15 Sweet and Savory Sweet Potato Recipes - Grits and Pinecones (2024)

Date: · Updated: Author: Sharon Rigsby

This collection of 15 Sweet and Savory Sweet Potato Recipes features simple, homemade, no-fuss sweet potato recipes that are perfect whether you are serving them for a quick weeknight meal or for a special occasion.

Although crowd-pleasing sweet potato side dishes reign supreme at Thanksgiving and the holidays, they are also perfect to serve any time of the year. Whether you are looking for a sweet potato side dish, main dish, salad, soup, or even dessert, I’ve got you covered.

15 Sweet and Savory Sweet Potato Recipes - Grits and Pinecones (1)

From my personal favorite, Sweet Potato Bread with Pecans, to breakfast and brunch staple, Sweet Potato Hash, and dessert superstar, Sweet Potato Pie, there is something for everyone. All are easy, hearty, delicious, and satisfying recipes that include sweet potatoes, which are classified as a superfood!

Southern Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole

Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Bourbon and Pecans isa delightful combination of flavors that is sure to draw rave reviews from everyone. This isa lighter version of the classic recipefor sweet potato casserole with pecans most folks expect to see on Thanksgiving. But it has a fun twist, atouch of bourbon, the quintessential southern liquor.

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Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

Old-fashionedSouthern Candied Sweet Potatoeswith pecans is a dazzling holiday side dish with a rich combination of flavors and textures. This recipe features thinly sliced tender sweet potatoes perfectly seasoned with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves and blanketed in caramelized brown sugar, sweet, creamy butter, andcandied pecans.

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Easy Southern Sweet Potato Bread with Pecans

Easy Southern Sweet Potato Bread with Pecans is theultimate quick bread! It’s moist, flavorful, and loaded withsweet potatoes and crunchy pecans.Tasty sweet potato bread is the height ofquick bread perfection, and trying to resist a slice is futile!

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Roasted Turkey Breast with Sweet Potatoes and Cranberries

Flavorful Roasted Turkey Breast with Sweet Potatoes and Cranberries is the perfect Thanksgiving dinner recipe for a small gathering. Not only does this amazing dish make a beautiful presentation and feed four, but it is made in one skillet and cooks in under an hour.

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Healthy Roasted Sweet Potato Stacks

Healthy Roasted Sweet Potato Stacks are the stuff sweet potato dreams are made of, full of nutritious and flavorful sweet potatoes, scallions,roasted pecans, and maple syrup!

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Sweet Potato Pie with Condensed Milk

My, oh my, Sweet Potato Pie!Southern Sweet Potato Pie with Condensed Milktastes like a cool crisp fall day; warm, pungent spices and Thanksgiving all wrapped up in one delicious and decadent bite.

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Easy Sweet Potato Hash

Easy Southern Sweet Potato Hash is full of healthy sweet potatoes, crisp Granny Smith apples, tart cranberries, and bacon cooked with eggs in a cast-iron skillet! Versatile, sweet, and savory Easy Southern Sweet Potato Hash is the “breakfast of champions” and a great way to start the day!

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Savory Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

Imagine, if you will, soft, fluffy, and savory baked sweet potatoes combined with shallots, thyme, butter, and delicious Fontina cheese. These unique Savory Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes should be making an appearance on your Thanksgiving table this year!

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Healthy Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

Healthy Roasted Sweet Potato Salad is a unique, colorful, healthy, and, best of all, delicious choice for your Thanksgiving dinner.

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Terry’s Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole

Are you looking for the most delicious Thanksgiving sweet potato casserole that you have ever eaten? One that is decadent beyond description and will have your family clamoring for more?

Well, you are in the right place because Terry’s Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Casserole is all that and more!

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Easy Creamy Southern Sweet Potato Soup

Easy Creamy Southern Sweet Potato Soup isas smooth as velvet, a little spicy, and pure creamy deliciousness. Sweet and savory with carrots and sweet potatoes, this homemade soupis quick to make and even quicker to disappear.

Topped withcandied pecans, this easy soup recipe is 100% delicious.

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Fall Harvest Salad with Apples and Sweet Potatoes

This irresistibly delicious Fall Harvest Salad with Apples and Sweet Potatoes is as pretty as a picture and tastes as good as it looks! Full of roasted sweet potatoes, juicy sliced apples, and crunchy roasted pecans, this healthy salad will remind you of a cool crisp Fall day.

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Smoked Sweet Potatoes

Sinfully delicious, Smoked Sweet Potatoes topped with Maple Bourbon Butter will rock your world with their sweet and savory smoked potato goodness. The light smoky flavor goes beautifully with the delicate sweetness of the potato, and this incredible side dish is super easy to make.

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Sweet Potato Biscuits

Easy Southern Sweet Potato Biscuits with Cranberry Aioli – say yes, please! How could you not love this combination of sweet and savory flavors? Add some salty country ham, and you have a delicious homemade biscuit fit for a king or queen.

If you are not planning to entertain the Royals, how about serving these yummy biscuits for an Easter or Mother’s Day Brunch or Lunch?

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Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Soup

What better way to celebrate cooler weather than with the warm, cozy deliciousness of a steaming bowl of smooth, velvety Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Soup?

Creamy roasted pumpkin and sweet potato soup is a perfect first or starter course for Thanksgiving, or it’s an easy, healthy, light lunch or dinner. And, the best part, kids love it!

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Sweet potato FAQs:

What is the most popular Thanksgiving side dish?

This depends on where you live. Although mashed potatoes are the number one side dish across the country, in the South, sweet potato casseroles such as Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole and Terry’s Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole are unabashedly the star of the side dish lineup and are a must on any southern Thanksgiving dinner table.

What is the most popular topping for a sweet potato casserole?

There are two camps on what kind of topping should be on sweet potato casseroles. One insists on marshmallows, and the other is adamant that you can’t have a sweet potato casserole without a pecan brown sugar topping or a pecan streusel topping.

Ours is a house divided, so I often put marshmallows on one side and pecans and brown sugar on the opposite side.

What is the healthiest way to cook sweet potatoes?

Baking or roasting sweet potatoes in the oven is the healthiest way to cook sweet potatoes. On their own, sweet potatoes are considered a superfood and are loaded with vitamins and minerals; it’s when you add copious amounts of butter, sugar, and other “fixin’s” that you can get into trouble.

What dishes can be made from sweet potatoes?

As you can see from this collection, sweet potatoes can be used in all sorts of dishes, from sides to mains. These versatile, flavorful, and colorful potatoes can also be substituted for regular white potatoes in most recipes.

What’s the difference between sweet potatoes and yams?

While many folks use the terms interchangeably, and while both are tuber-shaped, sweet potatoes and yams are two very different food items.
Most of the time, when folks think they are eating yams or when they see candied yams in the grocery store, they are actually sweet potatoes.

Sweet potatoes are grown in the South, while yams are grown in West Africa.

More Thanksgiving recipes:

  • 32 Easy No-Fuss Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes – 2023
  • 27 Easy Savory Dressing and Stuffing Recipes for 2023
  • 37 Southern Thanksgiving Side Dishes to Impress – 2023

No Thanksgiving meal would be complete without dessert, and these two recipe collections are full of ideas for ending everything on a sweet note:

40 Best Desserts for Thanksgiving 2022 and 40 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Desserts.

And, because Christmas isn’t far behind, I thought you might be interested in these Christmas recipe collections:

  • 29 Best Christmas Dessert Recipes
  • 25 Best Christmas Breakfast/Brunch Recipes
  • 30 Easy and Elegant Christmas Dinner Menu Ideas
  • 31 Easy Homemade Edible Christmas Gifts

★★★★★If you make any of these recipes, please leave a comment and give it a star rating. I would love to know how you liked it!

Thanks so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones! I hope you come back soon!

More Thanksgiving Recipes

  • Best Southern Fried Corn with Bacon Recipe
  • Easy Peanut Butter Mousse Recipe with Whipped Cream
  • Homemade Gingerbread Ice Cream Recipe (No Churn)
  • Creamy Turkey Noodle Casserole Recipe with Leftover Turkey

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  1. 15 Sweet and Savory Sweet Potato Recipes - Grits and Pinecones (24)April

    What a great list of sweet potato recipes! So much inspiration! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  2. 15 Sweet and Savory Sweet Potato Recipes - Grits and Pinecones (25)Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy

    What a great collection of recipes. Sweet potatoes can be used so many delicious ways for sure.

    Reply

    • 15 Sweet and Savory Sweet Potato Recipes - Grits and Pinecones (26)Gritsandpinecones

      Thanks so much Gloria!

      Reply

  3. 15 Sweet and Savory Sweet Potato Recipes - Grits and Pinecones (27)Kimberly @ Berly's Kitchen

    This is a lovely list of sweet potato inspired recipes and such a large variety of ways to prepare them. Definitely, goes above and beyond the traditional baked sweet potato! Love this post.

    Reply

    • 15 Sweet and Savory Sweet Potato Recipes - Grits and Pinecones (28)Gritsandpinecones

      Thanks so much Kimberly!

      Reply

  4. 15 Sweet and Savory Sweet Potato Recipes - Grits and Pinecones (29)Amy

    So much goodness here! How do you decide?! Although that scalloped sweet potato dish might be calling my name…

    Reply

    • 15 Sweet and Savory Sweet Potato Recipes - Grits and Pinecones (30)Gritsandpinecones

      I’m with you! My husband wants me to make the Scalloped Sweet Potato dish for his office Thanksgiving party! It does look yummy!

