Sautéed Sweet Potatoes

by Kayla Berman on February 16, 2023 1 comment

Sautéed Sweet Potatoes are a quick, easy, healthy, and delicious side dish recipe! Made in under 30 minutes on the stovetop with sweet potatoes, olive oil, and simple seasonings … these potatoes are flavorful, tender, and versatile. Perfect for meal prep or as a nutritious side to any main course dinner!

Looking for more ways to prepare the orange root veggie? I love air frying sweet potato cubes or air frying whole sweet potatoes for an easy side dish too!

Simple & Delicious Side Dish Recipe

I have always loved sweet potatoes! They’re just so good for you and so delicious too.

My go-to method of preparing them up until this point has been roasting. It’s a pretty solid method in my opinion! The only thing is … it takes forever.

I’m talking 45 minutes to an hour! I just simply do not have time for that … especially when I’m hangry.

That is where Sautéed Sweet Potato Cubes come in. It is not the most traditional way of preparing the starchy root vegetable, but boy should it be!

This method is quick, easy, and cooks the potatoes perfectly. They’re crispy on the outside, soft and tender in the middle, and a lovely switch up from your regular sweet potatoes.

Plus this recipe is super customizable and versatile. You can season the sweet potato cubes however you’d like and enjoy in countless ways.

For breakfast with eggs, as an element of meal prep lunch, or as the perfect side dish to any main course at dinner.

No matter which way you choose to serve it, I promise you’ll love this healthy side dish!

Ingredients

This simple recipe is pretty much as easy as it gets for ingredients! You only need six … two of which are salt and pepper.

Ingredient Notes

Sweet Potatoes: The most important ingredient here is sweet potatoes! I used 3 classic orange sweet potatoes, but I think purple sweet potatoes would work as well.
Olive Oil: This quick side dish calls for a little bit of oil to sauté up the diced sweet potatoes. 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil is all you need! Coconut oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil should all work as well … use whatever you have on hand.
Seasonings: The seasonings are kept pretty simple here! I think sweet potatoes are so delicious on their own that they don’t need too much in addition. Just 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper are perfect to add some extra flavor!

Kitchen Tools

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How To Sauté Sweet Potatoes

These easy sautéed sweet potatoes are the perfect side dish for busy weeknights!

They require barely any prep time, are low effort, and are much quicker than roasting. The only thing you really need to do is stir them up every so often!

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1: First wash, peel, and dice the sweet potatoes into small evenly sized pieces.

Step 2: Next add the olive oil to a large cast-iron skillet or pan on the stove top over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the sweet potato cubes. Toss, spread the cubes out into a single layer, and then let sit undisturbed for 5 minutes.

Step 3: Then sauté for another 5 minutes, stirring intermittently.

Step 4: Add the garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the sweet potatoes. Combine. Sauté on medium heat for another 5-10 minutes until fork tender. Stirring every couple of minutes.

Step 5: Serve and enjoy!

Seasoning Options

You can truly add whatever seasonings or spices you’d like to this easy side dish! Feel free to flavor the sweet potato pieces however you see fit.

Here are some ideas:

Brown sugar – to enhance the natural sweetness
Cinnamon – warm spices go fabulously with sweet potato
Red Pepper Flakes, Cayenne Pepper – spice it up
Italian seasoning – a classic blend
Sea salt & pepper – sometimes I just love to keep it simple

Expert Tips

Make sure to cut the sweet potatoes into very small, evenly sized pieces. This will ensure each piece is cooked through perfectly!

Use a well seasoned cast iron skillet or large non-stick pan for the best results.

Arrange the sweet potato pieces in a single, even layer. Don’t overcrowd the pan!

Add a little oil if you need throughout the cooking process. This will help with any sticking or burning you may encounter.

Season with whatever you’d like! The listed seasonings are truly just one option of many.

Serving Ideas

This recipe is a great side dish to so many main course options! Here are some easy recipes to serve the nutritious potatoes with:

You could also enjoy this recipe as a sort of sweet potato hash with a fried egg on top for breakfast!

I personally love to meal prep a big batch and then use in all sorts of ways throughout my week. These sweet potatoes are the perfect healthy carb source to have on hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are sweet potatoes healthy?

Sweet potatoes are a highly nutritious food! I am not a nutritionist or dietician, but the facts speak for themselves … they are amazing for you.

Sweet potatoes are a fantastic source of fiber and vitamins. They’re super filling and a great source of complex carbohydrates to include in your diet!

Can I use regular potatoes?

Yes! I don’t see why regular potatoes wouldn’t work in this simple dish.

The cooking time may just be slightly different.

Can I leave the skin on the potatoes?

Totally! This is kind of a personal preference thing.

What should I do if my sweet potatoes are getting stuck to the pan or burning?

If your sweet potatoes are getting stuck to the pan or burning, I recommend adding a bit more oil and maybe turning the heat lower.

You could also turn the heat lower and cover the pan. This will help soften the sweet potatoes, but prevent the charring and burning.

How to best store this recipe?

You can store this recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The sweet potatoes will keep for about 5 days!

Love this recipe? Check out some more delicious side dishes below…

Connect With Me!

If you make this sweet potato recipe or any of my other recipes, I would absolutely love to know! Tag me @wellnessbykay on Instagram so I can see and share your recreations.

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