautifully in this power bowl, served with homemade balsamic vinaigrette to satisfy fall cravings! A copycat sweetgreen bowl that won’t let you down!
Apples
Apples are an excellent source of pectin fiber and antioxidants (particularly the skin), offering protection from types 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, certain cancers and aiding weight loss. Apple nutrition benefits also include protecting against types 1 and 2 diabetes as well as aiding weight management.
According to Ayurveda, stewed apples can help alleviate constipation. They also serve to balance Kapha energy while relieving sluggishness, excess weight gain, blocked sinuses and allergies. Plus they contain soluble fiber which aids digestion by slowing digestion while decreasing absorption of dietary fat – not to mention high levels of Vitamin C!
Goat Cheese
Goat cheese brings a distinctive flavor and texture to recipes. With its bright acidity and gamey undertones, goat cheese stands out among dairy cheeses as something different; although cream cheese or ricotta could provide similar mousse-like textures.
Fresh chevre is produced by heating and acidifying goat milk to separate curds from whey, then straining out the curds into a soft-chewy cheese with a cloudy white appearance. Over time, an edible bloomy rind develops on it.
Some individuals with dairy allergies may find that goat cheese does not cause as much digestive distress due to its lower Alpha S1 casein content.
Almonds
Sweet roasted almonds add an irresistibly satisfying crunch to this bowl! Feel free to substitute toasted pecans or walnuts instead if that is what appeals.
This recipe is inspired by one of Sweetgreen’s most beloved bowls: Kale, warm wild rice, roasted sweet potatoes, apples and goat cheese! This tasty meal can easily be recreated at home! Plus it makes the perfect filling lunch!
Enjoy this delectable salad on its own or pair it with protein for a complete meal! Plus, it makes an ideal lunchbox addition at work or school!
Balsamic Vinaigrette
Balsamic Vinaigrette is an iconic salad dressing, and learning to make it at home should become part of your culinary repertoire. Easy, flavorful, and suitable for numerous salad recipes – Balsamic Vinaigrette makes an impressively delicious salad dressing option that should become part of your arsenal!
Utilize only high-grade vinegar. Look for labels bearing PGI (or IGP) seals as this ensures it meets regulated production and marketing standards.
Whisk the balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt and black pepper together until well mixed. Or alternatively combine all the ingredients in a glass jar fitted with a tight-fitting lid and shake vigorously to emulsify them all together.