These Traeger Grilled Sweet Potatoes combine sweet potatoes and yams, baked in a rich butter and brown sugar sauce on a pellet grill until caramelized and tender. The result is a sweet, smoky side dish that works year-round and shines on holiday tables.
Traeger Grilled Sweet Potatoes
If you prefer a simple, caramelized sweet potato side over the marshmallow-topped casserole, this is for you. Slices of sweet potatoes and yams are layered in a grill-safe pan, drenched with a buttery maple-bourbon sauce, and baked on a pellet grill for about 45–60 minutes. The sauce reduces and forms a glossy, caramel-like glaze that balances sweetness and a hint of smoke.
Serve these as a holiday side with turkey, ham, or roast beef, or anytime you want a comforting, crowd-pleasing vegetable dish.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
- Sweet, smoky, and rich — Maple, brown sugar, and a touch of bourbon create deep flavor while the pellet grill adds subtle smoke.
- Simple prep — Peel, slice, layer, pour the sauce, and grill. No complicated techniques required.
- Great for gatherings — Holds up on a buffet and pairs well with classic holiday mains.
- Kid-friendly — The sweet, caramelized finish makes it appealing to picky eaters.
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Recipe Shopping List
Here are the ingredients you’ll need. For exact measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Yams — Often labeled as yams in stores, these deep-orange varieties add color and firmness.
- Sweet potatoes — Choose uniform sizes for even slicing.
- Butter — Helps form the glaze and adds richness.
- Maple syrup — Use real maple syrup for the best depth of flavor.
- Orange juice — Adds brightness and cuts sweetness.
- Brown Sugar Bourbon — Adds warmth and complexity; substitute bourbon plus a touch more brown sugar if preferred.
- Salt and cinnamon — Balance and gentle spice.
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How To Make This Recipe
Overview: Preheat the grill, slice the tubers, layer them in a grill-safe pan, make a simple syrupy butter sauce, pour it over the slices, cover, and let the grill gently roast and caramelize the potatoes.
- Preheat — Heat your Traeger or pellet grill to 325°F (approx.).
- Prep potatoes — Peel and slice yams and sweet potatoes into 1/4-inch rounds.
- Layer — Spray a 10×13 grill-safe dish and alternate layers of the rounds.
- Make the sauce — In a small saucepan melt butter with maple syrup and orange juice. Simmer 5 minutes, then remove from heat and stir in the bourbon (or omit if preferred).
- Grill — Pour sauce over the layered potatoes, sprinkle with salt and cinnamon, cover tightly with foil, and grill 30 minutes. Remove foil and grill 15–30 more minutes until tender and caramelized.
Traeger Pellet Grill Holiday Recipes
FAQ
Both common varieties found in grocery stores work well. The orange-skinned type often labeled “yam” is usually just a sweet potato variety. You can use orange-fleshed, white-fleshed, or a mix for contrast in texture and color.
A heavy pan holds heat and helps prevent scorching. Cast iron or a thick stoneware baking dish yields the best, most even results. Thin metal pans work but may brown faster on the bottom.
Yes. The bourbon adds depth but not a boozy flavor once cooked. If you prefer not to use alcohol, omit it—the dish will still be delicious.
Yes. Use extra pans or layer more aggressively, but expect longer cooking time. If using the same-size pan with more layers, you may not need to double the sauce.
Absolutely. You can assemble and refrigerate the dish until about an hour before serving, then finish on the grill. Alternatively, cook ahead, cool, and reheat on the grill or oven before serving.
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More Holiday Recipes To Make
- Traeger Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Dinner Rolls
- Caesar Salad
Try a Smoked Pineapple Glazed Ham too!
Make a Thanksgiving Feast
- Spatchcock Turkey
- Thanksgiving Stuffing
- Smoked Boursin Mashed Potatoes
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Traeger Grilled Candied Sweet Potatoes
Slices of sweet potatoes and yams are layered and cooked in a brown sugar butter sauce with a splash of bourbon, then finished with a dusting of cinnamon for a sweet, slightly smoky side.
15 minutes
45 minutes
1 hour
Ingredients
- 2 large yams
- 2 large sweet potatoes
- ½ cup (1 stick) butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar Bourbon (or ¼ cup bourbon + extra brown sugar)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the Traeger or pellet grill to 325°F (or as close as the unit will allow).
- Wash and peel the sweet potatoes and yams. Slice into ¼-inch rounds for even cooking.
- Spray a grill-safe 10×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray and layer the rounds, alternating yams and sweet potatoes for color and texture.
- In a small saucepan, combine the butter, maple syrup, and orange juice. Heat over medium, stirring until the butter melts. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, then remove from heat and stir in the bourbon if using.
- Pour the warm sauce over the layered potatoes, sprinkle with salt and cinnamon, and cover tightly with foil.
- Place the dish on the grill and cook covered for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and return to the grill for another 15–30 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the sauce has caramelized.
Notes
You can substitute regular bourbon if you don’t have Brown Sugar Bourbon. Honey can replace maple syrup in a pinch, though real maple syrup gives the best flavor.
Nutrition Information (estimate)
Yield: 8 | Serving size: 1
Amount per serving (estimate): Calories 177; Total fat 8g; Saturated fat 5g; Cholesterol 20mg; Sodium 251mg; Carbohydrates 27g; Fiber 2g; Sugar 15g; Protein 1g.
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate.