Classic Southern Candied Yams Thanksgiving Side Dish

Southern Thanksgiving Recipes || Soul Food Recipes

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Key Takeaways

• Side dishes are the most memorable part of Thanksgiving for over 87% of Americans.
• Southern Candied Yams are a cornerstone of the holiday feast, combining sweet, buttery, and spiced flavors.
• The recipe can be adapted for vegan diets and adjusted for lower sugar content without losing its soulful essence.
• Avoid common mistakes like uneven slicing and skipping the foil cover to ensure perfect results.
• This dish pairs perfectly with other Southern classics like collard greens and mac and cheese.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Ingredients List for Southern Candied Yams
• Timing
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• Nutritional Information
• Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe
• Serving Suggestions
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Storing Tips for the Recipe
• Conclusion
• FAQs

Introduction

Did you know that over 87% of Americans believe the side dishes are the most memorable part of the Thanksgiving meal, often outshining the turkey itself? If you’re aiming to create a feast that resonates with warmth, history, and undeniable flavor, look no further than the heart of Southern cooking. This year, move beyond the ordinary and craft a Thanksgiving table steeped in tradition with our ultimate collection of Southern Thanksgiving Recipes. These soul food recipes are more than just food; they are a narrative of heritage, family, and comfort on a plate. We’re diving deep into a classic: the quintessential Southern Candied Yams. This isn’t just a side dish; it’s a sweet, buttery, and spiced masterpiece that will have your guests begging for the recipe.

Ingredients List for Southern Candied Yams

Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to soul food success. This list is designed for about 8-10 servings, perfect for your holiday gathering.

• Fresh Yams or Sweet Potatoes: 4 pounds (about 4-5 large ones), peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds. Pro Tip: Look for Garnet or Jewel sweet potatoes for their deep orange color and perfect sweetness.
• Unsalted Butter: 1/2 cup (1 stick), melted. Using unsalted allows you to control the sodium level.
• Brown Sugar: 1 cup, packed. This is the cornerstone of that rich, molasses-like syrup.
• Granulated White Sugar: 1/4 cup. This combines with the brown sugar to create a perfectly balanced sweetness.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon. Don’t skip this! It adds a beautiful aromatic depth.
• Ground Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon for that warm, familiar spice.
• Ground Nutmeg: 1/4 teaspoon. A little nutmeg goes a long way in enhancing the yams’ natural flavor.
• Salt: 1/4 teaspoon to balance and heighten all the other flavors.
• Water: 1/2 cup. This helps create the syrupy base.
• Optional Garnish: 1 cup of mini marshmallows, to be added in the last 10 minutes of baking for that classic, gooey top.

Ingredient Substitutions:

• Vegan? Easily swap the butter for a high-quality plant-based butter alternative.
• Less Sugar? You can reduce the brown sugar to 3/4 cup, but the syrup will be thinner.
• Spice it Up: A pinch of cayenne pepper can add a surprising and delightful kick that cuts through the sweetness.

Timing

Good food takes time, but we’ve optimized this recipe for maximum flavor with minimal fuss.

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes. This includes peeling and slicing the yams.
• Cooking Time: 1 hour 15 minutes. This allows the syrup to thicken and the yams to become incredibly tender.
• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes. This is about 25% less hands-on time than many from-scratch casseroles, giving you more freedom to prepare other Southern Thanksgiving recipes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep Your Yams
Thoroughly wash, peel, and slice your yams into even 1/2-inch rounds. Consistency in size is your best friend here, as it ensures every piece cooks through at the same rate. Place the slices in a large bowl of cold water to prevent browning while you prepare the syrup.

Step 2: Create the Magic Syrup
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and water. Whisk constantly until the sugars have completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth and begins to simmer gently. You should see tiny bubbles forming around the edges. This takes about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Step 3: Layer and Pour
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Drain your yam slices and pat them dry. Arrange the slices in the dish, overlapping them slightly like shingles. This beautiful arrangement makes for a stunning presentation. Now, slowly and evenly pour the warm syrup over the layered yams, ensuring every slice gets coated.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. This is crucial, as it traps steam and helps the yams soften. Bake covered for 45 minutes. Then, carefully remove the foil, give the yams a gentle baste with the syrup from the bottom of the dish, and return to the oven, uncovered, for another 25-30 minutes. The syrup will thicken, and the edges of the yams will begin to caramelize.

