Sweet Potato Recipes – Alphabet of Vegetables (Yam Recipes)

Tired of the same-old same-old sweet potatoes? Find new inspiration in this collection of seasonal Sweet Potato Recipes ♥ AVeggieVenture.com, savory to sweet, every-day to special-occasion, simple to complex, summer to winter. Many Weight Watchers, vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, paleo, whole30 recipes.
Are you tired of the same-old sweet potatoes? Prepare to be inspired! Here you'll find A Veggie Venture's entire collection of sweet potato recipes, from simple to special, savory to sweet, seasonal to essential, sides to salads, soups to suppers. I hope you love this collection of recipes!


SWEET POTATOES 101: THE BASICS

What Are Golden Kumara? In Australia, sweet potatoes are called "golden kumara" – isn't that just lovely?!

What Is the Season for Sweet Potatoes? New sweet potatoes are planted in spring and harvested in autumn. But since they store well in modern refrigeration systems, sweet potatoes are found in grocery stores year-round. In the U.S., sweet potatoes are especially popular at Thanksgiving. While many are fond of a sickly-sweet, marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole, here at A Veggie Venture, "less sweet" and "savory" casseroles are very popular, see the very lovely and less sweet Sweet Potato Casserole and the marshmallow-free Savory Sweet Potato Casserole.

Are Sweet Potatoes Root Vegetables? Yes. Sweet potatoes are a "root vegetable" – this means that the plant's edible part, the root, develops below ground. (More about Root Vegetables.)

What Are the Most Popular Sweet Potatoes? Only two varieties are widely grown, the Beauregard and the Red Garnet. The Beauregard can be stored for long periods and so is less expensive, usually these are labeled "sweet potatoes". Store Beauregards in a cool, dark place (in my kitchen, that's in a lower cupboard away from the stove) and they'll keep for a couple of days.

Are Red Garnet Sweet Potatoes Good? Even Better? Yes! The Red Garnet is my favorite sweet potato, the flesh is more orange, the flavor more sweet but on the outside, you'll recognize them by their reddish skins. It is also more perishable and thus more expensive. But definitely seek out garnet sweet potatoes, just plan to cook them within a few days.

Are Yams and Sweet Potatoes the Same Thing? It Depends. In the U.S., chances are that what people call "yams" and even what supermarkets label "yams" are really sweet potatoes, especially in the American South. So in that way, yams and sweet potatoes are indeed the same thing, just another vegetable with more than one name. But real yams are an entirely different vegetable, similar but different from sweet potatoes.

Can You Buy Real Yams in the U.S.? Yes! Occasionally, I read that "real yams are not available in the U.S.". That blanket statement is just not true! In my experience, it is true that mainstream supermarkets in the U.S. rarely sell genuine yams but it's untrue that real yams are impossible to find in the United States. Here's how I know: a nearby international grocery right here in St. Louis carries a whole selection of real yams from Africa, a staple food in many African countries. One year I cooked real yams side by side, just for fun, see Food Experiments: Meet the Yam Man. I also see real yams in a nearby large Asian grocery.

Prepare to Explore! But farmers markets, CSAs and specialty produce companies like Frieda's are bringing new sweet potatoes to the market, it will be fun to taste new varieties! Saveur has a great photo gallery of different varieties, you might enjoy Sixteen Shades of Sweet.

Can You Grow Sweet Potatoes in the Garden? In Zone 6, we have little luck growing sweet potatoes for food but do love to the color and drams of sweet potato vines in the garden. Their bright-green leaves are extra showy and drape luxuriously over stone walls. They do better in the ground than in pots, perhaps because the root becomes totally huge (and probably inedible).

Are Sweet Potatoes a Super Food? Yes! Sweet potatoes are nutritional powerhouses. They are high in carbs but the carbs are "lower glycemic". Sweet potatoes are gluten-free, paleo approved, South Beach diet approved (Phase 2), Weight Watchers friendly and Whole30 approved. (Naturally, specific preparations matter to each of these eating regimens.)

Are Sweet Potatoes "Free" for Weight Watchers? It Varies By Plan. When WW adopted its trio of rainbow myWW plans in 2019, for the first time, sweet potatoes became a "zero point" vegetable for those following the "purple plan" though not the green or blue plans. When WW switched to PersonalPoints in 2021, WW members choose their own free foods and may, indeed, choose sweet potatoes. For more information, see Weight Watchers Points for Vegetables (vegetables only) and Weight Watchers Zero Point "Free" Food Lists (all foods).

What Other Ingredients Taste Good with Sweet Potatoes? There are so many natural pairings for sweet potatoes! Sweet potatoes pair beautifully with spices like allspice, cardamom, cinnamon, curry; nutmeg, rosemary; flavorings like ginger, lime juice, maple syrup, molasses, orange; other foods like apples, bacon, pecans.

