Ina Garten’s Zesty Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe – Quick & Tangy

Sweet potatoes transform ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences with their vibrant colors and rich, complex flavors.

These sunshine-hued root vegetables pack incredible nutritional power and versatile cooking potential.

Roasting brings out their natural sweetness while creating irresistible caramelized edges that tantalize taste buds.

Each slice promises a robust profile of earthy warmth and subtle complexity.

The magic happens when simple ingredients dance together, creating layers of unexpected depth.

Complementary seasonings like smoky chipotle and bright citrus elevate these humble tubers from basic to brilliant.

Why Sweet Potatoes & Chipotle Are Magic

• Unleash Flavor-Packed Punch: This recipe transforms ordinary sweet potatoes into a mouthwatering dish with a bold chipotle orange butter that delivers an incredible flavor explosion in every bite.
• Elevate Weeknight Cooking Ease: Requiring minimal prep and using simple techniques, this recipe turns a basic roasted potato into a restaurant-worthy side dish that impresses without complicated cooking skills.
• Create Gourmet Butter Magic: The homemade chipotle orange butter brings an unexpected twist of smoky, sweet, and tangy notes that perfectly complement the natural sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes, making each serving feel like a culinary adventure.
• Nail Stress-Free Entertaining: With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe allows home cooks to create a sophisticated side dish that looks and tastes complex but comes together with surprising simplicity.

Gather These for Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Main Ingredients:

Sweet Potatoes: Hearty root vegetable with natural sweetness, perfect for roasting and absorbing flavors. Choose firm potatoes with smooth, unblemished skin and deep orange color.

Butter: Rich, creamy base for the compound butter that adds luxurious flavor and silky texture. Unsalted butter recommended for better flavor control.

• Maple Syrup: Natural sweetener that balances the spicy and tangy elements. Look for pure, high-quality maple syrup.
• Chipotle Pepper, Adobo Sauce: Smoky, spicy ingredients that provide deep, complex heat. Canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce work best.
• Orange Zest: Bright, citrusy element that adds freshness and aromatic complexity. Use fresh oranges for the most vibrant flavor.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall flavor profile. Freshly ground black pepper recommended for best taste.

Roast Sweet Potatoes with Bold Citrus Flavor

Step 1: Prepare Oven

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Ready The Potatoes

Wash sweet potatoes thoroughly. Using a sharp knife, carefully pierce each potato in multiple spots to prevent bursting during roasting.

Step 3: Roast Potato Delights

Place potatoes on prepared baking sheet. Roast in the oven for approximately 60 minutes until they become incredibly soft. Test tenderness by inserting a knife – it should glide through smoothly.

Step 4: Create Flavor-Packed Butter

• Unsalted butter
• Maple syrup
• Chipotle pepper
• Adobo sauce
• Orange zest
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix on medium speed until ingredients blend seamlessly and create a smooth mixture.

Step 5: Shape Butter Log

Spread parchment paper on counter. Transfer butter mixture onto paper. Use a rubber spatula to shape into a tight log. Wrap carefully and refrigerate for minimum 15 minutes to firm up.

Step 6: Serve With Flair

Remove potatoes from oven. Slice open each potato’s top. Gently press ends to create a fluffy interior. Sprinkle with additional salt and pepper. Slice butter log into rounds. Place two butter slices inside each potato. Serve immediately while hot and steaming.

Pro Tip: For extra zest, garnish with fresh chopped herbs like cilantro or green onions.

Tips for Balancing Heat and Sweet

• Match Sweet Potato Sizes: Select uniform sweet potatoes to guarantee consistent cooking and ensure each potato reaches perfect tenderness simultaneously.
• Prevent Potato Explosions: Carefully pierce sweet potatoes multiple times to release steam and avoid unexpected oven mishaps during roasting.
• Soften Butter Strategically: Allow butter to reach room temperature for seamless blending, creating a silky-smooth chipotle orange butter with minimal effort.
• Chill Butter for Easy Serving: Refrigerate the compound butter log for at least 15 minutes, transforming it into a sliceable, elegant topping that melts beautifully over hot potatoes.
• Boost Flavor with Seasoning: Generously sprinkle salt and pepper before roasting to elevate the sweet potatoes' natural taste and create a delicious balance between sweet and savory notes.

