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43 Ideas For What To Eat With Sweet Potatoes (Meats, Mains, Sides)

By: Author Jessica Ashcroft

Posted on  - Last updated:

Wondering what to eat with sweet potatoes? Here are 43 delicious ideas including meats, mains, and sides, plus ideas for leftovers!

Sweet potatoes are a super versatile vegetable.

You can enjoy them year-round in casseroles, soups, meal prep recipes, and as a Thanksgiving side dish.

But, with so many different ways to prepare them, it can be hard to know what other foods to add to your meal.

We’re here to help!

Below are 43 ideas for what to eat with sweet potatoes including meats, mains, and sides.

We also share creative ways to use leftovers and some of our favorite sweet potato dishes!

Table Of Contents
  1. Sweet Potatoes 101
  2. What to Eat With Sweet Potatoes
  3. What to Do With Leftover Sweet Potatoes
  4. FAQs
  5. Yummy Sweet Potato Recipes

Sweet Potatoes 101

Diced and roasted sweet potatoes with herbs in a bowl on wooden table.

Sweet potatoes are arguably one of the most delicious root vegetables.

They have a natural sweetness that lends itself to both sweet and savory preparations. And some people describe the delicious flavor as a mix between pumpkin and regular potatoes

They pair well with fresh herbs and spices like cinnamon, rosemary, thyme, clove, allspice, garlic, and ginger.

And they’re perfect for baking, roasting, or boiling.

Sweet potatoes are also chock full of nutrients, making them the ideal vessel for a healthy meal.

They’re a great source of fiber and vitamin A. They’re also a good source of B vitamins, vitamin C, protein, manganese, and potassium.

But, if you’re having trouble figuring out what to eat with sweet potatoes, try one of the perfect pairings, below!

What to Eat With Sweet Potatoes

Below, you’ll find everything you need to create the most delicious sweet potato dinner ideas!

We’ve compiled several yummy pairing options for each of the most popular sweet potato preparations.

And, you can mix and match your favorite sides, meats, and main dishes to your liking.

What to Serve with Baked or Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Wedges

Several baked sweet potatoes filled with chickpeas, broccoli, and cilantro on white background.

Here are some creative and satisfying foods to go with roasted sweet potatoes or your favorite baked sweet potato recipe.

Whether you prefer wedges with olive oil and seasonings, roasted sweet potatoes with cinnamon, or baked sweet potatoes topped with sour cream and cheese, you’ll find the perfect meats, main dishes, and sides to complete your meal.

Meats and Mains

1. Grilled Bruschetta Chicken Breasts
Three pieces of grilled bruschetta chicken on white platter with fresh tomatoes in background.

This juicy chicken topped with melted cheese, fresh bruschetta, and balsamic glaze, is the perfect pairing for baked sweet potatoes or wedges.

The combination of flavors will create a healthy and delicious meal.

2. Steak or Steak Bites
Large black skillet filled with steak bites with green garnish on wooden table.

There’s nothing more classic than steak and potatoes!

Steak is a great protein to pair with sweet potatoes because they’re both hearty and flavorful. And you can use similar herbs and seasonings for both dishes.

3. Crock Pot BBQ Pineapple Chicken Thighs
Crock Pot BBQ chicken thighs over white rice on white serving platter.

These BBQ pineapple chicken thighs have sweet and savory notes just like sweet potatoes. And you’ll only need a handful of ingredients to make them.

This recipe is ideal for a quick weeknight meal and a great pairing for baked sweet potatoes or wedges.

4. Crockpot Asian Chicken Thighs
Shredded asian chicken thigh meat in bowl with green beans, rice, and chop sticks.

These Asian chicken thighs are another great Crock Pot recipe to serve alongside sweet potatoes. They’re juicy, flavorful, and a mix of sweet and savory.

5. Grilled Sausage Kabobs
Grilled sausage kabobs with yellow squash, zucchini, and potatoes on a white plate.

Sausage kabobs are a great summertime recipe to pair with sweet potato wedges. You can skewer and grill your sweet potatoes alongside the sausage and vegetables.

Or, you can serve them on the side.

6. Jambalaya
A large skillet filled with jambalaya rice with shrimp, celery, tomatoes and sausage.

Jambalaya is a spicy, Southern dish that goes perfectly with the sweet richness of sweet potatoes. I love to serve a sausage jambalaya with roasted cinnamon sweet potatoes and cornbread.

It’s one of my family’s favorite meals!

