Food & DrinkRecipesThanksgivingHolidays

The Best Sweet Potato Recipes For Thanksgiving

Think beyond the casserole.
By 

Taste Senior Editor, HuffPost

Everything Thanksgiving: Get all our Thanksgiving recipes, how-to’s and more!

 

Sweet potatoes, though welcome on the table any time of year, are a must come Thanksgiving. You might think they seem a bit redundant sitting next to the mashed potatoes, but trust us, they are an essential side dish.

 

Thanks to their natural sweetness, sweet potatoes bring a little taste of dessert to the dinner table. And it doesn’t hurt that they’re often topped with a layer of even sweeter marshmallows. Or candied pecans.

 

While we love all the traditional ways sweet potatoes make an appearance at Thanksgiving, we’re fans of trying something new. Even on Thanksgiving. We put together a collection of sweet potato recipes that offer a fresh take on how to serve this spud — with a few traditional ones mixed in as well.

1
How Sweet It Is
Bourbon Bacon Whipped Sweet Potatoes With Brown Butter And Crispy Sage
Get the Bourbon Bacon Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Brown Butter and Crispy Sage recipe from How Sweet It Is
2
Half Baked Harvest
Lighter Sweet Potato Casserole With Maple Toasted Marshmallow
Get the Lighter Sweet Potato Casserole with Maple Toasted Marshmallow recipe from Half Baked Harvest
3
How Sweet It Is
Cinnamon Sugar Hasselback Sweet Potatoes With Oatmeal Cookie Crumble
Get the Cinnamon Sugar Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with Oatmeal Cookie Crumble recipe from How Sweet It Is
4
Damn Delicious
Loaded Sweet Potatoes
Get the Loaded Sweet Potatoes recipe from Damn Delicious
5
Pinch of Yum
Sweet Potato Casserole With Pecan Crumble
Get the Sweet Potato Casserole With Pecan Crumble recipe from Pinch of Yum
6
Damn Delicious
Sweet Potato Casserole
Get the Sweet Potato Casserole recipe from Damn Delicious
7
How Sweet It Is
Apple Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Get the Apple Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes recipe from How Sweet It Is
8
Half Baked Harvest
Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Bourbon Maple Butter
Get the Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Bourbon Maple Butter recipe from Half Baked Harvest
9
How Sweet It Is
Savory Sweet Potato Casserole
Get the Savory Sweet Potato Casserole recipe from How Sweet It Is
10
Half Baked Harvest
Curried Sweet Potato Rounds With Honeyed Walnuts, Cranberries And Blue Cheese
Get the Curried Sweet Potato Rounds with Honeyed Walnuts, Cranberries and Blue Cheese recipe from Half Baked Harvest
11
How Sweet It Is
Lightened-Up Sweet Potato Casserole
Get the Lightened-Up Sweet Potato Casserole recipe from How Sweet It Is
12
Completely Delicious
Sweet Potato-Cranberry Crisp
Get the Sweet Potato-Cranberry Crisp recipe from Completely Delicious
13
Half Baked Harvest
Sweet Potato Tater Tots
Get the Sweet Potato Tater Tots recipe from Half Baked Harvest
14
Half Baked Harvest
Tandoori Butter Sweet Potato Fries
Get the Tandoori Butter Sweet Potato Fries recipe from Half Baked Harvest
15
How Sweet It Is
Roasted Grape And Goat Cheese And Honey Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Get the Roasted Grape + Goat Cheese + Honey Stuffed Sweet Potatoes recipe from How Sweet It Is
16
The Beeroness
Sweet Potato Beer Biscuits With Maple Sage Butter
Get the Sweet Potato Beer Biscuits With Maple Sage Butter recipe from The Beeroness
17
Half Baked Harvest
Maple Cream Sweet Potato Soup With Cheddar Cinnamon Sugar Twist
Get the Maple Cream Sweet Potato Soup with Cheddar Cinnamon Sugar Twist recipe from Half Baked Harvest
18
Half Baked Harvest
Simple Salty Sweet Potato Skin Chips
Get the Simple Salty Sweet Potato Skin Chips recipe from Half Baked Harvest
19
Half Baked Harvest
Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole With Sweet ‘N Savory Bacon Pecans
Get the Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole with Sweet ‘n Savory Bacon Pecans recipe from Half Baked Harvest
20
Foodie Crush
Maple Buttered Sweet Potato Wedges
Get the Maple Buttered Sweet Potato Wedges recipe from Foodie Crush
21
Completely Delicious
Sweet Potato Crescent Rolls
Get the Sweet Potato Crescent Rolls recipe from Completely Delicious

