This simple yet satisfying recipe yields a quintessential summer side dish ideal for pairing with a wide range of meals. This convenient recipe cooks to perfection in under 20 minutes, serving as the perfect accompaniment to your preferred dipping sauce for a truly satisfying meal.
Why You’ll Love This RecipeIngredients NeededRecipe Substitutions & VariationsTo prepare grilled sweet potatoes, first preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Next, slice 2-3 large sweet potatoes into 1/2-inch thick rounds or wedges, whichever you prefer.Don’t settle for bland sweet potatoes – elevate your grilling game with these expert tips? Start by choosing the right variety: look for Japanese or Okinawan sweet potatoes for a sweeter, softer flesh. Next, prep them correctly: scrub those spuds clean, poke some holes in ’em to prevent explosion, and slice into 1/2-inch thick rounds or wedges. Now it’s time to get grilling! Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (375°F) and brush those sweet potatoes with a mixture of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Flip them every 5-7 minutes until they’re tender, caramelized, and slightly charred. When pairing with grilled sweet potatoes, consider complementing their natural sweetness with savory and spicy options. Try combining them with: * Crispy bacon or ham for a smoky contrast * A tangy slaw made with red cabbage, carrots, and a drizzle of apple cider vinegar * A sprinkle of crispy fried onions or chopped scallions for added crunch * A dollop of spicy chipotle aioli or sriracha mayonnaise for a bold kickHow to StoreFrequently Asked QuestionsMore Grilling Recipes To Try:More Sweet Potato Recipes:
When the weather permits, I enthusiastically advocate for grilling an array of dishes with Isaac, as the method effectively infuses a depth of rich flavors into our culinary creations. As the warm weather sets in, our grills become a staple of daily life throughout the summer.
For us, grilling is all about timeless favorites – think juicy turkey burgers, succulent grilled chicken breast, flavorful shrimp skewers, and our go-to cilantro and lime chicken burgers. We’re also big fans of grilled sweet potatoes as the perfect accompaniment to these protein-packed delights. With minimal prep time required, these veggies are a cinch to get cooking alongside your main course, simply tossing them onto the grill as your protein sizzles away.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Grilled sweet potatoes could easily become your go-to summer side dish, offering a deliciously unexpected twist on traditional roasted or boiled varieties. Here’s what fascinates me about these enigmatic creatures:
- Boiling potatoes beforehand ensures a tender interior and a satisfyingly caramelized exterior when grilled.
- With these basic ingredients – sweet potatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper, and a dash of flair with your choice of seasonings – you’re all set to create a delicious dish.
- Within just 20 minutes, this recipe comes together quickly.
- Savor these crispy fries on their own or elevate the experience by dipping them into your preferred condiment. For an added layer of flavor, we highly recommend trying our simple yet indulgent garlic aioli recipe.
Ingredients Needed
To prepare a flavorful and easy side dish, you’ll only require five uncomplicated ingredients for grilling sweet potatoes. Hidden gems await discovery in your very own kitchen.
- The main attraction! I’m fond of preparing large sweet potatoes by slicing them into appealing wedges. Cooking them initially facilitates achieving a tender, velvety core.
- – enhances the natural sweetness of the potatoes, resulting in a crispy, caramelized exterior and a tender interior when grilled.
- – adding an earthy flavor that harmonizes delightfully with sweet potatoes, this option is entirely optional yet produces a charming culinary combination.
- And these two cornerstones are crucial in knitting all aspects into a harmonious whole!
Recipe Substitutions & Variations
Grilled sweet potatoes prove to be an effortless delight when cooking, requiring minimal effort while delivering maximum flavor. Several methods exist for shaking things loose:
- Consider substituting with a complementary herb like thyme or oregano instead? While dried herbs are a suitable substitute, using fresh ones yields a more pronounced flavour.
- While I enjoy olive oil’s distinct flavour, avocado oil makes an excellent substitute for high-heat cooking.
- Looking to add some extra zest to your dish? Enhance your grilled meats with a pinch of smoky depth by sprinkling on smoked paprika, add warm earthiness with cumin, or bring the heat with a zesty chili-lime seasoning just before firing up the grill.
- Consider adding a pinch of cayenne to your oil blend for an extra kick of warmth?
To prepare grilled sweet potatoes, first preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Next, slice 2-3 large sweet potatoes into 1/2-inch thick rounds or wedges, whichever you prefer.
When preparing to grill vegetables, a straightforward approach typically suffices for quicker cooking options like zucchini and asparagus; however, for heartier veggies such as potatoes, a bit of preliminary preparation is necessary.
