10 Perfect Main Dish to Complement Your Sweet Potatoes
Roasted Chicken Thighs with Rosemary and Garlic
Roasted chicken thighs with rosemary and garlic are a classic combination that pairs perfectly with sweet potatoes. The earthy, woody rosemary flavor complements the potatoes’ sweetness, while the garlic adds a savory depth.
The dish is easy to prepare and is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a family get-together. The skin of the chicken thighs gets crispy when roasted, making it delightful to bite through. The aroma of rosemary and garlic emerges as the chicken cooks, filling the entire kitchen with a mouth-watering fragrance.
Grilled Salmon with Mango Salsa
Grilled salmon with mango salsa is a vibrant and refreshing dish that pairs well with sweet potatoes. The crispy skin of the salmon contrasts perfectly with the juicy and sweet chunks of mango, red onion, peppers, and lime juice in the salsa.
The combination of tangy and sweet flavors creates an explosion in the mouth. Additionally, the healthy omega-3 fatty acids in the salmon and the natural antioxidants derived from the mango make this meal a nutritious addition to anyone’s diet.
Once the salmon is cooked, spoon the mango salsa over the top, and serve it hot with roasted sweet potatoes as a side dish. It’s a perfect summer dish that is easy to prepare and impresses everyone at the dinner table.
Steak with caramelized onions. Credit: canva
Steak with Caramelized Onions
The tender and juicy beef is pan-seared and then topped with a generous amount of sweet and savory caramelized onions cooked until golden brown and slightly sweet. Combining the steak’s deep and satisfying flavor with the richness of the caramelized onions makes for an unforgettable meal.
Sweet potatoes make for an excellent pairing with steak and caramelized onions. The potatoes’ natural sweetness brings out the steak’s savory flavors and caramelized onions, resulting in a well-balanced and satisfying meal. Roasting or mashed sweet potatoes make for a delightful complement to the dish, as their smooth and creamy texture contrasts perfectly with the crispy and juicy steak.
Vegetarian Chili
Vegetarian chili is an easy and nutritious meal that pairs perfectly with sweet potatoes. This hearty dish is made with a combination of beans, vegetables, and spices, making it both filling and flavorful.
The sweetness from the potatoes complements the spicy chili flavors, creating a delicious balance of flavors. The dish can be prepared in just a few minutes, making for an excellent protein-rich meal.
Top the chili with some grated cheese, fresh herbs, and your favorite condiments for an added kick of flavor.
Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Pulled pork sandwiches are a classic comfort food that many people love. This delicious sandwich is made by slowly cooking pork shoulder or pork butt until it becomes tender enough to be easily shredded with a fork. The meat is mixed with your favorite barbecue sauce, topped with coleslaw, and sandwiched between a soft and fluffy bun. The sauce’s sweetness and the meat’s juiciness make for a mouth-watering combination that is satisfying in every bite.
Pulled pork and sweet potatoes complement each other. When cooked, the sweet potatoes’ natural sweetness provides the perfect foil to the meat’s flavors and helps highlight other elements in the sandwich, like the tangy and acidic qualities of the slaw. So, pulled pork sandwiches with sweet potatoes make a delicious and balanced meal that satisfies both the taste buds and the body.
Shrimp Scampi
The combination of garlic, butter, lemon, and white wine creates an irresistible flavor that’s hard to resist.
The potatoes’ sweetness complements the shrimp scampi’s lemony and garlicky flavors. This dish can be prepared in just a few minutes, making it an ideal weeknight or entertaining dish. Serve with some crusty bread to mop up the delicious sauce, and top with freshly chopped parsley for added flavor and color.
It is perfect for any occasion, from a festive holiday dinner to a summer barbecue with friends and family. The smoky flavors of the slow-cooked lamb are enhanced by herb-infused marinades, creating a tender and juicy dish that will leave your guests wanting more.
The smoked leg of lamb is a succulent and flavorful meat cut that will impress at any gathering. The leg of lamb is rubbed with a mixture that often includes spices like rosemary, garlic, salt, and pepper before being smoked for several hours. The smoking process results in tender, juicy, and delicious meat infused with smoky flavors, making it irresistible.
Vegetable Fajitas
Vegetable fajitas are a healthy and delicious Mexican dish that is both vegetarian and vegan-friendly. This dish features a sizzling and colorful mixture of grilled bell peppers, onions, and other seasonal vegetables seasoned with chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. The vegetables are cooked until tender but maintain their crunchy texture, providing a satisfying bite with each forkful.
The charred and flavorful fajita veggies are then wrapped in a warm tortilla, topped with sour cream, guacamole, or salsa, and enjoyed as a perfect meal packed with flavor and nutrients.
Top the fajitas with freshly chopped tomatoes, cilantro, and your favorite condiments for an added kick of flavor.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken tikka masala. Credit: canva
Chicken Tikka Masala is a popular Indian dish made of marinated chicken pieces grilled and then cooked in a creamy tomato-based sauce. The chicken in this dish is traditionally marinated in a mixture of yogurt, spices, and lemon juice, which helps to tenderize it while infusing it with delicate flavors.
The savory and creamy sauce comprises tomatoes, cream, ginger, garlic, and warm spices such as garam masala, coriander, and cumin.
Top with some freshly chopped cilantro and serve with some naan bread on the side for an added kick of flavor.
Lemon Butter Baked Cod
Lemon Butter Baked Cod is a simple and flavorful seafood dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion. Cod fillets are baked in a buttery and lemony mixture that penetrates through the white flesh of the fish, resulting in a soft, flaky texture with a crispy exterior.
Some herbs and spices, such as paprika, garlic powder, and parsley, are added to enhance the flavor profile and create a more complex layer of taste. The dish is easy to prepare, healthy, and delicious, making it a great addition to any dinner table.
Sweet potatoes are a delicious and nutritious vegetable that people worldwide have enjoyed for centuries. This versatile tuber can be cooked in many different ways and is packed with vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients.
What makes sweet potatoes so special is their unique flavor. They have a naturally sweet taste that pairs well with savory dishes, making them a great addition to any meal. Sweet potatoes are also high in fiber, which is excellent for digestion and helps keep you full for longer.
Sweet potato wedges. Credit: canva
FAQs
Can you use other types of potatoes in this dish?
Technically, the cooking time and texture may differ from using sweet potatoes. Additionally, other potatoes may not offer the same level of nutrition as sweet potatoes.
Can sweet potato dishes be made vegan or vegetarian?
Yes, absolutely! As mentioned above, you can omit meat or animal products from the dish and substitute them with plant-based proteins such as tofu or beans.
Many delicious vegans and vegetarian recipes using sweet potatoes are also available online.
What flavors pair well with sweet potatoes in the main dish?
Many herbs and spices go well with sweet potatoes, such as rosemary, thyme, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, turmeric, chili powder, and green onions.
Pairing them with other ingredients, such as onion or bell peppers, adds flavor to the dish. Experiment with different combinations to find what tastes best for you!
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! Some sweet potato dishes taste even better when made and reheated before serving (such as a roasted sweet potato salad that has had time for all the flavors to meld together).
If leaving leftovers in the fridge after cooking the dish, let it cool completely before placing it in an airtight container for safekeeping.
