Easy Skillet Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Evolving Table (2024)

Skillet Sweet Potatoesare the best sautéedside dish for almost any meal and are so easy to make on a busy weeknight! Simply cut sweet potatoes into cubes, sauté with onions, and then serve with a sprinkle of cilantro and green onions. This method is faster than baking a whole potato and just as delicious.

Easy Skillet Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Evolving Table (1)

Easy Skillet Sweet Potatoes Recipe

There’s not a week that goes by that I don’t turn to these easysautéed sweet potatoes.

Why?!Because they are quick to make, loaded with flavor, only require a few simple ingredients, and go with just about any main dish or dinner recipe!

You can then either serve them up as a side or add them to these Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos or in these Sweet Potato Enchiladas.

(And if it’s not this dish, then it’s anotherSweet Potato Recipeor I make theseRoasted Sweet Potato Cubes!)

Table of Contents

  • Easy Skillet Sweet Potatoes Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make Easy Skillet Sweet Potatoes
  • FAQs
  • Recipe Tips
  • Other Easy Sautéed Sides
  • More Sweet Potato Recipes
  • Easy Skillet Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Easy Skillet Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Evolving Table (2)

Ingredients

  • Sweet potatoes.The variety of sweet potatoes isn’t too important. Check out the difference betweenYams vs. Sweet Potatoeshere.
  • Onion.Both green onions and a sweet or whitediced onionare needed. Don’t skip the green onion if at all possible; it helps create an impeccable balance with the skillet sweet potatoes.
  • Cilantro.It might sound weird, but again don’t leave it out. Unless you are part of the 10% of the population that thinks cilantro tastes like soap, I will give you a free pass here.

How to Make Easy Skillet Sweet Potatoes

Please see the recipe card below for ingredient amounts and more detailed instructions.

1. Prepare Sweet Potatoes

First, peel the sweet potatoes with a vegetable peeler and discard the skin. This step is optional, but the texture is better when they’re peeled.

Then, cut the sweet potatoes into ½- to 1-inch cubes. Keep in mind smaller pieces will cook faster.

Easy Skillet Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Evolving Table (3)

2.Sauté the Potatoes

Pour 2 tablespoons of avocado oil or olive oil into a large cast-iron pan or skillet and set the stove top to medium heat. After it’s hot, carefully add the diced sweet potatoes. Spread them in a single layer. Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point for the best results.

Cook for 5-7 minutes, only stirring one time halfway through. This step allows the sweet potato pieces to caramelize.

Use the spatula to push the sweet potatoes to the side of the skillet, then pour in the remaining tablespoon of oil.

Stir in the onions. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, just until they’re becoming translucent. Then, mix in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds to a minute. You should start to smell the garlic.

Easy Skillet Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Evolving Table (4)

3.Season and Serve

Sprinkle the salt and black pepper over everything in the pan, and mix it all together. Cover the skillet and let the mixture cook for another 8 to 10 minutes. The potatoes should be fork-tender.

Remove the lid and top with the chopped green onions and cilantro. Serve these crispy sautéed sweet potatoes alongside your favorite main course.

Easy Skillet Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Evolving Table (5)

FAQs

Do you peel sweet potatoes for cooking?

Whether or not you peel sweet potatoes before cooking is entirely up to personal preference and recipe. Leaving the skin of sweet potatoes on does change the texture, however.

Do you need to soak sweet potatoes before pan-frying?

No, you don’t! Unlike regular potatoes, like russet, which are starchier, sweet potatoes can be pan-fried without the need for soaking in water.

Recipe Tips

  • Same size. To ensure even cooking, be sure to cut the raw sweet potatoes as evenly as possible.
  • Leave it on.The skin adds some nutritional value so skip peeling if you want.
  • Don’t touch.Let the potatoes cook undisturbed to get that irresistible caramelization.
  • Garnish away. These additions aren’t just pretty—they add flavor to this perfect side dish.
  • Get creative.These crispy sweet potatoes are a great addition to grain bowls, in a breakfast burrito, or simply with a fried egg.
Easy Skillet Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Evolving Table (6)

Other Easy Sautéed Sides

Cooking vegetables in a skillet is one of the easiest ways to get a healthy and delicious recipe on the table fast. Try another quick side dish next.

Go green withSautéed Spinach,Sautéed Brussels Sprouts, orSautéed Green Beans.

