These smoked sweet potatoes topped with a garlic sage butter are an easy and tasty side dish for any meal. Ideal for barbecues, holiday gatherings or meal prep, this recipe brings gourmet flavor with minimal effort.
When it comes to the smoker/pellet grill, the options are endless, from smoked pork butt to a smoked spatchcock chicken to smoked pork tenderloin to smoked filet mignon.
But most people (me included) think of using a smoker to cook a main dish. However it can also be used for delicious sides to complement the meal.
Jump to:
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Simple - With just 6 ingredients, it is super easy to prepare. You just let your smoker do the work and make some garlic sage butter on the side.
- Flavorful - While there is minimal ingredients, you get a subtle smoke flavor with every bite which makes it quite addicting.
- Pairs with any dish - These sweet potatoes pair wonderfully with grilled meats, roasted vegetables or even hearty salads, making them a versatile side for nearly any meal.
Ingredient Notes
- Sweet potato - Choose medium-sized sweet potatoes with even thickness for uniform cooking. Their natural sweetness intensifies when smoked.
- Olive oil - Lightly coat the sweet potatoes to help them absorb the smoky flavor and add a touch of richness.
- Unsalted butter - Browning the butter gives great flavor.
- Garlic - Adds some aromatic flavors to the browned butter when mixed in the sweet potatoes.
- Sage - Adds an earthy/aromatic flavor to the butter. Dried sage works too but should be used sparingly as it’s more potent.
- Salt - Essential for balancing the sweetness and bringing out natural flavors.
Variations
While I like the savory notes from the butter, sage and garlic, you can mix up what you top the sweet potatoes with. Some options include:
- Cooked taco meat and cheese
- Maple cinnamon butter
- Sautéed peppers and onions
- Marshmallows, brown sugar and cinnamon
- Blue cheese, walnuts and honey
How to Make Smoked Sweet Potatoes
Please note full ingredient list and instructions can be found in recipe card below.
Step 1: Pierce the sweet potatoes with a fork on all sides before drizzling olive oil over the skin. Season with salt.
Step 2: Place in a smoker at 250°F and smoke for 2 hours or until cooked through.
Step 3: Brown the butter before adding the remaining salt, garlic and sage.
Step 4: Once the sweet potatoes are done, slice open and fluff it up. Add some of the garlic sage butter.
Recipe FAQs
You want wood that will produce a slightly sweet flavor so cherry or apple is best.
If smoking at 250°F, it should take about 2 hours. If you're short on time, you can smoke at 350°F for about 45 minutes, but you'll have less smoke flavor.
You know it's cooked when you can pierce easily with a fork. The best way though is to use an internal thermometer and cook to 210°F.
You can keep them in an airtight container for 3 days in the fridge.
If you have leftovers, wrap the sweet potatoes in aluminum foil and reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Pick sweet potatoes that are similar in size for even cooking.
- Use a fruit wood for a subtle smoke flavor like cherry or apple.
- If you're short on time, you can smoke at 350°F for about 45 minutes, but you'll have less smoke flavor.
- Cooked sweet potatoes should have fork easily pierce through it.
- You will know the brown butter is ready when there is a nutty aroma and there are lightly browned specks on the bottom of the pan.
Other Recommended Side Dish Recipes
If you’ve tried this smoked sweet potatoes or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below. And if you prefer baked potatoes, give these smoked baked potatoes a try! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.
Smoked Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 large sweet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ¼ teaspoon sea salt, divided
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat smoker to 250°F. Wash and dry the sweet potatoes. Pierce with a fork on all sides and the drizzle with olive oil, rubbing all of the skin. Season with 1 teaspoon salt.
- Smoke the sweet potatoes for 2 hours or until you can pierce with a fork.
- While sweet potatoes or cooking, make garlic sage butter. Melt butter in small skillet and cook until it is starting to brown, about 2-3 minutes. Add garlic, sage and ¼ teaspoon salt and cook for 30 seconds. Remove from heat and set aside.
- When the sweet potatoes are done, split open with a knife and fluff the insides. Top with some of the garlic sage butter.
Notes
- Pick sweet potatoes that are similar in size for even cooking.
- Use a fruit wood for a subtle smoke flavor like cherry or apple.
- If you're short on time, you can smoke at 350°F for about 45 minutes, but you'll have less smoke flavor.
- Cooked sweet potatoes should have fork easily pierce through it.
- You will know the brown butter is ready when there is a nutty aroma and there are lightly browned specks on the bottom of the pan.
Leave a Reply