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No holiday meal would be complete without our favorite recipe for fork tender Slow Cooker Candied Yams. Toss out those canned yams because making fresh sweet potatoes has never been easier or tastier.
Featured Comment
This is my go to for candied yams and the dish I’m specifically asked to make every Thanksgiving and Christmas! It’s a family favorite!
– Deanna
If you’ve ever had canned yams, then you know they’re lacking in both flavor and texture.
Making slow cooker candied yams will not only save oven space and free up a stove top burner, they will stay warm throughout the meal unlike those made in a casserole dish. This crockpot version will become one of your favorite recipes.
Key Ingredients
Sweet potatoes/Yams — The red garnet variety is best, but the orange Beauregard or Jewel varieties will work, too. You will want to find a red sweet potato or yam for this recipe.
Seasonings — Ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt.
Pantry staples — Vanilla extract, molasses, and brown sugar.
Slurry — Cornstarch and water mixed together forming a slurry will thicken the delicious sauce the sweet potatoes cook in.
Butter — Melted, and because what Southern dish wouldn’t have butter.
How to Make Slow Cooker Candied Yams
- Add sliced yams, slurry, spices, butter, and vanilla to the crockpot.
- Cook them up until nice and tender.
- Stir in brown sugar to finish and serve.
Sarah’s Tips & Variations
Extra Seasonings: Ground nutmeg or even a little pumpkin pie spice are excellent additions. A half teaspoon of orange zest is a great flavor enhancer as well.
Maple Syrup: If you want to use maple syrup, start with 1/2 cup and taste and decide if you want to add more.
Marshmallow Topping: Just before serving, add 2 cups of marshmallows and replace the lid. These will disappear after some time, so only do this just before serving.
Pecans: Add a half cup of toasted pecans for added texture in this dish, or you can serve them on the side.
Can I reheat Canned Yams in the Slow Cooker?
Want a shortcut recipe? You can cook as many cans of canned yams as you want in a crockpot. They will take about 2 hours on high to heat. You can add additional brown sugar or spices if desired.
What kind of dishes go with Candied Yams?
This candied yams recipe will go wonderfully with both your Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners.
- Pair candied yams with Slow Cooker Turkey Breast or Apple and Clove Ham.
- Round out the plate with Slow Cooker Stuffing (or Stovetop stuffing made in the slow cooker), Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes, and Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole.
- Add comfort and contrast with Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese and a bright Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce.
Slow Cooker Candied Yams
How to Video
Ingredients
- 4 lbs. red garnet yams
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
- 1/8 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup melted salted butter, (1 stick)
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp. molasses
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, (add at the end)
Instructions
- Peel the yams and slice into 1 inch slices. Add to the slow cooker.
- In a small bowl whisk together the water and cornstarch. Add to the slow cooker.
- Add the butter, molasses, vanilla, cinnamon cloves and salt. Wait to add the brown sugar. Stir.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
- After the cooking time is done, add the brown sugar and gently stir.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
How to Store and Reheat
Place any leftover crock pot candied yams in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can reheat in the microwave alone or with other leftovers.
More Sweet Potato Recipes to Make
Keep it simple with Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes or Slow Cooker Mashed Sweet Potatoes—or go classic with Baked Candied Potatoes.
Go hearty with Pulled Pork Stuffed Sweet Potatoes. For bowl nights, make Sweet Potato Chili or a cozy Sweet Potato Stew.
This is my go to for candied yams and the dish I’m specifically asked to make every Thanksgiving and Christmas! It’s a family favorite!
can i use cook potato’s in can.
You can but it won’t need as much time.
Can I leave molasses out? I’m making now and don’t have it thanks
Yes! They will be still great.
Do you use whole cloves
I use ground. I will add that to the recipe.
Why is brown sugar add at end
I did that since it’s a thicker recipe. I didn’t want it burning on the edges.
Can you use canned yams?
Yes, but I would cut the time in half.
Can this be done the night before?
I don’t see why not!
can should cook same day
Can these be cooked on a low setting?
Yes, it will take a few hours longer.
These look delicious! I’m absolutely making these for thanksgiving. Do you know if these will freeze well?
I think they will freeze fine!
Hello there, do I need to use salted or unsalted butter?
I used salted