If you are craving a dish that perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors with minimal fuss, then the Honey Garlic Sausage with Sweet Potatoes Recipe is an absolute winner to add to your meal rotation. This vibrant skillet meal combines the rich smokiness of sausage with the natural sweetness of tender sweet potatoes, all glazed in a luscious honey garlic sauce that brings everything to life. It’s a comforting yet exciting flavor mashup that feels both homey and a little bit fancy, making it a true crowd-pleaser any night of the week.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, fresh ingredients is all you need to create this flavorful and colorful dish. Each ingredient plays a key role: from the silky sweetness of honey to the hearty texture of sweet potatoes, everything coming together to create a dish you won’t forget.
- Olive oil or butter: Helps brown the sausage and soften the sweet potatoes with a rich, savory base.
- Smoked sausage (14 ounces): Thickly sliced for robust flavor and satisfying bite.
- Sweet potatoes (2 medium): Peeled and cubed for a tender, caramelized sweetness.
- Honey (3 tablespoons): Adds a natural sweetness that perfectly complements the garlic and sausage.
- Garlic cloves (3, minced): Infuses the dish with aromatic warmth and depth.
- Soy sauce (2 tablespoons): Provides a salty umami kick that balances the sweetness.
- Fresh parsley (1 tablespoon, chopped, optional): Adds a fresh, bright finish with a pop of color.
How to Make Honey Garlic Sausage with Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Sausage
Start by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat, adding a tablespoon of olive oil or butter. Once hot, add the thick sausage slices and cook them for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until they are beautifully browned. This step locks in those smoky flavors and builds the base of the dish. After browning, remove the sausages and set them aside to keep warm.
Step 2: Cook the Sweet Potatoes
In the same skillet, add the remaining oil if needed, and toss in the cubed sweet potatoes. Stir them occasionally for about 10 to 12 minutes until they soften and get a lovely golden edge. Covering the pan during cooking helps the sweet potatoes steam and soften faster, ensuring every bite melts in your mouth.
Step 3: Sauté Garlic and Add the Sauce
Lower the heat slightly and add the minced garlic to the skillet with the sweet potatoes, stirring continuously as you sauté the garlic for just one minute to release its fragrant aroma without burning it. Then pour in the honey and soy sauce, stirring everything together. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes so it thickens slightly and beautifully coats the sweet potatoes.
Step 4: Combine Sausage with the Glaze
Return the browned sausage slices to the skillet and toss all the ingredients together so the honey garlic glaze clings to every piece. Continue to cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, letting the glaze caramelize lightly on the sausage and sweet potatoes for that irresistible, sticky finish.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Finally, sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the dish for a burst of green freshness. Serve your honey garlic sausage with sweet potatoes piping hot for the best flavor and texture experience.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Sausage with Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley is a classic choice to add color and a mild herbal note that cuts through the sweetness perfectly. For a touch of heat, a few crushed red pepper flakes sprinkled on top give the dish an exciting kick.
Side Dishes
While this recipe is hearty on its own, pairing it with a crisp green salad or steamed green beans provides a delicious contrast in texture and a fresh component to balance the richness. Some crusty bread or fluffy quinoa would soak up those lovely juices beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a family-style meal, serve straight from the skillet at the table to show off the vibrant colors and glossy glaze. Alternatively, plate the sweet potatoes as a bed and neatly arrange sausage slices on top for a restaurant-worthy presentation. Adding a drizzle of extra honey before serving amps up the sweetness for those with a bigger sweet tooth.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This dish keeps very well when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sweet potatoes might soften a bit more overnight, but the flavors only deepen, making leftovers a treat for the next day.
Freezing
You can freeze leftover Honey Garlic Sausage with Sweet Potatoes Recipe in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Be sure to cool the food completely before freezing to maintain the best texture once reheated.
Reheating
To reheat, thaw frozen portions overnight in the fridge, then warm gently in a skillet over medium heat to revive the caramelized glaze and avoid drying out the sweet potatoes or sausage. Microwave reheating works too, but stirring occasionally helps keep the texture pleasant.
FAQs
Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?
Absolutely! Regular potatoes will work fine, though the dish will lose some of its natural sweetness. Consider adding a little extra honey or a pinch of cinnamon to balance the flavors.
What kind of sausage works best?
Smoked sausage is ideal for its rich flavor and firm texture, but you can also use smoked kielbasa, bratwurst, or even chicken sausage depending on your preference.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
It can be, provided you use a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari. Always check your sausage ingredients too to ensure no gluten-containing fillers are included.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
You can substitute the sausage with bold flavored plant-based sausage options to keep the spirit of the dish while catering to a vegetarian diet.
How sticky is the honey garlic glaze?
The glaze is delightfully sticky but not overly thick, giving a shiny coating that enhances each ingredient without being gooey or heavy.
Final Thoughts
At its heart, the Honey Garlic Sausage with Sweet Potatoes Recipe is all about comfort and bold flavors coming together with ease. It’s a recipe that feels like a warm hug on a plate, perfect for busy nights or when you want to impress with minimal effort. Give it a try—you might just find a new favorite to cook again and again.
Print
Honey Garlic Sausage with Sweet Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
A quick and flavorful skillet recipe combining smoky sausage with tender sweet potatoes glazed in a honey garlic soy sauce. Perfect for a hearty weeknight meal that comes together in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 14 ounces smoked sausage, sliced into thick coins
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil or butter. Add the sausage slices and brown on both sides for 3–4 minutes until nicely caramelized. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Sweet Potatoes: In the same skillet, add the remaining oil if needed and the cubed sweet potatoes. Cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally until softened and lightly golden. Cover the skillet to help steam and soften the sweet potatoes faster.
- Sauté Garlic and Add Glaze: Lower the heat slightly. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the honey and soy sauce, stirring well to combine. Simmer this mixture for 2–3 minutes until the glaze thickens slightly.
- Combine Sausage and Glaze: Return the browned sausage slices to the skillet. Toss everything to coat the sausage and sweet potatoes evenly in the honey garlic glaze. Cook for another 2–3 minutes to let the flavors meld and to caramelize the glaze.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot for a comforting and delicious meal.
Notes
- You can substitute smoked sausage with turkey sausage for a leaner option.
- Covering the skillet speeds up the softening of sweet potatoes by trapping steam.
- Adjust honey and soy sauce quantities to taste for a sweeter or more savory glaze.
- For extra veggies, add diced bell peppers or onions when cooking the sweet potatoes.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed greens.
