Perfect Ina Garten Glazed Sweet Potatoes Recipe for Fall Magic

Ina Garten’s glazed sweet potatoes transform an ordinary vegetable into a culinary masterpiece that dances between sweet and savory.

Robust root vegetables become luxurious when caramelized with rich, golden ingredients that enhance their natural earthy qualities.

Kitchen magic happens when simple seasonings interact with tender, sliced potatoes, creating a sensational side dish.

Warm maple syrup and aged balsamic vinegar elevate the humble tuber into something extraordinary and memorable.

Careful preparation unlocks deep, complex flavors that complement multiple main course selections.

Sophisticated yet approachable, these glazed sweet potatoes offer a delightful balance of textures and sophisticated taste profiles.

Preparing this dish signals your commitment to transforming everyday ingredients into something spectacular: prepare to impress.

Why Glazed Sweet Potatoes Are a Fall Favorite

• Create Effortless Flavor Layers: This recipe transforms simple sweet potatoes into a gourmet side dish by layering complex flavors through strategic cooking techniques like sautéing and glazing with maple syrup and balsamic vinegar.
• Achieve Perfect Texture Balance: The method of cooking covered then uncovered ensures sweet potatoes develop a tender interior while creating irresistible caramelized edges with a slight crispness around the borders.
• Master One-Pan Convenience: Ina Garten's approach eliminates multiple cookware and complicated steps, allowing home cooks to prepare a restaurant-quality side dish using just a single sauté pan with minimal ingredients and straightforward instructions.
• Elevate Everyday Ingredients: Transforming basic sweet potatoes into a sophisticated dish happens through simple additions like maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, and carefully controlled heat, proving gourmet cooking doesn't require extensive culinary training.

Ingredients for Glazed Sweet Potatoes

• Sweet Potatoes: Rich, orange root vegetable perfect for caramelizing and creating a hearty side dish. Choose firm potatoes with smooth, unblemished skin.
• Water: Essential for initial steaming and creating moisture during cooking.
• Olive Oil: Provides rich flavor and helps prevent sticking while promoting even browning.

• Butter: Adds creamy richness and helps create a smooth, glossy coating on the sweet potatoes.
• Kosher Salt, Fine Sea Salt: Enhances natural sweetness and balances overall flavor. Choose based on personal preference.
• Black Pepper: Offers subtle heat and depth to complement the sweet potatoes' natural sweetness.

• Maple Syrup: Creates a beautiful caramelized glaze with deep, complex sweetness. Use pure maple syrup for best results.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Provides tangy contrast and helps balance the dish's sweetness with a subtle acidic note.
• Sea Salt: Sprinkled at the end for a final flavor boost and textural finish.

Oven-Roasted Sweet Potatoes Made Easy

Step 1: Prepare the Cooking Pan

Place sweet potatoes in a large 12-inch sauté pan. Add water and olive oil. Cover and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes to start the cooking process.

• Sweet potatoes
• Water
• Olive oil

Tip: Use a pan large enough to spread potatoes evenly.

Step 2: Season and Add Butter

Remove the lid and enhance the flavor profile by adding additional ingredients.

• Olive oil
• Butter
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Toss the potatoes gently to distribute seasonings and create an even layer.

Step 3: Develop Golden Crispiness

Sauté the sweet potatoes uncovered over medium heat. Cook for 12-15 minutes until they become tender and start developing a golden exterior. Occasionally turn the potatoes with a metal spatula to ensure even cooking. Increase heat slightly at the end to reduce any remaining liquid.

Step 4: Create Delicious Glaze

Remove pan from heat. Drizzle sweet potatoes with maple syrup and balsamic vinegar. Gently toss to coat every potato piece with the glossy, sweet-tangy glaze.

Step 5: Final Touch and Serving

Sprinkle with a light dusting of sea salt. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve immediately while hot and at peak flavor.

Serving suggestion: Perfect as a side dish for holiday meals or weeknight dinners.

Sweet Potato Tips from the Pros

• Slice Uniformly for Perfect Cooking: Take your time to cut sweet potatoes into precise, equal-sized pieces, guaranteeing each bite cooks consistently and develops a beautiful golden color.
• Splurge on Authentic Maple Syrup: Invest in real, pure maple syrup to elevate the dish's flavor profile, creating a rich and complex sweetness that distinguishes this recipe from ordinary side dishes.
• Embrace Balsamic's Magic Touch: A quality aged balsamic vinegar transforms the glaze, introducing a delightful tanginess that deepens the overall taste and creates a sophisticated flavor balance.
• Boost Caramelization with Final Heat Burst: Cranking up the oven temperature during the last few minutes helps concentrate flavors, creating delectable crispy edges and bringing out the natural sugars in the sweet potatoes.
• Finishing Salt Makes All the Difference: A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt just before serving adds a delightful textural contrast and enhances the sweet and tangy glaze, making each bite more memorable.

