These recipes for yams are not only perfect on Thanksgiving but are wonderful to serve any time of the year as well. From fried to baked to roasted to mashed to soup to dessert recipes, these recipes for yams will make you love this versatile ingredient even more.
Although baked yams are a must on Thanksgiving dinner, yams can be enjoyed in more ways than one all year long. Below are some of the best recipes for yams to help you enjoy and take advantage of the nutrition and deliciousness of this amazing root vegetable.
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Are yams and sweet potatoes the same thing?
Well, no. However, the terms have been used interchangeably because they are both a kind of starchy tuber vegetable and most of the “yams” you can find in the grocery stores are actually sweet potatoes.
Yams have a woody exterior, are starchier, and not-so-sweet like sweet potatoes. They are native to Asia, Central America, and Africa. Sweet potatoes have a smooth exterior with a reddish hue and usually orange flesh, but they are also known for other varieties such as white and purple sweet potatoes.
Unless you are buying at an international or specialty grocery store, you’ll most likely get sweet potatoes rather than real yams. But regardless of what you call them, yams/sweet potatoes are a versatile ingredient to both sweet and savory dishes. Below are just some of the best and most delish recipes for yams you can easily whip up today!
Is it better to peel yams?
Yam or sweet potato skins are safe to eat. In fact, keeping the skin on will allow you to get more nutrients out of sweet potatoes. According to Healthline, yams with skin-on provide higher amounts of fiber, antioxidants, and other vitamins needed by the body.
However, since yams are root veggies, you have to properly wash them to make sure that they’re free of dirt and other residues. Cleaning yams is pretty easy since they have tough skin and you don’t have to worry about damaging their flesh. All you have to do is put them under running water and scrub their skin with a vegetable brush, then pat them dry after. If you don’t have a brush, try a paper towel.
If the recipe calls for raw yams and you want to remove the skins, you can peel them using a vegetable peeler or knife. You can even prepare your yams in advance, three to four days before you plan to use them. Just store them in an airtight container or sealed bags and place them in the fridge.
Kitchen Essentials for Preparing Yams
As you get your ingredients ready, do not also forget to prepare the essential kitchen tools you need to make the recipes for yams mentioned above. They will not only become a fantastic addition to your kitchen cabinet, but they will also help you create more amazing meals for the whole family.
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- Vegetable Brush
- 12-Piece Kitchen Knife Set
- Wooden Cutting Board
- 1.5 Quart Saucepan with Lid
- Food Grade Silicone Rubber Spatula Set
- Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
- Nonstick Skillet
- Instant Pot Duo Crisp
- Multi Blade Adjustable Mandoline
- 7.5 Quart Stand Mixer
20 Recipes for Yams
These recipes for yams are not only super easy to make, but they are delicious and healthy too! Some of these recipes are even Weight Watchers friendly. You will surely find a recipe here that will be perfect for the whole family and your diet plan as well.
Sweet and savory, this Weight Watchers roasted sweet potatoes recipe can be an excellent pair to your favorite dinner staples. You can whip it up in a breeze while you only need to prepare ingredients such as sweet potatoes/yams, acorn squash, nutmeg, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
Full of flavors and healthy, this one-pan meal is a must to add to your meal plan! This ground turkey sweet potato skillet is ready in about 35 minutes and is low in Weight Watchers SmartPoints too.
Loaded with texture and amazing flavors, these stuffed yams are perfect for your holiday menu! These yams are baked and stuffed with sausage, apple, shallots, and mozzarella cheese. Plus, you can whip it up in less than an hour.
Yam fries with a sweet twist! These yam fries come with bacon and are drizzled with maple syrup for an extra bit of flavor and sweetness.
With just six ingredients and two simple steps, this healthy and Weight Watchers-friendly recipe could not be easier! Plus, it's ready in about 18 minutes only!
Weight Watchers Candied Sweet Potatoes in the Instant Pot
These candied sweet potatoes are faster to make and extra delicious! Using the instant pot, you can pull this recipe together in just half an hour. Plus, all the ingredients you'll need to prepare are vanilla, sugar, cinnamon, orange juice, blackstrap molasses, and of course, sweet potatoes.
Looking for more delish recipes for yams that the whole family will enjoy? This bunch of recipes ranges from appetizer to main dish to side dish and dessert, you'll love to give them all a try!
Crispy on top and soft on the inside, this vegan recipe for twice-baked yams will be a new family favorite! It's slightly sweet with a hint of spice and can be served as a main or side dish.
A yummy, moist, and delicate dessert topped with powdered sugar icing, this golden yam cake is a crowd-pleaser. It's ready in less than an hour and makes 12 servings.
This scrumptious vegetable yam porridge is a great way to make the kids eat vegetables. This recipe is so deliciously irresistible, easy to make, loaded with yam and other green veggies!
These yam wedges will be an incredible side dish to any meal! They are seasoned with chili powder and smoked paprika and baked to perfection. You can enjoy it on its own but they are even more delicious if you dunk them in mayo, ketchup, cheese dip, or lime dressing.
Inspired by the classic sweet potato pie, these brown butter sweet potato bars are ideal for sharing and can be your next favorite go-to snack. The bars are set on a shortbread crust with a sweet potato filling and topped with meringue.
Roasted yams topped with tangy goat cheese and caramelized onions and drizzled with balsamic glaze. These loaded roasted yams only need a total of six simple ingredients to make and are certainly worth a try.
Looking for an appetizer to impress the crowd? These sweet potato bites are loaded with flavors from hot sauce, cheese, sour cream, and green onions. It makes eight servings in just 20 minutes too!
Want to upgrade your all-time favorite potato salad? This recipe is for you! It's filled with veggies, creamy, and ready in about 35 minutes!
A super simple yam soup recipe that you can pull together in less than an hour. It's not only easy to whip up but it's simply delicious, satisfying, and comforting too.
Delicious as a snack and as a dessert, these mouthwatering sweet potatoes are loaded with walnuts, chocolate chips, and bananas. Then drizzled with chocolate peanut butter sauce for a sweet and yummy finish.
Love potato chips? Why not just create a healthier one using sweet potatoes? These deep-fried sweet potato chips are crispy with a mildly sweet flavor. This recipe is sure to be a new family favorite.
Gluten-free, hearty, and comes together easily using the instant pot. This sweet potato mushroom beef stew is loaded with veggies and has a savory sauce full of delish flavors.
Ideal for a light dinner, sharing, and picnics, this sweet potato tart can be made ahead of time and is wonderful to serve hot or cold. This yummy tart is made with sweet potatoes, feta cheese, and caramelized onions.
Extra healthy and special pizza made with roasted sweet potatoes, mozzarella cheese, red onion, olive oil, balsamic drizzled kale, and fresh rosemary toppings, this recipe will make a superb dinner!
Need more recipes for sweet potatoes? Check out this Sweet Potato Recipe Collection.