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Learn how to grill sweet potatoes and get the perfect side dish in under 20 minutes. Made with simple ingredients, it’s my favorite sweet potato recipe!
Looking for more hearty vegetable side dishes? Try my bacon wrapped asparagus, roasted root veggies, and cabbage steaks next.
I love oven baked sweet potatoes as much as the next guy, but when it’s grill season, I try to cook outside as much as possible.
This is where my grilled sweet potatoes enter the picture. It’s quite a unique way to cook them, but trust me- they will be a summertime staple!
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Perfect flavor and texture. I cut the potatoes into discs so they cook quickly, getting a gorgeous char on the outside while the center remains soft and tender.
- Versatile. They pair well with almost everything, from grilled chicken drumsticks to healthy burgers, you name it.
- Simple ingredients. Just sweet potatoes, oil, and a couple of spices are all you need.
- Easy to customize. I’ll share the base recipe (my favorite!) along with a few flavor swaps so you can customize them to suit your taste buds.
- They’re healthy! Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of complex carbs, fiber, and antioxidants. And since we’re grilling them, the added oil is kept to a minimum.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“These were so quick and easy! I love them!” – Kara
Ingredients needed
- Sweet potatoes. Look for bigger sweet potatoes since they make larger discs and grill up better than smaller potatoes. Don’t bother peeling them unless you prefer to.
- Oil. I like the flavor of coconut oil, but olive oil, avocado oil, or any neutral oil with a high smoke point will do.
- Salt and black pepper. To taste.
- Smoked paprika. Adds a lovely smoky flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of the potatoes.
- Brown sugar. Optional, but a pinch takes the sweetness to another level.
How to grill sweet potatoes
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Prep work. Preheat a grill to medium heat and generously grease the grill grates with cooking spray.
Step 2- Season the potatoes. In a large bowl, combine the sweet potato slices and coconut oil. Add the spices, salt, and sugar and rub all over the potatoes.
Step 3- Grill. Layer your sweet potato discs and cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Grill until fork-tender, then serve warm.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Cover the grill. Midway through, I like putting the lid on so the potatoes cook evenly and get a subtle smoky flavor.
- Slice them evenly so they cook at the same time.
- Don’t have an outdoor grill? Don’t worry about it! I’ve tested this recipe on a grill pan on the stovetop, and it turned out perfect.
- If you only have small sweet potatoes, place them on a grill pan so they don’t fall through the grates.
- Don’t forget the dipping sauce! I’m a sucker for my sweet potato dipping sauce, but you can serve them with spicy mayo, chimichurri, or sundried tomato pesto.
- Garnish the potatoes with cilantro or parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor.
Variations
While delicious as they are, here are some fun flavors to try for some variety!
- Cinnamon sugar. Add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and double the brown sugar. This is great if you’d like this as part of a dessert, too.
- Hot and spicy. Add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
- Mexican. Rub Taco seasoning over the potatoes.
- Cajun. Toss through Cajun seasoning.
- Kettle corn. Omit the smoked paprika and pepper, and swap out the brown sugar for white sugar.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to five days.
To freeze: Place the grilled and cooled potatoes in an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to six months.
Reheating: Either reheat on the grill or in a non-stick pan. Avoid microwaving them as they will become soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlike fries or wedges, there is no need to soak the potatoes before grilling them.
Either white potatoes or sweet potatoes will work for this recipe.
Sweet potatoes should be wrapped in foil if the exterior cooks more quickly than the center. Since we’re cutting the potatoes into discs, that shouldn’t be a problem.
More ways to cook sweet potatoes
- Air fryer sweet potato fries
- Baked sweet potato tots
- Air fryer baked sweet potatoes
- Stuffed sweet potatoes
Grilled Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet potatoes cut into discs
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil * See notes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat a grill or bbq to medium heat. Generously coat with cooking spray or brush with coconut oil.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the sweet potato discs and coconut oil and mix well. Add the spices, salt, and sugar and rub all over the potatoes.
- Layer your sweet potato discs and cook for approximately 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published May 2019, updated in May 2022, and republished in May 2024.
Sweet potato is my favourite side dish. I want to find purple one also but in my city there is no.
My best side dish is sweet potato, will try!
Amazing.
Need to try whit purple sweet potato.
Wondering if you could achieve the same result by air frying them. Would they differ greatly, Arman?