How to BBQ Sweet Potatoes - Outdoor Cabinets

Sweet potatoes are a delicious, nutritious vegetable that can be prepared in many ways. Grilling or barbecuing sweet potatoes brings out their natural sweetness and enhances their flavor with a delicious smokiness from the grill. With just a few simple steps, you can learn how to barbecue sweet potatoes to perfection.

Selecting Sweet Potatoes for Grilling

When choosing sweet potatoes for grilling, look for firm, smooth sweet potatoes without bruises or soft spots. The two main varieties of sweet potato are orange-fleshed and white-fleshed.

Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potatoes

Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes have reddish-orange flesh and a sweeter flavor. Popular orange-fleshed varieties include:

Jewel – Bright orange flesh with a sweet flavor perfect for baking or grilling. This is one of the most commonly available orange-fleshed varieties.
Garnet – Deep orange flesh with a rich, sweet taste. Moist texture when cooked.
Beauregard – A classic orange sweet potato varietal with moist orange flesh. It has a very sweet flavor when cooked.

White-Fleshed Sweet Potatoes

White-fleshed sweet potatoes have starchy white flesh and a less sweet flavor. Good white-fleshed varieties for grilling include:

Japanese – A white-skinned, white-fleshed sweet potato with a dry, crumbly texture when cooked.
O’Henry – Has a light yellow skin and white flesh. It has a creamy texture and holds its shape well when grilling.

For the best grilled flavor and texture, choose firm, evenly shaped medium-sized sweet potatoes that feel heavy for their size.

Preparing Sweet Potatoes for Grilling

Once you’ve selected some great sweet potatoes, preparing them for the grill is easy:

Wash and dry the sweet potatoes. Use a vegetable brush under running water to scrub off any dirt. Pat them dry with paper towels.
Trim off any bruises, bad spots, or very tapered ends. The sweet potatoes should have flat, even surfaces to sit upright on the grill.
Poke holes in the sweet potatoes using a fork. This allows steam to escape while grilling.
Coat with oil. Brush or rub the sweet potato skins lightly with oil. This helps prevent them from burning and adds flavor. Olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil work well.
Season with your desired spices and herbs. Try salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, rosemary, or thyme.

Now they’re ready to hit the grill!

How to Grill Sweet Potatoes

Grilling brings out the natural sugars in sweet potatoes and gives them a lovely charred flavor. Follow these simple steps for barbecued sweet potatoes with tender, lightly charred interiors:

Direct Grilling Method

Direct grilling sweet potatoes over high, direct heat the entire time is a quick and easy method.

Preheat your grill to medium-high or high heat. Use a two-zone fire if your grill allows.
Place the sweet potatoes directly over the hot area skin-side down. Close the grill lid.
Grill for 8-12 minutes until browned. Flip and grill the other side for another 8-12 minutes with the lid closed.
Check for doneness by piercing with a skewer. It should slide through easily when they’re done.
Brush with butter or oil during the last 2 minutes if desired. This adds flavor and prevents drying out.
Remove from grill and serve hot.

Indirect Grilling

For the most tender, evenly cooked sweet potatoes, use an indirect grilling method:

Preheat your grill with a hot zone and a cooler zone. Or set up for indirect low heat around 250°F to 350°F.
Place sweet potatoes over indirect heat and close the lid.
Cook for 45-60 minutes, rotating occasionally, until very tender when pierced.
Move the sweet potatoes directly over the hot zone. Grill for 4-5 minutes per side to caramelize the outsides.
Brush with butter or oil during the last few minutes if desired.
Remove from grill and serve immediately. The interiors will be extra moist and creamy.

Grilling Times for Sweet Potatoes

The grilling time can vary based on the size of your sweet potatoes and your preferred doneness. Use these grilling times as a guide:

Small or sliced sweet potatoes – 8 to 15 minutes
Medium sweet potatoes – 30 to 40 minutes
Large, whole sweet potatoes – 45 to 60 minutes

Poking holes before grilling allows the steam to escape so the sweet potatoes cook more evenly. Test for doneness by inserting a skewer through the thickest part. If it slides through smoothly, they are done.

