Soul Food Candied Yams (Printable)

Tender yams glazed in buttery brown sugar syrup caramelized in a skillet for rich flavor.

# Ingredient List:

→ Yams

01 - 3 large yams (approximately 2 pounds), peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds

→ Syrup

02 - 1 cup packed light brown sugar
03 - 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
04 - 1/4 cup water
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Optional Garnish

09 - 1/4 cup chopped pecans

# Directions:

01 - Melt butter in a large 12-inch skillet over medium heat.
02 - Add brown sugar, water, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to the melted butter. Stir continuously until sugar dissolves and mixture begins to simmer.
03 - Arrange yam slices evenly in the skillet, turning to coat thoroughly in the syrup mixture.
04 - Cover the skillet and cook over medium-low heat for 20 minutes, gently stirring and turning yams occasionally to ensure even caramelization.
05 - Remove lid and increase heat to medium. Continue cooking for 10 to 15 minutes, continuously spooning syrup over yams, until they are fork-tender and sauce becomes thick and glossy.
06 - Stir in vanilla extract and remove from heat.
07 - Transfer to serving dish and sprinkle with chopped pecans if desired before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The yams become silky tender while the syrup caramelizes into something that tastes like pure comfort on a spoon.
  • It comes together in under an hour and actually improves the longer it sits, so you can make it ahead and reheat without stress.
  • This works as a vegetarian centerpiece or humble side dish, equally at home at a potluck or formal dinner.
02 -
  • The yams will continue cooking slightly after you remove them from heat, so pull them off when they're just barely fork-tender rather than fully soft, or they'll turn to mush when you reheat them later.
  • If your sauce looks too thin after uncovering, don't panic—keep the heat at medium and let it bubble gently for the full time; if it's still thin after 15 minutes, raise the heat to medium-high for just a few minutes more.
  • Resist the urge to stir constantly once the lid comes off; gentle spooning works better and keeps the yam slices intact.
03 -
  • Toast your pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for just a couple of minutes before sprinkling them on—this wakes up their flavor and adds a subtle crispness that contrasts beautifully with the soft yams.
  • If your yams are thick or you're using jumbo ones, cut them into 3/4-inch rounds instead of 1/2-inch so they cook through without the edges turning to mush while the centers stay firm.
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