Or, add some Sautéed Onions,Sautéed MushroomsorSautéed Cabbage and Onionsto dinner.

More Sweet Potato Recipes

You can’t go wrong with sweet potatoes any night of the week. Put another healthy side dish on your meal plan soon.

  • Sweet Potato Casserole
  • Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
  • Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato
  • Sweet Potatoes au Gratin
  • Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
  • Sweet Potato Tacos with Black Beans
  • Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash
  • Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

Tap stars to rate!

4.07 from 16 votes

Easy Skillet Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Skillet Sweet Potatoes are the best sautéed side dish for almost any meal and are so easy to make on a busy weeknight! Simply cut sweet potatoes into cubes, sauté with onions, and then serve with a sprinkle of cilantro and green onions.

Easy Skillet Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Evolving Table (7)

DFGFSFVVG30

Yield 5 servings

Prep 10 minutes mins

Cook 15 minutes mins

Total 25 minutes mins

Print Pin Comment

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ lbs. sweet potatoes
  • 3 Tbsp. oil olive or avocado
  • ½ onion sweet or white, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1 ½ tsp. salt to taste
  • ½ tsp. black pepper to taste
  • 3 Tbsp. green onions finely chopped
  • 3 Tbsp. cilantro finely chopped

Instructions

  • Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Peel and discard the skin from the potatoes using a vegetable peeler and then cut into ½-1” cubes. (The smaller the cubes the faster they’ll cook.) You should end up with roughly 5 cups of cubes.

    1 ½ lbs. sweet potatoes

  • Sauté the Potatoes: Add 2 tablespoons of oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the cubed sweet potatoes. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring once halfway through.

    3 Tbsp. oil

  • Add the Onion and Garlic: Push the sweet potatoes to the side of the skillet and then add the remaining tablespoon of oil along with the onion. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent. Add the minced garlic and continue cooking for another 30-60 seconds, or until the garlic becomes fragrant.

    ½ onion, 2 cloves garlic

  • Season and Serve: Add the salt and black pepper and then mix the onions and garlic in with the sweet potatoes. Cover the skillet with a lid and continue cooking for another 8-10 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.

    Serve the sweet potatoes with finely chopped green onions and cilantro. Enjoy!

    1 ½ tsp. salt, ½ tsp. black pepper, 3 Tbsp. green onions, 3 Tbsp. cilantro

Tap stars to rate!

4.07 from 16 votes

Video

Notes

  • If you would like your sweet potatoes to be slightly crispy you can increase your heat to medium-high during the last two minutes of cooking. Be sure to keep an eye on the sweet potatoes so they do not burn!

Prep-Ahead Instructions:

You can cut the sweet potatoes the day before. Be sure to toss them with the oil and store in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.

Storage Directions:

You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Or, freeze them by placing in either a freezer-safe Ziploc bag or container for up to 4-6 months. Either reheat in the microwave, though they won’t be as crispy, or back in the oven on a baking sheet with a little bit of oil.

Recipe Tips

  • Same size. To ensure the potatoes cook evenly, be sure to cut them as evenly as possible.
  • Leave it on. The skin adds some nutritional value so skip peeling if you want.
  • Don’t touch. Let the potatoes cook undisturbed to get that irresistible caramelization.
  • Garnish away. These aren’t just pretty, they add so much flavor.
  • Get creative.These crispy sweet potatoes are a great addition to grain bowls, in a breakfast burrito, or simply with a fried egg.

Nutrition

Calories: 208kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.04g, Sodium: 654mg, Potassium: 557mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 19995IU, Vitamin C: 9mg, Calcium: 60mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Made this recipe?Leave a comment below!

Categorized as:
Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Low-Fat, Lunch, Nut-Free, Recipes, Refined Sugar-Free, Side Dishes, Soy-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30

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Easy Skillet Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Evolving Table (2024)

FAQs

What is the evolution of potato and sweet potato? ›

Potato and sweet potato are examples of analogous organs. Both sweet potato and potato have a common function i.e., storage of food in the form of starch. Hence, they show convergent evolution. But they both differ in structural origin as the sweet potato is a root modification while the potato is a stem modification.

