Grilled Sweet Potatoes – Jessica Gavin

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By Ghuman

Introduction

Grilled sweet potatoes are a delicious and healthy side dish that can be enjoyed year-round. Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet and when cooked on the grill, they become even sweeter and develop a smoky flavor. Grilling sweet potatoes is a great way to add flavor and texture to any meal. The high heat of the grill caramelizes the natural sugars in the potatoes, creating a delicious and nutritious side dish. With a few simple ingredients and a few minutes of cooking time, you can enjoy a delicious and healthy grilled sweet potato dish.

Grilled Sweet Potatoes – Jessica Gavin

Grilled sweet potatoes are a delicious and easy side dish that can be enjoyed year-round. Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet and when cooked on the grill, they become even sweeter and more flavorful. Jessica Gavin, a culinary expert and registered dietitian, shares her tips for making the perfect grilled sweet potatoes.

Ingredients

  • 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the sweet potatoes, olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat the sweet potatoes evenly.
  3. Place the sweet potatoes on the preheated grill. Grill for 8-10 minutes, flipping once, until the sweet potatoes are tender and lightly charred.
  4. Remove from the grill and serve warm.

Grilled sweet potatoes are a great side dish for any meal. They are easy to make and can be enjoyed year-round. With Jessica Gavin’s tips, you can make the perfect grilled sweet potatoes every time.

Grilled sweet potatoes are a healthy recipe with lightly charred slices tossed in a cilantro lime dressing—an easy barbecue side dish to complete your meal.

Slices of grilled sweet potatoes with char marks.
Table of Contents
  1. Sweet potato selection
  2. Slice the potatoes 
  3. Seasoning the sweet potatoes
  4. How to grill sweet potatoes
  5. How long to grill sweet potatoes
  6. Make a dressing
  7. Serve this with
  8. FAQ
  9. Grilled Sweet Potatoes Recipe

If you’re looking for a simple summer side dish, grab a few sweet potatoes! Just slice, toss with olive oil and savory seasonings, and throw them on the barbecue. The grilled vegetables cook quickly, taking on stunning char marks and infusing smoky flavor into each bite.

Like roasted sweet potatoes, you can enjoy these grilled tubers as is, but I’ll show you how to enhance the taste with a quick dressing. A cilantro lime dressing adds a citrusy punch, brightening the dish and boosting the potato’s natural sweetness. Serve with your favorite barbecued foods like steak, chicken, and juicy burgers.

Sweet potatoes and cilantro lime dressing ingredients laid out on a table.

Sweet potato selection

You’ll find many different types of sweet potatoes at the market. I used orange-fleshed sweet potatoes with reddish brown skins for this recipe. They are the most common type in grocery stores, from varieties such as Jewel, red garnet, or Beauregard. The flesh is sweet, with a moist and creamy texture that holds together when cooked. 

For a drier and sometimes sweeter kind, try white-fleshed sweet potatoes. Japanese white or Murasaki with purple to reddish-purple skins or Hannahs make an excellent choice. Purple fleshed potatoes like Okinawa or Stokes tend to be dry and mealy but look very pretty.

Slice the potatoes 

It’s the chef’s choice whether to keep the sweet potato skin on or peel it off. They are edible, adding extra insoluble fiber to your diet. It also helps to keep the spud slices intact as it softens. Plus, I enjoy saving time on prep, and the crispy edges are delicious! 

For even cooking, cut the potatoes into 1/2-inch thick slices. I like to slice them on a bias, or angle, to give longer pieces. This cut prevents them from falling through the grates. If you prefer shorter discs, cut them straight down perpendicular to the length. If you want wedges for dipping, look for smaller sweet potatoes to cut into long, 1-inch wide pieces. These will take longer to grill.

Sweet potatoes with orange flesh and seasoned with salt and pepper.

Seasoning the sweet potatoes

The sweet potatoes are seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper. The savory mix helps to balance the honeyed notes. The fat also provides a protective coat around the sugary spuds so that it doesn’t burn too fast on the grill. Add some garlic powder and onion powder for a hint of allium flavor.

If you’d like, sprinkle on smoked paprika for a fiery taste, but don’t add too much, as the spice will burn in high amounts on the grill. 

How to grill sweet potatoes

Use medium-high heat, between 375 to 400°F (160 to 204°C). I use a similar temperature to make crispy sweet potato fries. It’s just hot enough to enhance the natural sugars in the potato for caramelized notes. You want to soften the flesh without them completely burning on the barbecue, which is a higher risk due to the increased amounts of sucrose in the plant.

