This super easy, quick recipe of sweet potato sauteed with mild spices will become your family favorite, and become part of your weeknight dinner menus. Just 5 ingredients or less (see notes) - learn to make these pan fried sweet potatoes in under 20 minutes!
I am a huge fan of sweet potatoes and I always have them in my store cupboard as they are versatile, delicious, and nutritious.
As a kid, I remember my mum making roasted sweet potatoes on an open fire. We used to peel the skin, sprinkle some salt and enjoy it as a mid-morning snack.
Sweet potatoes can be used in a variety of recipes, such as this vegan potato soup, or in recipes such as this mixed vegetable vegan stew.
I love it also because it is a fuss-free vegetable and cooking sweet potatoes on the stove or in an oven is such a breeze!
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Sweet potato sauteed with spices is free from
I enjoy these skillet sweet potatoes because they are so easy on my tummy! This recipe is free from:
⭐ Gluten (check your curry powder for its ingredients)
⭐ Nuts
⭐ Soy
⭐ Dairy
and this recipe is vegan.
Why this recipe is so good
✴ It is a fuss-free and super-easy recipe.
✴ Comes together in 20 minutes - perfect side dish for weeknight dinner.
✴ Is a healthy recipe and low in calories.
✴ This recipe is a budget-friendly dish.
✴ It is a flexible recipe. Once you make it this way, you can try and add more flavors as per your preference (see notes below).
✴ Mild and full of flavors, these sautéed sweet potatoes will be loved by all ages 😊
Ingredients
Just 5 ingredients - that's it and hardly any meal prep is required. This is my kind of recipe😎
See the recipe card for quantities.
Oil: I have used neutral oil. You can use any other oil of your choice. I have tried this recipe with coconut oil, avocado oil, and olive oil and liked it.
Curry powder: I use homemade spice. Feel free to use your favorite one. Don't have curry powder? No worries, this recipe will work well with other spices too. See the notes section below for suggestions.
Water: You will need a little of it to help build up the steam and cook the sweet potatoes.
Instructions
Let's make this super easy pan fried sweet potato recipe.
Step 1: Prep the sweet potato - peel, wash and dice them into ½ inch cubes. Keep them aside.
Step 2: Place a skillet over medium heat. Add oil. When the oil is warm, add the diced sweet potatoes, salt, and turmeric. Toss them around in order to coat the pieces with oil and spices. Add a splash of water (see notes), cover, and cook the sweet potato pieces till nearly cooked (5-6 minutes).
Step 3: Uncover, add the curry powder and mix well. Turn the heat down to medium-low heat and cook for a further 7-8 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are cooked through.
Check for salt and add more, if required.
💡 Make this recipe in a cast iron skillet, if you have one, for that extra crispness - like sweet potato fries 😊
That's it! These easy, sauteed sweet potatoes are ready for you to relish with your main meal 😋
See serving suggestions below for ideas and inspiration.
Notes and suggestions
Chopping the sweet potato: Chop them as evenly as you can. Uneven pieces will cook unevenly - making some mushy while some will take longer to cook.
Do not crowd the pan: Make sure you are cooking the sweet potatoes in the right-sized pan. Overcrowding the pan will result in a mushy, sticky saute. The ideal texture is when the cooked sweet potatoes hold their shape.
Top tip: If you are making a big batch, then either use two skillets or saute them in batches.
To peel or not to peel? It is your personal preference. I prefer to peel the sweet potato for this recipe. Not peeling the potato will save you prep time, but it may take a few minutes more, and a little more water, to cook them.
Water: Adding a splash of water will help build the steam and cook sweet potatoes evenly. The quantity of water required will depend on the vegetable itself and also on the size of the sweet potato pieces. Add more water, if required.
Curry powder: Use your favorite one. I make mine at home. If your curry powder has turmeric in it, then skip the turmeric from the ingredients list. One less ingredient 😊
Storage: Store the leftovers in a container with a tight-fitting lid. It will keep well in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Substitutions and variations
This is a super flexible and forgiving recipe! So go ahead and follow any of these suggestions:
Substitute curry powder with your own spice blend. Spices such as ground coriander, cumin, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder or granules will work well.
