Description
Southern Candied Yams are a luscious, caramelized side dish combining fresh yams with brown sugar, warm spices, and a rich plant-based butter sauce. This comforting Southern recipe features a smooth texture and a sticky glaze made with natural ingredients, perfect for holidays, family gatherings, or anytime you crave sweet and flavorful comfort food.
Ingredients
Scale
Yams
- 4 large fresh yams, peeled and sliced into rounds or chunks
Candied Sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (natural)
- 1/4 cup plant-based butter
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon natural gelling agent
Instructions
- Prepare the Yams: Peel the yams and slice them into evenly sized rounds or chunks to ensure consistent cooking. Place them in a pot of boiling water and cook until just tender, about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Candied Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the plant-based butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar (natural), ground cinnamon, nutmeg, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), apple cider vinegar, and orange juice. Bring the mixture to a simmer, adding the natural gelling agent to slightly thicken the sauce. Stir frequently to prevent burning.
- Combine and Bake: Arrange the cooked yams in a baking dish and pour the warm candied sauce evenly over them. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and caramelized, forming a rich glaze on the yams.
Notes
- Choose fresh, firm yams for better shape and even cooking.
- Slice yams evenly to ensure uniform texture and doneness.
- Allow the sauce to simmer slowly to develop depth and the perfect glossy finish.
- Add natural gelling agent carefully to achieve ideal syrup consistency without over-thickening.
- Let the dish rest slightly after baking to allow flavors to meld perfectly before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Southern Candied Yams, sweet yams recipe, Southern side dish, candied yams vegan, caramelized yams, plant-based sweet potato dish
