Chef John's Glazed Sweet Potatoes

Name: Chef John's Glazed Sweet Potatoes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup Brown Sugar; 1 dash Cayenne Pepper; 0.25 tsp Ground Cinnamon; 0.5 tsp Ground Ginger; 0.5 cup Lemon Juice; 0.25 cup Maple Syrup; 1 handful Pistachios; 3 tbsp Salt; 3 lb Sweet Potato; 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter; 2 qt Water

Side Dish 🥗 American Low-Sodium Gluten-Free Vegetarian 🥦Plant-Based 🌻Ayurvedic 🧘Halal 🕌Kosher ✡️Pescatarian 🐟

Chef John's Glazed Sweet Potatoes balance bright lemon with maple sweetness, coating tender orange-fleshed yams in a glossy, spiced glaze. Hints of ginger, cinnamon, and a touch of cayenne add warmth and complexity, while a sprinkle of nuts brings welcome crunch. Serve this festive side for holiday dinners, Sunday roasts, or any comforting fall meal.

Prep10 mins
Cook20 mins
Serves8
DifficultyEasy

1

Stir the salt into 2 quarts of cold water in a large pot. Add the sweet potato pieces to the pot and set over high heat; bring to a simmer. Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer until the potatoes are just shy of tender but still cooked, 5 to 7 minutes. Check doneness with the tip of a knife. Drain.
2

Add the brown sugar, butter, lemon juice, maple syrup, ginger, cinnamon, cayenne, and a pinch of salt to a skillet. Set over medium-high heat, stirring until the glaze ingredients melt and start to bubble. Keep cooking, stirring occasionally, until the mixture begins to thicken, 4 to 6 minutes.
3

Add the drained sweet potatoes to a skillet. Turn the heat to high; cook and stir until the potatoes are coated with the glaze and very tender, and the glaze has thickened, 5 to 8 minutes. Move to a serving dish; garnish with chopped nuts.