Sources. Personal experience and accumulated learning, also several reference books (all affiliate links, please see My Disclosure Promise). The sources are the most-wonderful On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen by Harold McGee, Vegetable Love by the late Barbara Kafka, The Flavor Bible by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg.

SWEET POTATO NUTRITION INFORMATION
What's your favorite sweet potato recipe? or what sweet potato recipe did you hope to find here? I'm always looking for new ones, especially healthy sweet potato recipes. Leave me a quick note in the comments! ~Alanna





HEY, SWEET POTATO LOVERS!
WHAT SOUNDS GOOD?
~ A Few Highlights ~


BASIC COOKING TECHNIQUES
How to cook sweet potatoes in the microwave

How to bake sweet potatoes in the oven

How to cook sweet potatoes in a slow cooker

How to make a Sweet Potato Casserole (less sweet)

How to make a Savory Sweet Potato Casserole (no marshmallows!)

How to make sweet potato broth

How to make sweet potato chili

How to stir-fry sweet potatoes

Analysis Frozen Sweet Potato Fries: Are They Worth the Price? the Calories?

RECIPE COLLECTIONS
A Veggie Venture & Kitchen Parade Recipes
My Favorite Sweet Potato Recipes (with photos, all in one place)

NEW TO SWEET POTATOES? TRY THESE FIRST
Kitchen Parade recipes
Chicken Cider Stew
Rustic Mashed Sweet Potatoes & Carrots

A Veggie Venture recipes
Baked Sweet Potatoes
Savory Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet Potato Wedges with Rosemary & Lime Juice

PERSONAL FAVORITES
Kitchen Parade recipes
Chicken Cider Stew
Confetti Potato Salad
Roasted Veggie Enchilada Casserole
Rustic Mashed Sweet Potatoes & Carrots
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato (or Pumpkin or Butternut Squash) Grits
Sweet Potato Salad with Roasted Poblano, Roasted Corn & Chipotle
Turkey Sweet Potato Soup

A Veggie Venture recipes
Baked Sweet Potatoes
Delicious Microwave Sweet Potato
Mashed Butternut Squash & Sweet Potatoes
Savory Stir-Fried Sweet Potatoes
Savory Sweet Potato Casserole
Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Cranberry & Orange
Sweet Potato & Butternut Squash Tagine
Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet Potato Cornbread
Sweet Potato Curry with Red Lentils, Roasted Peppers & Spinach
Sweet Potato Soup with Quinoa & Coconut Milk
Sweet Potato Wedges with Rosemary & Lime Juice
Vegetable Chili with Sweet Potatoes & Chipotle




SWEET POTATO SPECIALTIES

What is the data that follows each recipe title? What it means

MASHED SWEET POTATOES
Kitchen Parade recipes
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Rustic Mashed Sweet Potatoes & Carrots

A Veggie Venture recipes
Mashed Butternut Squash & Sweet Potatoes 30min/90min–ww4–pp6–sp8–fs4–green4–blue4–purple2–carb34

ROASTED SWEET POTATOES
A Veggie Venture recipes
Baked Sweet Potatoes 5min/75min–ww1–pp2–sp3–fs3–green3–blue3–purple0–carb19
Roasted Whole Red Onions with Sweet Potatoes & Rosemary 20min/90min–ww3–pp4–sp7–fs6–green6–blue6–purple1–carb31
Sweet Potato Wedges with Rosemary & Lime Juice 5min/45min–ww2–pp3–sp5–fs5–green5–blue5–purple2–carb19

SWEET POTATO FRIES
A Veggie Venture recipes
Frozen Sweet Potato Fries: Are They Worth the Price? the Calories?
Parmesan Sweet Potato Fries with Horseradish Sauce 15min/60min – WW4 – NetCarb18

SWEET POTATO CASSEROLES
A Veggie Venture recipes
Leek & Root Vegetable Gratin 45min/2hrs – WW2/4 – NetCarb15/22
Maple Ginger Sweet Potatoes 20min/90min–ww3–pp5–sp8–fs8–green8–blue8–purple4–carb30
Savory Sweet Potato Casserole 15min/50min–ww2–pp3–sp4–fs4–green4–blue4–purple2–carb21
BBQ Scalloped Sweet Potatoes 25min/2hrs–ww3–pp4–sp6–fs6–green6–blue6–purple3–carb14
Sweet Potato & Banana Purée 25min/60min–ww3–pp4–sp6–fs5–green6–blue5–purple2–carb21
Sweet Potato & Butternut Squash Tagine 30min/90min–ww4–pp7–sp11–fs7–green7–blue7–purple5–carb49
Sweet Potato Casserole 40min/90min–ww3–pp4–sp6–fs6–green6–blue6–purple4–carb22
Sweet Potato Puff with Bourbon 15min/1hr–ww3–pp4–sp7–fs6–green7–blue6–purple3–carb19
Vegetarian Tsimmes 30min/100min–ww2–pp4–sp7–fs6–green6–blue6–purple5–carb32




SWEET POTATOES in EVERY COURSE


Sweet Potatoes for BREAKFAST
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!

