Craving that warm, cozy vibe in a bowl? Say hello to the Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl, aka fall’s greatest hits all year round.

Packed with roasted sweet potatoes, juicy chicken, tangy goat cheese, and crunchy apples, it’s the salad that doesn’t feel like a salad (and we love it for that).

If you are a loyal Sweetgreen fan or just stumbled upon this viral favorite, you’re probably wondering two things: how do I make this magic at home, and what’s the latest scoop on it

Good news, we’ve got both! In this post, help you through a copycat recipe that tastes almost too good to be true, plus a peek at what Sweetgreen has been cooking up lately with their beloved bowl.

What Is the Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl?

The Harvest Bowl is the go-to comfort salad for anyone who wants hearty flavors without sacrificing nutrition. It’s one of their most famous menu items and for good reason.

This satisfying bowl brings together a warm base of wild rice and shredded kale, layered with roasted sweet potatoes, juicy roasted chicken, tart apples, goat cheese, and crunchy almonds.

All of that is tied together with a punchy balsamic vinaigrette that hits sweet, tangy, and savory notes in every bite.

Unlike your typical leafy green salad, the Harvest Bowl is cozy, filling, and ideal for cooler weatherbut honestly, fans order it year-round.

It’s balanced, flavorful, and packs enough variety to keep your taste buds interested from the first forkful to the last. Total comfort food, Sweetgreen-style.

Recipe Notes

How to Make a Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl

Craving that perfect mix of warm, savory, sweet, and crunchy? This copycat Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl recipe is your new go-to.

Step 1: Roast the Sweet Potatoes

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Peel and dice one medium sweet potato into small cubes. Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a pinch of paprika.

Roast on a baking sheet for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re golden, caramelized, and tender on the inside.

Pro Tip: Use parchment paper for crisp edges and no sticking

Step 2: Cook the Wild Rice and Massage the Kale

Prepare 1 cup of wild rice according to package instructions. This takes about 40–45 minutes.

While that simmers, chop your kale and massage it with olive oil and salt for a few minutes to soften the texture and tone down its bitterness. These two make up the hearty, wholesome bowl base.

Pro Tip: Pre-massaged kale stays fresh in the fridge for 2–3 days.

Step 3: Prepare the Chicken

Season one chicken breast with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Grill or pan-sear for 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.

Let it rest before slicing. For an easier route, use warm rotisserie chicken to save time while keeping that homemade comfort.

Pro Tip: Slice against the grain for extra tender bites.

Step 4: Make the Balsamic Dressing

Whisk together 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1/4 cup olive oil, and salt and pepper.

Taste and tweak to your liking, add more maple for sweetness or extra mustard for tang. This vibrant dressing is what ties the whole bowl together.

Pro Tip: Shake it up in a mason jar for easy mixing and storage.

Step 5: Assemble the Harvest Bowl

Start with wild rice and kale at the bottom. Layer on roasted sweet potatoes, chicken, diced apples, goat cheese crumbles, and sliced almonds.

Drizzle generously with your balsamic vinaigrette, give it a gentle toss, and dig into this balanced, cozy, flavor-packed meal.

Pro Tip: Serve warm the goat cheese will slightly melt and turn creamy.

Nutrition Facts

Note: Packed with antioxidants, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates for sustained energy!

How to Store a Homemade Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl

Once you’ve prepped your harvest bowl with all its roasted veggies, grains, and toppings, the way you store it makes a big difference in freshness and flavor. Follow these steps for the best results:

• Refrigerate: Keep everything in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.
• Add dressing last: Only drizzle the dressing when you’re ready to eat.
• Meal-prep friendly: Use divided containers so you can grab-and-go without mixing until mealtime.
• Freeze grains (optional): Cooked quinoa or wild rice can be frozen in small portions for up to 2 months, then thawed to assemble fresh bowls later.

Pro Tip: Assemble your harvest bowl fresh each day from the prepped ingredients. This keeps the textures crisp and the flavors balanced, just like the Sweetgreen version.

Delicious Variations of the Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl

The beauty of the Harvest Bowl? It’s super easy to customize. If you’re plant-based, dairy-free, or just looking to mix things up, there’s a version out there for you.

Below are creative, crave-worthy variations that keep the Harvest Bowl vibe but add a fun twist to match your taste or diet.

1. Vegan Harvest Bowl

Skip the chicken and goat cheese, and swap in roasted chickpeas and avocado for a plant-powered version that’s still rich in flavor.

Chickpeas add crunch and protein, while avocado gives that creamy balance. Everything else, sweet potatoes, apples, almonds, and kale, stays the same for that cozy feel without any animal products.

2. Mediterranean Harvest Bowl

Give your bowl a bold twist by using lemon-tahini dressing instead of balsamic and adding roasted red peppers, olives, and hummus.

Swap the goat cheese for feta and add a sprinkle of za’atar on top. This variation blends earthy, tangy, and savory flavors with a hearty base of rice and greens.

3. Spicy Southwest Harvest Bowl

Turn up the heat by swapping in chipotle chicken and black beans. Add corn, avocado, and a spicy lime-cilantro dressing for a Tex-Mex twist.

The sweet potatoes balance the heat beautifully, and a few crushed tortilla strips on top add the perfect crunch. This one’s bold, zesty, and super satisfying.

4. Autumn-Inspired Harvest Bowl

Lean into the cozy vibes by adding roasted Brussels sprouts, dried cranberries, and a maple-Dijon vinaigrette.

Replace almonds with toasted pecans and keep the goat cheese for that tangy-sweet contrast. This version screams fall and is perfect for colder months or Thanksgiving leftovers in bowl form.

The Harvest Bowl Craze: What’s Everyone Talking About?

While there’s no major corporate shake-up or recipe overhaul from Sweetgreen this year, the Harvest Bowl is still riding high in the food culture scene. It’s not just a menu item anymore, it’s a lifestyle flex.

TikTokers are remixing the bowl with seasonal swaps, diet-friendly tweaks, and popular dressing hacks using #sweetgreenathome.

Food bloggers and wellness personalities continue to spotlight the bowl in meal prep reels, praising it for being comforting yet nutrient-packed.

Meanwhile, Reddit food threads and Instagram comment sections are alive with debates over which topping, goat cheese or feta, comes out on top, and how to perfect the roasted sweet potato crunch.

Bottom line? The Harvest Bowl isn’t trending; it is the trend.

Final Bite: Cozy, Customizable, and Always Craveable

If you are a long-time Sweetgreen fan or a curious first-timer, the Harvest Bowl proves that healthy and hearty can live in the same bowl.

It’s not just a salad, it’s a warm hug packed with sweet potatoes, greens, grains, and that signature tangy dressing.

Now that you’ve got the full breakdown of ingredients, steps, variations, and even the latest cultural buzz, you’re fully equipped to bring this bowl to life in your own kitchen.

The best part? You can personalize it any way you like. Go vegan, add extra protein, or swap in seasonal ingredients. With the Harvest Bowl as your base, the possibilities are abundant and always delicious.

So if you are meal prepping for the week or just craving something cozy and clean, this bowl delivers every time.

Happy cooking, happy eating, and hey, don’t forget to drizzle generously!