Step 5: The Grand Finale (Optional)
If you’re using marshmallows, now is the time! Take the dish out of the oven, switch it to broil, and quickly scatter the mini marshmallows over the top. Return the dish to the oven for just 2-4 minutes, WATCHING CONSTANTLY, until the marshmallows are puffed and golden brown. Let it stand for 10 minutes before serving; the syrup will thicken further as it cools.

Nutritional Information

Understanding what’s on your plate helps you enjoy it even more. The following data is an estimate per serving (without marshmallows), based on a recipe serving 10.

Nutrient	Amount	% Daily Value*
Calories	315 kcal
Total Fat	9g	12%
Saturated Fat	6g	30%
Cholesterol	24mg	8%
Sodium	85mg	4%
Total Carbohydrate	59g	21%
Dietary Fiber	5g	18%
Total Sugars	35g
Protein	2g	4%
Vitamin A	1070 mcg	119%
Vitamin C	4mg	4%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe

You can absolutely enjoy this soul food classic with a healthier twist without sacrificing soul.

• Sugar Swap: Replace the brown and white sugars with a combination of 3/4 cup pure maple syrup or agave nectar. Reduce the water to 1/4 cup as these are liquid sweeteners.
• Reduce Fat: Cut the butter in half and use 1/4 cup. The dish will be less rich but still delicious.
• Spice is Nice: Boost flavor without calories by doubling the cinnamon and adding a 1/2 teaspoon of ginger and a pinch of cloves.
• No Marshmallows: Skip them entirely for a less sugary topping. Toasted pecans or walnuts add a fantastic crunch and healthy fats instead.

Serving Suggestions

This dish is the star of the side show, but it plays well with others. Serve it piping hot alongside your roasted turkey or a baked ham. For a truly authentic Southern Thanksgiving spread, pair it with other classics like collard greens, a robust mac and cheese, and fluffy buttermilk biscuits to sop up every last drop of that incredible syrup. It’s also a fantastic potluck dish—it travels well and holds its heat.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Uneven Slices: Using a mandoline slicer can help achieve perfectly even slices for uniform cooking.
• Skipping the Foil: Not covering the dish for the first half of baking can result in tough, undercooked yams. The steam is essential.
• Not Basting: Taking the time to baste the yams when you remove the foil redistributes the syrup and prevents the top layers from drying out.
• Walking Away from the Broiler: If you choose the marshmallow route, do not, under any circumstances, leave the oven unattended. They go from perfectly golden to completely charred in seconds.

Storing Tips for the Recipe

• Refrigeration: Allow the candied yams to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. They will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: Reheat gently in a covered oven-safe dish at 325°F until warmed through. You can add a tablespoon of water or orange juice to loosen the syrup if it has thickened too much. Microwaving in short bursts also works.
• Freezing: While you can freeze them, the texture of the yams may become slightly softer upon thawing. Freeze for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Conclusion

Southern Candied Yams are the soulful, sweet, and essential side dish your Thanksgiving table deserves. With simple ingredients and easy steps, this recipe delivers maximum flavor and tradition. The perfect balance of spice, sweetness, and tender yams will make it a new family favorite.

We’d love to hear from you! Did you try this recipe? Share your experience, photos, or your own family twists in the comments section below. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more incredible soul food recipes and holiday cooking tips!

FAQs

• Q1: What’s the difference between yams and sweet potatoes?
  In most American grocery stores, the terms are used interchangeably, but what you’re actually buying are sweet potatoes (with orange flesh). True yams are a starchier, drier root vegetable common in West African and Caribbean cooking. For this soul food recipe, you want the orange-fleshed sweet potatoes.
• Q2: Can I make this dish ahead of time?
  Absolutely! Assemble the entire dish up to the point of baking. Cover it tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready, you may need to add 5-10 minutes to the covered baking time since you’re starting from a cold state.
• Q3: My syrup is too thin after baking. How can I fix it?
  This can happen if the dish is too crowded. Simply pour the syrup into a small saucepan and simmer it for a few minutes until it reduces and thickens to your desired consistency. Pour it back over the yams.
• Q4: What other spices can I use?
  This recipe is wonderfully adaptable. Pumpkin pie spice is a great shortcut. A tablespoon of freshly grated orange zest added to the syrup also introduces a bright, citrusy note that cuts through the sweetness beautifully. For more on building flavor profiles, check out our guide on how to create the perfect spice blend.
• Q5: What main dish pairs best with these candied yams?
  While turkey is the classic, the sweet and savory profile of these yams pairs exceptionally well with a brown sugar-glazed ham or even a herb-roasted chicken. For a fantastic holiday ham recipe, explore our post on classic holiday centerpieces.

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