What is the healthiest way to cook sweet potatoes? ›

Boiling may actually retain most of the antioxidant power of sweet potatoes, compared to roasting and steaming. If we compare baking to boiling microscopically, boiling helps thin out the cell walls and gelatinize the starch, which may enhance the bioavailability of nutrients.

Which is better, boil or bake sweet potatoes? ›

The takeaway. If you want to eat sweet potatoes and maintain blood sugar balance, Sapola suggests boiling rather than roasting them. This method will take the glycemic index impact down a few points and maybe even challenge your cooking creativity.

Is it better to bake a sweet potato in the oven or microwave? ›

Microwaving jumpstarts the cooking process and cuts down the total cook time by almost an hour, but you will still get the sweet, caramelized flesh and crisp skin that only comes from oven baking. It's the best of both worlds.

What was the old name of sweet potato? ›

Sweet potatoes can also be called yams in North America. When soft varieties were first grown commercially there, there was a need to differentiate between the two.

What country did sweet potatoes originate from? ›

The earliest cultivation records of the sweet potato date to 750 BCE in Peru, although archeological evidence shows cultivation of the sweet potato might have begun around 2500-1850 BCE.

What makes sweet potatoes better? ›

Because of their fiber and vitamin contents, sweet potatoes are often considered the healthier choice between the two. Sweet potatoes are likely healthier than regular potatoes. They have a lower GI, more fiber, and large amounts of beta carotene.

Are sweet potatoes better baked or fried? ›

The healthiest way to prepare these fries is to bake them. However, frying them can be a wonderful occasional crispy treat! I love crispy, hot sweet potato fries with a sprinkling of just the right amount of salt. This recipe is a great way to make crispy, savory french fries with that wonderful flavor of sweet potato.

Which kind of sweet potato is healthiest? ›

While all sweet potatoes contain vitamin A, the orange variety has substantially more of it. Beta-carotene and vitamin C help regulate your immune system and boost your body's natural protection against infections.

Should you peel sweet potatoes before boiling? ›

There is not much difference between boiling sweet potatoes with the skins on versus peeling them, but you will get a boost of fiber and potassium if you keep the skin on. The skin also adds a subtle texture to each bite. If you're looking for a smoother mash, peel the potatoes first before boiling.

Can you overcook sweet potatoes? ›

If you're boiling, make sure to cut your sweet potatoes into equally sized pieces so they cook at the same rate. (Another hot tip if you're boiling your sweet potatoes: Don't overcook them! They tend to absorb water, which could make the filling watery.)

Is microwaving sweet potatoes healthy? ›

And, if you're worried about nutrients. Don't. All foods lose some of their nutritional value once they've been cooked. But, microwaved sweet potatoes actually retain more of their nutrients as opposed to boiled sweet potatoes.

Are sweet potatoes good for diabetics? ›

Sweet potatoes are known to be high in fiber and have a low glycemic index, which results in a less immediate impact on blood glucose levels. This can help people with diabetes keep their blood sugar levels in check. Sweet potatoes can be: Baked or microwaved.

Can dogs have sweet potatoes? ›

Whether they're mashed, baked, or boiled, sweet potatoes are fine for dogs to eat as long as they're cooked, peeled, and plain. Again, avoid any seasonings or extra ingredients that may be included in “human food” recipes, such as butter, sugar, or salt.

How are sweet potatoes and potatoes related? ›

Sweet and regular potatoes are both considered root vegetables but are only distantly related. Sweet potatoes are from the morning glory family, Convolvulaceae, and white potatoes are nightshades, or Solanaceae. The edible part of these plants are the tubers that grow on the roots.

What is the evolution variety of potatoes? ›

The Evolution variety is a high-yielding potato variety that is bred by the Dutch. It has established itself as a variety with very fast growth and large tubers. Grade for professionals. The yield can reach 60 t/ha.

What did potatoes evolve from? ›

The story of potato started around 350 million years ago, when they started to evolve from the poisonous ancestor of the plant nightshade (this family of plants eventually evolved not only into potatoes, but also into tobacco, chili peppers, bell peppers and tomatoes).

What is the scientific difference between potatoes and sweet potatoes? ›

Regular potato simply has a higher glycemic index than sweet potato, and this practically means that it causes blood sugar levels to spike. Sweet potato, due to its lower glycemic index, helps in keeping blood sugar levels more stable and for this reason, we feel full for longer.

References

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