Stove Top Candied Yams Recipe
This Stove Top Candied Yams recipe features tender chunks of yams simmered in a buttery, sweet, and warmly spiced brown sugar glaze. Perfect as a comforting side dish, these yams are cooked gently on the stovetop until caramelized and richly flavored with cinnamon and nutmeg, creating a deliciously simple yet indulgent treat for any meal.
- Author: Luna
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Yams
- 3 large yams, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
Sauce and Seasoning
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt to taste (optional)
- Prepare the Yams: Wash and peel the yams thoroughly. Place each yam on a cutting board, trim both ends to stabilize, then slice lengthwise into halves or quarters depending on size. Lay each piece cut-side down and slice into 1-inch wide strips. Turn the strips horizontally and cut into 1-inch chunks ensuring even pieces for uniform cooking.
- Melt Butter and Add Yams: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the salted butter. Allow it to melt completely, then add the yam chunks. Stir well to coat the yams evenly with the melted butter for maximum flavor infusion.
- Mix and Add Spices: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the yams in the skillet. Stir carefully to make sure all the yam pieces are thoroughly coated with the sweet and spiced sugar blend.
- Simmer Covered: Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid and reduce heat to low. Let the yams simmer gently for 30–40 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and promote even cooking, until the yams start to soften but still hold their shape.
- Caramelize and Finish: Remove the lid and continue cooking for an additional 20 minutes on low heat. This allows the liquid to reduce, resulting in tender, caramelized yams with a rich glaze. Season with salt to taste, serve hot, and enjoy this cozy, flavorful side dish.
Notes
- Use salted butter for a balanced sweet-salty profile, or unsalted butter if you prefer to control salt levels.
- Adjust cinnamon and nutmeg to taste if you prefer more or less spice.
- Keep the heat low when simmering to avoid burning the sugar and to cook the yams evenly.
- Stir occasionally while covered to prevent yams from sticking to the pan bottom.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with roasted meats or holiday meals as a classic side.
Keywords: candied yams, stove top yams, brown sugar yams, spiced yams, yam side dish, holiday side, cinnamon yams, nutmeg yams