Hot Maple Grilled Sweet Potatoes

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Type: Vegetarian
Spice Level: 🌶🌶 Medium
Servings: 6 - 8
Estimated Cost: $10 - $14

Ingredients

For the Sweet Potatoes:

• 4 large sweet potatoes, halved lengthwise

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp kosher salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

For the Maple Chipotle Glaze:

• ⅓ cup pure maple syrup

• 2 tsp chipotle powder

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

For the Chipotle Lime Crema:

• ½ cup sour cream

• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice

• ½ tsp chipotle powder

• Pinch of kosher salt

Substitutions

• Chipotle powder: ancho chili powder for a milder, earthier heat

• Unsalted butter: vegan butter for a fully plant-based version

• Sour cream: plain Greek yogurt or dairy-free sour cream for the crema

Instructions

1. Heat grill to medium-high. Brush grates clean and oil lightly.

2. Whisk together maple syrup, chipotle powder, smoked paprika, and melted butter in a small bowl. Set aside.

3. In a separate bowl, stir together sour cream, lime juice, chipotle powder, and salt until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

4. Brush cut sides of sweet potatoes generously with olive oil and season with kosher salt and black pepper.

5. Place sweet potatoes cut-side down on the grill. Cook 8-10 minutes until deep char marks form and the edges begin to caramelize.

6. Flip and brush the cut side generously with the maple chipotle glaze.

7. Cook an additional 8-10 minutes until the sweet potatoes are tender all the way through.

8. Remove from grill and brush with another layer of glaze while still hot.

9. Drizzle chipotle lime crema across the sweet potatoes in thin ribbons. Garnish with fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and flaky sea salt.

Love at First Bite

The grill does something extraordinary to a sweet potato - it pulls the natural sugars to the surface, chars the edges into something smoky and complex, and creates a canvas that the maple chipotle glaze transforms into a deeply layered experience. The chipotle lime crema lands cool and tangy against the heat of the glaze, and together they create a bite that feels both familiar and completely unexpected.

Origin Story

Sweet potatoes have fed and sustained communities across generations, from the fields of the South to Sunday tables across the country. This version takes that deep familiarity and runs it through the grill, layering in smoky chipotle heat, maple sweetness, and a bright crema finish to create something that feels both rooted and entirely new.

Remix Notes

For a solo serving, grab one sweet potato and scale the glaze and crema down to a single portion - both come together in minutes and reheat beautifully the next day. Add a teaspoon of fresh grated ginger to the glaze for a bright, warming kick that plays beautifully against the chipotle. The crema also works as a dipping sauce on the side if you prefer to keep the presentation clean.

Soul Notes

Some dishes carry memory in every bite. Sweet potatoes have shown up through every season of life - this version shows up just as reliably, just with a little more fire and a cool finish that makes you go back for one more piece.

Pairs Well With

Hot Maple Grilled Sweet Potato brings enough personality to anchor a plate on its own. Pair it with something that appreciates a little heat with its sweet.

• Hibiscus Ginger Lemonade

• Roasted Sweet Potato & Black Bean Wrap

• Cajun Grilled Portobello & Guacamole Burger

Storage & Reheating

Store sweet potatoes and crema separately, covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat sweet potatoes in the oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes or in a skillet over medium heat with a light brush of olive oil. The glaze reactivates beautifully with heat. Stir the crema before serving.

FAQ

Can I make this on a stovetop grill pan instead of an outdoor grill?
A cast iron grill pan works well. Heat it over medium-high, oil it lightly, and follow the same steps. The char marks won't be as dramatic but the glaze caramelizes just as beautifully.

How do I know when the sweet potato is fully cooked through on the grill?
Press the thickest part of the sweet potato with tongs or a fork. Full tenderness means the fork slides in with no resistance. If the outside is charring faster than the inside is cooking, move the sweet potato to a cooler part of the grill and let it finish over indirect heat.

Does this work in the oven?
Place sweet potato halves cut-side up on a lined baking sheet, brush generously with glaze, and roast at 400°F for 25-30 minutes. Brush with a second coat of glaze in the last 5 minutes for that lacquered finish.

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