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More about Joe →Crisp greens, warm falafel, that bright lemony dressing the Copycat Sweetgreen Mediterranean Bowl hits every note you want from a restaurant bowl, made fresh right in your own kitchen.
Last spring I started recreating it after one too many tired Tuesday nights where takeout felt heavy but I still wanted something real and satisfying. After growing up shopping farmers markets in Texas, I knew fresh ingredients could do the heavy lifting so I tested the dressing ratio a dozen times until the lemon-herb balance was just right. That’s the part most homemade versions miss.
Copycat Sweetgreen Mediterranean Bowl So Good You Need This Real Fresh Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Start cooking the wild rice according to the directions on the package, using chicken stock for extra flavor if preferred.
- Heat the oven to 375°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Place chicken breasts on one sheet and cubed sweet potatoes on the other.
- Toss the sweet potatoes with olive oil and season both chicken and potatoes generously with salt, pepper, and sprinkle the umami seasoning over the chicken if using.
- Roast both the chicken and sweet potatoes in the oven for 30 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked to 165°F internal temperature.
- While the roasting is underway, chop the kale, apples, and almonds and set them aside.
- For the dressing, whisk together Greek yogurt, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
- Gradually whisk in olive oil until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
- Combine all the salad ingredients in a large bowl, pour the dressing over, toss everything together thoroughly, and serve immediately or store appropriately.
Notes
- This salad holds up well throughout the week—double or triple the recipe for meal prep. To maintain crunch and freshness, add almonds and dressing just before serving when storing leftovers.
Why You’ll Love This Bowl
Here’s the honest truth this is the kind of dinner that saves a Tuesday. Low effort, minimal cleanup, and it doesn’t feel heavy, which makes it perfect for getting back into a simple spring routine without overthinking it.
- Every component pulls real weight: earthy wild rice, massaged kale, roasted sweet potatoes, crisp apples, and a creamy balsamic dressing that ties everything together in one satisfying bowl
- Ready in about 15 minutes of active prep once your rice and chicken are done
- Naturally filling without that after-dinner slump
Key Ingredients and What They Do
The magic of this Sweetgreen Mediterranean Bowl lives in the contrast between warm and cold, creamy and crunchy. Each ingredient earns its place.
- Kale: Deveined and chopped, it holds up to the dressing without going limp unlike softer greens
- Wild rice: Cooked in chicken stock for extra depth; it adds a nutty chew that makes this feel like a real meal
- Roasted sweet potatoes: Tossed in olive oil and roasted until tender the caramelized edges are everything
- Goat cheese and almonds: Crumbled goat cheese adds creaminess; chopped almonds bring the crunch
- Apples: A fresh, slightly sweet contrast that brightens every bite
How to Make It
The method is straightforward most of the work happens in the oven while you prep everything else.
- Start the wild rice first, using chicken stock instead of water for better flavor
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Roast chicken breast and sweet potato cubes on separate parchment-lined sheets season both generously with salt and pepper, add umami seasoning to the chicken if using roast 30 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature
- While everything roasts, devein and chop the kale, dice the apples, and chop the almonds
- Whisk together Greek yogurt, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper then slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking
- Combine everything in a large bowl, pour the dressing over, and toss until well coated
Pro Tip: Yesica recommends massaging the kale with just a tiny drizzle of olive oil before assembling it softens the texture and takes the raw edge off in under a minute.
Can You Make This Bowl Ahead of Time?
Absolutely and it holds up better than most salads. The wild rice and roasted sweet potatoes actually improve after a night in the fridge as the flavors settle.
- Store the dressing separately and add it just before eating
- Keep the almonds in a separate container so they stay crunchy
- Assembled without dressing, the bowl keeps well for up to 4 days
Simple Swaps Worth Knowing
What makes this version genuinely accessible is how flexible it is at any mainstream grocery store no specialty shopping required.
- No goat cheese: crumbled feta works well and is usually easier to find
- No wild rice: brown rice or a wild rice blend are solid substitutes
- No almonds: pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds give you the same crunch
- No Greek yogurt for the dressing: plain low-fat yogurt blends in just as smoothly
- No Dijon mustard: a small amount of whole grain mustard is a natural stand-in
Note: The lemon juice in the dressing is a small addition but an essential one it lifts the entire balsamic base and keeps it from tasting flat, so don’t skip it.
FAQs ( Copycat Sweetgreen Mediterranean Bowl )
What is in the Sweetgreen Mediterranean bowl?
This recipe includes kale, wild rice, roasted sweet potatoes, cooked chicken, apples, goat cheese, and chopped almonds. It is finished with a creamy balsamic dressing made from Greek yogurt, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, and lemon juice.
What dressing does Sweetgreen use for their Mediterranean bowl?
This recipe uses a homemade creamy balsamic dressing blended from plain Greek yogurt, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
Can I meal prep this recipe at home?
Yes – this meal keeps well for the entire week. Store almonds and dressing separately from the salad to keep the nuts crunchy and the kale from getting soggy.
What grain base does Sweetgreen use?
This dish uses wild rice as its hearty grain base. Cooking it in chicken stock instead of water adds extra depth of flavor.
Is the Sweetgreen Mediterranean bowl anti-inflammatory?
This recipe features several anti-inflammatory-friendly ingredients including kale, olive oil, lemon juice, and almonds. It delivers 37g of protein and 10g of fiber per serving.
This Sweetgreen Mediterranean Bowl comes together faster than you’d expect roasted sweet potatoes, wild rice cooked in chicken stock, and that creamy balsamic dressing make every bite taste genuinely earned.
If you’re swapping ingredients, don’t overthink it feta works beautifully in place of goat cheese, and pumpkin seeds hold their crunch just as well as almonds. Store everything assembled without the dressing and it keeps for four days without a problem. One thing worth never skipping: that tiny squeeze of lemon in the dressing. It lifts the whole bowl from good to really good, and it takes about three seconds.
If you try this one, I’d love to see your bowl drop a photo in the comments or tag us, because honestly, everyone’s version looks a little different and that’s the best part. Did someone in your house sneak in extra goat cheese? Same. Save this recipe for the next time a Tuesday needs rescuing here’s to dinners that help you get back into a rhythm.
