Have you ever looked at a sweet potato and just wondered what to do with it? Beyond baking it whole, I mean. They are so full of color and natural sweetness. It feels like they should be the star of more dishes. Well, you are in the right place!
Today, we are talking about one of the most delightful sweet potato recipes around. We are making sweet potato hash browns. They are incredibly simple, require very few ingredients, and bring so much flavor to your plate. It’s the kind of recipe that makes you feel like a kitchen genius.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what’s not to love? First off, this recipe is so easy. If you can grate a vegetable and melt some butter, you are pretty much all set. There are no complicated steps or fancy equipment needed. It’s a wonderful starting point for anyone new to cooking.
The flavor is another huge plus. You get that lovely, earthy sweetness from the potato. Then you add a little salt and pepper to make the taste pop. It creates a beautiful sweet and savory combination that is just so satisfying, especially in the morning.
Let’s talk about texture. A good hash brown needs a crispy edge, right? These deliver. The outside gets golden and delightfully crunchy in the pan. The inside stays soft and tender. It’s a wonderful contrast in every single bite. This is what makes it a standout among Sweet Potato Side Dishes.
This is also a very flexible recipe. You can serve it for a hearty Sweet Potato Breakfast alongside some eggs and bacon. Or you can have it as a side dish for dinner. It pairs beautifully with roasted chicken or a nice steak. It’s one of those amazing Vegetable Recipes that fits in anywhere.
Ingredients
You will be amazed at how short this list is. This is all about letting the main ingredient shine. Here is what you will need to gather.
- 8 ounces sweet potato (this is about half of a large one)
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- Salt
- Pepper
That’s it! Just four simple things. Using salted butter can add a nice layer of flavor, but unsalted works great too. You will just want to adjust your salt accordingly. The beauty of these kinds of sweet potato recipes is their simplicity.
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to make some magic? Follow these steps, and you will have perfect hash browns in no time. It’s easier than you think. Let’s get started.
Step 1: Prepare The Sweet Potato
First things first, let’s get the sweet potato ready. You will want to peel it completely. Then, grab a standard box grater. Use the large holes to grate the entire eight ounces of sweet potato. You will end up with a nice pile of orange shreds.
A helpful tip for extra crispy results is to squeeze out some of the moisture. You can place the grated sweet potato in a clean kitchen towel or some paper towels and gently squeeze over the sink. Don’t go too crazy, just a gentle press will do.
Step 2: Heat The Pan And Butter
Place a cast iron pan or a heavy bottomed skillet on your stovetop over medium high heat. Add two tablespoons of the butter to the pan. You want the butter to melt and start bubbling. That bubbly sound is your signal that the pan is hot enough to create a great crust.
Be careful not to let the butter brown or burn before you add the sweet potato. The heat should be high enough for a sizzle but not so high that things burn quickly.
Step 3: Cook The First Side
Now for the fun part. Take large spoonfuls of your grated sweet potato and place them in the hot pan. Form them into small mounds. Don’t crowd the pan. It’s better to work in batches if you need to. Gently press down on each mound with your spatula to flatten it a bit.
Sprinkle a little salt and pepper over the top. Now, this is important. Let them cook undisturbed for about four to five minutes. This patience is what allows them to get nicely browned and crispy on the bottom. No peeking!
Step 4: Flip And Cook The Second Side
After four or five minutes, carefully slide a thin metal spatula under one of the hash browns. If it releases easily and looks golden brown, it’s time to flip. Carefully turn each one over to cook on the other side. Let them cook for another four to five minutes to get that second side just as crispy.
Step 5: Keep Warm And Serve
As your hash browns finish cooking, you can keep them warm. Place a cookie sheet in an oven set to a very low temperature, around 200°F. Transfer the finished hash browns to the sheet while you cook the next batch. This is a great trick for serving everything hot at once.
Serve them warm with fried eggs and some crispy beef bacon for an amazing Sweet Potato Breakfast. This is one of those sweet potato recipes that feels like a weekend treat but is easy enough for any day.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, storing them is simple. Let the hash browns cool down completely to room temperature first. This prevents them from getting soggy from condensation in the container.
Once cooled, place them in an airtight container. They will keep in the refrigerator for up to four days. For reheating, the best way is to use a skillet or an air fryer. Just a few minutes on each side will bring back that wonderful crispiness.
You can use a microwave in a pinch, but be warned. They will be soft instead of crispy. Still tasty, but you will miss that crunch.
Tips
Want to make your sweet potato hash browns even better? Here are a few little tips to help you along the way. These small adjustments can make a big difference.
