The Best Candied Yams

The Best Candied Yams

8 servings
This is the ultimate candied yams recipe! Glaze garnet sweet potatoes with brown sugar, spices, and orange sauce. It all comes together on the stovetop, and takes just 35 minutes to make.

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds garnet or ruby sweet potatoes

    peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks, yams

  • Salt
  • 2 cups orange juice
  • 1-1 1/4 cups brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 4 tablespoons butter

Directions

  1. 1

    Boil the sweet potatoes: Place the cut sweet potatoes in a pot and cover with a couple inches of cold water. Bring to a boil and add a generous pinch of salt. Boil the sweet potatoes for 5-10 minutes, or until you can just pierce them with the tines of a fork, but not fully cooked (you will continue to cook in the next step). Drain and set aside.

  2. 2

    Simmer the remaining ingredients: Mix the remaining ingredients (orange juice, brown sugar, ground ginger, cinnamon, butter) in a shallow, wide sauté pan and bring to a boil on high heat.

  3. 3

    Add sweet potatoes, cook until sauce reduces to a syrup: Add the sweet potatoes and coat well with the sauce. Boil on high heat until the sauce reduces to a syrup, about 10 minutes. Serve hot. Did you love the recipe? Give us some stars and leave a comment below!

The Best Candied Yams

The Best Candied Yams

35 min8 servings

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About this Recipe

Craving that irresistible side dish that perfectly balances sweet, spiced, and tangy flavors? This ultimate candied yams recipe delivers, transforming humble sweet potatoes into a show-stopping side in just 35 minutes.

Why This Recipe Works

What sets this recipe apart is its simple yet powerful combination of ingredients that creates a deeply flavorful glaze. By simmering garnet or ruby sweet potatoes directly in a rich sauce of brown sugar, aromatic cinnamon, warming ginger, and bright orange juice, you achieve perfectly tender yams infused with incredible flavor. The stovetop method ensures a consistent, glossy finish without the fuss of oven baking.

What to Expect

Prepare for a truly decadent experience. Each bite offers tender, melt-in-your-mouth sweet potato coated in a glistening, thick glaze that’s sweet but balanced by the zesty orange. The subtle warmth of ginger and cinnamon adds complexity, preventing the dish from being overly cloying. It’s a comforting, vibrant side that feels both classic and incredibly special, perfect for making any meal feel like a feast.

Customization & Variations

This recipe shines with garnet or ruby sweet potatoes for their vibrant color and texture. However, you can easily adjust the brown sugar amount to perfectly match your desired sweetness level. For an even richer, more luscious glaze, a touch more butter can be stirred in towards the end of cooking.

Serving & Context

These candied yams are the quintessential holiday side dish, but they’re equally wonderful for a cozy family dinner or any gathering where you want to impress. They pair beautifully with savory roasted meats like turkey, ham, or pork, providing a delightful sweet counterpoint to rich main courses.

Frequently Asked Questions