Sides

1. Sautéed or Roasted Green Beans
White platter of green beans almondine on gray table.

Green beans are a healthy side dish to go with any sweet potato meal. You can use similar herbs and seasonings to sauté or roast your beans.

And the texture contrast will make for a perfectly balanced easy dinner!

2. Baked Asparagus
Close up of air fried asparagus with cheese and a lemon slice on white plate.

You can also serve asparagus with your sweet potatoes. They’re similar to green beans. And they’re incredibly healthy.

Top your baked asparagus with cheese and lemon for a bright contrast to the rich and hearty sweet potatoes.

3. Green Salad
White platter with winter salad with pears, apples, pomegranates, and serving utensils on countertop.

You can’t go wrong with a delicious green salad!

Here are some of our favorite salad recipes to eat with sweet potatoes:

4. Peas
Bright green peas in a clear glass kitchen bowl on wooden cutting board.

Green beans are a quick and healthy side dish to eat with sweet potatoes. You can buy them frozen and steam them to perfection in a matter of minutes.

Add a little butter and seasonings, and you’re ready to go!

5. Honey Butter Skillet Corn
Black frying pan full of skillet fried corn with bowl of honey and butter dish nearby.

If you want to use up those cans of corn in your pantry, try making this honey butter skillet corn!

The sweet notes from the honey and the savory cream cheese pair perfectly with the flavors of baked or roasted sweet potatoes.

What to Eat with Sweet Potato Fries and Sweet Potato Chips

Large pile of sweet potato fries on parchment paper with ketchup.

Sweet potato fries and chips are a great side for sandwiches, burgers, sliders, and wraps.

You can make your own fries or chips from thin slices of sweet potato, or purchase them from the store.

And you can’t go wrong with any of the delicious pairings below!

Meats and Mains

1. Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Several pulled pork sliders with coleslaw on a wooden cutting board.

Who doesn’t love a good pulled pork sandwich?

They’re sweet, savory, and satisfying. And crispy sweet potato fries or chips are their perfect companion!

2. Hamburgers
Mozzarella stuffed burger on bun with lettuce and tomato, all on wood plate.

Hamburgers and fries go hand-in-hand!

Enjoy sweet potato fries and chips with a juicy hamburger like these Hawaiian Turkey Burgers with Pineapple, or these Italian-Style Mozzarella Stuffed Burgers.

3. Deli Sandwiches
Two turkey sandwiches with avocado stacked on each other sitting on wood cutting board.

Sweet potato chips pair particularly well with a good deli sandwich like this Turkey Sandwich with Avocado, bacon, and special sauce.

This combo makes for the perfect quick and easy lunch!

4. Sandwich Wraps
Grilled cheeseburger wrap cut in half surrounded by French fries on wood plate.

You can also eat sweet potato fries or chips with a yummy sandwich wrap like these Deluxe Grilled Cheeseburger Wraps.

You can use your fries or chips to sop up any drippings from these juicy cheesy sandwiches!

5. Pita Pockets and Gyros
A Greek gyro with tomato and onion wrapped in parchment paper on wood platter.

Gyros and pita pockets are the Greek version of the classic sandwich wrap and they’re just as delicious.

Sprinkle your sweet potato chips or fries with a little Greek seasoning and enjoy!

6. Chicken Nuggets and Tenders
Crispy chicken nuggets with lime wedges and bowl of ketchup on a black serving platter.

Crispy and juicy chicken tenders or nuggets pair perfectly with the crunch of sweet potato fries and chips.

And you can dip them in the same sauce!

7. Chicken Salad Sandwich
Three sandwiches full of grape and apple chicken salad in parchment paper lined pan with bunch of grapes nearby.

Chicken salad is a classic sandwich to eat for lunch. And many recipes feature sweet ingredients like grapes, apples, and strawberries that play off the sweetness of sweet potatoes.

Next time you enjoy a chicken salad sandwich, try it with some sweet potato fries or chips!

Sides

1. Sweet Broccoli Cauliflower Salad with Bacon
Broccoli cauliflower salad with cranberries, sunflower seeds, and bacon in white bowl.

Broccoli salad makes a great side for cookout foods like burgers and pulled pork sandwiches. And the flavors perfectly complement sweet potatoes.

2. Tomato Salad
Cherry tomato salad with herbs, onion, and green garnish over bed of lettuce.

A bright and zesty tomato salad is the perfect contrast to the deep flavors of sweet potato fries and chips. And they’re also a great companion to meaty sandwich recipes and burgers.

3. Crispy Okra
Large yellow plate filled with crispy fried okra pieces next to fresh okra.

If you want to double up on crispy flavorful sides, serve fried okra with your sweet potato fries and chips!

