Sweet potatoes don’t have to be covered in marshmallows on your Thanksgiving table. This healthy and versatile root vegetable is great for any day of the year. Try one of these easy sweet potato recipes!
Sweet potatoes are full of orange goodness and are so unbelievably versatile. Don’t let sweet potatoes be held captive to Thanksgiving Day, blanketed under a layer of gooey white marshmallows. There are so many ways to enjoy them!
Sweet potatoes can be the star of any day. Enjoy them for breakfast, dinner, snacks and more. They can be baked, roasted, pressure cooked, air fried, or steamed. Enjoy sweet potatoes whole, mashed, sliced, cut into fries, or cubed. Sweet potato recipes can be savory or sweet, ranging from simple to complex.
Roast cubed sweet potatoes to add to salads or meal bowls. Microwave thinly sliced sweet potatoes for the best sweet potato chips. Make homemade sweet potato fries in your air fryer. Add sweet potatoes to easy sheet pan dinners. The possibilities are nearly endless!
Are Sweet Potatoes Good For you?
You’ll be glad to know that eating sweet potatoes can benefit your health in important ways (Healthline).
- Fiber: Sweet potatoes have both soluble and insoluble fiber. Both kinds are essential for good digestion and gut health.
- Antioxidants: Like most orange-colored foods, sweet potatoes contain beta carotene and anthocyanin, important antioxidants that convert to vitamin A in your body. They are important for maintaining good eye health and fighting against cancer. Sweet potatoes are high in vitamin C, too.
- Minerals: Sweet potatoes are a good source of various minerals, such as potassium, manganese, and copper.
Remember, loading up sweet potatoes with lots of butter, sugar, and marshmallows will negate some of the health benefits. It’s best to cook them simply. Sweet potatoes are very flavorful so it’s not necessary to doll them up. A little olive oil, herbs, and seasonings will enhance but not mask their deliciousness.
Are Yams and Sweet Potatoes The Same Thing?
Often sweet potatoes are called yams, especially in the United States, but this is incorrect. They are both root vegetables but differ in many ways.
Yams are not sweet potatoes. They are in a different botanical family. Yams have rough brown skin that is tough, and dry white starchy flesh. They are usually boiled and mashed.
Sweet potatoes have tender skins and sweet flesh. There are five main types of sweet potatoes with lots of varieties included in each type. They may have orange, red, yellow, or purple skin, with orange, white, or purple flesh. The most common variety found in grocery stores, is the Beauregard, a large sweet potato with reddish orange skin and dark orange flesh.
How to choose and store Sweet Potatoes
- How to Choose: Look for smooth-skinned, unwrinkled sweet potatoes. They should be free of blemishes, mold, or soft spots. Short plump sweet potatoes may have a sweeter flavor; long skinny potatoes tend to be a bit stringier.
- How to Store: Sweet potatoes should be stored in a cool dry place with good air circulation. They’ll keep for up to two weeks, ready to use for any of the following easy sweet potato recipes.
- What not to do: Do not store uncooked sweet potatoes in the refrigerator. They tend to develop an unpleasant flavor and hardness in the center, even after they’re cooked. Raw sweet potatoes should not be frozen. Cooked sweet potatoes can be frozen in a freezer safe container or bag for up to a year.
- Want more info? For lots of interesting information about sweet potatoes, take a look at the U.S. Sweet Potato Council website.
Should I Peel Sweet Potatoes?
The skin of sweet potatoes is tender and totally edible so it isn’t necessary to peel them. Scrub the potatoes well with a firm-bristled brush under running water to remove any dirt. Trim any spots or eyes off with a sharp paring knife.
25+ Easy Sweet Potato Recipes
This round-up of easy sweet potato recipes is definitely a keeper. There’s a recipe for every occasion, from simple home-cooked dinners to holiday buffets.
You’ll want to bookmark this post so it’s always handy for the best sweet potato recipes!
Vanilla Bean Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Creamy mashed sweet potatoeswith vanilla bean paste taste like dessert. This easy sweet potato recipe will quickly become a favorite!
