These Skillet Sweet Potatoes are the perfect veggie side dish. Done in about 15 minutes, this versatile dish goes with so many meals, uses just 4 ingredients, and is the perfect addition to your meal prep!

Sweet potatoes are veggie staple in my house. Loaded with vitamins and easy to enjoy sweet or savory, sweet potatoes are an easy go-to meal starter (especially baked sweet potatoes). Plus they are found in most grocery stores year round and can be stored in a cool dark place for weeks or often months.
This Skillet Sweet Potato recipe is the perfect veggie side dish for a busy weeknight since it is done in 15 minutes. Or make it as part of your meal prep and enjoy it easy peasy for days to come. This side dish is the perfect thing to make, since it is plant based, gluten free, and flavorful! Enjoy it with eggs for breakfast, over a salad for lunch, or with your favorite protein for dinner. However you enjoy these skillet sweet potatoes, they will deliciously make your life a little more veggie-loaded!
How to select the perfect sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a great veggie to keep on hand because they are easy to find almost year round and have a long shelf life when stored in a cool, dark place. There are several varieties of sweet potato, so it can make your head spin knowing what to look for when buying some!
Here are few things to look for when selecting sweet potatoes at the market.
- Look for the potatoes with the rust colored skin. These are the most moist variety of sweet potato and have a lovely sweet flavor.
- Pick sweet potatoes with smooth skin + no bruises or cracks. Especially if you plan to store your sweet potatoes for a period of time.
- Opt for small or medium sweet potatoes over large or extra large. Large sweet potatoes have grown longer and tend to be dryer and can also be difficult to cut.
Can I leave the peel on a sweet potato?
Some people leave the peel of the sweet potato on (like me!) which is fine as long as the potato has been cleaned well and free of dirt and debris.
Tips & Tricks
Cut sweet potato into even pieces. This will help them to cook at evenly in the skillet.
Cook until your potatoes are fork tender. Every stove and skillet conducts heat a bit differently. Some might cook faster than others. You will know your potatoes are done when you can easily spear a piece with a fork and they should have a lovely crisp browning on the outside. Also, don’t be afraid to taste a piece to make sure it is done to your preference.
Don’t walk away from the potatoes! Sweet potatoes contain natural sugars that can easily burn, so be sure to stir them often when cooking.
Do not skip covering the sweet potatoes. This holds in the heat and moisture, helping the skillet sweet potatoes to cook up quickly and help to prevent burning.
Suggested Adaptations
- Change up the seasonings. Add cumin, thyme, paprika, chili powder and/or black pepper.
- Use butter instead of oil. If dairy free is not needed!
- Use broth instead of oil. About 1/2 cup of broth can be used if you are trying to avoid oil.
Other sweet potato recipes
- Taco Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
- Sweet Potato Apple Sausage Skillet
- Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies
- Chocolate Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Sweet Potato Frosting
- Sweet Potato Chickpea Blondies
- Sweet Potato Peanut Butter Muffins
Loving these sweet potato recipe and are hungry for more?
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15-Minute Skillet Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 ½ pounds sweet potato cut into ½ inch pieces. If your pieces are larger, they will take longer to cook
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic optional but I love it
Instructions
- Once hot, add sweet potatoes to the skillet and season with salt and granulated garlic. Toss to coat and spread the potatoes out in an even layer.
- Cover the skillet and cook until the sweet potatoes are tender, stirring often, about 15 minutes.
- Taste and add additional seasoning if needed. Enjoy warm or allow leftovers to cool completely before storing in fridge for up to 3 days.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information is provided as an estimate only and may vary based on the product type, servings and other factors. If you are following a diet, please consult with a professional nutritionist or your doctor. Stay healthy!
Comments
These were delicious! The garlic powder almost completely removes the sweetness, and they are perfectly tender. I did tweak it a bit by doubling the butter (I didn’t use oil) on accident, but it was still perfect. In comparison, the double butter did cause them to be a bit softer, but not mushy. Thanks for sharing!!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Joi! I bet the butter gave them a wonderful flavor.