      Reply

15 Sweet and Savory Sweet Potato Recipes - Grits and Pinecones (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to sweet potato to make it taste good? ›

Salt, Pepper, and Butter – the OG classic way of serving your sweet potatoes. Greek Yogurt and Green Onion – one of my personal favorites! you can do sour cream instead of Greek Yogurt if you prefer. Maple Syrup, Cinnamon, and Butter – ok, I'm a big fan of savory but this combo is also a favorite!

How many sweet potatoes for 20 servings? ›

Use 1 medium sweet potato per person.

How many sweet potatoes do I need to feed 10 people? ›

“A general guideline to estimating how many sweet potatoes you need when hosting friends or family for a meal is one medium sweet potato per person,” Burgess says, as if she's done this many times before.

Why do people put marshmallows in sweet potatoes? ›

Despite what your grandmother says, this cloying side dish didn't originate as a family recipe. It was concocted by Big Marshmallow as a way to push the candy on Americans. Though the tubers are high in sugar to begin with, there's historical precedent for treating sweet potatoes like dessert.

Why do I feel better after eating sweet potato? ›

Along with anti-inflammatory properties, sweet potatoes have plenty of gut-friendly fiber, especially if you eat the skin. They are a mixture of soluble fiber, which can lower cholesterol and balance glucose, and insoluble fiber, which helps keep your bowels healthy and regular.

How many potatoes do I need for 15 servings? ›

Plan on 1/3 to 1/2 pound potatoes per person for your feast.

How many sweet potatoes do I need for 3 people? ›

With this guide, all amounts will feed everyone at the table and provide some leftovers. Because leftovers are the best part. Potatoes or sweet potatoes: 5 to 6 ounces per person, which equals about 1 large Yukon Gold or white potato, or half of a large sweet potato.

How many potatoes do I need for 14 adults? ›

For a big spread with lots of side dishes, you'll want to have about four ounces (125 grams) of potato (that's precooked weight) per person. If you're serving fewer sides, you can up it to about eight ounces (250 grams) per person.

What does 1 serving of sweet potato look like? ›

Nutrition Facts Serving size: 1 medium (4.6 oz / 130 g) Calories 100 Calories from Fat 0 *Percent Daily Values (%DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Sweet potatoes are one of the best sources of vitamin A; a medium one contains more than 100 percent of the daily recommended intake, according to the USDA.

Can I prep sweet potatoes ahead of time? ›

Potatoes: Peel or pare and chop up to a day in advance. Store in a bowl of cold water in the refrigerator. Sweet potatoes: Peel and chop 3 to 4 days in advance. Store in a sealed bag or container with an airtight lid in the refrigerator.

How many pounds of sweet potatoes do I need for 15 people? ›

How many potatoes do I really need? I did some research, and here's the answer: a large sweet potato is about a ½ pound. You'll want to figure on ⅓ to ½ pound per person.

Why do people not eat the skin of sweet potatoes? ›

Sweet potato skins are rich in oxalates. This means that if you are high risk of kidney stones, you may need to limit your consumption. In rare cases, excessive consumption of vitamin A can lead to vitamin A toxicity.

How do Chinese eat sweet potatoes? ›

In fact, sweet potatoes are commonly sold roasted during wintertime as a snack. And there are dishes like soup that have sweet potato, or dishes like purple sweet potato buns.

How do Asians eat sweet potatoes? ›

Since its introduction to the East, sweet potato has earned a special place in Asian cuisines. In China, they're baked in large iron drums and enjoyed as a winter street food; or made into Mantou buns; while in North-eastern parts, they're often cut in chunks and fried, served with hot syrup.

How do you dress up a baked sweet potato? ›

Toppings for Baked Sweet Potatoes:

Maple syrup, butter and toasted pecans. Sour cream, chives, salt, and pepper. Blue cheese, walnuts and honey. Mini marshmallows, brown sugar and cinnamon (pop it under the broiler to toast the marshmallows a bit).

What are the tips and tricks of sweet potatoes? ›

Selection and storage tips: Choose firm, small- to medium-sized potatoes with smooth skin. Avoid cracks, soft spots and blemishes. Choose sweet potatoes with a bright, uniform color. Store them in a cool, dark, dry place for use within two to three weeks or at room temperature for up to a week.

What do Americans put on sweet potato? ›

The American tradition of cooking sweet potatoes with marshmallows is a bit of a leap for the European reader. But it always pays to keep an open mind.

How do you prop a sweet potato? ›

Here's one way to do it:
  1. fill up a tray with about 2 inches of potting soil.
  2. place the sweet potato sideways in to the tray so it is about half buried.
  3. water it and wait until it creates sprouts.
  4. remove those sprouts with scissor and cut the sprouts in to multiple sprouts at each node.
Feb 23, 2023

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