• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Everyday Homemade

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • All Sourdough Recipes
  • Sourdough Bread
  • Sourdough Discard
  • Sourdough eBooks
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • All Sourdough Recipes
    • Sourdough Bread
    • Sourdough Discard
    • Sourdough eBooks
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Updated: Jul 25, 2023 · Published: Mar 8, 2023 by Ashley Petrie, RDN, LDN · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Sautéed Sweet Potatoes With Garlic

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These Sautéed Sweet Potatoes are well-seasoned with lots of garlic, easy to make, and ready in just 30 minutes. A healthy and delicious vegetable side dish, these flavorful pan-fried sweet potatoes are made with only 8 ingredients and are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

    A small white plate of sautéed sweet potatoes.

    Whenever I make dinner, I often use different cooking methods to make the meal come together more quickly.

    For instance, if I'm using my oven to cook a whole roasted chicken and a sheet pan of Brussels sprouts, then I can easily prepare my other side dishes on the stovetop.

    These sautéed sweet potatoes are the perfect side dish to make when your oven is otherwise occupied. They're quick, easy, and perfectly seasoned. And they pair well with a variety of meats, vegetables, and other sides.

    I love sautéing sweet potatoes in a cast iron skillet because it's naturally non-stick, cooks evenly, and caramelizes them really well. But, you can also use a Teflon-free non-stick skillet if you prefer.

    So, if you want to learn how to sauté sweet potatoes on the stove, keep reading for all of my best tips and tricks.

    Disclaimer: Some links throughout this post are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. You can learn more by visiting my Affiliate Disclosure Page.

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    Here are some notes on the key ingredients. For the full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

    • Sweet Potatoes- Peel and dice into ½-inch cubes for quick, even cooking. You can also use diced pumpkin, butternut squash, acorn squash, or carrots with this method, though the cooking time may vary.
    • Garlic- Fresh minced garlic adds bold flavor, but you can swap it for an extra ½ teaspoon of garlic powder or skip it entirely. Garlic-infused olive oil also works great for sautéing the sweet potatoes.
    • Olive Oil- Any high-heat, neutral oil works, but I usually use olive oil. If you prefer butter, mix it with a bit of oil to keep it from burning.
    • Seasonings- I love using a mix of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, as the smoked paprika complements sweet potatoes perfectly. Feel free to swap in any seasoning blend you prefer!
    • Water- A small amount of water creates steam to help the potatoes cook through without burning. You can also use vegetable broth, chicken stock, or turkey stock for added flavor.
    The ingredients to make sautéed sweet potatoes on a butcher block countertop. Each ingredient is labeled with text. They include sweet potato, seasonings, olive oil, and garlic.

    Tips for Success

    • Cut the sweet potatoes into small, uniform pieces. Cutting the sweet potatoes into uniform ½-inch cubes ensures they cook quickly and evenly.
    • Choose the right type of skillet. Use a well-seasoned cast iron skillet or a Teflon-free non-stick skillet to ensure the cooked sweet potatoes do not stick to your pan.
    • Use enough oil. Don't shy away from using enough oil to coat the bottom of the skillet. The oil prevents the sweet potatoes from sticking and helps them brown.
    • Don't overcrowd the skillet. Use a large skillet so you can spread the cubed sweet potatoes out into an even layer. Overcrowding the pan may prevent the sweet potatoes from cooking evenly.
    • Resist the urge to stir too much. We want to brown and caramelize the sweet potatoes to give them lots of flavor.

    How to Make Sautéed Sweet Potatoes

    Here is how to make these sautéed sweet potatoes with garlic.

    Step 1: Sauté sweet potatoes. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a well-seasoned cast iron skillet or non-stick skillet. Once hot, add sweet potatoes to the skillet, spreading them out into a single layer. Cover the skillet with a lid, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for 5-7 minutes. Stir the sweet potato and pour the water into the skillet. Quickly cover again with the lid and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes or until the potatoes are soft and tender.

    Cubed sweet potatoes in a cast iron skillet.
    Browned sweet potatoes cooking in a cast iron skillet.

    Step 2: Season sweet potatoes. Sprinkle the seasonings evenly over the sweet potato, stirring to coat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and serve.

    Cooked sweet potatoes in a cast iron skillet with seasonings sprinkled over the top of them.
    Sautéed sweet potatoes in a cast iron skillet.

    How to Store

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

    You can freeze cooked sweet potatoes for up to a year for longer storage. However, for the best quality, try to use them within 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or use the microwave before reheating.

