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Thanksgiving is just around the corner and it’s time to think about a holiday sweet potato recipe. Some people like to make their favorite dishes every year while others like to change things up. If you’re looking for a slightly different sweet potato dish for your holiday menu, try this sweet potatoes with maple pecans recipe. Its streusel-like topping makes a change from the classic dish. Maple extract, brown sugar, warm spices, and sea salt really bring out that amazing yam flavor in every bite.

A bowl of Sweet Potatoes with Maple Pecans, topped with crunchy pecans, sits beside a spoon and a yellow cloth—perfect as a Holiday sweet potato recipe for your festive table.

Most Southern Thanksgiving side dishes boast elements of sweet, spicy and savory and sweet potatoes with maple pecans is a holiday recipe that won’t disappoint.

You might also enjoy smoked turkey breast, beef wellington or leftover turkey shepherd’s pie.

A spoon holds candied sweet potatoes and pecans in a syrupy glaze, perfect for a Holiday sweet potato recipe.

Why You’ll Love It

Perfect for holidays: This dish feels festive and special enough for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners.
Full of rich flavor: Browned butter, maple and caramel give the sweet potatoes deep, cozy flavor.
Make-ahead friendly: You can prepare the sweet potatoes and pecans in advance and assemble before serving.
A real crowd-pleaser: Everyone loves a sweet and savory side like this, making it perfect for gatherings.

Close-up of Sweet Potatoes with Maple Pecans in a white bowl on a wooden table—a delicious holiday sweet potato recipe perfect for your Thanksgiving feast.

Thanksgiving Yams with Pecans Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Sweet potatoes: Sliced into thick rounds to soak up all the sweet maple butter sauce.
Salted butter: Browned for a rich, nutty flavor that enhances the sauce.
Maple extract: Boosts the maple flavor without overpowering the dish.
Brown sugar: Adds sweetness and caramel notes to both the potatoes and pecans.
Nutmeg and cinnamon: Warm spices that complement the maple and sweet potatoes.
Caramel sauce: Adds extra richness and depth to the maple butter sauce.
Sea salt: Balances the sweetness with a little savory pop.
Pecans: Chopped and candied for a crunchy, sweet topping.
Maple syrup: Coats the pecans with a glossy finish.
Granulated sugar: Helps crisp up the candied pecans and adds sweetness.

Basket of sweet potatoes, bowls of sugar, pecans, spices, syrup, butter, and vanilla extract set for a delicious Holiday sweet potato recipe on a wooden table.

How to Make Thanksgiving Yams

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Brown the butter: Melt and brown the butter in a saucepan, then set it aside.
Make the maple butter sauce: Whisk together maple extract, water, brown sugar, nutmeg, caramel and cinnamon, then add the browned butter and cook briefly.
Prepare the sweet potatoes: Peel and slice the sweet potatoes, then arrange in a greased casserole dish and cover with the maple butter sauce.
Bake the sweet potatoes: Cover with foil and bake until tender.
Candy the pecans: Cook the maple syrup, sugars and pecans until bubbly and caramelized, then let them set on parchment paper.
Assemble the dish: After the sweet potatoes cool slightly, top them with the candied pecans and a pinch of sea salt, then serve warm.

A baked Holiday sweet potato recipe casserole topped with chopped pecans in a white pie dish on a wooden surface.

Substitutions and Variations

Swap the nuts: Use walnuts or almonds if you prefer or if you have a nut allergy alternative on hand.
Make it dairy-free: Replace the butter with a plant-based alternative for a dairy-free version.
Add a savory twist: Sprinkle a little cayenne or smoked paprika into the maple butter sauce for a hint of spice.

Close-up of glazed carrots topped with chopped pecans in a white dish, reminiscent of a Holiday sweet potato recipe, with a serving spoon.

Serving Suggestions

Appetizers: Begin your festive meal with brie and cranberry bites or a Thanksgiving charcuterie board.
Main dish: Pair this sweet potatoes dish with stuffed turkey breast or holiday roasted chicken, adding green bean casserole and garlic butter fondant potatoes too!
Dessert: Finish off with one of these Thanksgiving desserts.

Close-up of a Holiday sweet potato recipe: baked sweet potatoes with maple pecans, topped with glazed pecans in a white dish.

