Stovetop Candied Yams Recipe

Making southern stovetop candied yams is surprisingly simple. Simmered in butter, brown sugar, and warm spices that makes the whole kitchen feel like the holidays!

The most important thing is giving the sweet potatoes enough time to become tender without letting them fall apart.

And if you’ve ever had a good plate of Southern candied yams, you already know the syrup is just as important as the sweet potatoes themselves.

This recipe gives you tender sweet potatoes coated in a rich, buttery brown sugar glaze, with just the right amount of warm spice to bring everything together.

The best part? You don’t even have to turn on your oven!

Whether you’re preparing Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner, or a comforting Sunday meal, these old-fashioned candied yams deserve a spot on the table.

Let’s Add These Stovetop Candied Yams To The Table

I love a good holiday side dish, especially one that doesn’t require me to fight for oven space!

Here’s why this southern stovetop candied yams recipe is worth making:

No oven needed. Everything cooks right on the stovetop, leaving your oven available for the turkey, casseroles, and other holiday favorites.

That buttery brown sugar glaze! The sweet potatoes simmer in a rich syrup that thickens as it cooks.

Simple ingredients. You only need a handful of ingredients to make something incredibly comforting.

Perfect for the holidays. These yams fit right in at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or a Sunday family dinner.

And while these stovetop candied yams are sweet, they’re meant to be served as a side dish alongside your favorite savory foods.

Are Candied Yams Actually Sweet Potatoes?

Here’s something you might find interesting.

Most of the candied yams we enjoy in the United States are actually made with sweet potatoes!

True yams and sweet potatoes are two different vegetables. Check our post on what are yellow yams here.However, the orange-fleshed sweet potatoes commonly sold in American grocery stores are often labeled as yams.

For this recipe, we’re using orange-fleshed sweet potatoes because they become beautifully tender and absorb the buttery brown sugar syrup.

When shopping, look for sweet potatoes that are firm, with smooth skin and no soft spots.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You don’t need a long list of ingredients to make delicious Southern-style candied yams. In fact, you probably have most of these ingredients in your kitchen already.

Sweet Potatoes (2 pounds): The star of the recipe! Choose firm, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes. Peel and cut them into evenly sized pieces so they cook at the same rate.

Brown Sugar (2½ cups): This creates the sweet, caramel-like glaze. Light brown sugar gives you a milder flavor, while dark brown sugar adds a deeper molasses taste.

Unsalted Butter (1 stick): Butter gives the syrup richness and that smooth, glossy finish.

Water (1 cup): Helps create the cooking liquid so the sweet potatoes can soften while the syrup develops.

Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Adds warmth and rounds out the sweetness.

Bèlans Baking Spice (2 teaspoons): This is where we bring in a little Savory Thoughts magic! Our Bèlans spice blend adds warm, aromatic flavor that pairs beautifully with the brown sugar and sweet potatoes.

Salt (1 teaspoon): Helps balance the sweetness and bring out the other flavors.

Don’t have Bèlans? You can use cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice instead. I’ll share the measurements below.

My Tips for the Best Candied Yams

1. Don’t cut the sweet potatoes too thin.

Thin slices can break apart as they simmer. Slightly thicker pieces hold their shape better and give you that tender, buttery bite.

2. Keep the heat under control.

You want a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil. High heat can cause the syrup to reduce too quickly before the potatoes finish cooking.

3. Use a heavy-bottomed pot.

A good saucepan or deep skillet helps distribute heat more evenly, reducing the chances of the sugar scorching.

4. Don’t over-stir.

Once the sweet potatoes begin softening, use a gentle hand when turning them.

5. Give the glaze time to settle.The syrup may look a little thin while it’s hot, but it will thicken as it cools. Don’t rush to cook off all the liquid.

Can You Make Candied Yams Less Sweet?

Absolutely! This southern candied yams recipe uses a generous amount of brown sugar to create a rich, old-fashioned candied glaze.

But if you prefer a lighter sweetness, you can experiment with reducing the brown sugar to 1½–2 cups.

Keep in mind that reducing the sugar will also change the thickness and consistency of the syrup, so you may need to adjust the cooking liquid and simmering time. I recommend starting with a smaller reduction and adjusting from there.

What Can I Use Instead of Bèlans Spice?

If you don’t have our Bèlans baking spice on hand, you can make a simple substitute using:

• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice

This combination brings warm, comforting flavors to the sweet potatoes. Of course, Bèlans is our preferred blend for this recipe, but I always want you to be able to make dinner with what you have available.

What to Serve with Candied Yams

Candied yams are one of those side dishes that can easily become the star of the plate.

Their sweetness pairs beautifully with savory main dishes, especially during the holidays.

Here are a few delicious ways to serve them:

Smothered Turkey Wings: Rich, savory turkey wings with gravy are a wonderful contrast to the sweet brown sugar glaze.

Cajun Turkey breast: The bold, seasoned flavor of Cajun turkey pairs beautifully with these buttery sweet potatoes.

Baked Turkey Wings: An easy and comforting combination for Sunday dinner or Thanksgiving.

Corn Pudding Casserole: If you’re putting together a holiday spread, this is another comforting side dish to add to the table.

Collard Greens: A little savory flavor alongside the sweetness of the yams is always a good idea.

And don’t forget the cornbread! Try this jalapeño cornbread or this instant pot cornbread.

How to Make Stovetop Candied Yams

This stovetop candied yams taste like the holidays wrapped in a hug 🤎

Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram or Facebook so we can see your beautiful dish.

It warms our hearts to see the recipes you make from this site. Also, we would appreciate it if could give it a star rating!