Craving Comfort? Dive into These Delectable Skillet Sweet Potatoes
What are the Ways to Cook Sweet Potatoes?
🧑🍳 Sweet potatoes can be baked by placing them in the oven until tender. They can also be boiled until soft and mashed for a creamy texture. Another delicious option is sautéing sweet potatoes in a skillet with olive oil and seasonings for a quick and flavorful side dish.
Explore the world of skillet sweet potatoes and learn how to achieve delicious perfection. With their vibrant orange color and natural sweetness, sweet potatoes offer endless opportunities to create mouthwatering dishes.
In this guide, we will explore various cooking techniques that enhance the flavor and texture of sweet potatoes. From using a skillet to adding aromatic seasonings, each step offers a culinary adventure that transforms sweet potatoes into a delightful sensory experience.
Whether you’re an experienced chef or a cooking beginner, explore the craft of creating delicious dishes that will leave a lasting impression. Prepare to enjoy the rich, caramelized flavors and tender goodness of skillet sweet potatoes.
Table of Contents
- How to Cook Sweet Potatoes
- Skillet Sweet Potatoes Recipe
- Tips for Cooking Skillet Sweet Potatoes
- How to Serve Skillet Sweet Potatoes
- Skillet Sweet Potatoes FAQs
- Final Thoughts
How to Cook Sweet Potato
Cooking sweet potatoes is a culinary adventure that opens up a world of flavors and textures.
One popular method is boiling, which involves peeling and cutting the sweet potatoes into chunks before boiling them until tender. This approach retains the natural sweetness of the potatoes and is a great starting point for various dishes.
Mashing sweet potatoes provides a creamy and luscious texture that pairs well with both savory and sweet dishes. After boiling, simply mash the softened sweet potatoes and customize the flavor with ingredients like butter, brown sugar, or spices. This method is a classic choice for side dishes or casseroles, adding a rich and velvety component to your meals.
To achieve a richer and caramelized flavor, consider roasted sweet potatoes. Simply preheat the oven, toss the sweet potato wedges or cubes with a little oil, salt, and your preferred seasonings, and roast until they turn crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. This method enhances the natural sweetness while providing a satisfying contrast in texture.
For a quick and delicious side dish, try pan-frying sweet potatoes. Simply slice them into rounds or strips, sauté in a hot pan with olive or avocado oil, and season to taste. The result? Golden-brown crust, sweet flavor, and satisfying crunch.
Get creative with herbs and spices to enhance the taste. Pan-fried sweet potatoes are a versatile and flavorful addition to your recipes.
Whether baked, boiled, mashed, air-fried, or sautéed, sweet potatoes are a culinary canvas, ready to be transformed into a multitude of delicious creations.
Skillet Sweet Potatoes Recipe
If you love sweet potatoes, sautéing them in a skillet is a quick and flavorful option. Simply dice the sweet potatoes, cook them in a hot skillet with olive oil, and you’ll get a crispy exterior with a tender inside.
This method goes well with different seasonings, herbs, and spices. It creates a quick and flavorful side dish that perfectly complements a variety of main courses.
Ingredients
Sweet Potato: You can use any type of sweet potato for this skillet sweet potatoes recipe. Choose potatoes that are plump and uniform in shape from end to end. This will make it easier to cut even cubes.
Garlic Powder: Fresh garlic can be too bitter, but using powdered one works well in this case.
Cayenne Pepper: If serving individuals who are highly sensitive to spicy food, you may skip this ingredient. Gradually add a small amount of cayenne and adjust according to taste preferences.
Unsalted Butter: Unsalted butter is preferable as it allows you to control the saltiness. If you only have salted butter, use less salt or skip it altogether. You can also use coconut oil instead.
Here are the exact measurements of the ingredients you will need for this skillet sweet potatoes dish:
- 1 sweet potato large
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
Peel the sweet potato. Trim one rounded edge along the length of the potato to create a stable base. Trim the remaining rounded edges.
Slice into three equal ½-inch planks lengthwise. Cut the planks into equal batons. Dice the batons into equal ½-inch cubes.
