Looking for more hearty vegetable side dishes? Try my bacon wrapped asparagus, roasted root veggies, and cabbage steaks next. I love oven baked or microwave sweet potatoes as much as the next guy, but when it’s grill season, I try to cook outside as much as possible. This is where my grilled sweet potatoes enter the picture. It’s quite a unique way to cook them, but trust me- they will be a summertime staple!
Why I love this recipe
Perfect flavor and texture. I cut the potatoes into discs so they cook quickly, getting a gorgeous char on the outside while the center remains soft and tender. Versatile. They pair well with almost everything, from grilled chicken drumsticks to healthy burgers, you name it. Simple ingredients. Just sweet potatoes, oil, and a couple of spices are all you need. Easy to customize. I’ll share the base recipe (my favorite!) along with a few flavor swaps so you can customize them to suit your taste buds. They’re healthy! Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of complex carbs, fiber, and antioxidants. And since we’re grilling them, the added oil is kept to a minimum.
Ingredients needed
Sweet potatoes. Look for bigger sweet potatoes since they make larger discs and grill up better than smaller potatoes. Don’t bother peeling them unless you prefer to. Oil. I like the flavor of coconut oil, but olive oil, avocado oil, or any neutral oil with a high smoke point will do. Salt and black pepper. To taste. Smoked paprika. Adds a lovely smoky flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of the potatoes. Brown sugar. Optional, but a pinch takes the sweetness to another level.
How to grill sweet potatoes
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. “These were so quick and easy! I love them!” – Kara Step 1- Prep work. Preheat a grill to medium heat and generously grease the grill grates with cooking spray. Step 2- Season the potatoes. In a large bowl, combine the sweet potato slices and coconut oil. Add the spices, salt, and sugar and rub all over the potatoes. Step 3- Grill. Layer your sweet potato discs and cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Grill until fork-tender, then serve warm.
Arman’s recipe tips
Cover the grill. Midway through, I like putting the lid on so the potatoes cook evenly and get a subtle smoky flavor. Slice them evenly so they cook at the same time. Don’t have an outdoor grill? Don’t worry about it! I’ve tested this recipe on a grill pan on the stovetop, and it turned out perfect. If you only have small sweet potatoes, place them on a grill pan so they don’t fall through the grates. Don’t forget the dipping sauce! I’m a sucker for my sweet potato dipping sauce, but you can serve them with spicy mayo, chimichurri, or sundried tomato pesto. Garnish the potatoes with cilantro or parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to five days. While delicious as they are, here are some fun flavors to try for some variety!
Cinnamon sugar. Add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and double the brown sugar. This is great if you’d like this as part of a dessert, too. Hot and spicy. Add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. Mexican. Rub Taco seasoning over the potatoes. Cajun. Toss through Cajun seasoning. Kettle corn. Omit the smoked paprika and pepper, and swap out the brown sugar for white sugar.
To freeze: Place the grilled and cooled potatoes in an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to six months. Reheating: Either reheat on the grill or in a non-stick pan. Avoid microwaving them as they will become soggy.
More ways to cook sweet potatoes
Air fryer sweet potato fries Air fryer baked sweet potatoes Stuffed sweet potatoes
Originally published May 2019, updated in May 2022, and republished in May 2024.
