I have a soft spot for sweet potatoes. They are like a cozy sweater for your dinner plate, you know? They bring color, a touch of sweetness, and so much comfort. For years, I searched for truly amazing Healthy Sweet Potato Recipes that were simple enough for a busy weeknight but special enough for a holiday meal. It felt like a quest for the holy grail of side dishes.
Well, my search is over, and I am so excited to share this recipe with you. These roasted sweet potatoes are a staple in my kitchen. They get beautifully browned and caramelized on the outside while staying incredibly soft and tender on the inside. It’s a method that works every single time, and it smells absolutely amazing while it’s cooking. Your kitchen will smell like a warm hug.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what’s not to love? First off, this recipe is so incredibly easy to follow. If you are new to cooking or just looking for something foolproof, this is it. There are no complicated steps or fancy techniques involved. It’s all about letting good ingredients shine, which is the heart of so many wonderful sweet potato recipes.
The flavor is just fantastic. We use a combination of fresh thyme and rosemary, which gives the potatoes this beautiful, earthy, and aromatic taste. Paired with a little smoky paprika, it perfectly balances the natural sweetness of the potatoes. It’s a savory dish, through and through, and it feels so much more grown up than the marshmallow topped versions we often see during the holidays.
Let’s talk about texture. That’s where this recipe really wins. The initial high heat roast gives the edges a lovely color and slight crispness. Then, we add a bit of broth to the pan. This is the key. The steam created by the broth makes the sweet potatoes melt in your mouth tender. It’s a two step process that delivers amazing results without any extra fuss.
It’s also such a versatile Sweet Potato Side Dish. I’ve served this alongside roasted chicken, steak, pork chops, and even a hearty fish fillet. It works with almost everything. It’s also a wonderful addition to a holiday table for Thanksgiving or Christmas because it complements all the other traditional flavors so well. You’ll find yourself wondering What To Make With Sweet Potatoes less often once you have this in your back pocket.
And because we are using wholesome ingredients like olive oil and fresh herbs, it’s a dish you can feel good about eating. This is one of those Healthy Sweet Potato Recipes that doesn’t sacrifice an ounce of flavor. It’s pure, simple, and delicious comfort food that nourishes you. Plus, it makes your home smell incredible. That’s always a bonus, right?
Ingredients
The beauty of these kinds of sweet potato recipes is the simple ingredient list. You probably have most of these items in your pantry already. We are focusing on fresh, whole foods to create a really flavorful dish.
The star, of course, is the sweet potato. I like to use varieties like Jewel or Garnet because they have that classic deep orange flesh and hold their shape well when roasted. The fresh herbs are also key players here. While you can use dried, fresh thyme and rosemary offer a much brighter and more potent flavor that really makes this dish special. Here’s exactly what you’ll need.
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes, sliced about one half inch thick
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 cup low sodium vegetable broth or chicken broth
- 2 large cloves garlic, grated
Step By Step Instructions
Alright, let’s get cooking! This process is straightforward and I’ll walk you through every part of it. The main thing to remember is to embrace the high heat at the beginning and the steaming step at the end. That combination is what makes these some of the best Healthy Sweet Potato Recipes you can make. Grab your apron and let’s begin.
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven And Potatoes
First things first, let’s get that oven roaring. You want to position a rack in the upper third of your oven and preheat it to a very hot 500 degrees F. This high temperature is crucial for getting that beautiful browning and caramelization on the sweet potatoes right away. Don’t be shy with the heat!
While the oven is heating up, it’s time to prep your potatoes. Give them a good scrub under running water to remove any dirt. There’s no need to peel them unless you really want to. The skin gets nice and tender and contains lots of nutrients. Slice them into rounds about a half inch thick. Try to keep the slices as uniform as possible so they cook evenly.
Step 2: Season The Sweet Potatoes
Now for the fun part where all the flavor comes together. Grab a large bowl. Add your sliced sweet potatoes, the melted butter, olive oil, chopped thyme, chopped rosemary, paprika, salt, and pepper. Use your hands or a large spoon to toss everything together. You want to make sure every single slice of potato is nicely coated with the oil and seasonings. This ensures every bite is packed with flavor.
Step 3: Arrange And Roast
Take a nine by thirteen inch metal baking pan. It’s very important to use a metal pan here. A glass or ceramic dish could crack or even shatter from the high heat, especially when we add liquid later. Safety first!
Arrange the seasoned sweet potato slices in a single layer in the pan. Try not to let them overlap too much. If they are crowded, they will steam instead of roast, and you won’t get those delicious browned edges. If you have too many potatoes for your pan, it’s better to use two pans. Pop the pan into your preheated oven and roast for 25 to 30 minutes. Be sure to flip them once about halfway through the cooking time.
Step 4: Add The Broth Mixture
While the potatoes are in their first roasting stage, prepare your broth mixture. In a small measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the broth and the grated garlic. The garlic adds another wonderful layer of savory flavor that infuses into the potatoes.
Once the potatoes are nicely browned, carefully pull the hot pan out of the oven. Be very cautious as the pan will be extremely hot. Slowly and carefully pour the broth and garlic mixture into the pan. It will sizzle and steam immediately, which is exactly what we want. This is the magic step for making them super tender.