Check out this recipe
Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
Instant Pot sweet potatoes come out silky smooth every time. Pressure cooking sweet potatoes is so easy!
Check out this recipe
Scalloped Sweet Potatoes with Bacon and Gruyère
A sweet potato recipe for special occasions, decadent scalloped sweet potatoes are resplendent with rich Gruyère cheese and flavorful bacon.
Check out this recipe
Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole
A gluten-free, nut-free, and dairy-free alternative to classic sugar-laden sweet potato recipes. You'll love the crunchy streusel topping!
Check out this recipe
Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Oven roasted sweet potatoes are delicious just as they are, or they can be seasoned in a variety of ways. Perfect for a quick side dish or to add to salads or meal bowls.
Check out this recipe
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Thin, crispy, and addicting, air fryer sweet potato fries are so good! Easy to make, economical, and nutritious, this sweet potato recipe is one you'll use over and over.
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Hasselback Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Sweet and delicious, roasted hasselback sweet potatoes make an impressive presentation yet are easy enough to add to your everyday menu. No "hassle" required!
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Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Arugula & Sweet Potato
Bursting with flavor, this roasted vegetable salad with cauliflower, sweet potato, arugula, and pomegranate is a feast for the eyes and taste buds.
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Air Fryer Sweet Potato Hash
Air fryer sweet potato hash with candied bacon — do I need to say more? You'll love this stunningly good sweet potato recipe! Try it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or in salads or meal bowls.
Check out this recipe
Crispy Sweet Potato Tacos
Beer marinated roasted sweet potatoes, charred corn, creamy avocado, crisp onions, and fresh cilantro, wrapped in a soft corn tortilla – you have to try these sweet potato tacos!
Check out this recipe
Sweet Potato Wedges with Chinese Five Spice
Roasted sweet potato wedges with Chinese five spice may become your favorite sweet potato recipe. They’re easy to make and they’re completely irresistible!
Check out this recipe
Kale Sweet Potato Salad
A main course salad with protein-packed quinoa, kale sweet potato salad has an amazing creamy chili lime dressing.
Check out this recipe
Egg White Casserole with Sweet Potato Crust
A perfect make-ahead breakfast (lunch or dinner, too!): filling, nutritious, and so delicious. This easy sweet potato recipe is a winner!
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Sweet Potato Casserole (without nuts)
This sweet potato recipe is perfect for nut-free homes — try the fun handheld version or make a casserole.
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Apple Gouda Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Stuffed chicken breasts are paired with smoky roasted sweet potatoes for a sheet pan dinner that will make everyone happy.
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Sweet Potato Bread Pudding
Sweet potato bread pudding made with cinnamon bread is a unique take on the classic sweet potato recipe.
Check out this recipe
Homemade Sweet Potato Chips
Make delicious homemade sweet potato chips in a mere 5 minutes using the microwave! A super easy sweet potato recipe!
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Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
Twice baked sweet potatoes have a sweet creamy filling with a crunchy streusel topping. If you're feeding a crowd, the recipe can easily be made into a casserole, too.
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Sweet Potato Noodles
Learn how to make sweet potato noodles with this simple guide. It’s so easy and a fun way to eat more vegetables.
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One Pot Green Lentils with Sweet Potatoes and Kale
An easy sweet potato recipe, lentils with sweet potatoes is a hearty vegetarian meal that's filling and packed with nutrition.
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Instant Pot Farro Stuffing with Sausage and Sweet Potatoes
Farro stuffing with sweet potatoes is flavorful, warm and filling. It can be served as a unique variation of traditional stuffing or as a hearty weekday dinner.
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Bacon Cheddar Quiche with Sweet Potato Crust
The "crust" of this bacon cheddar quiche is very thinly sliced sweet potatoes. It's a healthier alternative to a traditional quiche, plus it packs lots more flavor.
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Savory Sweet Potato Crackers
You'll love the sweet and savory flavor of this gluten-free cracker recipe made with mashed sweet potatoes and oat flour. Just 6 ingredients including salt!
