Grilled Sweet Potatoes Smoky Side (Print View)

Smoky grilled sweet potato rounds tossed in olive oil and paprika, finished with cilantro and lime—an easy summer side.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large sweet potatoes
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Seasonings

03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

07 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
08 - 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt
09 - Lime wedges

# How-To Steps:

01 - Set your grill to medium-high heat, targeting approximately 400°F. Allow the grates to fully heat for optimal searing.
02 - Peel the sweet potatoes if desired, then slice them into uniform 1/2-inch thick rounds to ensure even cooking.
03 - Place the sweet potato slices in a large bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and toss until every piece is evenly coated.
04 - In a small bowl, combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle the mixture over the oiled sweet potatoes and toss again to distribute the seasoning evenly across all slices.
05 - Arrange the seasoned sweet potato rounds on the grill in a single layer without overlapping. Grill for 6 to 8 minutes per side until prominent grill marks develop and the flesh is fork-tender.
06 - Transfer the grilled sweet potatoes to a serving platter. Finish with chopped fresh cilantro, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, and a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • They caramelize on the outside while staying creamy inside which is basically grilled dessert pretending to be a side dish.
  • The smoked paprika does most of the work for you so it feels fancy with almost zero effort.
  • They pair with literally everything from burgers to grain bowls to a lazy Tuesday dinner.
02 -
  • If your slices are uneven thicknesses some will burn while others stay crunchy so take the extra thirty seconds to measure.
  • Do not flip them early or you will tear the crust off and lose all those lovely grill marks that make people say wow.
03 -
  • A pinch of chipotle powder in the spice mix adds a deeper smoky heat that makes people close their eyes when they take the first bite.
  • Let the sweet potatoes sit in the seasoning for ten minutes before grilling and the salt will pull out just enough moisture to create an even better crust.

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