Grease the grates to prevent sticking, then cover and cook until the slices are lightly charred and tender.

Sliced sweet potatoes cooking on a barbecue grill.

How long to grill sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are rock hard when raw and need some time to soften but not turn mushy. Achieving golden grill marks and tender pieces takes about 5 to 8 minutes per side. Covering the grill helps trap the heat and steam, so the potatoes can cook faster while browning the surface. If using a grill pan, add a few extra minutes since you can cover them up. 

Make a dressing

The sweet potatoes don’t need any additional sweetener. A bit of acid to enhance the taste makes it a savory side dish instead of a dessert. For a bright, citrusy flavor, I combine fresh lime juice and zest with minced garlic, dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Lemon juice or orange juice is a tangy substitute. To switch up the herbs, try dill, basil, parsley, chives, thyme, and rosemary. 

Try my green goddess or ranch dressing if you want a creamy dressing to drizzle or dip the sweet potatoes. It also pairs well with my sour cream-based cilantro lime dressing.

Serve this with

FAQ

Are grilled sweet potatoes good for you?

Although the tubers may taste like a dessert, they are low in fat and deliver protein, fiber, and nutrients like vitamin C, calcium, and magnesium. The orange-fleshed varieties are packed with vitamin A. Purple fleshed spuds have phytonutrient-rich antioxidants. Grilling with olive oil and simple seasonings makes for a healthy side dish.

Do I have to remove the potato skin?

You can eat sweet potato skin. They contain insoluble fiber that gives a nice crisp contrast in texture when grilled. It also helps keep the potato slices intact, essential when cooking more dry and mealy potatoes like white and purple-fleshed varieties. Orange fleshed potatoes can be peeled and will hold up well on the grill.

Can I use a grill pan?

A grill pan is an excellent choice for cooking sweet potatoes on the stovetop. You’ll get the grill lines without having to step outdoors. It will take a few additional minutes since the potatoes will not be covered. Adjust the heat as needed to ensure that the surface does not burn.

Serving platter of grilled sweet potatoes with cilantro lime dressing drizzled over top.

How temperature can enhance the sweetness

Sweet potatoes naturally have a higher ratio of sucrose than all-purpose potatoes. The caramelization of sugars begins at about 320°F (160°C), then starts to burn above 350ºF. Don’t worry. There is moisture in the spud so that it won’t incinerate. When grilling, use a medium-high heat of 375 to 400°F (160 to 204°C) to quickly boost the sweetness. This temperature also accounts for the loss of heat when opening the lid. Char marks are desirable for grilled dishes, but if you prefer a more baked sweet potato taste, grill over medium heat, between 350 to 375ºF. Note that the cooking time will need to increase for the lower heat.

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  • Prepare the Vegetables – Wash, scrub, and dry the sweet potatoes. Keep the skin on, or if desired, peel it off. Cut into ½-inch thick slices on a bias or into discs. Alternatively, cut into 1-inch thick wedges to make grilled sweet potato fries.

  • Season the Potatoes – Brush both sides with olive oil. Evenly season with salt and pepper.

  • Grill the Potatoes – Preheat the grill or a stovetop grill pan over medium-high heat between 375 to 400°F (160 to 204°C). Clean the grates and grease with olive oil. Place the potato slices on the grill at a 45-degree angle to the grates. This will give a lovely char mark pattern and prevent the pieces from falling through the grates.Lightly press down on the pieces to make contact with the grates. Cover and cook until golden brown lines form, about 5 to 8 minutes. Flip, cover, and cook until tender but not mushy, about 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a sheet pan or serving dish.
  • Make the Dressing – In a medium bowl, combine lime zest, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, mustard, salt, and pepper. Gradually whisk in olive oil until a lightly thickened emulsion forms—season to taste.

  • To Serve – Drizzle some of the dressing over the warm potatoes. Use tongs to turn and evenly coat. Serve the remaining sauce on the side.

  • Serving Size: About 2 to 3 slices
  • Storing: Store grilled sweet potatoes and dressing in separate, airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Reheating: Cover and microwave on high heat in 15 to 30-second intervals until hot. 

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Nutrition Facts

Grilled Sweet Potatoes

Amount Per Serving

Calories 166
Calories from Fat 90

% Daily Value*

Fat 10g15%

Saturated Fat 1g5%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 7g

Sodium 414mg17%

Potassium 295mg8%

Carbohydrates 18g6%

Fiber 3g12%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 12072IU241%

Vitamin C 3mg4%

Calcium 28mg3%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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