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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yield 5 servings
Prep 10 minutes mins
Cook 15 minutes mins
Total 25 minutes mins
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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
Last step! If you make this, please leave a review letting us know how it was!
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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