Sweet Potatoes in APPETIZERS
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!

Sweet Potatoes in SALADS
Kitchen Parade recipes
Confetti Potato Salad
Sweet Potato Salad with Roasted Poblano, Roasted Corn & Chipotle

A Veggie Venture recipes
Simple "Sweet Potato" Potato Salad with Hardly Any Mayonnaise 45min/4hrs–ww2–pp3–sp4–fs4–green4–blue4–purple2–carb18

SWEET POTATO SIDE DISHES (HOT)
Kitchen Parade recipes
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato (or Pumpkin or Butternut Squash) Grits
Tourlou Tourlou (Greek Baked Vegetables)

A Veggie Venture recipes
Fresh Candied Yams 15min/60min–ww5–pp7–sp10–fs10–green10–blue10–purple7–carb41
Savory Stir-Fried Sweet Potatoes 15min/35min–ww2–pp3–sp5–fs1–green5–blue5–purple1–carb21
Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Cranberry & Orange 20min/4hrs–ww3–pp5–sp7–fs8–green8–blue8–purple4–carb36
Sweet Potato Curry with Red Lentils, Roasted Peppers & Spinach 30min/1hr–ww4–pp5–sp6–fs3–green5–blue3–purple1–carb29

Sweet Potatoes in SOUP
Kitchen Parade recipes
Turkey Sweet Potato Soup

A Veggie Venture recipes
Curried Red Lentil Soup 30min/24hrs–ww4–pp5–sp6–fs2–green6–blue3–purple1–carb27
East African Pea Soup 15min/60min–ww2–pp2–sp4–fs2–green2–blue2–purple1–carb20
“Soul Food” Sweet Potato Soup with Chicken, Kale & Coconut Milk 35min/2.5hrs–ww2–pp3–sp3–fs4–green5–blue4–purple3–carb9
Sweet Potato Soup with Quinoa & Coconut Milk20min/60min–ww3–pp5–sp6–fs4–green6–blue4–purple0–carb32
Vegetable Chili with Sweet Potatoes & Chipotle 40min/24hrs–ww3–pp4–sp5–fs2–green4–blue2–purple0–carb22

Sweet Potatoes in SANDWICHES, WRAPS & MORE
A Veggie Venture recipes
Veggie Burritos with Cilantro Sauce 30min/30min–ww2–pp4–sp5–fs2–green4–blue2–purple1–carb17

Sweet Potatoes in MAIN DISHES
Kitchen Parade recipes
Chicken Cider Stew
Lamb with Lemon & Oregano
Mac n Chicken
Roasted Veggie Enchilada Casserole
Slow Cooker Curried Vegetable Stew

A Veggie Venture recipes
Sweet Potato Curry with Red Lentils, Roasted Peppers & Spinach 30min/1hr–ww4–pp5–sp6–fs3–green5–blue3–purple1–carb29
Sweet Potato & Butternut Squash Tagine 30min/90min–ww4–pp7–sp11–fs7–green7–blue7–purple5–carb49
Veggie Burritos with Cilantro Sauce 30min/30min–ww2–pp4–sp5–fs2–green4–blue2–purple1–carb17
Warm Butternut Squash & Chickpea Salad with Tahini Dressing 40min/90min–ww4–pp6–sp7–fs2–green4–blue2–purple2–carb28
Warm Sweet Potato Salad 35min/50min – WW5/WW11 – NetCarb19/40
Warm Root Vegetable Salad in Horseradish Vinaigrette 35min/90min–ww4–pp6–sp9–fs6–green6–blue6–purple4–carb23

SWEET POTATOES in SWEETS & BAKING
A Veggie Venture recipes
Savory Muffins with Sweet Potato & Feta 45min/75min–ww3–pp4–sp5–fs5–green5–blue5–purple4–carb13
Sweet Potato Biscuits 20min/35min–ww4–pp5–sp8–fs8–green8–blue8–purple7–carb25
Sweet Potato Buttercream Frosting 10min/10min–ww3–pp3–sp6–fs6–green6–blue6–purple5–carb7
Sweet Potato-Chocolate Swirl Pie 30min/3hrs–ww8–pp9–sp15–fs14–green15–blue14–purple12–carb37
Sweet Potato Cornbread 25min/60min–ww6–pp7–sp10–fs9–green10–blue9–purple8–carb28

Sweet Potatoes in CONVENIENCE PRODUCTS
A Veggie Venture recipes
Frozen Sweet Potato Fries: Are They Worth the Price? the Calories?
Trader Joe's Mashed Sweet Potatoes (Product Review) 2min/10min–ww3–pp4–sp6–fs6–green6–blue6–purple1–carb29




MOVING BEYOND THE STOVE & OVEN


Sweet Potatoes on the GRILL
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!

