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29 Surprising Ways to Use Sweet Potatoes

29 Surprising Ways to Use Sweet Potatoes

September 08, 2016

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Photo: Justin Walker; Styling: Kaitlyn Duross Walker

Sweet potatoes are the new cranberry—they’re everywhere! Unlike cranberries, however, sweet potatoes haven’t found their way into our apple juice yet (phew!), and they can stand alone as the star of many dishes and courses. You’ve already had sweet potatoes baked, mashed, fried, and in casseroles—now take them to the next level with one of our creative, and sometimes, surprising recipes. Tater tots? Yep. Biscuits? We’ve got them. Tamales and flan? You know it!

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Sweet Potato Noodles with Shrimp and Thai-Style Almond Sauce

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

View Recipe: Sweet Potato Noodles with Shrimp and Thai-Style Almond Sauce

Smarter carbs are easy with the handy spiralizer—it works like a pencil sharpener to create long strands of veggies. Find the tool at kitchen stores and amazon.com. Spiralized veggies are showing up everywhere—in salads, in place of pasta, and even in desserts. These sweet potato "zoodles" transform a traditional pad thai recipe into a fun twist on a weeknight favorite. The best news? This recipe comes together in 20 minutes, making it a go-to for any busy weeknight. Break out your spiralizer, get the family involved, and get cooking on your new favorite recipe featuring the best of fall flavor.

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Sweet Potato and Shrimp Cakes with Nuoc Cham

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

View Recipe: Sweet Potato and Shrimp Cakes with Nuoc Cham

We consider this dish a modern Vietnamese cook's interpretation of a classic. If you can find white sweet potatoes, use them—they're drier and less sweet than their orange cousins, but traditional sweet potatoes will work just fine, too. Place the dipping sauce in a bowl surrounded by the lettuce and herbs so guests can build their own lettuce wraps as they like. If your family enjoys crab cakes or salmon cakes, break out this recipe to expand the weeknight menu rotation and give everyone a chance to practice their chopstick skills. This dish cooks from start to finish in only about 30 minutes.

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Spinach and Feta Quiche with Sweet Potato Crust

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

View Recipe: Spinach and Feta Quiche with Sweet Potato Crust

The simple, scalloped shell made from thinly sliced rounds of sweet potatoes makes this version of a popular brunch (or supper) dish gluten-free. Choose potatoes with comparable diameters to create uniform slices for the easy-to-make crust. A mandoline makes slicing quick and precise, but a sharp chef's knife will work too. You can also slice the potatoes in the food processor using the slicing blade.

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Workout Recovery

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Workout Recovery

We were amazed at how delectably creamy the sweet potato becomes in the juicer, plus it's a bit higher in calories and loaded with potassium to balance and replenish your electrolytes after exercise.

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Gingered Sweet Potato Soup with Marshmallow and Peanut Topper

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Kira Corbin

View Recipe: Gingered Sweet Potato Soup with Marshmallow and Peanut Topper

Enjoy the taste of sweet potato casserole in soup form by topping pureed sweet potatoes with unsalted peanuts and mini marshmallows.

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Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Bacon and Sage

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Bacon and Sage

Smoky bacon and salty cheese, such as pecorino Romano, provide the perfect balance to lightly sweet gnocchi.

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Spiralized Sweet Potato Noodles

Photo: Rebecca Longshore

View Recipe: Spiralized Sweet Potato Noodles

Smoky bacon and earthy Brussels sprouts unite to bring a punch of flavor and texture to this naturally sweet veg. Add a couple of cashews for a touch of crunch, and you’ve got a healthy main course meal that feels just as decadent and satisfying as your average pasta dish.

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Sweet Potato Biscuits with Honey-Pecan Butter

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Sweet Potato Biscuits with Honey-Pecan Butter

Baking a sweet potato brings out its natural sweetness, but if you’re short on time, use the microwave instead. Or look for canned mashed sweet potato at specialty markets. Try these split and stuffed with Virginia ham, without the Honey-Pecan Butter.

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Sweet Potato and Sausage Strata

Photo: Linda Pugliese

View Recipe: Sweet Potato and Sausage Strata

Hand over the reins: Let the kids assemble this savory-sweet oven-baked treat. If you make this dish ahead, bring it to room temperature before baking so it will reheat evenly.

