The Best Smoked Sweet Potatoes

Smoked Sweet Potatoes offer an incredible depth of flavor and a unique twist to this beloved root vegetable that’s packed with nutrition and can be served alongside a variety of dishes.

Sweet potatoes are a versatile and nutritious vegetable, perfect for a wide range of dishes. But have you ever tried smoking them?

In this guide, we will explore the benefits of smoking sweet potatoes, the optimal smoking temperature and duration, and share some tips for achieving perfectly smoked sweet potatoes. Additionally, we’ll provide guidance on storing and reheating your smoked sweet potatoes to ensure maximum enjoyment.

» Try our smoked brisket on the pellet grill.

Why Are Smoked Sweet Potatoes Good on the Smoker?

Smoking sweet potatoes imparts a deep, smoky flavor that complements the natural sweetness of the potatoes. The smoking process enhances the complexity of the sweet potatoes’ taste, while also providing a subtle, wood-fired aroma.

When cooked on a smoker, sweet potatoes develop a tender, creamy interior and a slightly crispy exterior, making them a delicious and unique addition to your meal.

We make a bunch every time we smoke sweet potatoes so we can have them for lunch during the week. There’s no limit to what you can pile on top of them to make a meal. Give it a try!

» You might also like The Best Smoked Whole Chicken.

Ingredients You Need

You can make smoked sweet potatoes by using just 5 simple ingredients. These are:

• Sweet potatoes: These are sweet in flavor with matt brown skin and orange interior. You can easily get sweet potatoes from any grocery store or farmer’s market. They are available all around the year. When buying sweet potatoes, make sure they are firm to touch without cracks and brown spots.
• Olive oil: I have used olive oil because it is rich in healthy fats. It also helps give it a crispy texture. You can use any cooking oil you prefer.
• Garlic powder: Garlic powder adds a savory flavor to sweet potatoes. The contrast of sweetness from the potato and savory from the garlic is just perfect.
• Black pepper: Black pepper adds a peppery, slightly spicy flavor to these smoked sweet potatoes.
• Salt: A necessary component to brings out the flavor in the potato. 

Equipment Needed

• Smoker – We use a Traeger Grills Pro 575 for most of our smoking, though I also have a Z Grills 700 series. Whenever we’re smoking something small, we use our Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill.
• Wood pellets – There are many types of pellets available. We like Traeger Signature blend or Bear Mountain Gourmet Blend. If you’ve already got pellets in your smoker, use whatever you have.
• Meat thermometer – Many smokers have a thermometer built in, but if yours doesn’t, get an instant-read thermometer. I love this Thermapen.

» Read up on the 4 Best Smoker Grill Combos.

At What Temperature Should You Smoke a Sweet Potato?

The ideal temperature for smoking sweet potatoes is between 225°F and 250°F (107°C and 121°C). This relatively low temperature allows the sweet potatoes to cook slowly and evenly, ensuring a tender and creamy texture on the inside while developing a light crispiness on the outside.

How Long Does It Take to Smoke a Sweet Potato on the Smoker?

The smoking time for sweet potatoes will depend on the size of the potatoes and the temperature of your smoker. Generally, sweet potatoes smoked at 225°F to 250°F will take approximately 2 to 2.5 hours to cook through. Usually, we cook our sweet potatoes at 350°F and it takes about 55 minutes.

You’ll have to decide if you want them take longer but have slightly more smoky flavor, or cook for less time and have slightly less smoky flavor.

This is why we often make a bunch at one time. If you’re going to go through the trouble, you should benefit from it.

To determine whether the sweet potatoes are fully cooked, insert a fork or knife into the center of the potato; it should easily slide in and out without resistance. You can also squeeze the potato gently and see how much give it has. Sweet potatoes should be cooked to very squeezy.

How to Make Smoked Sweet Potatoes

Making smoked sweet potatoes is super easy and convenient. You can make these sweet potatoes along with whatever else you’re throwing on the grill, and it serves as a great side dish. Here is what you have to do:

Step 1: Start the grill on smoke with the lid open for 5 minutes for the fire to get established. Set the Traeger temperature to 350° F. Preheat with the lid closed for 10-15 minutes.

Step 2: Wash and scrub the sweet potatoes to remove the dirt and debris. You don’t have to peel these potatoes because their skin is rich in nutrients. Once they are dry, pierce them with a fork a few times in different places.

Step 3: In a bowl, add garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Mix well.

Step 4: Drizzle olive oil over sweet potatoes and rub it all over them. Now sprinkle the seasoning generously and rub it all over them.

Step 5: Now wrap the sweet potatoes individually in butcher paper or aluminum foil and place them on the grill. 

Step 5: Cook the sweet potatoes for about 45-55 minutes at 350° F. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your potatoes. Larger potatoes will need more time to cook. They are done when they are squishy in the middle. Once done, unwrap the aluminum foil and enjoy. You can dress them up with your favorite toppings.

Tips for Smoking Sweet Potatoes

1. Choose the right sweet potatoes: Select firm, evenly-shaped sweet potatoes without any soft spots or blemishes. This will ensure a consistent smoking process and result in evenly cooked potatoes.
2. Clean and dry the sweet potatoes: Rinse the sweet potatoes under cold water to remove any dirt or debris, then thoroughly pat them dry with a clean towel. This step is essential, as excess moisture can affect the smoking process.
3. Pierce the sweet potatoes: Before smoking, pierce each sweet potato several times with a fork or knife. This allows the steam to escape during the cooking process and helps the potatoes cook evenly.
4. Oil and season the sweet potatoes: Lightly coat the sweet potatoes with olive oil or another cooking oil of your choice. This will help the skin crisp up during the smoking process. Optionally, you can also season the sweet potatoes with salt, pepper, or other spices to enhance their flavor.
5. Choose the right wood: For smoking sweet potatoes, choose a wood that imparts a mild, fruity flavor, such as apple, cherry, or pecan. Avoid using strong-flavored woods like mesquite, as they can overpower the natural sweetness of the potatoes.

How to Spice Up Your Potatoes

You can add more flavor to the sweet potatoes by adding more spices and seasonings. Try adding Cajun seasoning, jerk seasoning, or fajita seasoning to spice things up. Top the potatoes with butter, sour cream and chopped chives. Or add cheddar cheese or another type of cheese and allow it to melt into the potato.

We also love using sweet potatoes as a vessel for a full meal. You can stuff the sweet potato with meat, cheese, and veggies, add some sour cream, and chives, and you have a full meal.

How to Store Smoked Sweet Potatoes

To store leftover smoked sweet potatoes, follow these steps:

1. Allow the sweet potatoes to cool: Let the smoked sweet potatoes cool to room temperature before storing, but avoid leaving them out for more than 2 hours, as this increases the risk of bacterial growth.
2. Wrap or use airtight containers: Wrap each cooled sweet potato individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, or place them in an airtight container. This will help maintain freshness and prevent the sweet potatoes from drying out or absorbing odors from other foods in the refrigerator.
3. Refrigerate or freeze: Store the wrapped

More Grilled and Smoked Potato Recipes to Try

• Grilled Hasselback Potatoes
• Grilled Twice Baked Potatoes
• Simple & Delicious Traeger Baked Potatoes

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