Undercooking is better than overcooking. You can always return underdone sweet potatoes to the grill for a few more minutes, but overcooked sweet potatoes will be drier.

Ensuring Properly Cooked Sweet Potatoes

Getting the perfect tender yet cooked sweet potato off the grill takes a few tricks:

Use indirect heat for part of the cooking time to roast the insides gently while adding flavor.
Turn and rotate the sweet potatoes frequently for even exposure to the heat.
Brush with oil during the last 5-10 minutes of grilling to keep the flesh moist and prevent burning.
Use a digital food thermometer inserted into the center – look for an internal temp of 205°F to 210°F.
Press gently on the flesh when cooking – it should give slightly but still feel firm.
Pierce with a skewer to check for tenderness throughout.

Serving Grilled Sweet Potatoes

Grilled sweet potatoes make a fantastic side dish, snack, or light meal on their own. Here are some tasty ways to serve them:

Slice open and top with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, maple syrup, or honey.
Mash grilled sweet potatoes with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper for sweet potato mash.
Stuff grilled sweet potato halves with chili, BBQ chicken or pulled pork, veggies, cheese, or baked beans.
Serve grilled sweet potato wedges drizzled with vinaigrette as a salad.
Top grilled sweet potato slices with avocado or guacamole for a healthy appetizer.
Enjoy grilled sweet potatoes on their own as a simple snack or light lunch.

Grilled sweet potatoes pair especially well with pork, chicken, fish, black beans, greens, peppers, onions, cheese, eggs, and barbecue sauce.

Storing Leftover Grilled Sweet Potatoes

Leftover grilled sweet potatoes keep well for several days:

Allow grilled sweet potatoes to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container.
They will keep refrigerated for 3 to 5 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave before serving.
For longer storage, cooked sweet potatoes can be frozen for 2 to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
Refrigerate any sweet potatoes stuffed or topped with other ingredients within 2 hours of cooking. Use within 3 days.

Enjoy sweet, smoky grilled sweet potatoes as a fun twist on this nutritious veggie!

Frequently Asked Questions About Barbecuing Sweet Potatoes

Grilling sweet potatoes is easy once you know a few tips and tricks. Here are answers to some common questions about getting perfect results:

Should I parboil sweet potatoes before grilling?

Parboiling or microwaving before grilling can help soften the interior flesh. But it isn’t required – directly grilling over indirect heat also cooks them through gently.

What temperature should I grill sweet potatoes at?

Indirect heat at 250°F to 350°F works well. Finish over direct heat on high for added char. The interior temp should reach 205°F-210°F.

How long does it take to grill medium sized sweet potatoes?

Allow 30 to 40 minutes of indirect grilling for medium sweet potatoes, then 8 to 10 minutes direct heat per side. Poke holes before grilling for even cooking.

How do I stop sweet potatoes from burning on the grill?

Poke holes to allow steam to escape, use indirect heat, turn frequently, and brush with oil at the end to keep moist. Charring enhances flavor, but burning makes them bitter.

Should I peel sweet potatoes before grilling?

Peeling is optional – the skins become tender when grilled. Leaving the skin on retains nutrients and moisture. Just scrub well before grilling.

What are the best seasonings for grilled sweet potatoes?

Brown sugar, cinnamon, garlic, thyme, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, oregano, paprika, onion, and cayenne all taste delicious on grilled sweet potatoes.

Can I grill sweet potato fries or wedges?

Yes, grilled sweet potato fries are delicious! Cut sweet potatoes into wedges or fries, toss in oil and spices, and grill until tender, flipping occasionally. They get crispy grill marks and flavor.

