Effortlessly create a truly satisfying side dish with these stovetop candied sweet potatoes, showcasing a simple yet irresistible combination of tender slices and a sweet brown sugar glaze.
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The full recipe with ingredients/instructions is available on the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Important tips/tricks are also included in the blog post.
Candied sweet potatoes, or candied yams, are my favorite holiday side dish. I love them so much that I crave them all year long. But sometimes I don't want to go through the trouble of using the oven to make these.
Thanks to this simple stove top recipe, I can enjoy their sweet, comforting flavor anytime I want. This sweet potatoes side dish is easy to make with simple ingredients and warm spices. This makes it a popular side dish for many of our family meals.
If you prefer using the oven, try my popular Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes recipe.
Ingredients Needed
Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Sweet Potatoes - Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet and become incredibly tender when cooked. Use the orange-fleshed varieties for the best results.
- Butter - Unsalted butter adds richness and helps create the glaze that coats the sweet potatoes.
- Sugars - Light brown sugar adds a deep, molasses-like sweetness. Granulated sugar enhances the overall sweetness and helps with the glaze.
- Flavorings - Vanilla extract adds a gentle flavor and adds sweetness. The addition of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger provides earthy and spicy flavors that complement the dish's sweetness. Feel free to sub this with orange juice.
- Salt - A pinch of salt balances the sweetness of the other ingredients.
Tools Needed
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Measuring Cups and Spoons:
- Medium pot
- Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula
How To Make This Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Put sweet potatoes, butter, brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt in a medium pot. Set the pot over medium heat.
Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are tender, about 35 minutes.
Remove the lid and cook for 5 minutes, or until the syrup thickens and the sweet potatoes caramelize.
Allow to cool for about 10 minutes. Serve warm.
How to Store
Place them in an airtight container and allow to cool completely to room temperature before storing in the fridge. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
You can heat them up in the microwave or in a skillet. Use low heat and stir occasionally. This helps them heat evenly.
What to Serve this with
Here are a few recipes that pair well with the sweetness of candied sweet potatoes, offering a balanced and satisfying meal:
Tanya's Top Tips
- You can include toppings like marshmallows, pecans, or orange zest to add extra flavor and texture.
- To prevent sweet potatoes from getting mushy, cook them until they are tender. Do not stir them too much while they simmer in the glaze.
Notes
- Make-Ahead Option: You can make the candied sweet potatoes one day early. Just reheat them gently on the stove before serving.
- Vary the Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet dish, you can reduce the amount of sugar by ¼ cup in total. You can replace some white sugar with natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey for a different taste.
- Note that this recipe uses sweet potatoes, not yams. The difference between sweet potatoes and yams is significant, with sweet potatoes having a sweeter, moister flesh compared to the starchier texture of yams. It's best to use sweet potatoes in this recipe.
FAQ
People use the names candied yams and candied sweet potatoes interchangeably, but true yams and sweet potatoes are different. Sweet potatoes are more commonly used in candied sweet potato recipes because of their sweetness and texture.
Candied sweet potatoes are often sliced and cooked in a sugary glaze. Sweet potato casserole is usually mashed and mixed with sweeteners and spices.
Yes, you can use other sweeteners, but the flavor and texture may vary slightly.
Deciding whether to bake or cook candied sweet potatoes on the stovetop depends on your taste. It also depends on the texture you prefer. Baking tends to result in a slightly firmer texture with a more caramelized, crisp edge.
Stovetop cooking is generally faster, making it ideal if you’re short on time. They also tend to be softer and moister since they simmer in the glaze
I hope you like this Stovetop Candied Sweet Potatoes recipe as much as we do! Looking for more sweet potatoes recipes? Try these out:
- Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Baked Sweet Potato Slices
- The Best Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Sweet Potato Pie
Stovetop Candied Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes peeled and chopped into 1-inch cubes
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated white sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Add the sweet potatoes, unsalted butter, light brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt to a medium-sized pot over medium heat.
- Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are tender, about 35 minutes.
- Remove the lid and cook for 5 minutes, or until the syrup has thickened and the sweet potatoes are caramelized.
- Allow to cool for about 10 minutes, and then serve warm.
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