If you want to use simple spice, just stick to salt, turmeric, and black pepper.
Instead of neutral oil, use coconut oil or avocado oil, or olive oil for additional flavor and nutrition.
I have made this recipe with almond oil and it tasted SO good!
Variations: Don't have sweet potatoes? No worries! Make it with regular potatoes or carrots. If you have made my sauteed butternut squash recipe, try this one with butternut squash - works well!
Serving suggestions
On most days this dish does not last long enough to be served with anything 😆. It is a perfect finger food and tastes great on its own.
On days that these skillet sweet potatoes do reach the table, I love serving them as a side to this super flavorful vegan cous cous salad. The sweetness of the sweet potatoes pairs well with the spices in the couscous salad.
I love having this dish with this tangy, sunshine-colored yellow lentil soup for a filling grain-free meal.
How do you plan to serve this delicious sweet potato sauteed with spices? Do let me know in the comments below. I would love to hear from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Sweet potatoes have a lot of flavor on their own. A little salt and some simple spices such as ground coriander, cumin, black pepper, and red pepper flakes will bring out the best flavor of the sweet potatoes. Curry powder adds flavor, depth as well as taste to the sweet potatoes.
It is not required to soak the sweet potatoes before frying them. However, if you are not going to cook them immediately, then it is better to keep them in water to avoid discoloration. Washing the sweet potatoes after cutting them will rid them of some of their starch, making the sweet potatoes crisper.
To cook sweet potatoes perfectly on the stove top follow these tips:
1. Start by chopping the sweet potato into cubes of even size.
2. Use a well-seasoned pan or a cast iron skillet for best results.
3. Do not overcrowd the pan.
4. Add a splash of water to the sweet potato cubes, cover them, and cook till they are nearly cooked. Make sure to keep the heat on medium-high.
5. Uncover, add the desired spices, lower the heat to medium-low and cook for a few more minutes till the flavors mingle and the sweet potato crisps up.
If you have made this recipe of sweet potato sauteed with spices, please take a moment to leave a comment and /or a rating below. This will make me super happy and motivate me to create more good content for you! You can also engage with me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram xx Padma
📖 Recipe
Sweet Potato Sauteed in Simple Spices
Equipment
- 1 skillet with lid
- 1 mixing spoon
Ingredients
- 1 big sweet potato (500 grams, approximately)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- ¾ teaspoon salt (adjust as per taste)
- 4 teaspoons curry powder (13-15 grams)
- 2 tablespoons water (adjust as per requirement - see notes)
Instructions
Prep the sweet potato
- Peel, wash, and dice the sweet potato.1 big sweet potato
- Place a skillet on medium heat. When hot, add the oil.1 tablespoon oil
- Add the diced sweet potato, salt, and turmeric. Toss for a minute.¼ teaspoon turmeric, ¾ teaspoon salt
- Add 2 tablespoons water, cover, and let it cook in its steam for 5-6 minutes. See notes.2 tablespoons water
- Uncover and add the curry powder. Mix well.4 teaspoons curry powder
- Turn the heat down to medium-low and cook for 7-8 minutes. At this stage check for salt and add more, if required.
Notes
Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only.
Note: The nutrition information is based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Debra says
Delicious and easy side dish. Loved the assortment of spices too.
Padma Kumar says
Thank you Debra.
Stephanie says
We enjoyed this sweet potato dish! So yummy with the turmeric and curry for a little spice and flavor. An added bonus is I didn't have to turn on the oven (during our heatwave) to make a hot side dish for my family.
Padma Kumar says
So glad that you liked it Stephanie!
Dennis says
I love sweet potatoes and your recipe was easy to make and OMG delicious!
Padma Kumar says
Thank you Dennis. This is a one that is much loved by all of us at home.