Description
Southern Candied Yams are a classic, comforting side dish featuring sweet potatoes slow-cooked in a rich, buttery syrup made with brown and white sugars, warm spices, vanilla, and orange juice concentrate. This traditional recipe results in tender, flavorful yams coated in a luscious sweet glaze, perfect for holiday dinners or any cozy meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 2 lb sweet potatoes
Syrup and Seasonings
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar (or light brown sugar)
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ginger
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 stick butter (8 tbsp)
- 4 tbsp frozen orange juice concentrate (thawed)
Instructions
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Scrub, peel, and slice the sweet potatoes into 1/2 inch thick rounds, ensuring uniform pieces for even cooking.
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium pot over medium-high heat, add the sliced sweet potatoes along with dark brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, vanilla extract, butter, and thawed orange juice concentrate. Stir thoroughly to coat the yams evenly with the sugar and butter mixture.
- Simmer Yams: Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover the pot and reduce heat to a simmer. Let cook gently for about 50 minutes, occasionally checking tenderness by piercing the yams with a fork or tasting. If the yams are still firm, continue simmering until tender.
- Reduce Syrup: Once the yams are tender, remove the lid and increase the heat to medium. Allow the cooking liquid to come to a boil and stir occasionally. Continue boiling for approximately 10 minutes or until the syrup thickens and coats the yams nicely.
- Keep Warm: Remove the pot from heat and transfer the candied yams to an oven-safe dish. Keep warm in the oven until ready to serve. These yams taste best served warm.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the candied yams as a delicious side dish, sharing with friends and family for a true Southern comfort food experience.
Notes
- Candied yams is a traditional Southern side dish slow-cooked on the stovetop with warm spices, sugar, and butter for a rich, sweet flavor.
- You can adjust the sweetness by using a mix of dark or light brown sugar and white sugar to suit your preference.
- For best results, ensure yams are sliced evenly to promote uniform cooking and tenderness.
- Keep the yams warm in the oven once cooked to maintain the ideal serving temperature and consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx. 150g)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 36g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
