Sweet potatoes are a versatile and nutritious root vegetable that can be prepared in many ways. Their natural sweetness pairs well with both savory and sweet ingredients, making them a tasty addition to a wide variety of dishes. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best flavor combinations and recipes for cooking with sweet potatoes.
Savory dishes that pair well with sweet potatoes
Here are some savory ingredients and dishes that complement the flavor of sweet potatoes:
Proteins
– Pork – The sweetness of sweet potatoes balances nicely with the rich, fatty flavors of pork. They pair well in stews, roasted pork tenderloin, pork chops, or baked ham.
– Chicken – Roast chicken and sweet potatoes are a classic combination. The sweetness offsets the savory, salty notes of chicken.
– Turkey – Sweet potatoes make a great side for roasted turkey or turkey stew.
– Beef – Sweet potatoes can stand up to the hearty flavor of beef in stews, chilies, or alongside a grilled steak.
– Fish – The sweetness contrasts nicely with the brininess of salmon, tuna, cod, or other fish. Bake, grill, or sauté them together.
– Tofu or tempeh – The nutty flavor of tofu and tempeh complements the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes. Roast them together or add sweet potato chunks to vegetarian Buddha bowls.
Dairy
– Goat cheese – The tang of goat cheese pairs beautifully with the sweet earthiness of sweet potatoes. Add crumbled goat cheese to roasted sweet potatoes.
– Feta – Similar to goat cheese, the salty brininess of feta cheese accentuates the sweet potato flavor. Enjoy them together in salads, tacos, bowls, or casseroles.
– Parmesan – Grated parmesan on mashed, baked, or fried sweet potatoes gives a sharp, nutty accent.
– Cheddar – For comfort food, top baked sweet potatoes with melted cheddar cheese.
Alliums
– Onions – Sautéed onions bring out the natural sweetness in sweet potatoes. Enjoy them together in stews, roasted veggies, frittatas, or casseroles.
– Garlic – Roasted garlic mashed sweet potatoes are sublime. The mellow sweetness of the garlic complements the potato.
– Shallots – Sauté shallots with sweet potato chunks for an easy side dish. The mild onion flavor allows the sweet potato to shine.
– Chives or scallions – Fresh chives or scallions add flavorful punctuation to mashed, baked, or fried sweet potatoes.
Warm spices
– Cinnamon – This warming spice enhances the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes. Add to baked sweet potatoes, quick breads and muffins.
– Nutmeg – A dash of nutmeg accentuates the sweet potato flavor in both savory and sweet dishes.
– Ginger – The spicy heat of ginger balances nicely with sweet potatoes. Enjoy them together in stews, curries, or baked goods.
– Curry powder – Sweet potatoes make a great addition to curries. The curry spices complement the potatoes’ sweetness.
– Chili powder – Add a touch of heat and smoky flavor with chili powder. Toss with sweet potato wedges or add to stews.
Fresh herbs
– Rosemary – The woodsy notes of rosemary pair beautifully with roasted sweet potatoes.
– Thyme – For a savory flavor, add fresh or dried thyme to sweet potato dishes.
– Sage – The earthy accent of sage brings out the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes.
– Parsley – Fresh parsley brightens up mashed, baked, or fried sweet potatoes.
– Cilantro – The fresh flavor of cilantro complements sweet potatoes in tacos, bowls, salads, or curries.
Common combinations
– BBQ chicken and sweet potato skewers
– Steak with sweet potato fries or baked sweet potato
– Chili or stew with sweet potatoes
– Roasted pork tenderloin and sweet potatoes
– Coconut curry with sweet potatoes
– Tacos with sweet potato in the filling
– Buddha bowls with roasted sweet potatoes
– Frittata or hash with sweet potatoes and onions
Sweet dishes and baked goods with sweet potatoes
The natural sugars in sweet potatoes also allow them to transition seamlessly into both savory and sweet baked goods and desserts. Here are some classic sweet pairings:
Fruits
– Apples – Sweet potato and apple pies, tarts, or muffins are a classic fall combo. The apple flavor pairs perfectly with cinnamon spiced sweet potatoes.
– Bananas – Sweet potatoes and bananas make great loaf cakes, quick breads, or pancakes. Their sweet flavors complement each other.
– Pineapple – For a tropical twist, add pineapple to sweet potato desserts. The tangy sweetness balances the potato.
– Pears – The mild sweetness of pears works well with sweet potatoes in cakes, tarts, and crisps.
– Coconut – For extra tropical flavor, add toasted coconut to sweet potato baked goods.
Nuts and seeds
– Pecans – Toasted pecans add delicious crunch to sweet potato pies and breads.
– Walnuts – Their earthy richness pairs nicely with sweet potato’s natural sweetness.
– Almonds – Slivered almonds add extra flavor and crunch to quick breads and muffins.
– Pepitas – Toasted green pumpkin seeds accent sweet potato baked goods with their nutty crunch.
– Sunflower seeds – Another crunchy accent that complements the sweet potato flavor.
Warm baking spices
– Cinnamon – This classic fall spice brings out sweet potato’s natural sweetness.
– Ginger – Gingerbread sweet potato muffins or bread have a delicious, warm spice flavor.
