What is a good companion for sweet potatoes?

With over 7,000 varieties cultivated worldwide, sweet potatoes offer a versatile canvas for flavor. Knowing what is a good companion for sweet potatoes can transform a simple side into a stellar centerpiece, whether you prefer savory or sweet flavor profiles.

Quick Summary

Discover the ideal culinary matches for sweet potatoes, exploring complementary flavors from savory proteins like pork and chicken to sweet glazes, spices, and versatile vegetables. This guide covers how to pair sweet potatoes for any meal.

Key Points

• Savory Pairings: Sweet potatoes complement rich proteins like pork, chicken, and beef, enhancing their natural flavors.

• Sweet & Classic: Traditional combinations with maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans are delicious for desserts and holiday sides.

• Spicy Kick: Spices like smoked paprika, cumin, and chili powder add a savory and spicy depth that contrasts well with the potato's sweetness.

• Creamy and Tangy: Sauces and toppings like Greek yogurt, tahini, or feta cheese add a cool, tangy, or salty balance to the dish.

• Vegetarian Options: Versatile ingredients like black beans, kale, and chickpeas can turn sweet potatoes into a hearty, protein-packed vegetarian meal.

• Versatile Vegetables: Root vegetables such as carrots and parsnips, or leafy greens like spinach, make excellent roasting partners.

Understanding Sweet Potato Varieties and Flavor

Sweet potatoes, which are often confused with yams, possess a natural sweetness that can be accentuated or contrasted with various other ingredients. Different varieties have subtle variations in flavor and texture, which can influence your pairing choices.

• Orange-Fleshed Varieties (e.g., Beauregard, Jewel): These are the most common in the US, known for their creamy texture and pronounced sweetness. They pair beautifully with both classic sweet additions and robust, savory flavors.
• White-Fleshed Varieties (e.g., Hannah, O'Henry): Offering a milder, nutty flavor and a drier, starchier texture, these are an excellent substitute for regular potatoes in savory dishes.
• Purple-Fleshed Varieties (e.g., Stokes Purple®): With a mild, slightly wine-like flavor and denser texture, their vibrant color adds visual appeal to dishes.

The Best Savory Companions for Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a natural fit for savory meals, where their inherent sweetness provides a perfect counterpoint to salty, spicy, or earthy flavors.

Proteins that Pair Well

Pairing sweet potatoes with protein-rich foods creates a balanced, hearty meal. The following are excellent choices:

• Pork: The saltiness of bacon or the richness of pork chops or tenderloin beautifully complements the sweet undertones of the potato. Try roasting pork chops on a sheet pan with cubed sweet potatoes and apples for a simple, flavorful meal.
• Poultry: Chicken and turkey pair wonderfully with sweet potatoes. A roast chicken seasoned with rosemary and thyme served alongside creamy mashed sweet potatoes is a classic combination. For a quicker option, add diced sweet potatoes to a chicken chili.
• Beef: The savory, robust flavor of beef brings out the nutty notes in sweet potatoes. A hearty beef stew with chunks of sweet potato is a comforting and nutritious choice. Ground beef also works well in tacos or casseroles with sweet potatoes.
• Sausage: Spicy sausage, such as chorizo, offers a nice contrast to the sweet flavor. Sheet pan sausage and peppers with sweet potatoes is an easy weeknight dinner.
• Seafood: The salty, delicate taste of seafood, such as salmon or cod, is a surprisingly good match. Try pairing baked BBQ salmon with sweet potato fries.

Savory Seasonings, Herbs, and Spices

To enhance the savory profile of your dish, consider these flavor-packed additions:

• Spices: Smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder add warmth and depth.
• Herbs: Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, cilantro, and parsley add a fresh, aromatic finish.
• Cheeses: The creamy saltiness of feta or the sharp tang of aged cheddar or Parmesan can cut through the sweetness.
• Sauces: Creamy sauces, like tahini or a tangy yogurt-based dressing with cumin and smoked paprika, are excellent for drizzling over baked sweet potatoes.

The Best Sweet Companions for Sweet Potatoes

For those who prefer a sweeter side dish or even a dessert, sweet potatoes are incredibly accommodating.

Sweet Sauces and Toppings

• Maple Syrup & Pecans: A classic pairing, often seen in sweet potato casseroles. Maple syrup provides a rich, caramel-like sweetness, while toasted pecans offer a buttery crunch.
• Brown Sugar & Cinnamon: Another holiday favorite, this combination highlights the natural sweetness and warmth of the sweet potato.
• Honey & Bacon: For a perfect salty-sweet balance, try drizzling honey over roasted sweet potatoes and topping with crispy crumbled bacon.
• Coconut: The creamy, tropical flavor of coconut milk works wonders in sweet potato curries and soups.

