Looking for an easy veggie side with very little prep, but lots of taste? Try this baked Japanese sweet potato recipe! Sweet potatoes are cooked until tender and topped with a super flavourful infused butter. Seriously good!
Hey friends!
You probably know I love to share different veggie recipes here on Girl Heart Food, like this kohlrabi stir fry recipe, and today’s recipe is no exception!
When we came across Japanese sweet potato a little while back, I grabbed some right away.
Upon cooking and enjoying, I wondered where this veggie was all my life.
Dramatic, I know, but this bad boy is seriously yummy.
Now, it’s a regular veggie in our pantry. Once you try it, I’m confident it will be for you too 😉 !
What is Japanese Sweet Potato? What Does It Taste Like?
Japanese sweet potatoes or Japanese yams are purple on the outside with a golden hue inside (when baked).
They’re a little sweeter than a regular sweet potato and are seriously delicious!
You can prepare Japanese sweet potatoes much like you would a regular sweet potato. So, chances are, if you enjoy a regular sweet potato you’re gonna enjoy these too!
How to Prepare + Cook
Like any baked potato recipe, ensure that your potatoes are scrubbed clean and any dirt/debris or odd bits are removed before baking.
Place potatoes on a lined baking sheet (if you want easier clean up). Then, prick some holes in each sweet potato (to help with cooking). Into the oven they go!
Potatoes are done when they’re tender and when a knife easily goes through the centre of the potato when inserted.
Tip: Potatoes can vary in size. Therefore, cook time will vary. Simply bake until they are cooked through. It helps to have potatoes that are roughly the same size.
Once potatoes are ready (and easy to handle), cut in half length-wise. Isn’t that interior colour beautiful??
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Can I Eat Sweet Potato Skin?
Absolutely!
Like mentioned above, though, before baking just ensure that the potatoes are scrubbed clean and any dirt/debris or odd bits are removed.
What is Compound Butter? How to Make It?
Of course, you can enjoy these sweet potatoes as they are. However, I like to take things up a notch with a compound butter.
Compound butter is simply butter that has been infused with other flavours…in this case, cilantro, green onion and a touch of cayennne.
To make flavoured butter, start with softened butter (store-bought or make your own butter) and blend in your other ingredients. You can use a little food processor for this or just a spoon – whatever you have on hand or prefer, really!
If you don’t want to mess around with making a compound butter, no worries! Just top this sweet potato with regular ol’ butter (and maybe a pinch of salt) and you’re good to go!
Garnishes & Serving Suggestions
Other delicious garnish options here are sesame seeds, chili and a drizzle of your favourite hot sauce.
I could legit enjoy this baked Japanese sweet potato as is for lunch, but if you want to make things more substantial for dinner, enjoy with –
- Side salad
- Bowl of soup, like spicy red lentil & kale
- Sandwich, like this veggie sandwich
- Crispy fish burger
- Baked arctic char with honey soy marinade
Other Root Vegetable Recipes You May Enjoy
- Whipped Sweet Potatoes – Ultra creamy, these come together quickly and always disappear fast!
- Mashed Parsnip – A delicious way to enjoy parsnip! With butter and pistachios, it’s a great alternative to potatoes.
- Celeriac Puree – This low carb root veggie is combined with garlic and is so yummy.
- Roasted Root Veggies – With a variety of hearty root vegetables and plenty of herbs, this sheet pan side goes great with dinner.
Hope you love this Japanese sweet potato recipe as much as we do!
Until next time, take care and chit chat again soon,
Dawn
Make this baked sweet potato? That’s awesome! Love it if you left a comment and rating below. Many thanks!
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Baked Japanese Sweet Potato (with flavoured butter)
Ingredients
- 4 Japanese sweet potatoes (each about 10 to 12 ounces or about 2.5 pounds in total)
Infused Butter
- 1/4 cup butter , softened to room temperature
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1.5 tablespoons sliced green onion
- 1.5 tablespoons cilantro
Suggested Garnish
- sesame seeds
- sliced chili
- sriracha
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Scrub clean potatoes and place on a foil or parchment paper lined baking sheet. Prick with a knife to make some holes.
- Bake about 45 minutes to 1 hour or until tender when prodded all the way through the centre with a knife.Note: cook time will vary, depending on the size of your potatoes. For the size I used, cook time was about 50 minutes.
- Carefully remove potatoes from pan and cut in half when cool enough to handle. Serve with infused butter. Enjoy!
Infused Butter
- Blend all ingredients together until incorporated. Serve over baked potato.
Compound butter is a secret weapon when it comes to delicious recipes! I love the green onion + cilantro version here. Plus, butter makes everything better…especially baked potatoes. I’ve never seen Japanese sweet potatoes, but I’ll have to keep an eye out for ’em now! Looks delicious, my friend!
Right??! Thanks David! Hope you get a chance to try ’em out soon!
I love this variety of sweet potato – what a delicious way of serving it, Dawn! Comfort food for sure.
Me too! Thanks Alexandra 🙂
I love sweet potatoes, although I’ve never tried this variety. What a great side dish or even a light dinner! Love the compound butter you’ve added!
Thank you Kathy 🙂
I’ve continued to have these house since I discovered them, too. This is a gorgeous recipe — such a perfect blend of flavors! 🙂 ~Valentina
Thank you Valentina!
I’ve never had a Japanese sweet potato but we love our sides, so I’ll have to give this one a try. I don’t eat a lot of butter but I can guarantee my husband would love your infused butter recipe and would probably slather it on everything! Happy weekend Dawn!
Thanks Leanne! It’s a delicious one for sure 🙂 Hope you had a great weekend!