How to Store Sweet Potatoes and Candied Pecans

Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 4 days.
Freeze: You can freeze it for up to 3 months, although the nuts won’t keep all of their crunchy texture.
Thaw: Defrost overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Warm it back up in the oven or microwave.

Sliced sweet potatoes topped with glazed pecans in a rich, caramelized sauce—this Holiday sweet potato recipe is the perfect festive side.

Top Tips

Slice sweet potatoes evenly: This helps them cook uniformly so none are over or underdone.
Watch the butter while browning: Stir constantly to prevent burning and get a perfect nutty aroma.
Let the pecans cool fully: Cooling on parchment paper keeps the candied pecans crisp and prevents sticking.
Use real maple syrup: For the best flavor, avoid pancake syrup and choose pure maple syrup.

A bowl of Sweet Potatoes with Maple Pecans, topped with glazed pecans and served with a fork on the side—a perfect holiday sweet potato recipe.

Thanksgiving Yams FAQs

Can I make this holiday sweet potato recipe ahead?

Absolutely, and that can be really handy if you have a lot of other dishes to make at once! Prepare and cook this easy side dish the day before Thanksgiving, store in an airtight container and then gently warm it back up on the day. Another option is to bake the potatoes and prepare the topping, then keep the two separate and assemble and bake on the day.

How many yams do I need per person?

This recipe is written with half a cup of sweet potatoes with candied maple pecans per person in mind. It might stretch to more if you’re making a number of other sides or you might need more so you have yummy leftovers! Also it’s Thanksgiving and that’s when everyone’s diet goes out the window and saying ‘no thanks’ to a second helping is really hard to do!

Baked sweet potato casserole topped with toasted pecans and a caramelized glaze—this holiday sweet potato recipe is perfect for your festive table.

Sweet Potatoes with Candied Maple Pecans Recipe

5 from 6 votes

Sweet Potatoes with Maple Pecans

Tender sweet potatoes baked in a maple butter sauce and topped with crunchy candied pecans make this a crowd-pleasing side dish perfect for holidays or gatherings.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 9

Ingredients 

Candied Maple Pecans

Topping

Instructions 

  • Preheat over to 375 degrees F. Brown the butter. Add butter to a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk often and brown, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and pour into a glass container to prevent burning.
  • Return the saucepan to the stove without rinsing. Add maple extract, water, brown sugar, nutmeg, caramel, cinnamon and whisk. Cook for 2 minutes, then pour in the butter. Lower heat to low and cook for 10 minutes.
  • Peel sweet potatoes and slice into ½” thick rounds. Arrange in a greased casserole dish. Pour sweet maple butter sauce over the sweet potatoes and cover with foil.
  • Place into the oven on the center rack. Bake for 1 hour at 375 degrees F.
  • Meanwhile, prepare candied pecans. Add everything but the pecans to a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until dissolved and cook for 5 minutes, or until mixture starts to bubble.
  • Next, fold in the pecans. Stir to coat and cook for 8 minutes.
  • Pour the pecans onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet and let set until step 8.
  • Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven and let them cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Next, top with candied pecans and a pinch of sea salt. Serve warm.

Notes

Slice sweet potatoes evenly: This helps them cook uniformly so none are over or underdone.
Watch the butter while browning: Stir constantly to prevent burning and get a perfect nutty aroma.
Let the pecans cool fully: Cooling on parchment paper keeps the candied pecans crisp and prevents sticking.
Use real maple syrup: For the best flavor, avoid pancake syrup and choose pure maple syrup.

Nutrition

Calories: 430kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 433mg | Potassium: 536mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 45g | Vitamin A: 18138IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 1mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

One of the best Thanksgiving yams recipe options, this is one holiday sweet potato recipe you will want to make every year. A Thanksgiving table just isn’t the same without candied sweet potato casserole. This recipe is a variation of a traditional sweet potato casserole and perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.

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Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.

 

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Recipe Rating




5 from 6 votes (4 ratings without comment)

4 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I’m all about the sweeter side of Thanksgiving and usually make several desserts. I figured I’d like this because I have such a sweet tooth and I wasn’t wrong! So nice – thanks for sharing!