Step 5: Final Roast And Serve
Return the pan to the oven and continue roasting for about 15 more minutes. During this time, the potatoes will absorb most of that flavorful liquid and become incredibly tender. You’ll know they’re done when you can easily pierce a slice with a fork and most of the broth is gone. Serve them hot right out of the pan. This is truly an outstanding Sweet Potato Side Dish.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers of this fantastic Sweet Potato Side Dish, storing them is a breeze. First, make sure they have cooled down completely to room temperature. Storing them while they are still warm can create condensation and make them soggy.
Once cooled, place the sweet potatoes in an airtight container. They will keep well in the refrigerator for about three to four days. This makes them great for meal prep or for enjoying again later in the week.
When it comes to reheating, you have a couple of options. My favorite way is to pop them in an air fryer or back in a hot oven for a few minutes. This helps bring back some of the original texture. You can also gently reheat them in a skillet over medium heat. I would avoid the microwave if you can, as it tends to make them a bit soft, but it will work in a pinch!
Tips
Want to make your Healthy Sweet Potato Recipes even better? I’ve got a few little tricks up my sleeve that can help you get consistent, delicious results every single time you make this dish.
First, consistency in slicing is key. I mentioned it before, but it’s worth repeating. If your sweet potato slices are all different thicknesses, some will be mushy while others are still hard. Taking an extra minute to cut them evenly makes a huge difference. A mandoline can be helpful here if you have one, but a good sharp knife works just fine.
Don’t skip the fresh herbs if you can help it. Dried herbs are okay, but fresh thyme and rosemary release so much more aromatic oil when they cook, infusing the whole dish with incredible flavor. It’s a small detail that has a big impact on the final taste of your sweet potato recipes.
Feel free to play with the spices. If you like a little bit of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes is a wonderful addition. You could also try smoked paprika instead of regular paprika for a deeper, smokier flavor. Part of the fun of cooking is making a recipe your own. When you’re thinking What To Make With Sweet Potatoes, remember that you can always customize.
Finally, make sure your pan is the right size. If the pan is too big, the broth will evaporate too quickly. If it’s too small, the potatoes will be crowded. A nine by thirteen inch pan is just about right for two pounds of potatoes. This ensures they have room to brown but are close enough to benefit from the steaming step.
Conclusion
There you have it! A simple, savory, and absolutely delicious recipe that will change the way you think about sweet potatoes. It is truly one of my favorite Healthy Sweet Potato Recipes because it delivers on both flavor and ease. It is a dish that feels special without being complicated, and it is perfect for just about any occasion.
I really hope you give this recipe a try. It’s the kind of side dish that gets rave reviews and has people asking for the recipe. So go ahead, add this to your collection of go to sweet potato recipes. I know you’re going to love it as much as my family and I do. Happy cooking!
FAQ
Can I Use Dried Herbs Instead Of Fresh?
Yes, you absolutely can. If you don’t have fresh herbs on hand, dried ones will work. A good rule of thumb is to use about one third the amount of dried herbs as you would fresh. So for this recipe, you would use about one teaspoon of dried thyme and a half teaspoon of dried rosemary.
Why Can’t I Use A Glass Baking Dish?
This is a really important safety tip. Glass and ceramic baking dishes are not designed to withstand extreme temperature changes. This is called thermal shock. Going from a very hot 500 degree F oven and then having cooler broth poured in can cause the dish to crack or even shatter. A sturdy metal pan is much safer for this high heat method.
What Can I Serve This Sweet Potato Side Dish With?
Oh, the options are endless! This Sweet Potato Side Dish is incredibly versatile. It pairs beautifully with roasted chicken, pork loin, a juicy steak, or even baked salmon. It’s also a fantastic addition to a holiday spread for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Basically, any main dish that you’d serve with roasted potatoes will work wonderfully here.
Is It Possible To Make These Sweet Potato Recipes Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can do some of the prep ahead. You can wash and slice the sweet potatoes a day in advance. Store them in a bowl of cold water in the refrigerator to prevent them from browning. When you are ready to cook, just drain and dry them thoroughly before tossing with the seasonings. This is a great time saver, especially for Healthy Sweet Potato Recipes on a busy day.
Savory Roasted Sweet Potatoes
These roasted sweet potatoes are beautifully browned and caramelized on the outside while staying incredibly soft and tender on the inside. Seasoned with a savory blend of fresh thyme, rosemary, and paprika, this simple side dish is perfect for any weeknight meal or holiday feast.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Position a rack in the upper third of your oven and preheat to 500°F.
- In a large bowl, toss the sliced sweet potatoes with melted butter, olive oil, thyme, rosemary, paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Arrange the seasoned sweet potatoes in a single layer in a 9×13 inch metal baking pan. Roast for 25-30 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until browned.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the broth and grated garlic.
- Carefully remove the hot pan from the oven and pour the broth mixture over the potatoes.
- Return the pan to the oven and roast for another 15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender and have absorbed most of the liquid. Serve hot.
Notes
It is crucial to use a metal pan for this recipe, as glass or ceramic can shatter from the high heat and subsequent temperature change (thermal shock).
Use a good sharp knife to cut sweet potatoes into uniform slices. This ensures they all cook evenly.
Fresh herbs provide the best flavor. If substituting with dried, use about one-third the amount called for in the recipe.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
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