Sweet Potatoes in the MICROWAVE
A Veggie Venture recipes
Delicious Microwave Sweet Potato 1min/10min–ww1–pp2–sp3–fs3–green3–blue3–purple0–nc19

Sweet Potatoes in the SLOW COOKER
Kitchen Parade recipes
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato (or Pumpkin or Butternut Squash) Grits

A Veggie Venture recipes
How to Cook Sweet Potatoes in a Slow Cooker 5min/5-10hrs–ww1–pp2–sp3–fs3–green3–blue3–purple0–carb19
Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Cranberry & Orange 20min/4hrs–ww3–pp5–sp7–fs8–green8–blue8–purple4–carb36
Vegetable Chili with Sweet Potatoes & Chipotle 40min/24hrs–ww3–pp4–sp5–fs2–green4–blue2–purple0–carb22

Sweet Potatoes in the STOVETOP SMOKER
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!





What's All That Information?
Each recipe on A Veggie Venture includes timing information plus both nutrition information and Weight Watchers points. On pages like this, I also include summary information so that it's easy for readers to quickly assess a recipe without clicking through.

Let's look at this recipe as an example, How to Microwave Asparagus 5min/10min–ww0–pp1–sp1–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb2 .

TIMING A recipe that says 5min/10min means that it takes about 5 minutes hands-on time to get that recipe to the table in 10 minutes.

WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS Point information is mostly relevant to those who use Weight Watchers but may be useful for others as well. Points offer a assessment of healthy recipes: the lower the points, the lower the calories, fat, sugar and carbs.
FYI A Veggie Venture and my food column Kitchen Parade are both famous in Weight Watchers circles. On these pages, Weight Watchers vegetable recipes and Weight Watchers recipes, my recipes are even sorted by WW points, making it easy to find coveted low-point recipes.

HEARTS A means that I love a recipe. During A Veggie Venture's first year, I cooked and shared a new vegetable recipe every day for an entire year. That year produced dozens and dozens of wonderful recipes and even 15 Favorite Vegetable Recipes, Still Useful After 15 Years. But there were some definite duds, too. Over time, I'm either improving the duds to warrant a or retiring the recipe. But in the mean time, the hearts mean that I'm happy to recommend the recipe, it's worth your time.




BOOKMARK! PIN! SHARE!
How do you save and share favorite recipes? recipes that fit your personal cooking style? a particular recipe your mom or daughter or best friend would just love? If this recipe hits the mark, go ahead, save and share! I'd be honored ...

Tired of the same-old same-old sweet potatoes? Find new inspiration in this collection of seasonal Sweet Potato Recipes ♥ AVeggieVenture.com, savory to sweet, every-day to special-occasion, simple to complex, summer to winter. Many Weight Watchers, vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, paleo, whole30 recipes.

But Wait!
There's an Entire
A-Z of Vegetables!

Alphabet of Vegetables ♥ AVeggieVenture.com, A-Z recipes from Asparagus to Zucchini and every vegetable in between. Seasonal to staples, savory to sweet, salads to sides, soups to supper, simple to special. Many Weight Watchers, vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, paleo, whole30 recipes.



A Veggie Venture is home of sweet potato lover and
"veggie evangelist" Alanna Kellogg and the
famous asparagus-to-zucchini Alphabet of Vegetables.

© Copyright Kitchen Parade
2005 – 2022

Alanna Kellogg
Alanna Kellogg

A Veggie Venture is home of "veggie evangelist" Alanna Kellogg and the famous asparagus-to-zucchini Alphabet of Vegetables.

Comments

  1. Here is my favorite sweet potato recipe! I so need to make this again.

    http://debbidoesdinnerhealthy.blogspot.com/2010/03/chipotle-sweet-potato-shepherds-pie.html

    I love all your recipes here, I think I could eat sweet potatoes nonstop for a month with all these recipes!

    ReplyDelete
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Thank you for taking a moment to write! I read each and every comment, for each and every recipe, whether a current recipe or a long-ago favorite. If you have a specific question, it's nearly always answered quick-quick. ~ Alanna