Storage Tips for Sweet Potato Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Seal cooled sweet potatoes in an airtight glass container with a tight-fitting lid, keeping them fresh and preventing flavor absorption from other foods. Enjoy within 3 days for optimal taste and texture.
• Freeze: Portion leftover glazed sweet potatoes into freezer-safe containers, leaving a small space at the top for expansion. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap before sealing the lid to prevent freezer burn. Store up to 2 months for a quick future side dish.
• Reheat: Warm refrigerated or thawed sweet potatoes in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil to retain moisture. Sprinkle a few drops of water before reheating to revive their original glossy glaze and prevent drying out. Stir gently halfway through heating to ensure even temperature distribution.

Twist Ideas for Sweet Potatoes

• Spicy Maple Kick: Add 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes or chipotle powder to the potatoes for a bold, warming heat that complements the sweet maple glaze.
• Herb-Infused Edition: Sprinkle fresh chopped rosemary or thyme during the last 5 minutes of cooking to introduce earthy, aromatic notes that elevate the sweet potato flavor.
• Nutty Crunch Upgrade: Scatter toasted pecans or sliced almonds over the glazed sweet potatoes just before serving, creating a delightful textural contrast and rich, nutty undertones.
• Citrus Zest Version: Grate orange or lemon zest over the finished dish to brighten the flavors and add a fresh, tangy dimension to the sweet and savory profile.

A Sweet Sign-Off for Glazed Potatoes

Sweet potato magic unfolds in Ina Garten’s glazed masterpiece, blending classic comfort with gourmet sophistication.

Mediterranean-inspired techniques elevate humble ingredients into culinary poetry.

Maple syrup and balsamic vinegar create complex flavor landscapes that dance across palates.

Salt crystals provide perfect counterpoints to caramelized edges, making each bite a sensory revelation.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe bridges home cooking and professional artistry.

Perfect companions include roasted meats or weekend brunch spreads.

You’ll crave seconds, share the recipe with friends, and bookmark this game-changing side dish that transforms ordinary meals into extraordinary experiences.

Ina Garten Glazed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

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4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s glazed sweet potatoes offer a luxurious side dish that marries classic Southern comfort with elegant French technique. Rich maple syrup and butter caramelize perfectly, creating a golden, glistening potato medley that makes you want to savor each sensational bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) sweet potatoes, peeled and ½ to ¾-inch diced (4 small)
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) unsalted butter

Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) good olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Finishing Touches:

• Aged balsamic vinegar, such as Villa Manodori
• Sea salt or fleur de sel

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Instructions

1. Arrange sweet potatoes in a spacious 12-inch (30 cm) sauté pan, combining water and olive oil. Securely cover and simmer over medium temperature for 5 minutes.
2. Uncover the pan and incorporate an additional olive oil, unsalted butter, kosher salt (or fine sea salt), and half a teaspoon ground black pepper. Gently toss the potatoes to distribute seasonings evenly across the surface.
3. Continue cooking the sweet potatoes uncovered, maintaining medium heat for 12-15 minutes. Periodically rotate the potatoes using a metal spatula to ensure uniform caramelization and tenderness. Gradually increase heat during the final moments to eliminate any remaining liquid.
4. Remove the pan from heat and drizzle pure maple syrup and aged balsamic vinegar over the potatoes. Carefully toss to create a glossy, flavorful coating.
5. Finish the dish by sprinkling a light layer of sea salt. Taste and make final seasoning adjustments as needed. Transfer to a serving dish and present while piping hot.

Notes

• Perfectly slice sweet potatoes into uniform ½ to ¾-inch chunks to guarantee consistent cooking and prevent burning edges.
• Select premium pure maple syrup for authentic, rich flavor that transforms the entire dish with its deep, natural sweetness.
• Drizzle high-quality aged balsamic vinegar to introduce a complex tangy-sweet undertone that elevates the roasted sweet potatoes’ taste profile.
• Crank up kitchen heat during final cooking minutes to create delightful caramelized edges and concentrate the potatoes’ natural sugars.
• Finish with a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt right before serving to enhance every single bite with a subtle, satisfying crunch.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 of 4 servings
• Calories: 352 kcal
• Sugar: 39 g
• Sodium: 96 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Carbohydrates: 66 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 24 mg