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Sweet Southern Candied Yams Recipe - Easy & Perfect Every Time

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.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 -8 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients Method Notes

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

Method
 

  1. Prepare the yams: Scrub, peel, and slice the sweet potatoes into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Set them aside.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

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