This Ina Garten Candied Yams Recipe is a sweet and buttery holiday side dish, which uses yams and brown sugar glaze. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, ready in about 45 minutes.
Jump to RecipeIna Garten Candied Yams Recipe Ingredients
- 4 large yams (sweet potatoes), peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

How To Make Ina Garten Candied Yams Recipe
- Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare the glaze: In a bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
- Assemble the yams: Arrange the sliced yams in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Pour the glaze over the top and coat all pieces evenly.
- Bake the yams: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, gently stir the yams, and bake for another 20–25 minutes until they are tender and caramelized.
- Add pecans (optional): If using, sprinkle chopped pecans over the yams during the final 10 minutes of baking.
- Serve warm: Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm and enjoy!

Recipe Tips
- Can I use canned yams? Yes, but reduce the baking time since canned yams are already soft.
- How to make it less sweet: Cut the sugar or maple syrup in half if you prefer a more savory side.
- Can I prepare this ahead? Yes, assemble and refrigerate the dish a day ahead, then bake before serving.
- How to keep yams from drying out: Cover tightly with foil during the first half of baking to retain moisture.
- Do pecans need to be toasted first? Not necessary—baking them on top will naturally toast them.
What To Serve With Candied Yams
Candied yams are perfect for holidays and comfort food meals. Try them with:
- Roasted turkey or chicken
- Baked ham
- Stuffing or dressing
- Green bean casserole
- Cranberry sauce

How To Store Candied Yams
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F until heated through, or microwave in short bursts.
Candied Yams Nutrition Facts
- Calories: ~300 kcal per serving
- Carbohydrates: ~40g
- Protein: ~2g
- Fat: ~15g
- Saturated Fat: ~8g
- Sugar: ~20g
- Fiber: ~4g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I use sweet potatoes instead of yams?
Yes, the terms are often used interchangeably in the U.S. Both work well for this dish.
Can I make it vegan?
Yes, use plant-based butter to make it dairy-free.
How do I know when the yams are done?
They should be fork-tender and slightly caramelized on the edges.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, just use a larger baking dish and increase the cooking time slightly.
Can I omit the pecans?
Absolutely. They’re optional for crunch but not essential to the flavor.
Try More Recipes:
- Ina Garten Tomatoes Roasted With Pesto Recipe
- Ina Garten Smashed Potatoes Recipe
- Ina Garten Roasted Cauliflower Snowflakes Recipe
Ina Garten Candied Yams Recipe
Course: Side DishCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes35
minutes300
kcalA warm and cozy side dish of glazed yams baked with brown sugar, butter, and optional pecans—perfect for holidays.
Ingredients
-
4 large yams, sliced
-
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
-
1/2 cup brown sugar
-
1/4 cup maple syrup
-
1 tsp cinnamon
-
1/4 tsp nutmeg
-
1 tsp vanilla extract
-
1/2 tsp salt
-
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch dish.
- Mix butter, sugar, syrup, spices, and vanilla into a glaze.
- Arrange yams in dish and coat with glaze.
- Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes.
- Uncover, stir, and bake 20–25 more minutes.
- Add pecans (if using) in last 10 minutes.
- Let rest and serve warm.
