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!

Skillet sweet potatoes in a white bowl with a metal serving spoon.

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.
Diced sweet potato on a cutting board with a knife.

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

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Sweet potatoes in a cast iron skillet with a wooden spoon.
Skillet Sweet Potatoes made in a skillet
5 from 3 votes

15-Minute Skillet Sweet Potatoes

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Cuisine: American
Course: Side Dish
Author: Taesha Butler
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!
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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
 

  • In a large skillet, heat the avocado oil over medium-high heat.
  • 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

Tips:
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.
Calories: 120kcal, Carbohydrates: 14g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Sodium: 327mg, Potassium: 226mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 9434IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 20mg, Iron: 1mg