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

The Best Roasting Pans To Buy For Your Thanksgiving Turkey And Beyond
Cuisinart MultiClad Pro tri-ply stainless 16-inch roaster(01 of07)
Open Image Modal
This roasting pan is winner for both America's Test Kitchen and Wirecutter. ATK noted that it seared meat without buckling or burning and gave veggies an even, golden-brown crust, while its flat bottom aided with deglazing. Wirecutter said it cooked more evenly than others in its price range, noting it could handle a 20-pound turkey. "We can’t find another roasting pan that can sear as well on the stove and roast as evenly in the oven for under $100," its testers reported. (credit:Amazon)
Viking 16-inch culinary roaster with two-piece carving set(02 of07)
Open Image Modal
ATK lists Viking's 16-inch tri-ply roaster among its recommendations, noting that although their pan is heavier than some others, it's also "handsome" and "durable." This version at Amazon, which can handle a turkey up to 25 pounds, comes with a matching carving knife and serving fork. (credit:Amazon)
Cooks Standard 16-inch stainless steel roaster(03 of07)
Open Image Modal
This pan in the 14-inch size was America's Test Kitchen's "best buy" pick for small roasters with racks, but it no longer available. But this 16-inch size is made of the same materials, only two inches bigger, and may be all smaller households need (and prove to be a more versatile size year-round). Testers noted that although not made with tri-ply, the 14-inch model was thick enough to still retain and control heat well. (credit:Amazon)
All-Clad HA1 hard-anodized nonstick roaster and rack(04 of07)
Open Image Modal
Consider this an expert pick by Amazon buyers, because this All-Clad hard-anodized nonstick roaster has an impressive 4.8-star rating from users — and it's on sale right now as an early Black Friday deal. The 16-inch size is perfect for family-sized birds and vegetables, and the sleek, curved roaster has tall straight sides and double-riveted handles to make it both chic and heavy-duty, with all the quality you expect from All-Clad. It's oven-safe to 500 degrees and works with any stovetop, including induction. (credit:Amazon)
Le Creuset stainless steel 14-inch roasting pan(05 of07)
Open Image Modal
This was an ATK winning recommendation for small roasting pans, based on the way it turned out "beautiful" browned food. The body is tri-ply, the V-shaped rack is nonstick, and unlike some others, this roaster works on induction cooktops. The smaller size will be versatile year-round. (credit:Amazon)
All-Clad stainless steel flared roasting pan(06 of07)
Open Image Modal
The top performer in Wirecutter's tests, both in the oven and on the stovetop, is this premium roaster that's exclusive to Williams Sonoma. Testers praised it for producing the most golden, crispy skin and for the low, flared sides helping to disperse heat evenly. Some cooks prefer the flat rack, too, since it can be a bit more versatile for other cuts of meat. The only catch is that it's more expensive than others, leading Wirecutter to name it their "upgrade" pick. (credit:Williams Sonoma)
A nonstick roasting rack to use with a rimmed baking sheet(07 of07)
Open Image Modal
If you don't have the budget or space for a roaster, don't panic: We've even roasted a turkey on rolled-up aluminum foil in a pinch. A better option, as Serious Eats points out, is to buy a rack like this one to use with a rimmed baking sheet you already have in your kitchen. Just be very, very careful when you're moving your bird to and from the oven, especially if you've got hot juices sloshing near the rim of your pan. (credit:Amazon)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip

HuffPost Shopping’s Best Finds

27 Products From Amazon’s 'Internet Famous' Section That Are Actually Worth The Hype

35 Random Products You Didn't Know Existed But Absolutely Need

We Predict This Style Of Ice Will Unseat Nugget Ice

These Passport Holders Are Popular With Amazon Shoppers

These 13 Old-School Beauty Products Are Still The Best Around

MORE IN LIFE

Wellness

7 Things Therapists Always Do During A Bad Mental Health Day

Life

Is Someone A Bad Person If They Don’t Like Dogs?

Style & Beauty

Hand-Me-Downs Are Great, But Don’t Kids Deserve Their Own Style?

Parenting

That Cute Baby Photo Posted On Instagram Has Consequences You Should Know About

Wellness

The 1 Thing You Should Never, Ever Text Someone With Anxiety

Work/Life

This Type Of Employee Is The Most Likely To Burn Out At Work

Home & Living

This Phone Scam Is Targeting Grandparents — But There Are Ways To Outwit It

Style & Beauty

Why Your Skin Gets Crepey As You Age, And What You Can Do About It

Wellness

The Symptom Of Anxiety And Panic Attacks We Don't Talk About Enough

Life

Women Who Are Still 'Hot' In Their 40s Would Like A Word With You

Parenting

The Funniest Tweets From Parents This Week

Shopping

This Comfy Pocketed Dress Has Reviewers Buying It Twice – And It’s On Sale For $20

Parenting

These Were The Most Popular Baby Names Of 2023

Shopping

Amazon's Legendary 'Adult Baby Blanket' Is On Sale Right Now

Shopping

This High-Capacity Digital Picture Frame Is At A Low Price Right Now

Life

The Funniest Tweets From Women This Week

Shopping

HuffPost Readers Are Obsessed With These Beauty Products For Spring

Shopping

This $8 Shower Doo-Dad Has Given Me The Cleanest Hair Of My Life

Shopping

Innovative Pet Products That Are Just Plain Cool

Shopping

Hot Sleepers: Here Are Some Highly-Rated Cooling Products You Can Get On Amazon

Shopping

27 Genius Bedroom Products That'll Make You Want To Re-Do Your Whole Bedroom

Shopping

If You Hate Sweaty Feet, You'll Love These Breathable Walking Shoes

Parenting

New Screening For A Dangerous Pregnancy Condition Could Save Lives

Wellness

7 Habits That Are Secretly Messing With Your Cortisol

Life

Trump's Trial Resurfaced His View On Sexual Attraction, And Experts Have Thoughts

Shopping

This High-Capacity Digital Picture Frame Is At A Low Price Right Now

Shopping

Merrell’s Bestselling Shoes Are 25% Off Right Now

Shopping

A Parent's Secret Weapon For Travel Is 40% Off Right Now

Life

This Is The Only Thing You Should Be Using To Wash Your Body

Life

This Is The Only Thing You Should Be Using To Wash Your Body

Shopping

11 Highly-Rated Portable Solar Panel Chargers For Every Budget

Shopping

17 Reviewer-Beloved Amazon Bathing Suits For (Way) Under $40

Shopping

TikTok Calls This Korean Serum 'Filler In A Bottle' — And It's Hiding In Plain Sight

Shopping

Amazon Reviewers Swear By These Portable Fans To Beat Summer Heat

Shopping

26 Things From Amazon You'll Wear So Often, They'll Practically Pay For Themselves

Shopping

10 Actually Attractive Air Purifiers That Won’t Be An Eyesore In Your Home

Shopping

Target Sheets That Have People Basically Writing Love Letters In The Reviews

Shopping

The $17 French Retinol That Reviewers Call 'A Miracle Cream'

Work/Life

This 1 Personality Trait May Hold You Back At Work. Is It You?

Shopping

A Parent's Secret Weapon For Travel Is 40% Off Right Now