Southern Candied Yams Recipe: A Sweet Side Dish You’ll Love

When it comes to Southern cooking, candied yams are the ultimate sidekick—a dish that brings warmth, sweetness, and a little bit of soul to the table. Whether you’re prepping for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Sunday dinner, this Southern Candied Yams recipe has got the flavor and charm to make it the star of your spread. These tender sweet potatoes, cooked in a buttery, caramelized sauce of brown sugar, maple syrup, and warm spices, are a timeless tradition that never disappoints.

Check out my Thanksgiving Recipes:

• Best-Ever Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese
• Honey Glazed Ham
• Gumbo Style Collard Greens
• Southern Candied Yams
• Southern Cornbread recipe
• The Ultimate Thanksgiving Dressing Recipe

Get ready to dive into this classic recipe, packed with everything you need to nail the perfect candied yams, along with tips, variations, and serving ideas to take your cooking game up a notch.

Why You Should Make This Dish

Southern Candied Yams aren’t just another side dish—they’re comfort food at its finest. Here’s why you need this recipe in your life:

1. Sweet Meets Savory: The combination of tender sweet potatoes and a buttery, spiced caramel sauce creates a balance that complements rich, savory main dishes.
2. Holiday Staple: Candied yams are a must-have for holiday meals. They bring a beautiful pop of color and sweetness to the table.
3. Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these pantry staples, making it easy to whip this dish up anytime.
4. Crowd-Pleaser: Whether it’s for family dinner or a festive gathering, everyone—kids and adults alike—loves candied yams.
5. Versatile Cooking Methods: Stove-top, oven, or crockpot—there’s no wrong way to cook these yams!

Ingredients for Southern Candied Yams

Here’s everything you need to make this sweet, spiced Southern classic:

• 2 lbs. sweet potatoes (peeled and chopped into ½-inch chunks)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ¾ cup maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ½ orange, freshly squeezed

Step-by-Step Guide to Southern Candied Yams

Stove-Top Directions

• Prepare the Sweet Potatoes:
• Peel and chop the sweet potatoes into ½-inch chunks. Aim for even sizes so they cook evenly.

• Combine Ingredients:
• In a medium pot, add the sweet potatoes, brown sugar, maple syrup, butter, orange juice, vanilla, salt, and spices. Stir everything together to coat the sweet potatoes completely.
• Cook the Yams:
• Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and let it simmer for 40-45 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure the potatoes cook evenly.
• Caramelize the Syrup:
• Once the sweet potatoes are fork-tender, remove the lid and increase the heat to medium. Stir frequently while the liquid reduces and thickens into a caramel-like sauce, about 5-10 minutes.

• Serve:
• Remove from heat and serve warm. These yams shine as a side dish but can even double as a dessert!

Oven Directions

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Assemble the Dish:
   In a large mixing bowl, toss the sweet potatoes with brown sugar, maple syrup, melted butter, orange juice, vanilla, salt, and spices until well coated.
3. Bake:
   Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45-50 minutes, stirring halfway through. Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes to caramelize.
4. Serve:
   Let cool slightly before serving.

Crockpot Directions

1. Layer in the Crockpot:
   Place sweet potatoes in a 4- to 6-quart crockpot. Add brown sugar, maple syrup, melted butter, orange juice, vanilla, salt, and spices. Toss to coat.
2. Cook:
   Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally.
3. Thicken the Sauce (Optional):
   To thicken, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Stir occasionally to help the syrup reduce.
4. Serve:
   Serve straight from the crockpot for a warm, hassle-free side.

Expert Tips and Tricks

• Choose the Right Sweet Potatoes: Opt for orange-fleshed varieties like Jewel or Garnet—they’re naturally sweet and cook up tender.
• Cut Evenly: Keep the chunks uniform to ensure even cooking.
• Don’t Skip the Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice bring the warm, cozy flavors that make candied yams special.
• Add Marshmallows (Optional): For a festive twist, top with marshmallows and broil for 2-3 minutes until golden.
• Low and Slow: If using a crockpot, give it time—low heat helps the flavors meld beautifully.

15 Variations

1. Pecan Topping: Add chopped pecans during the last 10 minutes of baking.
2. Honey Swap: Replace maple syrup with honey for a different sweetness profile.
3. Coconut Milk: Stir in coconut milk for a creamy, tropical twist.
4. Bourbon-Infused: Add a splash of bourbon for an adult-friendly version.
5. Ginger Zing: Add ground ginger for a spicy kick.
6. Cranberry Add-In: Toss in dried cranberries for tartness.
7. Marshmallow Crust: Top with mini marshmallows before serving.
8. Citrus Boost: Add lemon zest along with the orange juice.
9. Savory Twist: Sprinkle with a touch of smoked paprika.
10. Vegan Option: Use vegan butter and coconut sugar.
11. Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle melted chocolate over the finished dish.
12. Pineapple Addition: Stir in pineapple chunks for tropical sweetness.
13. Spicy Heat: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy-sweet combo.
14. Brown Butter Upgrade: Use brown butter for a nutty, rich flavor.
15. Sweet Potato Medley: Mix orange and purple sweet potatoes for a colorful dish.

What to Serve with Candied Yams

1. Honey Glazed Ham
2. Roast turkey
3. Fried chicken
4. Barbecue ribs
5. Baked mac and cheese
6. Collard greens
7. Cornbread
8. Green bean casserole
9. Mashed potatoes
10. Cranberry sauce
11. Pork chops
12. Grilled salmon
13. Wild rice
14. Sausage stuffing
15. Glazed carrots

Storage Tips

• Refrigeration: Store leftover candied yams in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezing: For longer storage, freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Reheating: Warm in the oven at 350°F or on the stovetop over low heat until heated through.

How Much to Make for Family Gatherings

As a rule of thumb, plan for about ½ pound of sweet potatoes per person. For a gathering of 10 people, you’ll need about 5 pounds of sweet potatoes to ensure everyone gets their fill.

How Far in Advance Can I Make Candied Yams?

Candied yams can be prepared 1-2 days ahead of time. Cook them fully, let them cool, and store them in the fridge. When ready to serve, reheat on the stovetop or in the oven. For best results, leave the final caramelization step until just before serving for that fresh, sticky-sweet finish.

Southern Candied Yams Recipe: A Sweet Side Dish You’ll Love

Author: Aaron Brown Courses:Holiday Side Dishes Thanksgiving

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 15 minutesCook time: 45 minutesRest time: 10 minutesTotal time:1 hour 50 minutesServings:6 servingsCalories: kcal Best Season:Fall

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. sweet potatoes (peeled and chopped into ½-inch chunks)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ¾ cup maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ½-1 orange, freshly squeezed

Instructions

1. Peel and chop the sweet potatoes into ½-inch chunks. Aim for even sizes so they cook evenly.
2. In a medium pot, add the sweet potatoes, brown sugar, maple syrup, butter, orange juice, vanilla, salt, and spices. Stir everything together to coat the sweet potatoes completely.
3. Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and let it simmer for 40-45 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure the potatoes cook evenly.
4. Once the sweet potatoes are fork-tender, remove the lid and increase the heat to medium. Stir frequently while the liquid reduces and thickens into a caramel-like sauce, about 5-10 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and serve warm. These yams shine as a side dish but can even double as a dessert!