    What to Serve With Sautéed Sweet Potatoes

    Sautéed sweet potatoes are a versatile side dish that pairs well with many main courses and other sides. My favorites include lemon-garlic roasted chicken, pan-seared chicken breast, and stovetop macaroni and cheese.

    Sautéed sweet potatoes on a small white plate. There is a fork sticking out of the potatoes out of focus in the background.

    Let's Connect!

    Be sure to leave a comment below if you have any questions. You can also connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or via email at [email protected].

    More Vegetable Side Dishes

    • A pile of sautéed butternut squash on a small white plate.
      Sautéed Butternut Squash (How to Pan Fry Butternut Squash)
    • Roasted green beans and carrots on a small white plate.
      Oven Roasted Green Beans and Carrots
    • Maple balsamic brussels sprouts on a white plate.
      Roasted Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

    📖 Recipe

    A small white plate of sautéed sweet potatoes.
    Print Pin SaveSaved!

    Sautéed Sweet Potatoes

    These Sautéed Sweet Potatoes are well-seasoned with lots of garlic, easy to make, and ready in just 30 minutes. A healthy and delicious vegetable side dish, these flavorful pan-fried sweet potatoes are made with only 8 ingredients and are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes minutes
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 152kcal
    Author Ashley Petrie, RDN, LDN

    Equipment

    • 10-inch cast iron skillet with lid

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons light olive oil
    • 2 large sweet potatoes peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes
    • ¼ cup water
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 2 cloves garlic minced

    Instructions

    • Heat olive oil over medium heat in a well-seasoned cast iron skillet or non-stick skillet. Once hot, add sweet potatoes to the skillet, spreading them out into a single layer. Cover the skillet with a lid, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for 5-7 minutes. Stir the sweet potato and pour the water into the skillet. Quickly cover again with the lid and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes or until the potatoes are soft and tender.
      2 tablespoons light olive oil, 2 large sweet potatoes, ¼ cup water
    • Sprinkle the seasonings evenly over the sweet potato, stirring to coat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and serve.
      1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 2 cloves garlic

    Notes

    • Quick Tip: Use a well-seasoned cast iron skillet or a Teflon-free non-stick skillet to ensure the cooked sweet potato does not stick to your pan.
    • Storage: Store leftover sautéed sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to one year.
    • Make Ahead: Peel and cut raw sweet potatoes into cubes and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator with ice water for up to 4 days before cooking.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 152kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 337mg | Potassium: 359mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 0.7mg
    Did you try this recipe?Let me know! Comment below, or take a picture and tag me on Instagram @everydayhomemadebyashley.

    More Side Dishes

    • A sourdough corn muffin split in half on the wrapper with a piece of butter on each half.
      Sourdough Corn Muffins
    • Three pieces of sourdough discard cornbread on a plate with a pat of butter on top.
      Sourdough Discard Cornbread (No Added Flour)
    • Red cabbage slaw on shrimp tacos.
      Creamy Red Cabbage Slaw for Tacos (No Mayo)
    • Hot honey Brussels sprouts with bacon on a plate with mashed potatoes and beef.
      Hot Honey Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Ashley sitting outside smiling at the camera.

    Hi, I'm Ashley!

    Welcome to Everyday Homemade, where I share fun and easy sourdough recipes, creative ways to use discard, and homemade meals that pair perfectly with fresh-baked sourdough bread.

    More about me

    Subscribe for new sourdough recipes every Saturday!

    Trending Recipes

    • Sourdough discard pizza dough stretched out on a pizza peel.
      Sourdough Discard Pizza Dough (No Yeast)
    • Sourdough discard brownies in an aluminum baking pan.
      Sourdough Discard Brownies
    • A stack of five sourdough granola bars with more bars out of focus in the background.
      Sourdough Granola Bars (Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip)
    • A plate of sourdough soft pretzels with honey mustard dipping sauce.
      Sourdough Soft Pretzels (or Pretzel Bites)

    Sourdough Recipes

    • Several sourdough chocolate chip cookies on a piece of wrinkled parchment paper on a wooden cutting board.
      Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies (No Chill)
    • A metal spatula lifting sourdough discard cheese crackers off of a parchment-lined baking sheet.
      Sourdough Discard Cheese Crackers
    • Three nests of homemade sourdough pasta noodles on a flour-dusted baking sheet.
      How to Make Sourdough Pasta
    • A pile of sourdough discard tortillas on a white cloth.
      Sourdough Discard Tortillas (5 Ingredients!)
    ALL RECIPES

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Legal

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Affiliate Disclosure

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    About

    • About
    • Contact
    • Work With Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Everyday Homemade

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Email
    • Print