There are days we crave our favorite dishes and wish we could make them at home. We have all been here at one point in our lives. We share detailed and easy recipes to enable you to recreate all those dishes you love. The recipes also allow you to learn how to make different meals.
Today, our kitchen corner features the Sweetgreen harvest bowl recipe, a delightful dish made from kale, sweet potatoes, rice, pecans or almonds, goat cheese, and apples. Of course, like most other recipes, you can throw in a few other ingredients to suit your preference.
History of Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl
The Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl is a signature dish from the Sweetgreen restaurant chain. They are known for their focus on healthy, seasonal ingredients. The company has been around since 2007. It was established by Jonathan Neman, Nathaniel Ru, and Nicolas Jammet, students at Georgetown University at the time.
The Harvest Bowl quickly became one of their most popular menu items due to its delicious blend of flavors and nutritious ingredients. It is a tasty salad in all seasons, and the best part about it is that it contains a perfect blend of ingredients.
What Makes the Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl Recipe Unique?
The uniqueness of the Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl recipe lies in its combination of fresh, seasonal ingredients that create a harmonious balance of flavors and textures.
It features a kale or other greens base, topped with roasted sweet potatoes, apples, rice, pecans, goat cheese, and a balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
The combination of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors, the nuts’ crunch, and the goat cheese’s creaminess sets it apart as a flavorful and satisfying dish. You can even eat it the entire week and never get bored. That’s how delightful it is!
Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl Recipe
Ingredients
Ingredients for the Salad
- 6 Cups Chopped Kale
- 2 Cups Cooked Wild Rice
- 2 Cups Cooked Chicken (optional)
- 1 Cup Roasted sweet potatoes
- 1 Diced apple
- ¼ Cup Toasted and chopped almonds
- ¼ Cup Goat cheese
Ingredients for the Salad Dressing
- ¼ Cup Balsamic vinegar
- ¼ Cup Greek yogurt Plain yogurt gives the best results
- 1 Teaspoon Honey
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons Olive oil
- ⅛ Tablespoon Ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss the cubed sweet potato with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet. Roast in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are tender and caramelized.
- While the sweet potatoes are roasting, prepare the other ingredients.
- In a large bowl, mix the chopped kale with olive oil and lemon juice to soften it.
- Cook the wild rice according to package instructions and let it cool slightly.
- Toast the almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat until lightly golden and fragrant, then chop them.
- Dice the apple and crumble the goat cheese.
- Once the sweet potatoes are done, assemble the bowls by dividing the kale, cooked wild rice, roasted sweet potatoes, diced apple, chopped almonds, and crumbled goat cheese among serving bowls.
- Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette dressing to taste.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl!
Notes
Tips to Achieve the Best Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl Recipe
Making the Sweetgreen harvest bowl recipe is easy. For best results, be sure to observe the following tips.- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
- Roast the sweet potatoes until they are caramelized and tender.
- Apply olive oil and lemon juice to the kale to soften it and reduce bitterness.
- Toast the almonds to enhance their nutty flavor and crunch.
- Crumble the goat cheese just before serving to maintain its creamy texture.
What to Serve with Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl Recipe
The Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl is a complete meal on its own. But if you want to serve it with something extra, consider adding a side of crusty bread or a cup of soup for a more fulfilling meal.
A light dessert like fresh fruit would complement the meal nicely without being too heavy. We’d recommend the following accompaniments for our Sweegreen Harvest Bowl recipe.
- Crusty Bread: Serve slices of crusty bread on the side to soak up any leftover dressing and add extra carbs.
- Soup: A light soup, such as a vegetable broth-based soup or a creamy butternut squash soup, can pair well with the Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl, especially during colder weather.
- Grilled Protein: Add grilled protein like chicken, salmon, tofu, or shrimp for extra protein and a more filling meal anytime you make this Sweetgreen harvest bowl recipe.
- Fruit Salad: A refreshing salad with seasonal fruits can contrast the Harvest Bowl’s savory flavors and add sweetness to the meal.
- Pickled Vegetables: Pickled vegetables, such as carrots, cucumbers, or radishes, can add a tangy and crunchy element to the meal, balancing out the richness of the bowl’s ingredients.
- Herbal Tea or Infused Water: Lastly, add a refreshing beverage like herbal tea or infused water with slices of lemon or mint to cleanse the palate and enhance the dining experience.
Ingredient Substitutes
If you’re looking to customize the Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl recipe or make substitutions based on dietary preferences or ingredient availability, here are some ideas:
- Greens: Spinach or mixed baby greens can be used instead of kale.
- Sweet Potatoes: Butternut squash or roasted carrots can be substituted for sweet potatoes.
- Apples: Pears or dried cranberries can add a similar sweetness and texture.
- Wild Rice: Quinoa or farro are good alternatives for rice in the Sweetgreen harvest bowl recipe
- Almonds: Pecans, walnuts, or sunflower seeds can be used instead of almonds.
- Goat Cheese: Feta or blue cheese can provide a similar tangy flavor.
These tips and insights should help you recreate the delicious and nutritious Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl recipe at home! We’d love to hear your feedback. Please, share your experience once you try the recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make the Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the individual components and assemble the bowls just before serving to prevent the ingredients from becoming soggy.
- Is the Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl vegan-friendly?
The original Sweetgreen Harvest bowl recipe includes goat cheese, but you can omit it to make it vegan. Additionally, you can substitute honey with maple syrup in the dressing.
- How can I prevent the kale from being too harsh?
Gently rubbing the kale with olive oil and lemon juice can help soften it and reduce its bitterness, making it more palatable in the salad.
- Can I customize the dressing for the Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl?
Absolutely! Feel free to adjust the balsamic vinaigrette dressing to suit your taste preferences. You can add extra herbs, mustard, or sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.