Without prepping the sweet potato, placing it directly on the grill can result in an overcooked exterior and an undercooked interior, leaving you with a raw, crunchy centre. While some may share your distaste for undercooked sweet potatoes, others relish their tender, caramelized goodness. Nevertheless, we’ll turn our attention to the art of grilling these delectable tubers.
Boil a large pot of salted water, then submerge potatoes, ensuring they’re completely covered by the liquid. Cook for approximately 10 minutes, or until the meat reaches a texture that resists the tines of a sharp fork or knife when pierced. Allow the liquid to drain thoroughly before allowing it to cool completely.
Slice potatoes in half lengthwise, then cut each half into desired wedge sizes when cooled sufficiently for handling.
In a small bowl, combine olive oil, thyme (if using) with a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper, blending until well incorporated. Apply a thin layer of this flavorful blend to the surface of roasted or baked sweet potatoes.
Heat the grill to a medium-high heat, then lightly coat the rack with oil. Grill the potatoes until they develop attractive grill marks and are thoroughly cooked, turning them over halfway through the cooking process. This brief task is anticipated to consume approximately seven to eight minutes of your time.
Don’t settle for bland sweet potatoes – elevate your grilling game with these expert tips? Start by choosing the right variety: look for Japanese or Okinawan sweet potatoes for a sweeter, softer flesh. Next, prep them correctly: scrub those spuds clean, poke some holes in ’em to prevent explosion, and slice into 1/2-inch thick rounds or wedges. Now it’s time to get grilling! Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (375°F) and brush those sweet potatoes with a mixture of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Flip them every 5-7 minutes until they’re tender, caramelized, and slightly charred.
To achieve consistently delicious grilled sweet potatoes, consider the following expert-approved guidelines:
- Boiling potatoes whole with their skins intact helps preserve their integrity when grilling; attempting to boil them without skinning can cause them to break apart later.
- You aim for a perfect balance – potatoes that are tender and yielding to the bite, yet still retain their satisfying texture and structure. Since they’ll be grilled afterwards, it’s acceptable for them to retain some crispness even after boiling. The boiling time for potatoes typically takes around 10-12 minutes, varying slightly based on their size and desired level of doneness.
- Slicing into perfectly tender and still-warm sweet potatoes can be a challenging task. Letting them cool down first enables effortless handling and preserves their integrity.
- For added peace of mind when cooking delicate foods like fish or vegetables, consider investing in a grill basket or non-stick grill mat to simplify the process of flipping and make post-meal cleanup a breeze.
- A light coating of oil applied to the grill prior to cooking ensures that food doesn’t stick, resulting in perfectly charred surfaces.
When pairing with grilled sweet potatoes, consider complementing their natural sweetness with savory and spicy options. Try combining them with:
* Crispy bacon or ham for a smoky contrast
* A tangy slaw made with red cabbage, carrots, and a drizzle of apple cider vinegar
* A sprinkle of crispy fried onions or chopped scallions for added crunch
* A dollop of spicy chipotle aioli or sriracha mayonnaise for a bold kick
A delicious twist on traditional sides, these smoky grilled sweet potato wedges elevate any meal to new heights. Here are several recipes that pair exceptionally well with this dish:
How to Store
Stored leftover grilled sweet potatoes will remain fresh for up to four days when placed in an airtight container within the refrigerator. To revive their crunchiness, simply place the fried items in a toaster oven, air fryer, or a hot skillet for a brief reheating. You can also relish them chilled, directly from the refrigerator – a delightful surprise in every bite!
Frequently Asked Questions
Prior to grilling, boiling the sweet potatoes initially serves to tenderize them, ensuring a uniform cooking process that prevents overcooking or charring. This delightful treat yields a rich, velvety interior paired with satisfyingly crunchy exteriors. If you skip this crucial step, the exterior of your dish may char prematurely before the core is properly cooked.
Totally. You can also use a grill pan on the stovetop or an indoor electric grill with great results. Roast them in the oven at 425°F to replicate the outcome without the smoke’s distinct flavour.
Yes! Give those potatoes a thorough scrubbing prior to boiling to ensure optimal cleanliness and flavor. The skin’s texture provides a natural adhesive, effectively binding the wedges together throughout the grilling process.
These crispy fries pair perfectly with a variety of dips, including creamy garlic aioli, classic ketchup, tangy mustard, and spicy hummus. You can also drizzle these salads with tahini or a rich and creamy dressing to add an unexpected twist.