They’re another healthy vegetable that completely transforms when baked or fried.

4. Fruit Salad
Large white bowl filled with fruits, including oranges, berries, and kiwi.

Fruit salad makes a great side dish to serve alongside sweet potatoes. It’s another traditional dish to eat with sandwiches and picnic foods.

And it’s so easy to put together!

5. Baked Beans
Cowboy baked beans in dutch oven with wooden spoon and striped towel nearby.

Rich and savory baked beans have a similar flavor profile to sweet potato fries and chips. And they pair well with the same meats and main dishes.

Try Baked Beans with Brown Sugar or Cowboy Baked Beans with Ground Beef.

What to Serve with Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Large white bowl filled with mashed sweet potatoes with nut garnish.

Mashed sweet potatoes are fluffy, creamy, and perfect to eat with the yummy dishes, below.

You can enjoy these pairings for a cozy Sunday dinner or holiday meal.

Meats and Mains

1. Meatloaf
Cooked homemade meatloaf inside metal loaf baking pan on wooden cutting board.

A good meatloaf recipe like this Cream of Mushroom Meatloaf needs a soft and creamy side.

Mashed sweet potatoes are the perfect option to complete your meal!

2. Turkey Breast
Partially sliced juicy turkey breast with green garnish on dark background.

Turkey and sweet potatoes are another classic pairing. You often think of one when you think of the other.

Serving mashed sweet potatoes with juicy turkey breasts is a no-brainer!

3. Corned Beef
Sliced corned beef with root vegetables on a large white serving platter.

Corned beef has a salty, spicy beefy flavor, and it features ingredients like mustard, black pepper, coriander, allspice, and clove.

These flavors also pair well with sweet potatoes, making mashed sweet potatoes an ideal side.

4. Brisket
Juicy sliced beef brisket on a wooden cutting board with serving fork.

Mashed sweet potatoes are a great complement to beefy juicy proteins.

And brisket definitely fits that bill. This is a great pairing for special occasions.

5. Ham
Baked Christmas hamm on platter with fresh rosemary on top.

Speaking of special occasions, ham is a classic choice for Christmas dinner!

A luscious bowl of sweet potatoes fits right in with this festive meal.

6. Roast Beef
Pieces of pot roast, carrots, potatoes, and gravy on wood plate, which is on white table.

Roast beef of any kind is a great protein to eat with sweet potatoes.

Try this easy Crock Pot Italian Pot Roast with zesty mushroom and tomato sauce or the classic Sunday Pot Roast with Potatoes.

7. Balsamic Chicken and Veggies
Large white platter of balsamic chicken skillet with green beans and tomatoes.

Balsamic chicken and veggies is an easy weeknight meal that only requires one pan.

And a quick sweet potato mash is the perfect side dish to complete your dinner.

8. Chicken Pillows
Two chicken pillows with white gravy and mashed potatoes on blue plate surrounded by other dishes with food.

These creamy chicken pillows with gravy beg for a side of mashed potatoes.

Instead of regular potatoes, try sweet potatoes for added nutrition and a colorful twist!

9. Country Style Pork Ribs
Crock Pot country style pork ribs on brown parchment paper with fresh parsley leaves.

These sweet and tangy pork ribs are finger-licking good and so easy to make.

A simple sweet potato mash is the perfect complement to the rich flavors of this Crock Pot masterpiece.

10. Pork Chops
Large white platter of cream of chicken pork chops over egg noodles.

Pork chops are just as good a pairing for sweet potatoes as pork ribs.

Try these Crock Pot Rosemary Pork Chops or these 3-ingredient Crock Pot Pork Chops for your next sweet potato dinner.

11. Brown Sugar Baked Salmon
Brown sugar soy sauce salmon on large white serving platter with kitchen towel.

Sticky-sweet brown sugar salmon is flaky, tender, and full of flavor. And the sauce ingredients couldn’t be better suited for a side of mashed sweet potatoes!

Sides

1. Mac and Cheese
White baking dish with chicken and macaroni casserole and wooden spoon.

A creamy macaroni dish like this Cheesy Chicken Macaroni Casserole is the perfect side for a hearty Thanksgiving or Christmas meal.

It’s a great companion dish to mashed sweet potatoes and it’s always a crowd-pleaser.

2. Stuffed Mushrooms
Cheesy stuffed mushrooms with green garnish on a large wooden platter.

Cheesy and savory stuffed mushrooms are a welcome addition to a meaty meal with a mashed sweet potato side.

