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Home » Recipes » Thanksgiving

Last Updated: Nov 22, 2024 by Angela Latimer · Leave a Comment

Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Side Dishes

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Best Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Side Dishes recipe ideas pin with 4 images in collage and text title overlay.

Thanksgiving sweet potato side dishes come in so many shapes and sizes, there's mashed, candied, baked, casseroles, and more. You can find them all here, with plenty of sweet and savory options to complement your holiday dinner. Sweet potatoes pair beautifully with everything from turkey to stuffing.

See my Thanksgiving appetizers, Thanksgiving side dishes, and Thanksgiving pies for more holiday menu inspiration.

Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Side Dishes recipe ideas to make your perfect holiday meal featuring 4 recipes in a collage.
Jump to:
  • 1. Mashed Sweet Potatoes
  • 2. Baked Sweet Potatoes
  • 3. Candied Yams
  • 4. Sweet Potato Fries
  • 5. Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
  • 6. Pan Fried Sweet Potatoes
  • 7. Sweet Potato Casserole
  • 8. Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Onions
  • 9. Sweet Potato Cornbread
  • 10. Sweet Potato Muffins
  • 11. Sauteed Sweet Potatoes
  • 12. Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
  • 13. Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
  • 💭 Tips For Choosing The Perfect Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Side Dish
  • 📖 Recipe Card
  • 13+ Best Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Side Dishes: Candied Yams (+ Other Tasty Recipes)
  • 💬 Comments & Reviews

I put together this list of my all-time favorite sweet potato recipes that are perfect for all of your Thanksgiving get-togethers. This list includes classics like baked sweet potatoes and sweet potato casserole as well as some less traditional options.

Either way, they are all delicious and you'll find something here for you and your family.

Whether you're a pro at hosting Thanksgiving dinner and holiday parties or giving it a try for the first time this year, you're sure to find my ultimate guide to planning Thanksgiving a help! Don't forget to safely thaw your holiday turkey early, too!

1. Mashed Sweet Potatoes

These mashed sweet potatoes are a delicious twist to the classic mashed potatoes. Whether you are looking for a side that isn't as sweet as candied yams, or simply want to add more sweet potatoes to the menu, check out this recipe.

These potatoes are easy to make and you can customize how sweet they are.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes
These mashed sweet potatoes are the perfect sweet side dish to accompany all of your favorite holiday meals.
Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Square image of mashed sweet potatoes in a white bowl.

2. Baked Sweet Potatoes

Baked sweet potatoes are simple, tasty, and incredibly versatile. You can load them up with whatever toppings you like, whether it be sweet or savory.

They pair well with everything, from turkey, to ham, to stuffing.

Baked Sweet Potatoes
Baked sweet potatoes are a delicious and versatile side dish that bakes to fluffy perfection in your oven.
Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Baked sweet potatoes on a metal tray opened with a pat of butter inside.

3. Candied Yams

Candied yams are one of the most traditional, classic, and iconic Thanksgiving sweet potato side dishes. The natural flavor of the yams is allowed to shine while being emphasized with brown sugar and toasty marshmallows.

Candied Yams With Marshmallows
These easy candied yams with marshmallows combine canned or fresh yams that are baked with butter, brown sugar, and marshmallows.
Candied Yams With Marshmallows Recipe
Wide closelup on the candied yams with marshmallows in serving spoon.

4. Sweet Potato Fries

These sweet potato fries are extra simple because they're made in the air fryer. They serve as a great kid-friendly option but are loved by adults as well.

Try them with my homemade sweet potato fry dip for a sweet and tangy treat.

Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries
These air fryer frozen sweet potato fries are a fast and easy way to round out any meal without having to pull out the deep fryer.
Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries Recipe
Best air fryer frozen sweet potato fries cooked up to crispy perfection and photographed in a close-up image.

5. Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

This classic family-favorite side dish is also a personal favorite that I love sharing with many meals in addition to Thanksgiving dinner. You can cook these tender sweet potatoes up any night of the week they're so simple.

Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Southern candied sweet potatoes are a traditional holiday side dish that kids and adults love because it almost tastes like dessert.
Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Square image of Southern candied sweet potatoes.

6. Pan Fried Sweet Potatoes

Pan-fried sweet potatoes are an easy side dish recipe that comes together in no time at all and is packed with great flavor. It's perfect for cooking on short notice and is a great savory option for Thanksgiving.

Pan-Fried Sweet Potatoes
Pan-fried sweet potatoes are a quick and easy side dish cooked to crispy perfection with minimal ingredients.
Pan-Fried Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Square image of pan fried sweet potatoes in a cast iron pan.

>>>See All Of My Tasty Recipes Here!<<<

7. Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potato casserole is one of those Southern side dishes that everyone knows and loves. My recipe features the classic toasted marshmallow topping plus crunchy pecans and brown sugar.

Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows & Pecans
Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows and pecans is a classic holiday side dish that tastes more like dessert than potatoes.
Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Square image of sweet potato casserole with marshmallows.
A wide three-image collage showing baked sweet potato casserole with toasted marshmallows, creamy mashed sweet potatoes, and a close-up on Southern candied sweet potatoes.

8. Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Onions

Roasted sweet potatoes and onions are a simple, easy, and incredibly delicious side dish. They have all of the flavors of roasted potatoes but with a hint of sweetness plus savory onion flavor.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Onions
Roasted sweet potatoes & onions are tossed with oil and spices and then baked in the oven for a perfect sweet and savory side dish.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Onions Recipe
Square image showing roasted sweet potatoes and onions in a bowl.

9. Sweet Potato Cornbread

This sweet potato cornbread is a simple yet stunning side dish, perfect for everything from holiday gatherings to weeknight dinners. The blend of sweet potato, brown sugar, and warm spices delivers a delicious fall taste that everyone will love.

Sweet Potato Cornbread
This sweet potato cornbread is a sweet and delicious fall-time twist on a popular classic side dish we all know and love.
Sweet Potato Cornbread Recipe
Best sweet potato cornbread recipe sliced and served with rich butter.

10. Sweet Potato Muffins

These delicious sweet potato muffins are incredibly easy to make and perfect for Thanksgiving. Moist, flavorful, and packed with warm spices, they're great as a unique side dish. They also freeze well, so you can make them ahead of time.

Sweet Potato Muffins
These sweet potato muffins are an easy-to-make treat that can be enjoyed as breakfast, a snack, or even a side dish at dinner.
Sweet Potato Muffins Recipe
Wide image of sweet potato muffins.

11. Sauteed Sweet Potatoes

Short on time this Thanksgiving? These sauteed sweet potatoes are ready in 15 minutes. They're a nutritious and delicious side dish that's easily customized to your liking (sweet or savory).

Sauteed Sweet Potatoes
Sauteed sweet potatoes are a quick and easy nutritious side dish that can easily be customized to be sweet or savory.
Sauteed Sweet Potato Recipes
Wide overhead of the bowl of sauteed sweet potatoes with fresh chopped parsley.

12. Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes

Elevate your Thanksgiving dinner with these unbelievably easy air fryer sweet potato cubes. The contrast of crispy exterior and creamy interior, perfectly seasoned, makes them a quick-yet-tasty option.

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
Making my air fryer sweet potato cubes is a great way to serve up a hearty, tasty addition to any meal. 
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes Recipe
Easy air fryer sweet potato cubes plated with parsley garnish and a small bowl of ketchup on the side.

13. Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

These twice-baked sweet potatoes are the perfect make-ahead side dish for Thanksgiving! Baked twice for ultimate flavor and loaded with bacon, jalapeño, cheese, and your other favorite toppings, they're a delicious and impressive addition to your holiday spread.

