The Best Southern Candied Yams Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Southern candied yams dance with sweet, caramelized perfection on your holiday table.

These creamy, golden roots capture generations of Southern comfort.

Butter and brown sugar melt into a luscious glaze that coats each tender slice.

Grandmothers across the South have passed down this treasured recipe through decades of family gatherings.

Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg add depth to the classic side dish.

The result is a mouthwatering blend of sweetness and nostalgia that beckons everyone to the table.

You’ll savor every decadent bite of this soul-warming Southern tradition.

Soul Food Classic: Reasons It’s Always Loved

• Unlock Soul-Warming Comfort: Dive into a classic soul food dish that wraps you in pure, nostalgic warmth with every delectable bite.
• Master Easy Cooking Techniques: Simplified steps make this recipe accessible for both novice and experienced home cooks, ensuring success with minimal culinary skills.
• Celebrate Family Tradition: Perfect for holiday gatherings, Sunday dinners, or special occasions where comfort food creates lasting memories and brings loved ones together.
• Embrace Budget-Friendly Deliciousness: Requires basic, affordable ingredients that transform simple yams into a rich, indulgent side dish without breaking the bank.

Everything for a Great Soul Food Classic

• Yams: Sweet root vegetables that form the base of this classic soul food dish.

• Brown Sugar, White Sugar: Provide rich sweetness and help create a caramelized coating for the yams.

• Butter, Water: Create a smooth, glossy syrup that enhances the natural sweetness of the yams and helps them cook to a tender consistency.

• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Salt: Add warm spice notes and balance the sweetness of the dish.

Stepwise Guide to Making Soul Food Classic

Step 1: Prepare Yams

Thoroughly clean the yams under cool running water.

Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin completely.

Slice the yams into uniform half-inch thick rounds, ensuring each piece is roughly the same size for even cooking.

Step 2: Create Flavor Base

• Yam slices
• Brown sugar
• Butter
• Cinnamon
• Vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized pot positioned over medium-high heat.

Gently stir the mixture to start melding the flavors together.

Step 3: Coat And Distribute

Carefully stir the yam slices, ensuring each round gets completely covered in the rich sugar-butter mixture.

Make sure every piece is evenly coated for maximum flavor absorption.

Step 4: Initial Cooking

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat.

Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and allow the yams to simmer for approximately 50 minutes.

The goal is to achieve a tender texture where a fork can easily pierce the yam slices.

Step 5: Reduce And Thicken

Remove the lid and increase the heat to medium.

Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes.

Watch as the liquid transforms into a glossy, thick syrup that clings beautifully to the yam slices.

Step 6: Serve And Maintain

Transfer the candied yams to a warm serving dish.

If not serving immediately, place the dish in a low-temperature oven to keep the yams warm and maintain their delectable glaze until ready to serve.

Pro Tips for Soul Food Classic Flavors

• Use a vegetable brush to clean yams completely, removing any dirt or debris for a clean, fresh taste.
• Slice yams into uniform 1/2-inch rounds to ensure consistent cooking and perfect texture throughout the dish.
• Gently stir yams to create an even, glossy sugar-butter mixture that caramelizes beautifully without burning.
• Check tenderness at 40-45 minutes to prevent overcooking, ensuring yams remain firm yet soft.
• Transfer to a warm serving dish right before eating to maintain the syrup's rich, sticky consistency and optimal flavor.

Soul Food Classic – Recipe Variations

• Candied Sweet Potato Health Boost: Replace sugar with honey or maple syrup for lower glycemic index and added natural nutrients.
• Vegan Yam Delight: Substitute butter with coconut oil or plant-based margarine for dairy-free version that maintains rich, creamy texture.
• Spiced Autumn Variation: Add ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of cayenne pepper to create warm, complex flavor profile that enhances traditional soul food recipe.
• Gluten-Free Comfort: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free and use alternative thickening agents like arrowroot powder to accommodate dietary restrictions.

Serving a Soul Food Classic with Heart

• Candied Comfort Plating: Serve these sweet yams on a warm ceramic platter with a rustic wooden serving spoon for classic soul food presentation.
• Festive Side Companion: Pair beautifully with roasted turkey, ham, or crispy fried chicken during holiday meals or Sunday family gatherings.
• Garnish Elegance: Sprinkle chopped pecans or toasted marshmallows on top for added texture, crunch, and visual appeal that elevates the dish's homestyle charm.
• Temperature Tip: Enjoy immediately after cooking when the syrup is glossy and yams are warm, ensuring maximum flavor and perfect caramelized sweetness.

Storing Soul Food Classic the Right Way

• Store leftover candied yams in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring they remain fresh and delicious.
• Warm gently in the microwave or oven, adding a splash of water to prevent drying out and maintain the syrupy texture.
• Pack cooled yams in freezer-safe containers, where they'll keep well for 2-3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Enjoy within 2 days for optimal flavor and texture, as the syrup and yams will gradually lose their perfect consistency over time.

FAQs

• Are candied yams a healthy dish?

While delicious, candied yams are more of a treat due to high sugar content. They contain vitamins from yams but are not considered a low-calorie option.

• Can I use sweet potatoes instead of yams?

Yes, sweet potatoes work perfectly and can be substituted directly in this recipe. They have similar texture and sweetness levels.

• How do I know when the yams are fully cooked?

The yams are done when they’re tender and can be easily pierced with a fork. They should be soft but not mushy or falling apart.

• What type of sugar works best for this recipe?

Brown sugar is recommended as it provides deeper flavor and helps create a richer, more caramelized syrup compared to white sugar.

Southern Candied Yams Recipe

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4.8 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sweet, soul-satisfying Southern Candied Yams bring nostalgic comfort straight from grandmother’s kitchen, blending rich brown sugar, warm spices, and buttery goodness. Creamy golden yams caramelize into a divine side dish that connects generations with each delectable, memorable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 lbs (907 grams) sweet potatoes
• 1 stick (113 grams) butter

Sugars and Sweeteners:

• 3/4 cup (150 grams) dark or light brown sugar
• 1 cup (200 grams) white sugar

Spices and Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly cleanse sweet potatoes, removing any blemishes, then carefully slice into uniform half-inch circular discs.
2. Transfer all prepared components into a medium-sized cooking vessel, positioning over moderate to high thermal intensity.
3. Gently maneuver sweet potato rounds, ensuring complete coverage with caramelized sugar and butter emulsion.
4. Elevate culinary mixture to boiling point, then reduce thermal energy, covering pot and allowing gentle simmering for approximately 50 minutes until vegetable segments reach optimal tenderness.
5. Remove protective lid, incrementally increase thermal regulation to moderate setting.
6. Continue active cooking process, periodically stirring liquid components, enabling syrup to condense and transform into rich, viscous consistency through 10-minute reduction period.
7. Maintain prepared dish at consistent warmth within oven compartment until meal presentation moment arrives.

Notes

• Choose firm, unblemished yams for the best texture and flavor.
• Use a sharp knife to slice yams evenly, ensuring consistent cooking and attractive presentation.
• Watch closely during the final boiling stage to prevent burning while developing a rich, glossy syrup.
• Reduce sugar for a lighter version or use alternative sweeteners like honey or maple syrup for a different flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Southern

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 346
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 85 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 57 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg