Candied Yams Brown Butter Sage (Print)

Tender yams coated in a brown butter glaze infused with fresh sage and warm spices.

# Ingredients:

→ Vegetables

01 - 3 pounds yams (sweet potatoes), peeled and cut into 1-inch rounds

→ Brown Butter & Sage

02 - 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 10 fresh sage leaves, chopped

→ Candied Glaze

04 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
05 - 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
06 - 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
09 - 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Arrange yam rounds in a single layer in the prepared dish.
02 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Cook, swirling often, until butter turns golden brown and smells nutty, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Immediately add chopped sage and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Remove saucepan from heat. Whisk in brown sugar, maple syrup, orange juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla extract until smooth.
04 - Pour brown butter-sage glaze evenly over yams, tossing gently to coat thoroughly.
05 - Cover dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
06 - Remove foil, baste yams with pan juices, and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes, or until yams are tender and glaze is thickened.
07 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra fresh sage if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Brown butter and sage transform a familiar dish into something that tastes like you've been cooking for years when really it's just smart seasoning.
  • It's sweet enough to feel festive but savory enough that adults will actually want seconds, not thirds out of obligation.
02 -
  • Don't skimp on the brown butter stage—rushing it means you'll miss the nuttiness that makes this dish different from every other candied yam recipe.
  • The glaze will seem thin when you pour it, but it thickens as the yams release their moisture and everything simmers together in the oven.
03 -
  • If your glaze looks too thick while baking, whisk in a tablespoon of orange juice or water to loosen it back up without diluting the flavor.
  • Make this dish up to a day ahead, cover it, and reheat gently in a 300°F oven for 15 minutes—it actually tastes better after the flavors have had time to get to know each other.
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