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
These twice baked sweet potatoes are baked until tender, loaded with your favorite toppings, and then baked again until perfect.
Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Twice baked sweet potatoes in a row of three on wooden cutting board with green onions on the side and scattered shredded white cheese around them.

💭 Tips For Choosing The Perfect Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Side Dish

  1. Sweet or savory? Decide whether you want to lean into the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes or go for a savory side dish. Sweet potato casseroles with marshmallows or brown sugar are classics, while roasted sweet potatoes with garlic and herbs are more hearty.
  2. Texture. Creamy mashed sweet potatoes are rich and comforting, while crispy sweet potato fries or pan-fried sweet potatoes add a savory crunch.
  3. Pair with the meal. If your stuffing and cranberry sauce is sweet, a savory sweet potato dish will create a better balance on the plate. On the other hand, if your sides are savory, it's the perfect opportunity to toss in some candied sweet potatoes.
  4. Time and space. If you're juggling a lot of dishes on Thanksgiving and are limited on oven space, utilize your kitchen appliances or pick a stovetop recipe. The crock pot works great for sweet potatoes, and you can set it and forget it.
  5. Seasonal flavors.
    Depending on the recipe, adding seasonal ingredients like pecans, cinnamon, maple syrup, or sage will tie your sweet potatoes to the classic flavors of Thanksgiving.
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See more Thanksgiving →

Be sure to add these Thanksgiving sweet potato side dishes to your holiday recipe lineup. Let me know in the comments which one you plan to try this year.

Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
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📖 Recipe Card

Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Side Dishes recipe ideas to make your perfect holiday meal featuring 4 recipes in a collage.
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5 from 1 review

13+ Best Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Side Dishes: Candied Yams (+ Other Tasty Recipes)

Thanksgiving sweet potato side dishes come in so many shapes and sizes, there's mashed, candied, baked, casseroles, and more. You can find them all here, with plenty of sweet and savory options to complement your holiday dinner. Sweet potatoes pair beautifully with everything from turkey to stuffing.
Author | Angela Latimer
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 344kcal
Prep 5 minutes minutes
Cooking 25 minutes minutes
Total Time 30 minutes minutes
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Ingredients
 

  • 40 oz canned yams (or sweet potatoes)
  • 1 pinch salt
  • ⅓ cup butter (cut into slices)
  • ⅔ cup light brown sugar
  • 2 cups miniature marshmallows (or more, as needed to cover the yams)

(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)

Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C/Gas Mark 6) and butter or spray your 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Open and drain your can(s) of 40 oz canned yams then spread the yams in the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
  • Sprinkle a 1 pinch salt over the yams, then top with ⅓ cup butter slices. Crumble the ⅔ cup light brown sugar over the yams next, followed by a generous layer of 2 cups miniature marshmallows.
  • Bake in the center of your oven's middle rack at 400°F (205°C/Gas Mark 6) for 20-25 minutes until the yams are bubbling and the marshmallows are melted and toasted.

Notes

To use a single 29-ounce can of yams, place the drained yams in an 8x8 baking dish and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Top with ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) sliced butter, ½ cup brown sugar, and about 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows. Bake as directed above.

Nutrition

Calories: 344kcal (17%) | Carbohydrates: 68g (23%) | Protein: 2g (4%) | Fat: 8g (12%) | Saturated Fat: 5g (31%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 20mg (7%) | Sodium: 100mg (4%) | Potassium: 1184mg (34%) | Fiber: 6g (25%) | Sugar: 26g (29%) | Vitamin A: 432IU (9%) | Vitamin C: 24mg (29%) | Calcium: 42mg (4%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
Course Christmas dinner, Side Dish, Thanksgiving
Cuisine American

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Hi there, I'm Angela

I am an avid vintage cookbook collector, cook, baker, and total foodie. I love sharing new, fun, creative recipes and great classic recipes, just like my Grandma used to make! Every recipe on BIWL is tested to ensure that cooks of any experience level can succeed.

Welcome to Bake It With Love. Enjoy!

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