Best Jamaican Sweet Potato Recipe [easy to make!] (2024)

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This Jamaican Sweet Potato recipe is easy to make and full of vibrant flavors, boasting a harmonious blend of island spices and natural sweetness. Bursting with Caribbean flair, this Jamaican classic dish offers a tantalizing combination of tender sweet potatoes, aromatic herbs, and a hint of heat, promising a culinary escapade for your palate. Perfect for a cozy dinner or a lively gathering, this Jamaican-inspired creation will have you savoring every bite.

What is yellow yam?

Yellow yam, also known simply as yam, is a starchy tuber native to Africa and Asia but widely cultivated and consumed in many parts of the world, particularly in the Caribbean.

It belongs to the Dioscoreaceae family and is botanically different from sweet potatoes. Yellow yam has a rough, brownish-yellow skin and a creamy, starchy flesh when cooked. It is often boiled, roasted, or fried and is a staple ingredient in many Caribbean dishes, prized for its hearty texture and nutty flavor.

Rich in carbohydrates and various nutrients, yellow yam is a popular source of energy in many cuisines and goes into a variety of savory and sweet preparations.

Can one swap sweet potatoes for yellow yam?

While sweet potatoes and yellow yams share some similarities in terms of texture and use in cooking, they do have distinct flavors and characteristics. Yellow yams tend to be starchier and have a nuttier flavor compared to sweet potatoes, which are sweeter and moister.

In many recipes, especially those from Caribbean cuisines where yellow yams are commonly used, substituting sweet potatoes may alter the flavor and texture of the dish. However, in some cases, particularly in recipes where the flavor difference is not as pronounced or where the sweetness of sweet potatoes complements the other ingredients, you could potentially use sweet potatoes as a substitute for yellow yams.

Ultimately, it depends on the specific recipe and personal preference. Experimentation with substitutions can sometimes yield delicious results, but can expect a slightly different outcome when swapping sweet potatoes for yellow yams.

Are there different kinds of sweet potatoes?

Yes, there are several varieties of sweet potatoes, each with its own unique characteristics in terms of taste, texture, and color.

Some common types include the orange-fleshed sweet potato, which is moist and sweet, often used in classic sweet potato dishes like casseroles and pies.

Are sweet potatoes actually potatoes?

Sweet potatoes are not botanically classified as potatoes, although people often referred to them as such in common language.

Potatoes and sweet potatoes belong to different botanical families and are distinct species. Potatoes are part of the Solanaceae family, while sweet potatoes are from the Convolvulaceae family.

They differ in appearance, taste, and nutritional content, with sweet potatoes typically being sweeter and richer in vitamins and minerals compared to regular potatoes.

What goes into this Jamaican Sweet Potato Recipe

Are you looking for a flavorful and delicious sweet potato recipe?

Look no further than this Jamaican Sweet Potato Recipe! To create this mouth-watering dish, you’ll start by peeling and cutting 2 sweet potatoes into rounds.

You’ll then mix together 5 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of paprika, 4 cloves of pressed garlic, 2 teaspoons of chili powder, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons of jerk seasoning to create a spice mixture that perfectly complements the sweetness of the potatoes.

Can the spice mixture for the Jamaican Sweet Potato Recipe be adjusted to personal taste preferences?

Absolutely! You can definitely adjust the spice mixture in a Jamaican Sweet Potato recipe to suit personal taste preferences. Jamaican cuisine often features bold and vibrant flavors, including spices like allspice, ginger, thyme, and Scotch bonnet peppers. However, the amounts of these spices can be adjusted according to individual preferences for heat, sweetness, or savory notes.

For example, if you prefer a milder dish, you can reduce the amount of Scotch bonnet pepper or omit it altogether. If you enjoy more heat, you can increase the amount of pepper or even add other spicy elements like cayenne pepper. Similarly, you can adjust the proportions of other spices to achieve the desired flavor profile, whether you prefer more sweetness from cinnamon or a stronger aroma from ginger.

How to make Jamaican Sweet Potatoes

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Cut the sweet potatoes into about 1/2-inch-sized rounds. Remove the brown skin.

In a large bowl, mix together olive oil, brown sugar, Jerk seasoning, paprika, chili powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until well combined, then add in the sweet potatoes and coat them evenly with the mixture.

Place the sweet potato rounds on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until they are fully cooked and delicious. Serve and enjoy these Caribbean sweet potatoes!

Other Sweet Potato Recipes to try

Sweet Potato Pasta
Sweet Potato Stuffing
Sweet Potato Stuffing
Sweet Potato Curry
Sweet Potato Casserole

Share your comments about this easy Jamaican Sweet Potato recipe below and on Instagram and Facebook.

Enjoy, Florian.

Best Jamaican Sweet Potato Recipe

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into rounds
5 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp paprika
4 cloves garlic, pressed
2 tsp chili powder
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp jerk seasoning
salt, pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cut the sweet potatoes into about 1/2-inch-sized rounds. Remove the brown skin.
In a large bowl, mix together olive oil, brown sugar, Jerk seasoning, paprika, chili powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until well combined, then add in the sweet potatoes and coat them evenly with the mixture.
Place the sweet potato rounds on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until they are fully cooked and delicious.

Notes

Leftovers of the Jamaican Sweet Potatoes can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days. Use an airtight container.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4Serving Size: 4 rounds
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 265Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 308mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 3gSugar: 16gProtein: 2g