You can use similar herbs and seasonings to flavor each component of your dinner!

3. Rolls
Homemade crescent rolls in bowl with blue checkered towel.

Rolls of any kind are a classic side for hearty and comforting meals. Here are some of our favorite recipes that pair perfectly with mashed sweet potatoes.

4. Wild rice
Creamy wild rice in a large black skillet on gray background.

If you like wild rice, don’t be afraid to serve it alongside mashed sweet potatoes! They both pair well with the same kinds of proteins and you can use similar seasonings and spices to tie the meal together.

5. Creamed Spinach
Close up of a large white bowl filled with creamed spinach next to a kitchen towel.

Spinach and sweet potatoes are both full of nutritional value and they work well together as flavorful vegetable sides.

You can serve these two dishes with any of the hearty proteins above!

6. Zucchini and Yellow Squash Casserole
White baking dish with zucchini and yellow squash casserole topped with parmesan and thyme.

If you’re not a fan of spinach, a cheesy zucchini and yellow squash casserole can take its place.

The tender squash, onion, thyme, and creamy base make this dish hard to beat!

7. Crockpot Cinnamon and Honey Carrots
Small white baking dish with brown sugar cinnamon carrots and fresh parsley on top.

Carrots are another healthy and delicious root vegetable to serve with sweet potatoes.

And when you add a little bit of cinnamon and butter, they’re even more of an ideal pairing.

8. Coconut Rice with Black Beans
Coconut rice with black beans in rice cooker with blue rim and kitchen towel.

Coconut is one of the top flavor pairings for sweet potatoes. So this coconut rice with black beans just makes sense.

This dish is a great side for brown sugar salmon.

9. Cheesy French Bread
Pieces of cheesy bread with basil leaves on brown parchment paper.

Who can say no to cheesy bread? This French bread recipe is a great addition to almost any meal. And you’ll only need 4 ingredients to make it.

Serve it with mashed sweet potatoes, and your favorite proteins, above!

10. Easy Cheesy Drop Biscuits
Parmesan drop biscuits arranged on wood cutting board with greenery stem nearby.

This list of what to eat with sweet potatoes would not be complete without these easy cheesy drop biscuits.

They’re old-fashioned, comforting, and the perfect companion to mashed sweet potatoes.

What to Do With Leftover Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potato hash with onion and bell pepper and a fried egg on top.

Now that we’ve listed the best foods to eat with sweet potatoes, here are some ideas for what to do with leftovers.

There are so many fun and creative ways to enjoy leftover sweet potatoes. And here are a few of our favorites!

FAQs

What proteins go with sweet potatoes?


Sweet potatoes pair well with almost any protein. Some of the best options are:

– Steak
– Brisket
– Meatloaf
– Ham
– Turkey breast
– Chicken Breast or thighs
– Pork chops
– Pork loin
– Salmon

What flavors work well with sweet potatoes?


Sweet potatoes are incredibly versatile. And you can use them for both sweet and savory preparations.

Savory flavors:
– Garlic
– Rosemary
– Thyme
– Onion
– Cilantro
– Coconut
– Chili
– Salt and Pepper

Sweet flavors:
– Sugar
– Cinnamon
– Nutmeg
– Vanilla
– Maple
– Ginger
– Clove

Can you eat the skin of sweet potatoes?


Yes! The skin of sweet potatoes is edible. Sweet potato skin is also full of nutrients. So, don’t skip it the next time you make a meal!

Yummy Sweet Potato Recipes

Here are some of our favorite sweet potato recipes. Try pairing them with the yummy meats, mains, and sides, above!

Instant Pot Sweet Potato Crunch Casserole

Sweet potato crunch in white casserole dish with striped towel and pecans beside.

This Sweet Potato Casserole features mashed sweet potatoes mixed with spices and topped with a delicious brown sugar and pecan topping. It’s the ultimate side dish for your holiday dinner.

Delicious Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes and Apples

Slow cooker sweet potatoes and apples in white pumpkin dish with white pumpkin decor nearby.

These Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes and Apples feature perfectly cooked sweet potato cubes, a sweet orange juice and brown sugar glaze, and tender apples. You’ll delight everyone on Thanksgiving Day with this delicious recipe!

Simple Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Apples

Roasted sweet potatoes and apples on parchment paper lined baking sheet with sticks of cinnamon.

These simple Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Apples are the perfect fall side dish. You only need 4 ingredients and a baking sheet to make this healthy and naturally sweet recipe.

And if you liked this post, give these other yummy ideas a try!