26 Yam Recipes You Need To Try

Sweet potatoes… yams… ubes… regardless of what you call them, they are absolutely delicious!

Yams are such a diverse and tasty vegetable and they can be used to make so many things, you just have to get creative.

But don’t worry, we’ve got a load of recipes to get you started.

We have put together a list of 26 yam recipes that you absolutely need to try right now!

Each one is absolutely incredible and deserves to be tried at least once, but we are pretty sure you will end up revisiting them again and again… so let’s dive right in!

1. Vanilla Roasted Yams

Starting off this list, we have these delicious vanilla roasted yams.

This particular recipe is perfect as a side dish to accompany your main course and they are deliciously sweet, while still remaining savory.

2. Grilled Yams With Lemon-Herb Sauce

This recipe combines the zestiness of lemon with the creaminess of Greek yogurt to create a wonderful dish that really enhances the flavor of your yams.

All of the herbs used in this recipe give the overall dish a fantastic flavor and really compliment the base flavor of the yams.

You’ll be coming back to this recipe again and again once you’ve tried it for yourself.

3. Roasted Sausage And Yam-White Bean Stew

The perfect recipe for a cold winter’s eve, this roasted sausage and yam-white bean stew is one of the best comfort foods out there.

There are lots of ingredients in this recipe, but once you get going, you’ll see that this recipe is quite straightforward to make and you won’t have to worry about it getting complicated at all.

4. Rosemary-Pecan Yam Mash

This recipe is absolutely bursting with beautiful herby flavors.

The rosemary really brings out the flavor of the yams even more and there is the special addition of maple syrup which really adds a layer of sweetness to this savory dish.

Once you’ve tried this yam mash for the first time, you’ll wonder why you’d never had it before and it will quickly become a staple dish you serve at all your get-togethers.

5. Yam Cake

Don’t be fooled by the name, this cake is not sweet at all. It is completely savory and is usually eaten as a side dish or a main course.

There are a few ingredients included in this yam cake, and each one is important when it comes to the overall finished product.

If you’re looking for an earthy and herby dish, then this yam cake is perfect for you (see also ‘28 Delicious Foods That Start With Y‘).

6. Spicy Kimchi–Yam Fritters

If you’re looking for a lovely side dish, these spicy yam fritters are a perfect choice.

They are nice and spicy thanks to the kimchi and the inclusion of Korean hot pepper paste.

The fritters themselves are incredibly crispy and work amazingly dipped in some complimentary sauce.

7. Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potato fries are one of the best and most popular variations of fries to have and they work with practically anything.

A popular main course to go with this dish is, of course, burgers.

Home-made sweet potato fries are even better than store-bought, and this recipe is super easy to make, so you’ll be coming back to it again and again.

8. Seedy Sweet Potato Oatmeal

This oatmeal is actually a mashed sweet potato that is steamed before it is mashed, giving it an oatmeal-like texture.

It’s basically a savory version of oatmeal that can be enjoyed with a wide variety of other ingredients.

You can really customize this recipe to fit all your dietary needs as well, so you don’t have to worry about not being able to enjoy this wonderful dish.

9. Mac ‘N’ Cheese With Crispy Bacon And Sweet Potato

Though this is more of a mac ‘n’ cheese dish, the addition of the sweet potato or yams really enhances the overall flavor and puts a fantastic spin on this classic comfort food.

The bacon and the sweet potato give this mac ‘n’ cheese some extra crunch and flavor and will keep you feeling warm and satisfied after every bite!

10. Sweet Potato Muffins

The beauty of yams is that they can be used in sweet recipes too.

These muffins are gluten-free and quite low in calories so not only are they delicious, but they are also good for you!

You can enjoy these delightful muffins completely guilt-free.

Cinnamon is another ingredient that is used in this recipe which really compliments the flavor of the sweet potato and makes the overall dish flow with the warm spices.

11. Tuna Yam Balls

If you’re a fan of umami-flavored foods, then you definitely have to try these tuna yam balls.

When the tuna is mixed with yams, peppers, garlic, and onions, the umami flavor really shines through and is impossible to miss.

They have a beautiful fluffy texture and the outside of the balls are nice and crunchy which adds even more depth and flavor to the overall dish.

12. Sweet Potato, Avocado, And Black Bean Tacos

Tacos don’t always have to have meat in them to taste great, and these sweet potatoes and black bean tacos really prove that.

If you want your tacos to keep a spicy flavor, you can add your choices of spice to the potatoes themselves and it will still taste just as good.

This is a perfect recipe for any vegetarians out there who want a delicious and exciting taco to sink their teeth into.

13. Sweet Potato Spoon Bread With Caramel Pecan Topping

Here’s another sweet recipe you definitely need to try.

If you’ve had spoon bread before then this is exactly the same thing, but it’s been catered towards a sweeter palette instead.

This sweet potato spoon bread is filled with a caramel that is incredibly sweet and rich and tastes absolutely beautiful.