Fruits and Spices for a Sweet Profile

• Citrus: Orange juice and zest or a squeeze of lime can brighten the flavor, adding a tangy complexity.
• Dried Fruit: Sweet-tart dried cherries or cranberries can be roasted with sweet potatoes for a delicious holiday side.
• Spices: Warm spices like allspice, nutmeg, and ginger complement the potato's inherent sweetness.

Versatile Vegetable Pairings

Sweet potatoes play well with a wide variety of vegetables, especially when roasted together on a sheet pan.

• Leafy Greens: Hearty greens like kale and spinach can be wilted into a hash or served with a stuffed sweet potato.
• Root Vegetables: Carrots, parsnips, and beets have similar cooking times when diced, making them ideal roasting companions.
• Alliums: Onions, garlic, and chives are essential for building savory depth.
• Chickpeas and Beans: For a vegetarian option, roasted chickpeas or black beans can be added to sweet potato dishes for extra protein and texture.

Sweet Potato Pairings: Sweet vs. Savory Table

Companion Type	Sweet Pairings	Savory Pairings
Protein	Bacon, toasted nuts (pecans, walnuts)	Pork, chicken, beef, sausage, fish
Dairy/Fat	Butter, mascarpone, cream cheese	Feta, aged cheddar, sour cream, Greek yogurt, tahini, olive oil
Spices	Cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger	Smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, coriander
Herbs	Sage, bay leaf	Rosemary, thyme, cilantro, parsley, chives
Fruits	Maple syrup, honey, orange, cranberries, dates	Lemon, lime, orange, apples, bell peppers
Other	Brown sugar, marshmallows, pecans, vanilla	Black beans, chickpeas, spinach, kale, onions, garlic

How to Create the Perfect Sweet Potato Meal

The best way to create a well-balanced sweet potato dish is to consider the flavor profile of the main dish. For a rich, savory main like grilled steak, opt for a simpler sweet potato preparation, perhaps roasted with just salt, pepper, and rosemary. For a lighter main, such as a citrus-glazed fish, a more complex sweet potato dish with a nutty tahini drizzle could be the star of the plate. The key is to balance textures and flavors so that neither element overpowers the other.

Experimenting with different cooking methods can also dramatically change the outcome. Roasting caramelizes the sugars, intensifying sweetness, while boiling or steaming results in a milder, softer texture. Frying, like for sweet potato fries, creates a crispy exterior that contrasts beautifully with a creamy interior. One useful resource for creative toppings is an article from Epicurious: 26 Sweet Potato Toppings for When Butter Isn't Enough.

Conclusion

From a simple roasted side to a complex international dish, sweet potatoes are a remarkably versatile food. By understanding their natural sweetness and how they interact with different flavors, you can unlock a world of delicious culinary possibilities. Whether you're craving a sweet and nutty casserole for a holiday meal or a spicy, savory bowl for a weeknight dinner, the perfect companion for your sweet potatoes is waiting to be discovered. Don't be afraid to mix and match to find your own favorite combinations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What spices go well with savory sweet potato dishes?

For savory dishes, excellent spices include smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and coriander. Fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme also enhance savory preparations.

Can sweet potatoes be paired with meat?

Yes, sweet potatoes are a fantastic companion for meat, pairing especially well with rich and savory proteins like pork, chicken, beef, and sausage.

What is a simple, healthy companion for a baked sweet potato?

A simple and healthy topping for a baked sweet potato is Greek yogurt or tahini sauce, which provides a creamy and tangy element. You can also add some fresh herbs, like cilantro or chives, for extra flavor.

What kind of cheeses pair with sweet potatoes?

Cheeses that complement sweet potatoes include salty feta, tangy blue cheese, and hard, aged cheeses like cheddar or Parmesan, which offer a sharp contrast.

How can I make a sweet potato dish taste less sweet?

To balance the sweetness, focus on savory and spicy pairings. Use spices like cumin and smoked paprika, add salty ingredients like bacon or feta, or pair them with citrus, like lime or orange zest.

Are sweet potatoes good with seafood?

Yes, sweet potatoes can be served with seafood. The saltiness of fish like salmon or cod offers a pleasing contrast to the potato's sweetness, especially when prepared as roasted cubes or fries.

What are some good vegetarian or vegan companions for sweet potatoes?

For vegetarian and vegan options, pair sweet potatoes with black beans, chickpeas, lentils, kale, or spinach. They also work well with coconut milk in curries.