As I mentioned earlier, squeezing out extra moisture from the grated sweet potato is a great move. Sweet potatoes hold a lot of water. Removing some of it helps them fry up much crispier instead of steaming in the pan.
Don’t overcrowd the pan. This is a golden rule for many Vegetable Recipes. Giving each hash brown enough space allows the heat to circulate. This ensures they get brown and crispy all over. If they are too close, they will steam and become soft.
Feel free to play with spices. A pinch of smoked paprika, a little garlic powder, or some onion powder can add a new dimension of flavor. This recipe is a great base for your own creativity. It’s one of the most flexible sweet potato recipes you’ll find.
When it comes to choosing a potato, most common varieties like Beauregard or Jewel work perfectly. These are the typical orange fleshed sweet potatoes you see at the store. They have the right moisture content and sweetness for this dish.
Conclusion
And there you have it. A simple, delicious way to enjoy sweet potatoes. This recipe proves that you don’t need a long list of ingredients to create something truly satisfying. It’s a fantastic addition to your collection of Sweet Potato Side Dishes or breakfast ideas.
So next time you have a sweet potato on hand, give these hash browns a try. They are a wonderful way to bring color, flavor, and a little bit of joy to your table. I hope you enjoy these fantastic sweet potato recipes as much as I do.
FAQ
Can I Use A Food Processor To Grate The Sweet Potato?
Absolutely! Using the shredding attachment on your food processor is a huge time saver. It will grate the sweet potato in seconds. Just make sure to use the larger shredding disc for the best texture.
Why Are My Sweet Potato Hash Browns Sticking To The Pan?
This usually happens for two reasons. The pan might not have been hot enough when you added the sweet potatoes. Or you might not have used enough butter. Make sure the pan is properly preheated and the butter is sizzling before you start cooking.
Can I Make These Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can. The best way is to fully cook them and then reheat them when you are ready to serve. They reheat beautifully in a skillet or air fryer. You can also grate the sweet potato ahead of time, but store it in a bowl of cold water in the fridge to prevent it from browning.
Are There Other Vegetable Recipes I Can Make This Way?
Definitely. This hash brown method works well with other root vegetables. You could try it with regular potatoes, carrots, parsnips, or even zucchini. For zucchini, you would need to squeeze out a lot more water. It’s a great technique for all sorts of Vegetable Recipes.
Sweet Potato Hash Browns
This recipe makes delightful sweet potato hash browns. They are incredibly simple, require few ingredients, and bring so much flavor. The outside gets golden and delightfully crunchy, while the inside stays soft and tender, creating a wonderful contrast in every bite.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Peel the sweet potato completely. Using a standard box grater, grate the entire 8 ounces of sweet potato. For extra crispy results, gently squeeze out some moisture from the grated sweet potato using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
- Place a cast iron pan or heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add two tablespoons of butter to the pan. Let the butter melt and start bubbling. Be careful not to let the butter brown or burn.
- Take large spoonfuls of your grated sweet potato and place them in the hot pan, forming small mounds. Do not crowd the pan; work in batches if needed. Gently press down on each mound with a spatula to flatten it slightly. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper over the top. Cook undisturbed for about four to five minutes, allowing them to get nicely browned and crispy on the bottom.
- After four or five minutes, carefully slide a thin metal spatula under one of the hash browns. If it releases easily and looks golden brown, flip it. Carefully turn each one over to cook on the other side for another four to five minutes until crispy.
- As your hash browns finish cooking, you can keep them warm. Place a cookie sheet in an oven set to 200°F. Transfer finished hash browns to the sheet while you cook the next batch. Serve warm with fried eggs and crispy beef bacon for an amazing breakfast.
Notes
As I mentioned earlier, squeezing out extra moisture from the grated sweet potato is a great move. Sweet potatoes hold a lot of water. Removing some of it helps them fry up much crispier instead of steaming in the pan.
Don’t overcrowd the pan. This is a golden rule for many Vegetable Recipes. Giving each hash brown enough space allows the heat to circulate. This ensures they get brown and crispy all over. If they are too close, they will steam and become soft.
Feel free to play with spices. A pinch of smoked paprika, a little garlic powder, or some onion powder can add a new dimension of flavor. This recipe is a great base for your own creativity. It’s one of the most flexible sweet potato recipes you’ll find.
When it comes to choosing a potato, most common varieties like Beauregard or Jewel work perfectly. These are the typical orange fleshed sweet potatoes you see at the store. They have the right moisture content and sweetness for this dish.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
