There is something truly magical about the rich, smoky aroma paired with the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes. This Smoked Sweet Potatoes with Maple Bourbon Butter Recipe brings all those cozy, soul-satisfying flavors together in one unforgettable dish. Imagine tender sweet potatoes infused with delicate smoke, topped with a luscious butter that’s layered with pure maple syrup and a splash of bourbon, finished off with crunchy pecans and fresh chives. It’s comfort food elevated, perfect for impressing guests or indulging in a special weeknight treat that feels like a celebration.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity—each ingredient plays a crucial role in building the layers of flavor and texture that make these smoked sweet potatoes shine. From the smoky touch imparted by the wood chips to the buttery, boozy maple topping, every element is essential and easy to find.
- 4 sweet potatoes: The star of the dish, sweet and hearty, ideal for smoking and pairing with butter.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: Helps the salt and smoke adhere to the potatoes evenly for a flavorful crust.
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt: Enhances the natural sweetness and balances the smoky aroma perfectly.
- 8 tablespoons butter (at room temperature): Creates the creamy buttery base for the maple bourbon butter.
- 2 tablespoons bourbon: Adds a subtle warmth and complexity that brightens the maple syrup.
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup: Provides natural sweetness to complement the smoked potatoes.
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped pecans: Adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the butter.
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped chives: Offers a fresh, mild onion note that cuts through the richness.
How to Make Smoked Sweet Potatoes with Maple Bourbon Butter Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Smoker and Wood Chips
If you’re using a Big Green Egg or Kamado-style grill, soak a cup of wood chips for about an hour to get them ready for smoking. Once your charcoal heats up to 250°F, scatter the drained wood chips over the fire and set the grill grate in place. For other smokers or grills, simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions to preheat to 250°F and prepare for smoking. This step is where the magic starts, infusing your sweet potatoes with that irresistible, smoky flavor.
Step 2: Prep the Sweet Potatoes
Give your sweet potatoes a good scrub and make sure they are completely dry. Then, pierce the tops several times with a knife or fork—this helps the smoke and heat penetrate evenly, ensuring a perfectly soft interior. Lightly brush them all over with olive oil to help the salt stick and promote even cooking.
Step 3: Salt and Smoke
Generously sprinkle kosher salt on every side of the potatoes, enhancing their natural sweetness and adding a subtle contrast to the smoky crust they’ll develop. Place the potatoes in your smoker, close the lid, and let them smoke low and slow for about two hours. Patience here is key, as slow smoking allows the full depth of flavor to develop.
Step 4: Make the Maple Bourbon Butter
While your potatoes are doing their smoky thing, mix together softened butter, maple syrup, bourbon, chopped pecans, and chives in a small bowl. This blend combines sweet, nutty, savory, and spirited notes that will melt over the warm potatoes, creating a next-level taste experience. Roll this mixture tightly in wax or parchment paper to form a log and chill it so it firms up nicely.
Step 5: Test, Slice, and Serve
After about two hours, gently squeeze your potatoes using a potholder; they should feel soft but not mushy, similar to an overripe avocado. Alternatively, check doneness by piercing them with a fork—it should slide in with little resistance. Once perfectly smoked, take them off the grill, cut open, and push the ends towards the center to create a perfect pocket. Top generously with your chilled maple bourbon butter and watch it melt into a silky, flavorful sauce.
How to Serve Smoked Sweet Potatoes with Maple Bourbon Butter Recipe
Garnishes
To bring extra life to this dish, sprinkle a few fresh chives over the butter-topped potatoes right before serving. You can also add a handful of toasted pecans for crunch and a light dusting of flaky sea salt to brighten all the flavors. These simple touches transform the plate into something truly special.
Side Dishes
Smoked sweet potatoes make a fantastic centerpiece or side. Pair them with grilled meats like smoked brisket or roasted chicken to complement the warmth of bourbon and the smoky undertones. For a vegetarian meal, serve alongside a fresh green salad or sautéed greens to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
Think outside the baked potato box! You can scoop the smoked sweet potato flesh out of the skin and mix it into mashed sweet potatoes, swirling in warmed maple bourbon butter for a silky mash. Alternatively, slice the smoked potatoes and layer them on a board with toasted nuts, fresh herbs, and cheeses for a rustic appetizer or brunch spread that’s bound to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover smoked sweet potatoes keep surprisingly well in the fridge. Simply store them whole or sliced in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keep the maple bourbon butter separate for best texture and freshness.
Freezing
If you want to save some for even later, these potatoes freeze great when peeled and sliced. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. Freeze the maple bourbon butter in portions separately so it’s ready to scoop and melt whenever you crave that comforting flavor combo.
Reheating
For reheating, avoid the microwave if you want to maintain texture. Instead, warm sliced potatoes in a pan with a little olive oil or butter over medium heat until heated through. Dollop on softened maple bourbon butter to recreate that fresh-from-the-smoker experience.
FAQs
Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?
While you can smoke regular potatoes, the sweet potato’s natural sugar content caramelizes beautifully under smoke and pairs perfectly with maple bourbon butter. Using sweet potatoes really makes this dish shine as intended.
What type of wood chips work best for smoking sweet potatoes?
Fruit woods like apple or cherry are ideal because they offer a mild, slightly sweet smoke that complements the sweet potatoes without overpowering them. Hickory or mesquite can be a bit intense, so use sparingly if at all.
Is the bourbon necessary in the butter?
Adding bourbon elevates the butter with a subtle depth and warmth, but if you prefer to avoid alcohol, you can omit it or substitute with a splash of vanilla extract for a different, yet delicious twist.
Can I make the maple bourbon butter ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, making the butter ahead lets the flavors meld for an even richer taste. Just keep it wrapped and refrigerated until you’re ready to serve for perfect firmness and easy slicing.
How do I know when the sweet potatoes are done smoking?
Softness is your best indicator. The potatoes should feel tender when squeezed gently with a mitt and a fork should slide in easily with no resistance. Smoking at 250°F for about two hours typically gets them perfectly cooked.
Final Thoughts
This Smoked Sweet Potatoes with Maple Bourbon Butter Recipe is one of those dishes you’ll want to make again and again, whether for a festive occasion or a comforting family dinner. It’s easy to prepare but delivers an extraordinary taste that’s sure to become a favorite. Treat yourself and your loved ones to those warm, smoky flavors paired with a butter that’s sweet, nutty, and simply irresistible. You’ll be amazed at how such simple ingredients come together to create such a memorable meal.
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Smoked Sweet Potatoes with Maple Bourbon Butter Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 120 minutes
- Total Time: 130 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: American Southern
Description
These smoked sweet potatoes are a deliciously unique side dish that combines the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes with the smoky flavor imparted by a low and slow smoking process. Enhanced with a rich maple bourbon butter infused with pecans and chives, this recipe delivers a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and smoky notes, making it ideal for barbecue gatherings or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 4 sweet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
Maple Bourbon Butter
- 8 tablespoons butter (at room temperature)
- 2 tablespoons bourbon
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped pecans
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped chives
Instructions
- Prepare the smoker: For a Big Green Egg or Kamado grill, soak one cup of wood chips in water for one hour. Light the charcoal and when it reaches 250°F, scatter the drained wood chips over the fire and add the grill grate. No need for a plate setter. For other grills or smokers, follow manufacturer’s instructions to preheat to 250°F for smoking.
- Prepare the sweet potatoes: Scrub the potatoes thoroughly and dry them. Pierce the top of each potato a few times with a knife or fork to allow smoke penetration.
- Coat the potatoes: Using a pastry brush or your hands, lightly coat each potato on all sides with olive oil. Sprinkle generously with kosher salt ensuring even coverage.
- Smoke the potatoes: Place the potatoes directly on the smoker grate and close the lid. Smoke for approximately two hours at a consistent 250°F until tender.
- Make the maple bourbon butter: While the potatoes smoke, mix together the room temperature butter, maple syrup, bourbon, finely chopped pecans, and chives in a small bowl until well combined.
- Form the butter: Transfer the butter mixture onto wax or parchment paper, roll tightly into a cylinder, twist ends, and refrigerate until firm.
- Check doneness: After two hours, test potatoes by gently squeezing them with a potholder; they should feel soft and yield easily. Alternatively, pierce with a fork which should go in effortlessly without resistance.
- Serve: Remove potatoes from grill, slice them open lengthwise with a sharp knife, gently push ends toward the center to fan them open, and top generously with the chilled maple bourbon butter. Serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Soaking wood chips ensures they smolder slowly, producing optimal smoke flavor.
- If you don’t have a smoker, you can mimic the process by wrapping potatoes in foil and cooking in a preheated oven at 250°F, though the smoky flavor will be less intense.
- Adjust bourbon quantity to taste or substitute with whiskey or omit for alcohol-free.
- Use a high-quality maple syrup for the best sweetness and flavor complexity.
- Butter can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
