Sweet potatoes take jerk seasoning well, and most people don’t try it until they have. The allspice, cloves, and pepper in a jerk blend work with the natural sweetness of the potato rather than fighting it. Try it. Roasted at 425F until the edges start to caramelize, they get a little crisp on the outside and soft through the middle. The pineapple dipping sauce is a fast blender job: fresh pineapple, honey, vinegar, and ketchup, which sounds unlikely but hits that sweet-sour-slightly-smoky note that makes the whole plate worth eating.
How to Make Jerk-Seasoned Sweet Potatoes with Pineapple Sauce
Season both sides
Rub olive oil on both sides of each slice before applying the spice mix, then flip and season the other side. One-sided seasoning means half the potato is bland. Simple enough. A lined baking pan with a drizzle of oil underneath helps the bottoms caramelize instead of steam.
Fresh pineapple for the sauce
Canned pineapple makes the sauce watery and one-note. Fresh pineapple has more acid and bite, which is what balances the heat from the jerk seasoning. Blend the sauce ingredients smooth and taste for balance before serving; it may need a pinch more salt or a little more vinegar depending on how sweet your pineapple is. 
Jerk-Seasoned Sweet Potatoes with Pineapple Sauce
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2
- Diet: Omnivore, Gluten-Free
Description
Spicy jerk-seasoned sweet potatoes are the perfect salty snack. Dip them in a tangy pineapple sauce for a sweet and savory treat.
Ingredients
- 1 medium to large sweet potato
- Olive oil
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) ground allspice
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp (5 ml) red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup fresh pineapple
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) honey
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) vinegar
- 3 tbsp (45 ml) water
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) ketchup
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (204°C).
- Prepare a large baking pan by lining it with foil and drizzling with olive oil.
- Place sweet potato slices on the baking sheet, rubbing both sides with olive oil.
- Sprinkle with your desired amount of seasoning, then flip the slices and sprinkle the other sides.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the slices are tender and browned.
- Remove from oven and cool slightly.
- Transfer to a serving platter.
- Serve with Pineapple Dipping Sauce.
- Dipping Sauce
- Blend the ingredients together in a blender or food processor.
- Transfer to a small saucepan.
- Bring to a bubble over medium-high heat, whisking until slightly thickened.
- Pour into a serving dish and set aside to cool.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the sweet potato slices in the jerk seasoning for at least 30 minutes before baking.
- If you don’t have fresh pineapple, you can substitute 1/2 cup of canned pineapple juice in the glaze.
- Store leftover sweet potatoes and glaze separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Caribbean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 3
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned pineapple for the dipping sauce?
Yes, canned pineapple in juice works as a substitute. Drain the juice before blending. The flavor will be slightly less bright than fresh, but still good.
How thick should I slice the sweet potatoes?
About a quarter inch thick gives you the best balance of crispy edges and tender interior. Thicker slices take longer and may not develop as much browning.
Can I adjust the heat level of the jerk seasoning?
Reduce or omit the red pepper flakes and black pepper to make it milder. The allspice, cinnamon, and cloves still give you plenty of warm, complex flavor without the heat.
