Sweet potatoes aren’t just for Thanksgiving casseroles topped with marshmallows (yes, that’s a thing).
Around here, they’re a year-round staple!
I love cooking with sweet potatoes because of their natural sweetness, creamy texture, and ability to play nice with both savory and buttery flavors.
There’s just something about them that makes them feel a little more special than normal potatoes.
And they’re considered to be healthier too!
They’re rich in vitamin A, C, and fiber, so I’m happy the kiddos scarf these down (even if I add butter to make them extra savory).
Anyway, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite ways to use them, from side dishes to main meals and for Thanksgiving dinner!
Trust me, once you start cooking with sweet potatoes, you’ll never get bored of them!
So grab a bag the next time you’re at the store and put those sweet potatoes to work with these recipes.
Side Dishes
Sweet potatoes were practically made for side dishes!
They cozy up next to chicken, steak, or fish without stealing the show, yet they’re tasty enough to stand out all on their own.
And if you are pairing this for Thanksgiving, make sure to check out my list of amazing and easy turkey leftover recipes!
1. Buttery Garlic Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Peel and cube the sweet potatoes, then boil them until fork-tender.
Mash them with melted butter, roasted garlic, and just a splash of cream until they’re silky and smooth.
You can sprinkle in some fresh parsley for a bit of color.
I always mash mine with a hand masher instead of a mixer (it leaves a little texture, which I think makes them taste more homemade).
2. Crispy Herb-Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges
Cut the sweet potatoes into thick wedges, toss them with melted butter, rosemary, thyme, and a pinch of salt.
Then roast until crisp on the outside and soft inside.
For extra crispness, don’t crowd the pan…give them some breathing room.
3. Sweet Potato Gratin with Creamy Layers
Thinly slice the sweet potatoes, then layer them in a baking dish with cream, butter, and a little grated cheese between each layer.
Bake until the top is golden and the layers are soft and creamy.
If you want a shortcut, use a mandoline slicer instead of a knife to get through the potatoes quicker.
4. Skillet Sweet Potatoes with Onions and Butter
Slice the sweet potatoes into rounds and cook them in a skillet with butter until they’re golden on both sides.
Add in sliced onions and let them caramelize right alongside for a rich, savory flavor.
I love this one because it’s all done on the stovetop, which is perfect when the oven is already busy.
And if you’re making burgers, these taste incredible piled right on top!
5. Savory Sweet Potato Salad
Cube roasted sweet potatoes and toss them warm with butter, chopped green onions, and a tangy mustard vinaigrette.
Add a sprinkle of crispy bacon bits if you want a little crunch and smokiness.
It’s not your usual potato salad, but it holds up well at picnics and family dinners.
Main Courses
I’m so used to making sweet potato side dishes that I forget they can easily be the main course!
With some butter and savory flavors, they can turn out hearty without being too heavy.
6. Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Spinach, Mushrooms and Butter Sauce
Bake some whole sweet potatoes until the skins split, then scoop out just enough to make a pocket.
Sauté some mushrooms and spinach in a generous pat of butter until they’re silky and full of flavor.
Pile the mushroom and spinach filling into the sweet potatoes, then drizzle over the buttery sauce left in the pan.
A little grated cheese on top melts perfectly as they finish in the oven!
7. Sweet Potato and Chicken Skillet with Garlic Butter
Cut up some sweet potatoes into cubes and toss them into a skillet with sizzling butter.
Add cubed chicken, garlic, and a pinch of herbs and let everything brown together in the pan.
Cover the pan for a few minutes so the steam softens the potatoes while keeping the chicken juicy.
Then you can finish with a squeeze of lemon over the buttery mix to give it a little zing.
8. Shepherd’s Pie with Buttery Sweet Potato Topping
Brown ground beef or lamb with onions and carrots until the mix smells amazing, then spread it in a baking dish.
Mash roasted sweet potatoes with butter until creamy and smooth, then spread over the filling.
Bake until the topping gets golden at the edges and the filling bubbles underneath.
I always dot a little butter across the top before sliding it into the oven.
9. Sweet Potato Gnocchi in Brown Butter Sage Sauce
Mix mashed sweet potato with flour until it forms a soft dough, then roll and cut into small pillows.
Boil until they rise to the top, then toss them in a skillet of bubbling brown butter and fresh sage leaves.
The gnocchi soak up the nutty, buttery flavor and stay pillowy soft!
Serve straight from the skillet while the sage is still crisp.
10. Baked Sweet Potato Topped with Buttery Shrimp
Bake some sweet potatoes until they’re tender and split them open while they’re still hot.
Cook up a few shrimp in a skillet with butter, garlic, and a pinch of chili flakes for heat.
Pile the shrimp right on top of the sweet potatoes (the juices will run into the sweet potato skin…yum!).
Add a bit of parsley on the top for some color.
Snacks & Apps
Sweet potatoes are just as good in bite-sized form as they are in big comforting meals.
They crisp up beautifully, hold toppings like little golden trays, and taste incredible when paired with butter in just about any form.
11. Sweet Potato Rounds with Melted Butter and Parm
Slice sweet potatoes into thin rounds and roast them until they’re soft in the middle with crisp edges.
Brush each piece with melted butter and sprinkle on some parmesan while they’re still hot.
The cheese clings to the butter and forms a nice salty crust.
Serve them warm as an easy finger food.
12. Sweet Potato Muffins with Herbs and Butter
Muffins aren’t just for the dessert or breakfast table!