The caramel is then complimented by the inclusion of pecans and the taste is absolutely exquisite.

14. Sweet Potato Croquettes

Normal potato croquettes are amazing, but these sweet potato variants are absolutely incredible!

These sweet potato croquettes are coated in a beautiful breadcrumb texture that is incredibly crunchy and pairs really well with the soft potato on the inside.

15. Spicy Yam Quiche Cups

If you’re in the mood for quiche but don’t want to go ahead and make a big one, then these spicy yam quiche cups are the best alternative.

Not only are they incredibly cute and aesthetically pleasing to look at, but they also taste fantastic.

They taste just like how a normal quiche would, but in party size.

16. Sweet Potato Wedges

Potato wedges are the perfect compromise between fries and a full-on potato, and this sweet potato wedges recipe will not disappoint.

It takes the classic vibe of potato wedges and adds in the sweet potato to really stand out in flavor.

You can use these sweet potato wedges as a side or you can make them into loaded potato wedges and add in something like chili or some other sauce to really give them some extra oomph!

17. Baked Yams

Another classic with a sweet potato spin put on it, these baked yams are a great comfort food when you want something filling and tasty that will warm you up.

As long as you follow this recipe, your yams will come out incredibly tender and will absolutely melt in your mouth when you eat them.

You can choose between any savory toppings you want, but if you have a bit of a sweet tooth, you can change the savory out for sweet if you wish!

18. Sweet Potato Salad

This sweet potato salad is great for anyone who wants an absolutely delicious meal, but also wants to keep it a bit healthy.

The sweet potato cubes are roasted in garlic which really amplifies the flavor and the inclusion of cranberries and creamy goat’s cheese really just brings this whole sweet potato salad to the next level.

A favorite addition to this recipe is honey mustard, which just brings out all the flavors even more.

19. Sweet Potato Curry

Everyone loves a good curry, and this curry is absolutely divine!

The sweet potato is incredibly tender and delicious and the coconut curry gives the whole dish an incredibly creamy texture and taste.

If you want to make this sweet potato curry a bit spicy, you’re free to do that and add in your favorite spices to reach the spice level you desire.

Regardless of what you add to this curry though, the original recipe is absolutely exquisite.

20. Sweet Potato Soup

This list simply wouldn’t be complete without a glorious homemade sweet potato soup.

When pureed, the sweet potato tastes creamy and delicious, and it’s actually pretty healthy for you too!

Soup is a great choice when you want something filling and tasty that isn’t too unhealthy for you.

You can top this sweet potato soup off with smoked paprika, which will really make the overall taste pop.

21. Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

You can think of these stuffed sweet potatoes as extra special baked potatoes with a remarkable twist.

They are absolutely delicious and jam-packed with fillings, such as black beans, peppers, and creamy cilantro sauce.

22. Sweet Potato/Yam Bread

Did you know that you can make delicious bread out of yams? Well if not, now you do!

This recipe is very similar to pumpkin bread and works as a delicious alternative if you’re not a big fan of pumpkins.

23. Loaded Sweet Potato Bites

Another great party food, these sweet potato bites are great for parties and packed with chili, cheese, sour cream (see also ‘28 Delicious Ways To Use Leftover Sour Cream‘), and much, much more!

They also work as a great side dish or appetizer for your main course.

24. Sweet Potato/Yam Puree

You can think of this yam puree as a lighter mashed potato, but with a much creamier texture.

You can serve this puree with practically anything as well, so if you’re planning a big meal, you should definitely consider adding this side.

25. Moroccan Sweet Potato Stew

This Moroccan-style stew is filled with an array of warm spices that are sure to warm you up on a cold winter’s evening.

It’s also filled with delicious vegetables that all blend perfectly together.

26. Cinnamon-Roasted Sweet Potato And Apples

And finally, we have this delicious roasted sweet potato and apple recipe.

Topped and roasted with actual cinnamon, this recipe is a perfect dessert to warm you up and get you into the spirit of fall.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Healthiest Way To Cook Yams?

The healthiest way to cook and eat yams is to bake them. This is also one of the easiest ways to prepare them as well.

If you do choose to bake your yams then make sure you bake them at 375 degrees for one hour for the best results.

Are Yams Good For Diabetes?

Yams are loaded with fiber and lots of other nutrients, and they are great for managing weight, diabetes, and blood cholesterol levels.

If you are diabetic, then yams are a great choice of food for you. 

Are Yams Good For Weight Loss?

Though yams are loaded with calories, they have actually been proven to really aid in weight loss.

If you’re trying to lose weight, bringing yams into your regular diet will help you.

Can You Eat Yams Raw?

Yams are extremely toxic to humans when they are eaten raw, so you’ll want to make sure they are always fully cooked before you eat them.

Though they cannot be eaten raw, they are 100% safe to eat when cooked. 

Conclusion

Yams are an amazingly versatile ingredient that can be used to make a variety of different dishes, and this list really proves that.

Give some of these recipes a try and see which one is your favorite!