Find out why grilled sweet potatoes in foil are the perfect addition to any meal, from a summer cookout to backyard get-togethers or an easy dinner. Sweet potatoes are the best savory side dish.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Grilling sweet potatoes might be my favorite way to prepare the savory, sweet vegetable. The foil makes for easy clean-up, and you can cook the potatoes alongside your favorite grilled main dishes.
- Sweet potatoes are a healthy side dish you can serve with everything from steak and chicken to fish.
Is It Better to Wrap Sweet Potatoes in Foil?
Wrapping the grilled sweet potatoes in foil prevents them from becoming dry or charring from the flames. Plus, you infuse the potatoes with smoky flavor and aromatics from fresh herbs since you can wrap them together.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Sweet Potatoes: Wrap the grilled sweet potatoes in foil for a side that cooks alongside any entree. I usually grill the sweet potatoes whole, but you can cut them into sweet potato cubes, sweet potato wedges, or slice them before adding them to an aluminum foil packet.
- Olive Oil: Coating the potatoes in oil encourages them to become crispy as they cook, and since you’re wrapping the sweet potatoes in foil, they will become crispy without charring.
- Spices: Season the grilled sweet potatoes with kosher salt and coarse ground pepper.
- Thyme: Add fresh thyme springs to the potatoes, or try a sprig of rosemary or oregano.
- Butter: Finish the potatoes with a tab of butter.
Additions and Substitutions
- Spices: I share a very basic seasoning for this recipe, but I enjoy experimenting with different spices based on what I am serving the potatoes with. A few of my favorites are Slap Ya Mama Seasoning Recipe, Santa Maria Seasoning, and seasoning salt. If you prefer a sweeter flavor, consider topping the potatoes with maple syrup, honey, or brown sugar.
- Herbs: Fresh herbs like thyme, sage, or parsley can add freshness and flavor to sweet potatoes. Chop them finely and sprinkle over cooked potatoes, or wrap the herbs in the foil with the potatoes.
How to Make Grilled Sweet Potatoes in Foil
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Preheat the grill by setting all the burners to high heat for about 10 minutes. Wash the sweet potatoes and pat them dry. Then, rub them with a drizzle of olive oil and coat them with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Wrap the potatoes in foil and use a fork to poke 3-4 holes in each potato. If using thyme, wrap the thyme sprig with the potato for additional aromatics.
Step 3: Lower the grill temperature to medium heat and grill for 30-40 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Remove the potatoes from the grill and let them cool for 5 minutes before adding butter and your favorite toppings.
Expert Tips
- Prepare the sweet potatoes by scrubbing them clean and patting them dry.
- Grill the potatoes for about 30 minutes. However, you may need to increase the cooking time for larger potatoes and decrease the time if you’re making smaller sweet potatoes. You will know the potatoes are ready to heat when they are fork-tender.
- Use tongs or an oven mitt to remove the potatoes from the grill so you don’t burn yourself.
If you enjoy this recipe, try one of these grilling favorites!
What Goes Well With Sweet Potatoes?
Make a meal of the foil potatoes by piling them high with traditional toppings like shredded cheese, chopped bacon, black beans, sour cream, melted butter, shredded brisket, chives, or scallions. If you prefer more flavor try ancho aioli or bone marrow butter!
Or you can serve them as a side dish with entrees like ribeye steak, pork chops, turkey smash burgers, hot honey lemon pepper wings, or grilled tandoori chicken.
What to do with the Leftovers
- Refrigerate – Store the leftover potatoes in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Reheat – Warm the potatoes on the grill, the oven at 350℉ (165℃) for 12-15 minutes), the air fryer at 350℉ (165℃) for 5 minutes, or a few minutes in the microwave.
- Repurpose – Chop the leftover potatoes and add them to a vegetarian rice bowl with black beans and sautéed peppers and onions. You can also include chopped potatoes in chili or pour chili over the baked potatoes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some ways to add extra flavor to the sweet potatoes?
Enhance the flavor of the grilled sweet potatoes in foil by including fresh herbs and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, fresh rosemary, and sage. Grate some zest from citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, or limes over roasted sweet potatoes for bright flavor.
Besides the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes, you can add honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Sprinkle grated cheese like parmesan or cheddar over cooked sweet potatoes.
Can you eat sweet potato skin?
Yes, you can eat sweet potato skin. Grilled sweet potato skins are delicious, and they become nice and crispy. Plus, potato skins contain fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Just be sure to wash the potatoes before cooking them to remove dirt.
Could you bake these in the oven?
Yes, but you don’t need to use the foil. Preheat the oven to 425℉ (218℃) and line the prepared potatoes onto a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 45-50 minutes.
More Sweet Potato Recipes:
Grilled Sweet Potatoes in Foil
- Aluminum Foil
- Tong
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
- 3 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 teaspoons butter
- 1-2 fresh thyme sprigs, broken into 4 pieces
- Preheat the grill by setting all the burners to high heat for about 10 minutes. Wash the sweet potatoes and pat them dry. Then, rub them with a drizzle of olive oil and coat them with salt and pepper.
- Wrap the potatoes in foil and use a fork to poke 3-4 holes in each potato. If using thyme, wrap the thyme sprig with the potato for additional aromatics.
- Lower the grill temperature to medium heat and grill for 30-40 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Remove the potatoes from the grill and let them cool for 5 minutes before adding butter and your favorite toppings.
- Prepare the sweet potatoes by scrubbing them clean and patting them dry.
- Grill the potatoes for about 30 minutes. However, you may need to increase the cooking time for larger potatoes and decrease the time if you’re making smaller sweet potatoes. You will know the potatoes are ready to heat when they are fork-tender.
- Use tongs or an oven mitt to remove the potatoes from the grill so you don’t burn yourself.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.