It started in the South, but today, the sweet potato is loved everywhere for its incredible flavor and versatility.
Sweet potatoes hold a special place in the deeply rooted history and tradition of the Southern United States. Introduced to the colonies in the 1600s, they flourished in the warm and humid climate of the South, becoming a crucial crop that shaped both agriculture and cuisine.
Traditionally, sweet potatoes star in a variety of classic dishes, ranging from candied yams and delectable sweet potato pie to savory casseroles. They are honored at festivals and embody the essence of Southern warmth and homemade comfort food. Thankfully, sweet potatoes have made their way into the hearts and homes of all Americans. Though forever considered a Southern treat, today sweet potatoes are a healthy choice for people everywhere.
I can’t lie. I think a sweet potato covered in butter and brown sugar is one of life’s greatest pleasures. However, when eating healthy, I have to save that indulgent treat for special occasions. When eating sweet potatoes regularly, you can’t beat preparing them grilled.
Grilling sweet potatoes isn’t just simple—it also brings out their sweetness and flavor. When you grill them, the natural sugars in the potatoes caramelize, giving them a slightly smoky taste. This cooking method helps retain more vitamins and minerals compared to boiling, where some nutrients can be lost in the water.
Grilled sweet potatoes make a great side dish, whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue or having a cozy family dinner. They go perfectly with grilled meats and fish, or they can even shine on their own as a vegetarian/vegan snack option. Grilling offers room for creativity, too; you could try adding a splash of lime juice for a kick or drizzling some honey for a touch of sweetness.
Are Grilled Sweet Potatoes Healthy?
Grilled sweet potatoes, in all their sweet and tasty glory, are an incredible food you can enjoy often. Sweet potatoes are high in vitamins and minerals. Plus, they’re packed with fiber, which aids digestion and promotes gut health. They’re also rich in beta-carotene—the compound that gives them their orange color—which the body turns into vitamin A.
Why Sweet Potatoes?
Can you replace the sweet potatoes with a russet or some other kind of regular potato? Well, you could, but you won’t get the same results. Grilling a potato like a russet is yummy, too; however, as mentioned above, you won’t receive the same health benefits as you do with sweet potatoes. Furthermore, one of the biggest benefits of grilling sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes is the flavor. Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet, and grilling them brings out that flavor even more. It’s true, people love to cover sweet potatoes with all kinds of yummy things (guilty as charged), such as marshmallows and brown sugar, especially around the holidays. And although those traditions are fun, it’s not necessary. The natural flavor of a sweet potato, especially when grilled, is unlike anything else.
How to Make Ahead and Store
Don’t let leftover grilled sweet potatoes go to waste. Place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the sweet potatoes in an airtight container for up to 3 months. If you have an air fryer, it works great for reheating, or place the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet in the oven to reheat.
Serving Suggestions
Grilled sweet potatoes do just fine on their own as a light meal or snack. They also make a wonderful side dish to just about anything. As mentioned above, to jazz up the potatoes a bit, feel free to drizzle them with honey or lime juice. You can even add a dollop of this Easy Fresh Mango Salsa or a hot sauce that you enjoy.
As a side dish, sweet potatoes go wonderfully with a good Instant-Pot Steak or Baked Honey-Cajun Salmon. We can’t forget the traditional holiday meal of serving sweet potatoes with a turkey. In the same way, they go perfectly with yummy, Crispy Baked Chicken Legs.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes scrubbed well
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Kosher salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grill grates.
- Slice the sweet potatoes into 1/4-inch-thick rounds, toss them with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
- Grill the sweet potato slices for 4-7 minutes on each side until tender and charred, checking frequently to avoid burning.
- Transfer the grilled sweet potatoes to a serving plate and enjoy them warm, with optional sauces if desired.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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