Store Them Without Losing That Zing

• Freeze Individually: Carefully wrap each roasted sweet potato in plastic wrap, ensuring a tight seal to prevent freezer burn. Transfer the wrapped potatoes to a sturdy freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible. This method preserves the potatoes' texture and flavor for up to 2 months, giving you a quick and delicious backup meal.
• Refrigerate Smart: Store the sweet potatoes in an airtight container, keeping them fresh for 3 days. Place a paper towel at the bottom to absorb excess moisture and prevent sogginess. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer to maintain their crispy exterior and prevent crushing.
• Gentle Reheating: Revive the potatoes in the oven at 180°C / 350°F for 15-20 minutes.

Flavor Variations to Explore

• Spicy Maple Pecan Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Replace chipotle orange butter with a mixture of butter, chopped pecans, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper for a nutty, sweet, and spicy flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Herb-Infused Sweet Potatoes: Swap chipotle butter with a blend of butter, fresh rosemary, thyme, lemon zest, and garlic for a Mediterranean-inspired twist that brings fresh herbal notes.
• Coconut Curry Sweet Potato Remix: Create a new butter version using coconut oil, mild curry powder, fresh ginger, and a touch of honey to introduce a tropical and warming spice combination.
• Smoky Bacon Compound Butter Sweet Potatoes: Develop a compound butter with crispy crumbled bacon, smoked paprika, chives, and a splash of bourbon for a rich, savory enhancement to the roasted potatoes.

Sweet Potato Wrap-Up Worth Reading

Roasted sweet potatoes with chipotle orange butter emerge as culinary magic from Ina Garten’s kitchen collection.

Sweet and spicy notes dance across each potato slice, creating sensational flavor combinations.

Homemade butter logs provide unexpected excitement for casual and elegant dining experiences.

Mediterranean-inspired techniques elevate humble ingredients into restaurant-quality presentations.

Garten’s signature style transforms simple ingredients into memorable meals.

Passionate cooks who crave bold flavors – save this recipe, share with friends, comment below, and spread deliciousness everywhere!

Ina Garten Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Chipotle Orange Butter Recipe

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4.6 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s roasted sweet potatoes combine zesty chipotle and tangy orange butter for an irresistible side dish. Spicy-sweet flavors mingle with caramelized edges, creating a memorable culinary experience you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 6 small sweet potatoes

Flavoring Ingredients:

• ¼ pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon minced canned chipotle pepper (in adobo sauce)
• 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from the can)

Seasoning Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon grated orange zest
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by setting the temperature to 200°C / 400°F and lining a sheet pan with aluminum foil for easy cleanup and preventing sticking.
2. Carefully puncture sweet potatoes in multiple locations using a sharp knife to allow steam to escape and prevent potential bursting during roasting.
3. Position the prepared sweet potatoes on the aluminum-lined sheet pan, ensuring they are evenly spaced for consistent cooking.
4. Roast the sweet potatoes for approximately one hour, checking their tenderness by inserting a knife into the center – they should feel soft and yield easily.
5. While potatoes are roasting, create the chipotle orange butter by combining unsalted butter, maple syrup, minced chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, freshly grated orange zest, salt, and black pepper in an electric mixer.
6. Blend the butter mixture on medium speed until ingredients are thoroughly incorporated and the texture becomes smooth and uniform.
7. Transfer the flavored butter onto a 30 x 20 cm / 12 x 8-inch parchment paper sheet, using a rubber spatula to shape it into a compact log.
8. Tightly roll the butter log within the parchment paper and refrigerate for a minimum of 15 minutes to allow it to firm up.
9. Once sweet potatoes are fully roasted, create a lengthwise slit on top of each potato and gently press the ends to open them slightly.
10. Season the potatoes with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance their natural flavors.
11. Slice the chilled chipotle orange butter into 12 even portions and place two slices inside each roasted sweet potato.
12. Serve the dressed sweet potatoes immediately while they are still hot, allowing the butter to melt and infuse the potatoes with rich, spicy-sweet flavors.

Notes

• Chilling transforms the chipotle butter into a perfectly sliceable topping that melts beautifully over hot sweet potatoes.
• Room temperature butter ensures smooth blending of spices, creating a creamy and evenly distributed chipotle spread.
• Consistent potato sizing guarantees uniform cooking, preventing some pieces from being undercooked or overly mushy.
• Strategic piercing prevents explosive potato surprises in the oven, allowing steam to escape safely during roasting.
• Seasoning with salt and pepper before adding butter amplifies the natural sweetness and creates a more complex flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 of 6 servings
• Calories: 268.5
• Sugar: 9.33g
• Sodium: 127mg
• Fat: 15.55g
• Saturated Fat: 9.7g
• Carbohydrates: 31.17g
• Fiber: 4.17g
• Protein: 2.1g
• Cholesterol: 40.67mg