In a large skillet, heat the butter over medium heat. After it melts, add the diced sweet potatoes and evenly coat it with salt, garlic powder, and cayenne.
Stir occasionally, making sure all sides get equal time in contact with the pan, for about 6-12 minutes.
Once the sweet potato is lightly browned, crispy on the outside, and fork-tender in the center, they are ready to be served.
Nutrition
This recipe makes two servings. Each serving contains the following:
- Calories: 149kcal
- Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
Tips for Cooking Skillet Sweet Potatoes
To make sautéed sweet potatoes cook faster, simply cut them into smaller pieces. Although it takes a bit more time than cutting them larger, this results in evenly tender interiors and perfectly crisp exteriors.
For skillet sweet potatoes, use a medium nonstick or well-seasoned cast iron skillet. Make sure to add enough oil to fully coat the potatoes and prevent sticking.
You can use coconut oil as its flavor complements sweet potatoes. Alternatively, extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil also works well. Use around 2 tablespoons to coat the entire skillet. You may need to add a bit more oil while cooking to prevent sticking.
Great seasoning ideas for sweet potatoes include cumin, cayenne pepper, chili powder, cinnamon, brown sugar, rosemary, and sage.
How to Serve Sautéed Sweet Potatoes
These potatoes work with so many different meals. Here are just a few of the countless ways you can use them:
For a unique twist on a classic breakfast, pair these skillet sweet potatoes with fried eggs and bacon.
Enhance your dish by serving it with a perfectly poached egg. The yolk will transform into a delectable dressing, beautifully complementing the potatoes.
Use these skillet sweet potatoes as the foundation for a breakfast hash. Simply add sautéed peppers, onion, and a fried egg.
For lunch or dinner ideas:
Add sweet potatoes to a wholesome salad with your choice of nuts or seeds, beans, crumbled cheese, and a homemade vinaigrette. Use whatever ingredients you have available.
Serve the sweet potatoes with any leftover fried chicken or roast turkey and your preferred vegetable.
Make a taco bowl using sweet potatoes as the base. Add black beans, cheese, and salsa for a simple meal.
Enhance your meal by pairing it with sautéed green beans and savory marinated tofu, baked to perfection.
For a delectable combination, enjoy the potatoes alongside air fryer chicken or grilled steak.
Skillet Sweet Potatoes FAQs
Can I Freeze Cooked Sweet Potatoes?
Although freezing may affect their crispiness, you can freeze the sweet potato for up to 4 months. Simply ensure they cool completely, then store in a plastic or resealable silicone bag, removing as much air as possible. To reheat, use the stovetop.
Can I Use Regular Potatoes?
Yes, any potato will work for this skillet sweet potatoes recipe. However, regular potatoes will take more time to cook, so consider cutting them into smaller pieces.
How can I Store Skillet Sweet Potatoes?
To keep leftovers fresh, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. When ready to eat, simply reheat in a skillet with a small amount of oil until warmed through.
Final Thoughts
Our journey into the world of sweet potatoes has been nothing short of a gastronomic revelation. Whether you choose to boil, mash, roast, or pan-fry these versatile tubers, each method unveils a unique facet of their natural sweetness and adaptability in the kitchen.
Boiling captures their essence with simplicity while mashing transforms them into a smooth canvas for culinary creativity.
Roasting sweet potatoes elevates the experience by adding caramelization that enhances their natural flavors. The combination of a crispy exterior and tender interior creates a delicious contrast, making roasted sweet potatoes a standout addition to any meal.
In contrast, pan-frying adds a quick and savory element, delivering a delightful crunch that perfectly complements the sweet undertones.
This sweet potato dish is highly versatile and can be enjoyed in breakfast bowls, salads, or as a side with your preferred protein and vegetables.
No matter how you cook it, sweet potatoes transform into a culinary masterpiece with a symphony of flavors and textures. From comforting mashed sides to bold and crispy roasted or sautéed variations, your options for cooking sweet potatoes in the kitchen are endless.
Whether you’re an experienced chef or a home cook looking to experiment, sautéed sweet potatoes offer endless possibilities. They are a versatile ingredient that can elevate your culinary creations to perfection.