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Egg White Breakfast Bake with Sweet Potato and Spinach
Another sweet potato recipe for breakfast, egg white breakfast bake with sweet potato and spinach is easy to make, nutritious, and the perfect make-ahead breakfast!
Check out this recipe
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Introducing Sweet Potatoes: A Versatile and Nutritious Root Vegetable
As an enthusiast of sweet potatoes, I can confidently say that I possess a depth of knowledge and first-hand expertise when it comes to this versatile and nutritious root vegetable. Sweet potatoes are not only a staple of Thanksgiving tables but can be enjoyed throughout the year in various forms and recipes. In this article, we will explore the different concepts related to sweet potatoes, including their health benefits, the difference between yams and sweet potatoes, how to choose and store them, and whether or not to peel them. We will also provide a roundup of easy sweet potato recipes for you to try.
Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes
Eating sweet potatoes can have important health benefits. They are rich in fiber, both soluble and insoluble, which promotes good digestion and gut health. Sweet potatoes also contain antioxidants such as beta carotene and anthocyanin, which convert to vitamin A in the body. These antioxidants are essential for maintaining good eye health and fighting against cancer. Additionally, sweet potatoes are a good source of minerals like potassium, manganese, and copper.
It's important to note that the health benefits of sweet potatoes can be negated if they are loaded with butter, sugar, and marshmallows. It is best to cook them simply, using a little olive oil, herbs, and seasonings to enhance their natural flavor.
Yams vs. Sweet Potatoes
Although sweet potatoes are often called yams, especially in the United States, this is incorrect. Yams and sweet potatoes are different root vegetables belonging to different botanical families. Yams have rough brown skin and dry white starchy flesh. They are usually boiled and mashed. On the other hand, sweet potatoes have tender skins and sweet flesh. There are five main types of sweet potatoes with various skin and flesh colors, such as orange, red, yellow, or purple. The most common variety found in grocery stores is the Beauregard, which has reddish orange skin and dark orange flesh.
Choosing and Storing Sweet Potatoes
When choosing sweet potatoes, look for smooth-skinned, unwrinkled ones that are free of blemishes, mold, or soft spots. Short, plump sweet potatoes tend to have a sweeter flavor, while long, skinny ones may be a bit stringier. It is best to store sweet potatoes in a cool dry place with good air circulation. They can keep for up to two weeks.
Avoid storing uncooked sweet potatoes in the refrigerator, as they can develop an unpleasant flavor and hardness in the center, even after cooking. Raw sweet potatoes should not be frozen, but cooked sweet potatoes can be frozen in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to a year.
To Peel or Not to Peel Sweet Potatoes
The skin of sweet potatoes is tender and totally edible, so it is not necessary to peel them. Simply scrub the potatoes well with a firm-bristled brush under running water to remove any dirt. Trim any spots or eyes off with a sharp paring knife.
Easy Sweet Potato Recipes
Now that we have covered the basics of sweet potatoes, let's explore some delicious and easy sweet potato recipes for every occasion. From creamy mashed sweet potatoes to crispy sweet potato fries, there is a recipe to suit every taste. Here are a few examples:
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Vanilla Bean Mashed Sweet Potatoes: Creamy mashed sweet potatoes with vanilla bean paste make for a delightful and flavorful side dish.
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Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes: Pressure-cooked sweet potatoes come out silky smooth and are incredibly easy to make.
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Scalloped Sweet Potatoes with Bacon and Gruyère: A decadent recipe featuring rich Gruyère cheese, flavorful bacon, and tender sweet potatoes.
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Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole: A gluten-free, nut-free, and dairy-free alternative to traditional sweet potato casseroles, topped with a crunchy streusel.
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Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Delicious as a side dish or added to salads or meal bowls, oven-roasted sweet potatoes are simple and flavorful.
These are just a few examples from a wide range of sweet potato recipes that you can try. Whether you prefer savory or sweet, there is a recipe to suit your taste buds.
I hope this introduction and information about sweet potatoes has demonstrated my expertise and knowledge on the topic. If you have any further questions or need more recipe suggestions, feel free to ask!