Mash some cooked sweet potatoes and fold them into a simple muffin batter with fresh herbs like chives or thyme.
Add a bit of melted butter to keep them moist and savory instead of sweet.
Then bake until the tops are golden and firm.
Serve them warm with an extra swipe of butter and another sprinkle of chives or thyme on top.
13. Sweet Potato Bites with Garlic Butter Dip
Cut some sweet potatoes up into cubes, roast them until browned, and stick a toothpick in each one.
Melt butter with garlic and a pinch of salt to make a simple dipping sauce for the cubes.
The hot potatoes soak up the butter as soon as they’re dunked…so good!
Keep the sauce in a small bowl right in the center of the platter for dipping.
14. Butter-Seared Sweet Potato Fries with Sage
Cut sweet potatoes into thick fry shapes and toss them in a skillet with butter until the edges turn crisp.
Add some sage toward the end so the herb perfumes the butter without burning.
Shake a little salt over the fries while they’re still hot.
Serve them straight out of the skillet for the best texture.
15. Sweet Potato Crostini with Whipped Herb Butter
Roast slices of sweet potato until they’re tender enough to bite but firm enough to hold a topping.
Whip up some softened butter with chopped herbs and spread it across each slice of sweet potato.
Then add a sprinkle of flaky salt for texture.
These make a fun swap for bread-based crostini!
Breakfast & Brunch
Swap out regular potatoes for sweet potatoes at breakfast for something cozy and buttery!
You can crisp them in a skillet or add them to eggs for something warm and hearty.
16. Butter Sweet Potato Hash with Eggs
Dice some sweet potatoes into small cubes and fry them in a skillet with butter until golden and crisp on the edges.
Crack a few eggs right into the pan and let them cook sunny side up over the hash.
The yolks spill into the buttery potatoes and act like a sauce!
A sprinkle of salt and pepper is all you need for seasoning.
17. Sweet Potato Biscuits with Melted Butter
Mash up some roasted sweet potatoes and fold them into a simple biscuit dough with plenty of butter.
Cut and bake them until they’re puffed and golden, then brush the tops with more melted butter as soon as they come out of the oven.
The biscuits are soft inside with just the right flaky bite.
Serve them warm for the best flavor.
18. Savory Sweet Potato Pancakes with Chives
Grate sweet potatoes and mix it up with flour, eggs, and chopped chives to make a thick batter.
Drop spoonfuls of the batter into a hot buttered skillet and cook until crisp and browned on both sides.
The inside stays tender while the outside crackles when you bite into it!
Stack them up on a plate with sour cream on the side.
19. Breakfast Burritos with Buttery Sweet Potato Filling
Roast cubed sweet potatoes with butter and spices (I like rosemary or sage) until caramelized, then use them as the base for a breakfast burrito.
Add some scrambled eggs, cheese, and a little sausage or crumbled bacon.
Wrap everything in a tortilla while the filling is still hot so the cheese gets all melty and gooey.
I usually make extras and freeze them for quick mornings!
20. Sweet Potato Frittata Cooked in Butter
Sauté thin slices of sweet potato in butter until tender, then pour in beaten eggs with salt, pepper, and herbs.
Cook on the stove just until the edges set, then slide into the oven to finish.
The butter gives the frittata a golden crust and keeps it rich.
Serve it straight from the pan at the table.
Holiday & Potluck Faves
Sweet potatoes always seem to shine brightest during holidays and big gatherings!
Their natural sweetness pairs beautifully with butter, and they can stretch into casseroles, stuffings, or dressed-up sides that look gorgeous on a buffet table.
21. Butter Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping
Mash roasted sweet potatoes with butter until smooth, then spread them into a baking dish.
Top with a buttery mix of chopped pecans, brown sugar, and breadcrumbs for crunch.
Bake until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbling underneath.
Serve it warm right out of the oven for the best texture!
22. Scalloped Sweet Potatoes in a Creamy Butter Sauce
Slice sweet potatoes nice and thin and layer them in a buttered dish with cream, garlic, and lots of melted butter.
Keep stacking the slices until the dish is full, then bake until it’s all tender and bubbling.
The top turns into a golden crust while the inside stays creamy.
Tuck in a sprig of thyme for a cozy feel!
23. Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Brown Butter and Sage
Cube sweet potatoes and roast them until the edges caramelize.
While they bake, brown butter in a skillet with fresh sage leaves until it’s nutty and fragrant.
Then puur the hot butter over the potatoes and toss so they soak up all the flavor.
Serve with the crisp sage leaves scattered on top if you want to be aesthetic.
24. Sweet Potato Stuffing with Butter Bread Cubes
Toast some cubes of bread in butter until they’re lightly crisp, then toss with roasted sweet potatoes, onions, and herbs.
Add broth to bring it all together, then bake until the bread turns golden on top.
The mix is buttery, savory, and hearty enough for the holiday table!
Serve in a wide dish so everyone gets some crispy edges.
25. Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes with Butter and Herbs
Bake whole sweet potatoes until tender, then scoop out the centers and mash with butter, garlic, and chopped herbs.
Spoon the filling back into the skins, piling it high.
Bake them again until the tops are slightly browned and the skins crisp up.
Serve each one as a single portion at the table.
The Savory Side of Sweet Potatoes You’ll Want to Try
Sweet potatoes really do it all!
And with just a little butter, they transform into something rich and comforting that fits any table.
Try one of these recipes the next time you’re craving something savory and satisfying.
Just don’t be surprised if you end up keeping sweet potatoes stocked in your kitchen all year long.
