Sweet potatoes are delicious root vegetables found in any grocery store with a basic produce section.
They have an earthy flavor that can be described as somewhere between pumpkin and regular potato, with a little bit of sweetness tacked on at the end.
They are not easily substituted for other potatoes or other root vegetables because they have unique flavors and textures.
Most people don’t think of eating the skin, but it has an even more earthy, delicious flavor than the actual potato itself.
A common dish is roasting some sweet potatoes with some additional spices (cinnamon is one of the most popular) and eating those as an appetizer or as a side dish.
And now for some sweet potato recipes.
These are best served with something simple to let the flavors shine.
If you are looking for something unusual, try adding some garlic to your roasted potatoes or making a stew out of them.
They go great with meats like beef or pork and make an excellent breakfast dish cooked in milk and maple syrup.
In this article, we will discuss eight delicious side dishes that go perfectly with nice, hot sweet potatoes.
Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Sweet Potatoes?
If you want to serve a healthy, tasty dish during your next holiday party, then look no further than sweet potatoes.
Sweet potatoes are usually in the news for their nutritional value, which is well-deserved because one medium sweet potato contains nearly half of your daily recommended intake of vitamin A.
However, when you purchase them at the store or farmer’s market, they often come with a side dish of butter to make the sweet potatoes taste even better.
It is important not to forget those sweet potatoes are an amazing side dish on their own.
When pairing your favorite vegetables with your favorite meat, you can consider having a side dish that complements the taste of your meat and vegetables.
Most meats are savory, so you should match them with an equally savory side dish.
Another option is to have a side dish that doesn’t necessarily accompany the meat but has a great complementary flavor to the vegetables that you are serving.
Choosing a side dish to serve with your sweet potatoes can vary greatly depending on who you are cooking for and what kind of flavor profiles they like.
Some people might prefer savory meat paired with equally savory vegetables, while others may want something sweet and bright to complement the sweetness of the dessert.
What to Serve with Sweet Potatoes? 8 Side Dishes
There are plenty of great side dishes that you can choose to serve with your sweet potatoes.
We’ve compiled a list of the best options below.
1 – Roasted Green Beans
Often simple green beans are completely overlooked in favor of fancier, more lavish vegetables.
However, these humble beans have a lot to offer, especially when roasted with garlic and olive oil.
The delicacy of the beans goes perfectly with the savory flavors from the meat and sweet potatoes.
This dish is incredibly easy to make and incredibly delicious to eat.
You can even change the flavor by adding different combinations of spices or swapping out ingredients for something you prefer.
2 – Shakshuka
Shakshuka is one of Tunisia and Israel’s most popular traditional dishes, known for its delicious food.
It is made with eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce with onions, peppers, and spices.
This dish is great to serve with sweet potatoes because it provides a unique balance of sweet, savory, spicy, and smoky flavors.
The sweetness from the roasted veggies helps round out the flavor profile of shakshuka while also making its delicious contribution to the meal.
If desired, you can also serve this with a side of couscous or rice.
3 – Braised Pork Shanks
Pork is another great meat option to serve with sweet potatoes because of its flavor profile.
Pork is known for its slightly salty, slightly sweet taste that goes incredibly well with the sweetness of the potato.
This braised pork shank dish has incredible flavor, but you don’t need to make it in advance; simply combine all the ingredients in your slow cooker and place it on low for eight hours.
This dish goes great with a side of roasted broccoli, which will add some more complex flavors to the meal.
4 – Baked Black Beans
Black beans are an incredibly popular choice for vegans or vegetarians because they provide a great alternative to meat.
If you would like to go meatless, but want something that doesn’t taste like it, then baked black beans might be the perfect side dish.
These beans are incredibly easy to make and pair perfectly with sweet potatoes because the beans have a slightly smoky flavor that compliments the potato’s, natural sweetness.
5 – Moroccan Couscous Salad
Couscous is a popular side dish in many cultures and can be eaten with almost any meat or vegetable.
This couscous salad goes great with sweet potatoes because it offers a unique but easy make, a combination of flavors.
This salad is made with fresh vegetables and dried fruit mixed in with couscous to create a perfect dish.
You can also add some protein such as chicken or fish for more substance if you want.
6 – Fried Fish (with a twist)
If you are looking for a way to turn a classic recipe into a dish that goes great with sweet potatoes, try this fried fish dish.
Of course, everyone knows how delicious fried fish can be but adding in some root vegetables brings out even more flavor.
While it may sound strange, roasted purple sweet potatoes add a unique twist to the dish’s flavor.
These root vegetables also make it a lot healthier because they are higher in nutrients and lower in fat than many other potatoes.
To make this dish, you can use almost any type of white fish, such as flounder or tilapia.
For the best results, it is recommended that you use a mild-flavored fish so that the sweet potatoes won’t mask their flavor.
7 – Vegetable Lasagna
Lasagna is one of those dishes that can be eaten any time of year and always feels great.
This vegetable lasagna is easy to make and incredibly delicious.
The pasta, cheese, and sauce provide a perfect base for the dish, while the vegetables add some acidity that cuts through the richness.
The flavor of this particular type of lasagna would go perfectly with sweet potatoes because it offers both savory and sweet flavors that will balance out the dish.
The vegetables listed in this recipe are merely suggestions; feel free to use anything from the farmer’s market or your garden.
You can even substitute lean ground beef for some vegetables to make it a more hearty dish that will leave everyone full and satisfied.
8 – Chicken Enchiladas
Chicken enchiladas is another one of those dishes that is great to serve any time of the year.
Of course, this dish goes perfectly with sweet potatoes because it has a similar spiciness and sweetness.
If you don’t have much time to cook but want something spicy and delicious, then chicken enchiladas are perfect for you.
Each enchilada is full of flavor and can be easily customized to your tastes.
You can also add a side of sweet potatoes if you want some vegetables with your main course.
Try making these enchiladas for dinner for a truly special treat.
Conclusion
It is important to remember that not all side dishes taste good with every type of meat.
The flavor of the meat should be considered when you are making your side dish choice.
In some cases, it may be necessary to keep the meat and the side dish separate so that you may dip into either as desired or so that those who enjoy their meat plain can eat it without a condiment.
In other cases, a dipping sauce may be appropriate. What flavor do you think goes best with sweet potatoes?
What to Serve with Sweet Potatoes? 8 Side Dishes
Ingredients
- Roasted Green Beans
- Shakshuka
- Braised Pork Shanks
- Baked Black Beans
- Moroccan Couscous Salad
- Fried Fish with a twist
- Vegetable Lasagna
- Chicken Enchiladas
Instructions
- Choose your favorite recipe from the list of options.
- Organize all required ingredients and prepare a delicious meal in 30 minutes or less