– Nutmeg – A touch of nutmeg enhances the sweet potato in pies, cakes, and other baked goods.
– Allspice – The blend of spices in allspice seasoning complements sweet potato nicely.
– Cloves – A small amount of ground cloves accentuates the sweet potato flavor.
Sweeteners
– Brown sugar – The caramel and molasses notes of brown sugar pair perfectly with sweet potatoes.
– Maple syrup – For natural sweetness, maple syrup is ideal for sweetening potato dishes.
– Honey – The floral sweetness of honey beautifully complements the natural sugars in sweet potatoes.
– Molasses – Molasses’ deep, robust sweetness stands up well to sweet potatoes in baked goods.
Dairy
– Butter – Butter enhances sweet potato’s rich flavor and gives baked goods tenderness.
– Milk – For smooth, creamy mashed sweet potatoes, milk is a classic ingredient.
– Cream cheese – Cream cheese frosting on sweet potato quick breads or cakes is delicious.
– Yogurt – Greek yogurt adds tang and moisture to sweet potato muffins and cakes.
Common combinations
– Sweet potato pie
– Sweet potato casserole with pecan topping
– Sweet potato bread or muffins
– Sweet potato cheesecake
– Maple cinnamon sweet potatoes
– Sweet potato cupcakes with cream cheese frosting
– Sweet potato pancakes
– Ginger sweet potato cookies
Creative ingredient pairings
Don’t limit yourself to the classics! Here are some unique, creative ingredients that also complement sweet potatoes wonderfully:
– Balsamic vinegar – For an Italian twist, drizzle roasted sweet potatoes with good quality balsamic.
– Pesto – Baked sweet potatoes topped with basil pesto makes a delicious appetizer or side.
– Harissa – This North African chili paste adds flavorful heat to sweet potato dishes.
– Miso – For an umami boost, add a bit of mellow miso paste to dressings, sauces, or stews with sweet potatoes.
– Tahini – Ground sesame seed paste (tahini) enhances the sweet potato flavor in hummus, salad dressings, or drizzled over roasted sweet potatoes.
– Bacon – Crispy bacon crumbles are a savory accent to loaded baked sweet potatoes.
– Olives – Salty cured olives complement the sweetness of roasted sweet potato wedges for an appetizer.
– Pickled onions – Quick pickled red onions lend tang to tacos, bowls, or flatbreads with sweet potatoes.
– Currants or raisins – Dried fruit like currants or raisins add chewy sweetness to sweet potato quick breads and muffins.
Global cuisine
Sweet potatoes are used in cuisines around the world. Here are some global recipes that feature sweet potatoes:
African
– West African Peanut Sweet Potato Stew
– Ethiopian Doro Wat Chicken Stew with Sweet Potato
– Moroccan Sweet Potato Tagine with Apricots and Almonds
Asian
– Thai Coconut Curry with Sweet Potatoes
– Japanese Sweet Potato Tempura
– Korean Sweet Potato Noodles (Japchae)
– Filipino Sweet Potato Bibingka Cake
Latin American
– Mexican Sweet Potato Tacos with Lime Crema
– Puerto Rican Sweet Potato Flatbread with Chicken (Arepas de Batata)
– Cuban Ropa Vieja with Sweet Potatoes
– Brazilian Caruru Stew with Shrimp and Sweet Potatoes
Middle Eastern
– Persian Sweet Potato Kuku Egg Frittata
– Lebanese Mloukhiyeh Stew with Chicken and Sweet Potatoes
– Israeli Sweet Potato Hummus
– Turkish Sweet Potato Kebabs with Tzatziki Sauce
European
– French Sweet Potato Gratin
– Spanish Sweet Potato Tortilla de Patatas
– Italian Chicken Cacciatore with Sweet Potatoes
– German Sweet Potato Apple Pancakes (Kartoffelpfannkuchen)
Make the most of leftovers
Don’t let leftover cooked sweet potatoes go to waste! Here are some delicious ways to repurpose them:
– Sweet potato toast – Top bread or toast with mashed sweet potatoes, pecans, and cinnamon.
– Sweet potato hash – Dice and sauté cooked sweet potatoes with onions, peppers, and seasonings for a savory breakfast hash.
– Sweet potato enchiladas – Dice sweet potatoes and add to bean and cheese enchiladas.
– Sweet potato soup – Blend roasted sweet potatoes into a creamy soup.
– Sweet potato salad – Toss cubed cooked sweet potatoes with fresh greens, nuts, and a tangy dressing.
– Sweet potato fritters – Shred sweet potatoes and mix with flour, herbs, and cheese to make savory fritters.
– Sweet potato chili – Add cooked sweet potato chunks or puree to thicken up a pot of vegetarian or meat chili.
Conclusion
With their rich sweetness, starchy texture, and versatility, sweet potatoes pair well with both sweet and savory ingredients. By cooking them with complimentary herbs, spices, meats, cheeses and produce, you can enjoy their full flavor in everything from weekday dinners to special occasion desserts. Whether roasted, mashed, baked into breads, or added to global stews and curries, sweet potatoes are an endlessly adaptable ingredient. Follow these tips to enhance their natural sugars and explore new flavor combinations in all types of dishes.