Savory Candied Yams with Bacon and Pecans
Creamy, caramelized, and delightfully crunchy — Savory Candied Yams with Bacon and Pecans is the kind of dish that turns simple sweet potatoes into a show-stopping side.
Servings: 4 servings
Equipment
- Skillet
- Mixing Bowl
- Slotted Spoon
- Paper Towels
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 4 medium Sweet Potatoes, peeled and diced Cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 slices Bacon, chopped Chop into small pieces
- 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter, cut into pieces
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons Maple Syrup
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- 1/2 cup Chopped Pecans Toasted if desired
- Salt and Pepper To taste
Instructions
- Prepare the sweet potatoes: Peel and dice the sweet potatoes into roughly 1-inch cubes so they cook evenly. Pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
- Cook the bacon: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy, about 6–8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease in the skillet and drain the rest.
- Make the glaze: Reduce heat to medium. Add the butter to the skillet with the reserved bacon grease and let it melt. Stir in the brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Simmer for 1–2 minutes until the mixture is slightly thickened and glossy.
- Coat the yams: Add the diced sweet potatoes to the skillet and toss them gently to coat evenly in the glaze. Make sure the pieces are in a single layer as much as possible for even caramelization.
- Cook the yams: Cover the skillet and cook over medium-low heat for 20–25 minutes, stirring every 6–8 minutes to prevent sticking and to ensure even browning. Check tenderness by piercing a cube with a fork; it should be soft with lightly caramelized edges.
- Add finishing touches: Stir the crispy bacon and chopped pecans into the skillet and cook uncovered for another 2–3 minutes to warm everything through and let the glaze re-coat the ingredients.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving dish and serve warm as a side to your favorite meals.
Notes
Choose firm sweet potatoes so the cubes hold their shape during cooking. If you prefer a deeper caramelization, after simmering covered, finish the yams uncovered on medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid burning.