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Grilled Sweet Potato and Napa Cabbage Salad with Lime Vinaigrette

Photo: Johnny Autry

View Recipe: Grilled Sweet Potato and Napa Cabbage Salad with Lime Vinaigrette

To save time, you could also cook the pumpkin seeds in a skillet directly on the grill.

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Sweet Potato Tots

Sara Tane

View Recipe: Sweet Potato Tots

Take a break from sweet potato fries and try out tots instead. Oven-baked until they're brown and crispy, these tots will satisfy your wildest savory cravings without overloading you with calories and fat. Served with a zippy jalapeño ranch dipping sauce that's loaded with protein and fresh herbs, these cute sweet potato tots make for the perfect appetizer or mid-afternoon snack that your kids will devour.

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Clean Sweet Potato Pancakes

Photo: Rebecca Longshore

View Recipe: 2-Ingredient Sweet Potato Pancakes

Light, fluffy, and most importantly, 2 ingredients—these pancakes are absolutely to die for! The best part—they’re simple enough for weekdays, yet feel indulgent enough for weekend brunch (even though they’re not indulgent at all). Simply combine one roasted sweet potato with two eggs, and you have clean pancake batter ready to be cooked.

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Sweet Potato Gratin

Photo: Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Sweet Potato Gratin

Put a twist on a conventional side dish by substituting sweet potatoes. A sprinkle of Parmesan and thyme adds unique flavor to this savory sweet potato gratin.

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Sweet Potato and Chickpea Cakes with Avocado Salsa

Photo: Jason Wallis

View Recipe: Sweet Potato and Chickpea Cakes with Avocado Salsa

Onion and spicy jalapeño serve as a flavorful contrast to the sweet potato in these quick and easy cakes.

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Black Bean and Sweet Potato Tamales with Tomatillo Sauce

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Black Bean and Sweet Potato Tamales with Tomatillo Sauce

Not your average tamale–this recipe calls for a unique combination of black beans and sweet potatoes that will serve up an unforgettable dinner dish.

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Sweet Potato and Pecan Flapjacks

View Recipe: Sweet Potato and Pecan Flapjacks

Cornmeal adds crunch, and mashed sweet potatoes lend creaminess to this weekend favorite. Yellow- or white-fleshed sweet potatoes have a dry and crumbly texture when baked and are not moist enough to make tender pancakes, so use the orange variety. For convenience, roast a sweet potato the night before. Serve with maple syrup, butter, and fresh fruit, if desired.

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Sweet Potato Soufflé

Photo: Howard L. Puckett

View Recipe: Sweet Potato Soufflé

Savory and sweet, this soufflé can be served as a side dish or dessert. With our easy-to-handle recipe you'll be enjoying your delicious confection in no time.

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Sweet Potato and Black Bean Empanadas

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Sweet Potato and Black Bean Empanadas

Mild sweet potatoes and black beans take on smoky, spicy tastes from cumin and chiles. These pies are great served hot out of the oven at a party; leftovers also make a tasty room-temperature snack.

Round out the menu with a mixed salad featuring your favorite greens and Chipotle-Yogurt Dressing, an easy, flavor-packed dressing.

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Sweet Potato Chile Mac

Photo: Johnny Autry

View Recipe: Sweet Potato Chile Mac

Crispy bits of Mexican chorizo (fresh, crumbly sausage–not to be confused with Spanish chorizo) create a delicious topping for this sweet-spicy take on mac and cheese. There's a fair amount of heat here, so if you prefer mild food, use even less chipotle.

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Roasted Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Pilau

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Roasted Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Pilau

Hearty pumpkin and creamy sweet potatoes steal the show in this cool-weather pilaf. It’s an ideal way to add fiber to your diet and a beautiful showcase for some underused winter vegetables.

