A Savory Take on Sweet Potatoes
Servings: 8 | Total Time: 1 hour | Effort Level: Simple
This flavorful, make-ahead side dish combines roasted sweet potatoes and tart Granny Smith apples for a bright contrast of flavors. Lemon zest and juice add a touch of citrus, while fresh sage brings a light earthy note that complements the natural character of the sweet potatoes. It pairs beautifully with entrées like roast turkey, pork, or glazed ham.
When developing this recipe, we wanted to highlight the earthy side of sweet potatoes rather than leaning only on their sweetness. The combination of tart apples, citrus, and sage does exactly that, creating a side dish that feels fresher and more balanced than many traditional sweet potato sides.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
We believe that great flavor starts with quality ingredients. Here are the small details that make these choices work. For a full list and measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Sweet potatoes – Look for firm sweet potatoes with smooth skin. Smaller to medium-sized sweet potatoes tend to be sweeter and more flavorful, while larger ones might be less sweet and a little tougher, requiring longer cooking times.
- Granny smith apples – Granny Smith is our apple of choice for this dish thanks to its firm texture and tart flavor, which balances the sweetness of the potatoes and honey.
- Honey – We prefer lighter varieties like orange blossom or wildflower honey for this recipe.
- Fresh lemon – The bright flavor of freshly squeezed lemon juice and fresh lemon zest is essential to balancing the overall sweetness of the other ingredients. You can substitute good quality bottled lemon juice, but the flavor of the dish won’t be as vibrant.
- Sage – Fresh sage is the ideal choice for complementing the potatoes and apples, but dried can be used in a pinch. Just be sure to reduce the quantity as noted in the recipe.
Prep Overview
How To Make Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Apples
Here’s a quick overview of the process, with the key techniques that make it work. Detailed, step-by-step instructions are in the printable recipe card below.
Start by getting the oven ready and prepping the baking sheet and casserole dish. Toss the sweet potatoes with oil, season them, and roast until they’re tender and starting to brown.
While those are in the oven, sauté sliced apples in a honey-butter mixture with lemon and sage until they’re soft and fragrant. Combine the roasted sweet potatoes with the apples, transfer everything to the casserole dish, and bake briefly before serving.
What to Serve with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Apples
This simple and flavorful sweet potatoes and apples recipe pairs well with a variety of main dishes. Some of our favorites are pork roast, roasted cornish hens, and cider-brined turkey breast.
More Ways to Cook Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are incredibly versatile and work well in both sweet and savory dishes. Some favorite recipes include Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Orange, which are light, fluffy, and full of bright flavor, and Creamy Sweet Potatoes with Mustard and Lemon, a tangy take on classic mashed sweet potatoes.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Apples
Ingredients
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1-1/2 tablespoons honey
- Juice and zest of 1 medium lemon
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh sage, (or 1 teaspoon dried)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, and coat a casserole dish with nonstick spray.
- Toss the sweet potatoes together with the oil until evenly coated, then season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and spread out in a single layer.
- Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking, until the sweet potatoes are tender and lightly golden around the edges.
- While the sweet potatoes roast, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat and whisk in the honey, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
- Add the apples and sage and cook, stirring often, until the apples are tender when pierced with a knife, 5 to 6 minutes.
- When the sweet potatoes have finished roasting, add them to the apples, combine well and transfer the mixture to the casserole dish.
- Bake for 10 minutes, then serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
“MY GOURMET CONNECTION”
OMGosh! This glaze of Bourbon for Cornish Game Hens is absolutely awesomely delicious! WOW! I WAS THE STAR OF OUR DINNER PARTY. Served with SWEET POTATOE and APPLE CASSEROLE and SAGE,,, Perfect combo!
THANK YOU, Lynne and Erica!
Love Kevin