Tips for the Best Grilled Sweet Potatoes

Grilling brings out the sweet flavor of sweet potatoes. For potatoes with a caramelized exterior and tender, moist interior, follow these tips:

Choose firm, evenly-shaped sweet potatoes without bruises or soft spots. Orange or white varieties both work well.
Poke holes with a fork before grilling to allow steam to escape and prevent bursting.
Grill over indirect heat or use a two-zone fire for tender interiors. Finish over high direct heat.
Turn and rotate the potatoes frequently for even cooking. Move them away from any flare-ups.
Test for doneness by piercing the centers with a skewer to check tenderness.
Brush with oil or butter during the last 5-10 minutes to add flavor and prevent drying out.
Pull off the grill immediately when done. Enjoy with creative toppings and fillings while hot.

With the proper techniques, you can enjoy restaurant-quality barbecue flavor in your own backyard. Grilled sweet potatoes make a delicious addition to any summer cookout or family meal.

Cooking Sweet Potatoes on a Gas vs Charcoal Grill

Both gas and charcoal grills can be used to make mouthwatering barbecued sweet potatoes. Which option you choose comes down to convenience and flavor preferences.

Gas Grills

Gas grills offer easier temperature control and cleanup:

Set the burners to indirect heat or light only one section of the grill for two-zone cooking.
Use a disposable aluminum pan with holes poked in the bottom to roast sweet potatoes away from the direct heat.
It’s simple to turn a burner on or off to adjust the temp as needed.
There are no coals to clean up afterward. Just scrape the grates and empty grease trap.

Charcoal Grills

Charcoal grills provide authentic BBQ flavor:

Pile charcoal in a half-grill configuration for indirect cooking. Add more coals as needed for direct heat.
The smoky aroma from charcoal infuses the sweet potatoes with richer flavor.
Temperature control takes practice but charcoal’s glow cooks very evenly once mastered.
Allow coals to die down completely before disposing. Brush grates clean after each use.

Both grills can make delicious grilled sweet potatoes. Choose gas for quick weeknight meals or charcoal for more hands-on grilling fun.

Grilled Sweet Potato Recipe Ideas

Grilled sweet potatoes pair well with so many flavors. Try out these tasty recipe ideas:

BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Grill sweet potatoes over indirect heat until very tender.
Slice open and stuff with shredded barbecue chicken.
Top with extra barbecue sauce, shredded cheese, and chopped green onions.

Thai Peanut Sweet Potatoes

Grill sweet potato wedges over direct heat, turning until lightly charred.
Whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, lime, red chili flakes, and cilantro.
Toss hot sweet potatoes with Thai peanut sauce. Sprinkle with peanuts.

Caprese Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Cut sweet potatoes into wedges and grill until tender.
Slice open and stuff with sliced fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil.
Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic reduction.

Chili-Lime Sweet Potato Fries

Toss sweet potato fries in oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic, lime zest and juice.
Grill in a grill basket over direct heat, tossing frequently until crispy.
Sprinkle with cilantro before serving.

Get creative with different spice rubs, herbs, fillings, and toppings! Grilled sweet potatoes are also delicious plain.

Grilled Sweet Potatoes Provide Many Nutritional Benefits

Besides being absolutely delicious, grilled sweet potatoes are highly nutritious. They offer many health perks:

Excellent source of vitamin A – supports vision, immune function, skin health.
Provides vitamin C, potassium, and manganese.
High in antioxidants like beta-carotene to reduce cellular damage.
Contains dietary fiber – improves digestion and heart health.
Rich in anti-inflammatory anthocyanins that may help lower risk of certain cancers.
Natural sugars provide sustained energy without blood sugar spikes.
Low on the glycemic index – slow to raise blood sugar during digestion.

So fire up those grills and enjoy satisfying your cravings for barbecue with all the nutritional goodness of sweet potatoes!

Conclusion

Grilling sweet potatoes unlocks their natural sweetness and brings out delicious smoky, charred flavors. With an understanding of the best preparation methods, grill settings, cooking times, and doneness cues, you can achieve tender interiors with crispy, caramelized exteriors every time. Consider using flavor-enhancing rubs and creative toppings to take your barbecued sweet potatoes to the next level. Grilled sweet potatoes make for a quick, healthy side but can also star as the main attraction at your next cookout. So fire up the grill, invite some friends over, and get ready to enjoy the mouthwatering magic combination of sweet potatoes and barbecue!