Description
Southern Candied Yams are a sweet and buttery side dish that melts in your mouth. Perfect for holidays or family dinners, these tender yams are coated in a rich, caramelized syrup made with brown sugar, warm spices, and a hint of orange. This dish is easy to make and brings a taste of the South to your table every time.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs sweet potatoes (yams), scrubbed, peeled, and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar or light brown sugar
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
- 4 tbsp orange juice concentrate, thawed
Instructions
- Prepare the yams: Scrub, peel, and slice the sweet potatoes into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Set them aside.
- Combine ingredients: Place the sliced yams into a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, vanilla extract, butter, and orange juice concentrate. Stir to coat the yams evenly with the sugar and butter mixture.
- Cook the yams: Let the mixture come to a gentle boil. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for about 50 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the yams are fork-tender.
- Create the syrup: Remove the lid, increase the heat to medium, and let the cooking liquid boil uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The liquid will reduce into a thick, caramel-like syrup that coats the yams beautifully.
- Serve warm: Remove the pot from heat. Transfer the candied yams to a serving dish or keep them warm in the oven until ready to serve. These taste best when served warm.
Notes
- If the yams are still firm after 50 minutes, let them cook a little longer.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle chopped pecans over the yams before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Southern