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Spicy Veggie Hash

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Spicy Veggie Hash

Time: 35 minutes

Prep Tip: Wrap the bowl of grilled onions in plastic wrap so they "sweat," producing a mellow, slightly sweet liquid for the dressing

Serve with Grilled Onion Salad with Lime Vinaigrette

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Chili-Roasted Sweet Potato Nuggets

View Recipe: Chili-Roasted Sweet Potato Nuggets

Sweet potatoes are so good for you. They’re an excellent source of vitamin B6, C, and D, and contain iron and magnesium. Dice them up and bake them at a really high temperature. The results are delicious!

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Sweet Potato-Bourbon Tart

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Sweet Potato-Bourbon Tart

This post-dinner treat is going to be a holiday hit. Bourbon packs a kick of flavor that guests will find irresistible.

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Sweet Potato-Pecan Burgers with Caramelized Onions

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Sweet Potato-Pecan Burgers with Caramelized Onions

Choose breads labeled 100 percent whole wheat or whole grain to make sure you're getting their benefits. Nuts add healthful unsaturated fats and filling protein to this tasty vegetarian sandwich.

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Flan from Leftover Sweet Potato

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Sweet Potato Buttered Rum Flan

This flan—Spanish baked custard—is best when made with leftover sweet potatoes that have been simply prepared and minimally seasoned. Use ground nutmeg in place of grated whole nutmeg, if you prefer.

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Buttered Sweet Potato Knot Rolls

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Buttered Sweet Potato Knot Rolls

Don't be scared to make homemade bread. Take some time to learn the process, and you'll enjoy the payoff. Here canned sweet potato adds moisture and sweet notes to delectable rolls.

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Moroccan Shepherd's Pie

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Moroccan Shepherd's Pie

Sweet potatoes provide a nice foil for the full-flavored lamb, tangy olives, and earthy spices. You can also bake the entire mixture in an 8-inch square baking dish. Assemble up to a day ahead, cover, refrigerate, and bake just before serving.

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Microwave Sweet Potato Chips

Photo: Romulo Yanes

View Recipe: Microwave Sweet Potato Chips

You won't want to miss these sweet potato chips. You'll need a mandoline to slice the potato thin enough to crisp. The results are delicious and easy, sans the hassle of the oven.

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Sweet Potato Bread

Photo: Hannah Whitaker

View Recipe: Sweet Potato Bread

Inspired by carrot cake, we created a cream cheese-frosted bread. This treat is peppered with sweet raisins and crunchy pecans and frosted with cream cheese that has a lemony zing.

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Fish House Sweet Potato Hash

Photo: Justin Walker; Styling: Kaitlyn Duross Walker

View Recipe: Fish House Sweet Potato Hash

We absolutely love this simple, comforting hash. It pairs well with almost anything—Grilled Trout with Cherry Compote, as well as roast chicken, pork chops, steak, and even sunny-side-up eggs. If you would like to get a head start on the recipe, you can bake the sweet potatoes a day or two ahead; then you'll only need about 15 minutes to pull the dish together.

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29 Surprising Ways to Use Sweet Potatoes

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Sweet Potato Noodles with Shrimp and Thai-Style Almond Sauce

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Sweet Potato and Shrimp Cakes with Nuoc Cham

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Spinach and Feta Quiche with Sweet Potato Crust

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Workout Recovery

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Gingered Sweet Potato Soup with Marshmallow and Peanut Topper

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Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Bacon and Sage

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Spiralized Sweet Potato Noodles

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Sweet Potato Biscuits with Honey-Pecan Butter

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Sweet Potato and Sausage Strata

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Grilled Sweet Potato and Napa Cabbage Salad with Lime Vinaigrette

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Sweet Potato Tots

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Clean Sweet Potato Pancakes

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Sweet Potato Gratin

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Sweet Potato and Chickpea Cakes with Avocado Salsa

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Black Bean and Sweet Potato Tamales with Tomatillo Sauce

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Sweet Potato and Pecan Flapjacks

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Sweet Potato Soufflé

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Sweet Potato and Black Bean Empanadas

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Sweet Potato Chile Mac

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Roasted Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Pilau

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Spicy Veggie Hash

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Chili-Roasted Sweet Potato Nuggets

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Sweet Potato-Bourbon Tart

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Sweet Potato-Pecan Burgers with Caramelized Onions

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Flan from Leftover Sweet Potato

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Buttered Sweet Potato Knot Rolls

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