How To Grill Sweet Potato Wedges

Related Sweet Potato Recipes:

• Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges
• Duck Fat Smashed Sweet Potatoes
• Hasselback Sweet Potatoes

Welcome to the tantalizing world of grilled sweet potato wedges, where the natural sweetness of these golden treasures meets the smoky embrace of the grill. Get ready to embark on a soulful culinary journey as the charred edges and tender flesh of these wedges create a symphony of flavors that will have your taste buds singing in delight.

Quick grilled sweet potato wedges with chili-lime sauce; easy enough for a quick weeknight side yet fancy enough for Sunday dinner.

Pre roasted sweet potato wedges are grilled to perfection on the grill in just a few short minutes making for a delicious side dish made with just a few simple ingredients you're likely to have all on hand.

Beats and Eats (music to pair with sweet potato wedges)

Dexter Gordon's "Night in Tunisia" complements grilled sweet potato wedges due to its vibrant and dynamic jazz tones, echoing the bold flavors and textures of the dish. Just like the song, the sweet potatoes offer a harmonious blend of smoky char and sweet undertones, creating a sensory experience that's both satisfying and soulful.

Ingredients For Sweet Potato Wedges

Short ingredient list, but big bold flavor

• Sweet Potatoes - no need to peel sweet potatoes for this recipe
• Fresh Lime Juice & zest
• Maple Syrup
• Olive Oil
• Cilantro
• Chili Powder - I like Harissa spice or Ancho chile powder
• Kosher Salt
• Black Pepper
• Optional spices include - smoked paprika, onion powder, or garlic powder

How To Make Grilled Sweet Potatoes

This is a simple and short recipe. Cook time is right at 30 minutes and the recipe is low involvement. You can cook these on a traditional outdoor grill or indoors on the stovetop using a cast-iron grill pan.

Step 1:

Wash sweet potatoes well. Cut the sweet potatoes into wedges by halving them and then cutting each half into four equal-sized wedges. Arrange the sweet potato wedges on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil.

Toss sweet potato wedges in the oil then season the sweet potato wedges with salt and pepper.

Step 2:

Place sweet potatoes into the preheated oven (425 degrees F)  and roast until the potatoes about 20 minutes or fork tender. Set baked sweet potatoes aside until grill or grill pan is properly heated.

Step 3:

Place baked sweet potato wedges on hot grill (at medium high heat) for 2 minutes per side

Step 4:

Mix sauce together and brush on the wedges. Serve immediately

What To Serve With Sweet Potato Wedges

When serving the best sweet potato wedges ever, there are several delightful options to complement their natural sweetness. I treat them like large sweet potato fries. Consider pairing them with a tangy dip like garlic aioli or chipotle mayo for a savory contrast.

Here are a few more suggestions for what to serve with grilled sweet potato wedges:

1. Grilled Meat: Enhance your meal by serving the sweet potato wedges alongside grilled items like juicy burgers, tender chicken breasts, succulent steak, or flavorful grilled fish. The smoky flavors from the grill will complement the sweetness of the wedges.
2. Fresh Salad: Balance the richness of the sweet potato wedges with a refreshing salad. Consider a mixed green salad with crisp vegetables, such as cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and avocado. Toss it with a zesty vinaigrette or a tangy citrus dressing to add a burst of freshness.
3. Tangy Slaw: Pair the sweet potato wedges with a tangy slaw made with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a zesty dressing. The crisp texture and tangy flavors of the slaw will provide a delightful contrast to the grilled wedges.
4. grilled corn on the cob: Grilled sweet potato wedges go well with classic barbecue sides like grilled corn on the cob. The smoky sweetness of the corn complements the flavors of the wedges, creating a harmonious combination.

Top the wedges with cilantro and enjoy. I typically enjoy these as a side to dishes like:

Instant Pot Jerk Chicken

Instant Pot Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken

Pan-Roasted Jerk Chicken

Nigerian Beef Suya Skewers

Smoked and Fried Whole Cornish Hen

Smoked Trout w/ Fennel Rub

Grilled Sweet Potatoes Cooking Tips

When making grilled sweet potato wedges, here are some tips and cooking considerations to keep in mind:

1. Choose the right sweet potatoes: Look for sweet potatoes that are firm and have smooth skin. They should be evenly shaped for uniform cooking.
2. Cut them into consistent wedges: Start with medium sweet potatoes as their size will make them easier to handle and cut. Cut the sweet potatoes into evenly sized wedges to ensure they cook evenly. This allows for a balance of tenderness and char on the grill.
3. Precook the wedges if needed: Sweet potato wedges can take longer to cook on the grill. To speed up the process, you can pre-cook them by boiling or microwaving them for a few minutes until they are slightly tender. This reduces grilling time and helps ensure they are fully cooked. Note my pre-cooking preference is for baked sweet potato wedges first!
4. Oil and season generously: Coat the sweet potato wedges with a generous amount of oil to prevent sticking and promote caramelization. Season them with your preferred spices, such as salt, pepper, paprika, or cinnamon, to enhance their flavors.
5. Preheat the grill and clean the grates: Make sure to preheat your grill to medium heat before placing the sweet potato wedges on it. This ensures even cooking and helps create those beautiful grill marks. Clean the grates thoroughly to prevent the wedges from sticking.
6. Use indirect grilling for thicker wedges: If your sweet potato wedges are thick, consider using indirect grilling. This means placing the wedges on a cooler part of the grill or turning off one burner on a gas grill. This allows the wedges to cook through without burning the exterior.
7. Flip carefully: When flipping the sweet potato wedges, do it gently to avoid breaking them. Use a spatula or tongs to carefully turn them over, ensuring they cook evenly on both sides.
8. Pay attention to cooking time: Cooking time can vary depending on the size and thickness of the wedges. Monitor the grill closely, flipping the wedges as needed until they are tender and have a nice char. If you prefer crispy sweet potato wedges cook a little longer, but avoid overcooking, as they can become too burnt.

Additional considerations:

• Cut the sweet potatoes into large wedges then wash them with cold water
• The key to these grilled wedges is pre-cooking the sweet potatoes. 
• If using an outdoor grill, preheat the grill grates to get them sufficiently hot before placing the wedges down. Also, wipe them down using paper towel dabbed with oil. This will prevent the wedges from sticking and also net pretty grill marks
• If using an indoor stovetop grill spray with non-stick cooking spray first
• Cutting the sweet potatoes into rounds is actually easier to cook as far as avoiding burnt edges, but wedges rule for overall results
• For other ways of cooking sweet potatoes try my sweet potatoes guide.
• Store grilled sweet potatoes refrigerated in an airtight container. Leftover grilled sweet potatoes can be stored and used later for up to two days.
• I prefer wedges, but grilled sweet potato slices have a nice ring to them and work fine.

To reheat leftover sweet potatoes, there are a few simple methods:

1. Microwave: Place the sweet potatoes in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes per potato until heated through.
2. Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the sweet potatoes in foil and place them on a baking sheet. Reheat for about 15-20 minutes until heated through.

Grilled Sweet Potatoes Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I prevent the sweet potato wedges from sticking to the grill?

To prevent sticking, make sure the grill grates are clean and well-oiled before placing the sweet potato wedges. Brush the wedges with a little oil before grilling as well. This will help create a barrier and minimize sticking.

What is the best way to season sweet potato wedges for grilling?

Sweet potato wedges can be seasoned in various ways. Toss them in a mixture of olive oil, salt, pepper, and your preferred spices such as paprika, garlic powder, or cumin. You can also add a touch of sweetness with a sprinkle of brown sugar or cinnamon.

How long should I grill sweet potato wedges?

Grilling time can vary depending on the thickness of the wedges and the heat of the grill. Generally, grill the sweet potato wedges over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes, flipping them occasionally, until they are tender and have grill marks.

What's the best pre-cooking method?

There are multiple pre-cooking options, from boiling to microwave, but I find roasting the best option for optimal flavor and texture.

Microwave is faster but results in a mushy texture and too much char flavor.

Boiling ain't much better. You get a little bit more flavor, but the texture is still too soft and lacking any crispiness.

I've yet to make air fryer sweet potato wedges or any type of sweet potatoes in an air fryer so can't speak on it.

I find that roasting intensifies the natural sweetness of the potato wedges. It has the additional benefit of pulling out the surface moisture which helps get that easy, good charring.

For additional soul food sweet potato based recipes, try these:

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

Black Rice Salad with Sweet Potatoes

Candied Sweet Potatoes

Roasted Eggplant with Cuban Mojo Sauce

Make This Sweet Potato Recipe

As we conclude this soulful adventure with grilled sweet potato wedges, let the lingering smokiness and irresistible sweetness of these golden gems leave a lasting impression on your palate.

With every bite, savor the harmonious blend of textures and flavors that the grill has bestowed upon these humble orange spuds. Whether enjoyed as a side dish or the star of the meal, these soulful creations are sure to bring warmth and comfort to your table, leaving you longing for more of their irresistible deliciousness.

Put these tasty spuds in your weeknight dinner routine. If you make it, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see it.

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