Best Southern Candied Yams (Soul Food Recipe)
These Southern candied yams (candy yams) are sweet and buttery and feature brown sugar and warm spices. A traditional soul food candied yams recipe passed down from generation to generation.
Marrekus makes the best candied yams! This classic soul food side dish was passed down from his grandma to his mother and then to him.
This recipe and is perfect for Sunday dinner and even special occasions like Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner. It uses fewer than 10 ingredients, and you likely already have most of them in your pantry.
This easy candy yams recipe isn’t just reserved for the holiday table. We make this classic soul food side dish to go with smothered chicken, fried chicken, smothered pork chops, boiled cabbage, and collard greens with ham hocks (or with smoked turkey).
For more dinner recipes, check out our Soul Food Sunday Dinner Ideas roundup these soul food side dishes.
What you’ll love about this recipe:
What are Candied Yams?
Candied yams, also called candy yams, are a classic holiday side dish and Southern soul food side dish made from sweet potatoes. These vibrant, naturally sweet tubers are transformed into a delicious side dish by cooking them in a sweet, sticky syrup.
While the terms “yams” and “sweet potatoes” are often used interchangeably, especially in the United States, real yams are quite different and not commonly found in American grocery stores.
Ingredients
- 5 medium sweet potatoes (bright orange flesh, about 3 pounds)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt (start with less and adjust to taste if using any other type of salt)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light or dark brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- nonstick cooking spray or softened butter
Recipe Variations
- Marshmallows: Mini marshmallows are added to the top during the last few minutes of baking until they’re gooey and toasted.
- Pecans: Add a nice crunch. Use chopped pecans or pecan halves.
- Bourbon: For an boozy twist, add a splash of bourbon!
- Citrus: Use citrus fruits like oranges or lemons to add a fresh and tangy twist.
Tools you’ll need
To prepare this Candied Yams recipe, you’ll need the following special equipment and tools:
Directions
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is preheating, take a moment to generously coat your 9″ x 13″ baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or butter. We want those yams to come out easily.
- Now, scrub your sweet potatoes clean to get rid of any lingering dirt. Then, peel and slice them into lovely ½-inch thick rounds. Arrange them in the prepared dish.
Step 2: Create the Sweet Sauce
- In a medium saucepan, set over medium to medium-high heat, melt a stick of butter. Add salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and both types of sugar. Whisk it all together until it’s well incorporated.
- Once everything’s combined, take the saucepan off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Taste the candied mixture before pouring it over the sweet potatoes, and adjust the sugar if needed. Some people prefer a sweeter dish, etc.
Step 3: Coat and Bake
- Pour the sweet syrup candied sauce mixture all over your sweet potatoes. Make sure each slice gets a generous coating. Now, take a piece of aluminum foil and securely cover your baking dish.
- Slide the dish into the preheated oven and let those sweet potatoes bake for approximately 30 minutes.
Step 4: The Finishing Touch
- Carefully take the dish out of the oven. Using a spoon, generously coat those candied yams with the buttery syrup that has formed at the bottom of the dish.
- Now, re-cover the dish with foil and let them keep baking until the sweet potatoes become tender enough to be easily pierced with a fork. The sauce will also thicken up, enough to coat the back of a spoon. This usually takes an extra 15-20 minutes.
- Note: If you want that sauce to be even thicker and stickier, you can remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of baking, allowing it to reduce further.
Step 5: Rest and Serve
- Once they’re done baking, take them out of the oven, and let them rest for 5-10 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Even Slicing: Try to slice the sweet potatoes into even rounds (about ½-inch thick) to ensure uniform cooking. This helps all the slices cook at the same rate.
- Basting the Sweet Potatoes: When you uncover the dish to baste the sweet potatoes, be generous with the candied mixture. This additional coating enhances the flavor and adds a glossy finish.
- Checking for Doneness: Pierce the sweet potatoes with a fork after the initial baking period to check for tenderness. They should be soft and easily pierced.
- Adjusting Sugar Levels: If you prefer your candied yams less sweet, you can adjust the amount of sugar according to your taste.
- Serve Warm: Candied yams are best enjoyed warm. Serve them directly from the oven for the most flavorful experience.
Make Ahead Candied Yams
To make candied yams ahead of time using this recipe, here’s what you can do:
The Day Before
- Peel and Slice: After cleaning the sweet potatoes, peel and slice them into ½-inch thick rounds. To keep the peeled sweet potatoes fresh, place them in a large bowl of cold water. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and store it in the refrigerator.
- Make the Sauce: You can also prepare the butter mixture ahead of time. Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and both types of sugar, and whisk until combined. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla extract, and let the sauce cool. Once cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate.
The Day Of
- Assemble and Bake: When you’re ready to bake the yams, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Drain the sweet potatoes and arrange them in a greased baking dish. Reheat the butter mixture slightly, so it’s pourable, and then pour it over the sweet potatoes. Follow the rest of the baking instructions as usual.
By prepping the sweet potatoes and sauce the day before, you save time on the day of baking, making it easier to get this delicious side dish on the table without the last-minute rush.
What to Serve with Southern Candied Yams
This Southern candied yams recipe is a popular Thanksgiving side dish that is best served alongside Cajun smoked turkey and cornbread dressing. Here are some additional dishes that can complement candied yams:
- Collard Greens: Slow-simmered collard greens with ham hocks and collard greens with smoked turkey are two delicious soul food side dishes.
- Green Beans and Potatoes: Our Southern green beans are simmered in a flavorful broth with potatoes and smoked turkey.
- Cabbage: Boiled cabbage cooked with in a savory broth or fried cabbage are delicious with this oxtail recipe.
- Butter Beans: Creamy beans cooked in a flavorful, seasoned broth with smoked turkey and the “holy trinity”, bell pepper, celery, and onion.
- Southern Cornbread: Our soul food cornbread recipe is easy to follow and yields a moist crumb.
- Sweet Potato Cornbread: Perfectly moist and flavorful, made with fresh, mashed sweet potatoes, a touch of cinnamon, and the magic of beaten egg whites.
- Southern Mac and Cheese: Made with four cheeses and eggs. We also have a Gouda mac and cheese recipe that is made with a roux.
- Fried Chicken: Crispy, golden, and full of flavor! We skipped the buttermilk soak and embraced a salt, sugar, and water brine for juiciness for this recipe. Our blend of flour, cornstarch, and seasonings guarantees an irresistibly crispy coating every time.
- Smothered Chicken: Fall-off-the-bone tender thighs simmered in rich brown gravy and spooned over a bed of fluffy white rice.
- Fried Pork Chops: With a golden, crispy exterior and a juicy, tender interior, these chops promise a comforting and satisfying meal. We also have smothered pork chops.
- Black Eyed Peas: Made with smoked neck bones, onion, bell pepper, and celery.
How to Store Leftover Candied Yams
Allow candied yams to cool to room temperature before storing. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Candied yams can also be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
What type of sweet potatoes should I use?
This recipe calls for sweet potatoes, which have dark reddish brown potato skin and orange flesh.
Do I need to peel sweet potatoes for candied yams?
Yes, we recommend that you peel sweet potatoes for candied yams. Peel and slice them into ½-inch thick rounds.
How do I know when the candied yams are done cooking?
Candied yams are done when they become tender when pierced with a fork, and the sauce has thickened.
Summary
This is the best Southern candied yams recipe! They are are sweet and buttery and feature brown sugar and warm spices. It’s an easy recipe passed down from generation to generation. Whether it’s a holiday dinner or Sunday dinner, they’re perfect for any time of the year. Try it today!
Print
Best Southern Candied Yams (Soul Food Recipe)
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: side dish, thanksgiving
- Method: oven
- Cuisine: soul food
Description
These southern candied yams are sweet and buttery and feature brown sugar and warm spices. A traditional soul food candied yams recipe passed down from generation to generation.
Ingredients
- nonstick cooking spray (or softened butter)
- 5 sweet potatoes (medium, orange-fleshed, about 3 pounds)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt (start with less and adjust to taste if using any other type of salt)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Generously coat baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or butter.
- Clean the sweet potatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt. Then, peel and slice sweet potatoes into ½-inch thick rounds, and arrange them in prepared baking dish.
- Melt the butter in saucepan over medium heat.
- Add salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and both types of sugar.
- Whisk until all the ingredients have combined with the butter.
- Remove saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour melted butter mixture evenly over sweet potatoes, ensuring that each slice gets coated thoroughly.
- Cover baking dish securely with aluminum foil. Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and let sweet potatoes bake for approximately 30 minutes.
- After this initial baking period, carefully take baking dish out of the oven. Use a spoon, generously coat sweet potatoes with candied mixture. Then, re-cover the dish with foil.
- Continue baking until sweet potatoes become tender when pierced with a fork, and sauce has thickened, enough to coat a spoon., about 15-20 minutes.
- Once the sweet potatoes are done baking, remove from oven.
- Allow candied yams to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of baking, allowing it to reduce further.
Candied yams are always a hit on our holiday dinner table, so I gave your recipe a practice run and everyone agrees it’s going on our table this year. So flavorful and well-balanced.
I always skip over the yam/sweet potato casserole because I’m not a fan of the mushy texture. However I love the flavour! I’m going to give these yams a try this year for a Thanksgiving side.
This sweet potato recipe is an absolute winner! It’s not only incredibly delicious but also super easy to follow. I was able to whip up a gourmet side dish in no time, and my family couldn’t stop raving about it. They are requesting it for Thanksgiving. Five stars all the way!
I love candied sweet potatoes and these are always a hit for the holidays. Looking forward to sharing these for Thanksgiving.
The cinnamon and nutmeg sound delicious with the sweet potatoes, perfect for a side at a special roast.
I’ve never made candied yams but they sound so easy to make and look so delicious! Definitely need to make this recipe!
I made these to go with a roast chicken and my family raved about your candied yams!
Made these the other day and they were amazing! Sweet potato casserole is always my favorite at Thanksgiving but I’m definitely making these instead this year!
I substituted cardamon for the cinnamon a the results were incredible. My entire family approved.
These yams were so good. They tasted just like how my grandmother used to make them. Will definitely be using this recipe for Thanksgiving this year!
These sweet potatoes were a hit in my household and I’ll definitely be making them again. Thank you!