From hearty mains to savory sides, embrace the flavors of sweet potatoes with these anti-inflammatory recipes. Sweet potatoes are packed with antioxidants, fiber and essential vitamins and minerals, which can help support an anti-inflammatory eating pattern. These delicious dishes pair them with other foods shown to help lower inflammation such as legumes, nuts and seeds, fatty fish and nourishing vegetables. Recipes like our Kale & Sweet Potato Salad with Chicken and Melting Sweet Potatoes with Brown Butter are healthy and flavorful meals that will become staples in your kitchen.
Kale & Sweet Potato Salad with Chicken
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.
Roasted sweet potatoes, massaged kale and a creamy tahini dressing set the stage for a mix of feta, golden raisins and crunchy almonds. Shredded chicken makes it a satisfying main, but leftover turkey can be used in its place.
Melting Sweet Potatoes with Brown Butter
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Amanda Stanfield, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.
This easy side dish takes just 40 minutes to make but looks elegant on your holiday table. Sweet potato rounds are roasted alone and then with broth to ensure creamy interiors. Then they’re drizzled with brown butter and topped with chopped hazelnuts and crispy sage so they’re flavorful and presentation-worthy.
Creamy Chickpea Soup
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Craig Huff, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong.
This creamy chickpea soup comes together in just 20 minutes. Cream cheese adds a velvety texture that feels cozy and comforting. Garnished with cilantro and crunchy tortilla strips, it’s a one-pot meal that’s weeknight-friendly and crowd-pleasing.
Crispy Smashed Sweet Potatoes with Parm
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf.
Nutmeg, thyme and garlic give tender sweet potatoes a warm, savory backbone, while Parmesan creates a golden crust that crisps beautifully in the oven. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt and fresh thyme at the end adds just the right finishing touch.
Easy Baked Sweet Potato
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.
This basic baked sweet potato is a comforting side that shines on its own with just butter, chives and a touch of pepper. Want to get more creative? You can switch things up by topping them with savory ingredients like black beans and salsa, or sweet ingredients like yogurt and granola.
Roasted Garlic Melting Sweet Potatoes
Photographer: Ali Redmond.
This sweet potato dish is deeply savory and aromatic. The secret is a whole head of garlic roasted alongside the potatoes until soft and caramelized, then whisked into broth that coats the potatoes and infuses flavor into every tender bite.
20-Minute Black Bean Soup
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.
This effortless soup takes only 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Canned black beans help speed things up, and taco seasoning and fire-roasted tomatoes help build rich, savory flavor, while cream cheese adds a silky texture.
Loaded Sweet Potatoes with Chickpeas
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
These loaded sweet potatoes are a hearty dinner that combines the natural sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes with the satisfying crunch of crispy chickpeas. The chickpeas, cooked on the stovetop and seasoned to perfection, add a boost of fiber and plant-based protein.
Sheet-Pan Chicken Thighs with Red Cabbage & Sweet Potatoes
photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle
The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity—everything cooks together on one sheet pan, making cleanup a breeze. As the ingredients roast together, the chicken juices meld with the vegetables, creating a savory dinner.
Roasted Veggie & Black Bean Bowls
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
These hearty bowls featuring sweet potatoes, poblano peppers and red onion are bursting with bold flavors. Add a tangy scoop of guacamole, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and more of your favorite toppings and you’ll have a vibrant, satisfying dinner for your regular rotation.
Rotisserie Chicken & Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey
This rotisserie chicken and roasted sweet potato salad is the perfect anti-inflammatory dish. Tossed with fresh greens, apples and a tangy-sweet dressing, this salad is a wholesome meal that’s perfect for busy days.
High-Protein Lemon & Turmeric Chicken Soup
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
Turmeric, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, gives the soup its vibrant yellow hue. It’s the perfect meal for when you’re sick or simply warming up on a chilly day. We love tender-crisp baby kale, but chopped kale or baby spinach can be used in its place.
Sweet Potato-Black Bean Tostadas
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
These tostadas pack in plenty of plant-based protein, combining hearty black beans and nutrient-packed sweet potatoes for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
Anti-Inflammatory Sheet-Pan Roasted Veggies
Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
This medley of roasted vegetables is a colorful side packed with ingredients like carrots, butternut squash and Brussels sprouts. Purple sweet potatoes offer all the perks of regular sweet potatoes with an extra dose of anthocyanins, the pigments that deliver their deep color and additional antioxidant properties. If you can’t find purple sweet potatoes, regular sweet potatoes work just as well.
Thai Red Curry with Cod & Sweet Potatoes
Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
The combination of tender sweet potatoes, peas and omega-3-rich cod makes this dish a powerhouse for reducing inflammation. Black cod’s rich, buttery texture makes it a standout choice for this dish, offering a luxurious mouthfeel that pairs perfectly with the curry.
High-Protein Veggie Soup
Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
This plant-based soup features lentils, which offer plenty of protein and fiber to make this soup satisfying. Together, with anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric and sweet potato, you’ll get a balanced soup that’s warming and comforting, all in one delicious bowl.
Sweet Potato-Black Bean Stuffed Peppers
Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
These delicious stuffed peppers are an easy anti-inflammatory meal, thanks to the combination of sweet potatoes, black beans and bell peppers, which are all packed with antioxidants. This vegetarian dish calls for microwaveable brown rice for ease, but you can also use leftover brown rice if you have it on hand.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Citrus-Maple Glaze
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower
These roasted sweet potatoes with citrus-maple glaze are a vibrant and flavorful addition to any meal. The natural sweetness of roasted potatoes is complemented by a tangy citrus-maple glaze, creating the ideal balance of flavors. Whether served alongside a holiday feast or part of a casual weeknight meal, this dish is versatile enough to fit in perfectly.
Creamy White Chili with Sweet Potatoes & White Beans
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Sally McKay, Prop Stylist Hannah Greenwood
A bowl of creamy white chili with sweet potatoes is the perfect comfort food to warm you from the inside out. This hearty plant-based dish blends white beans and the subtle sweetness of sweet potatoes in a rich, flavorful broth. A can of chopped green chiles adds to the warmth. If you like your chili on the mild side, opt for mild green chiles.
Chickpea & Sweet Potato Grain Bowls
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
This nutrient-dense bowl is rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants. Sorghum is a gluten-free ancient grain that pairs well with the deliciously tangy yogurt-based drizzle.
Spice-Roasted Sweet Potatoes over Garlicky Yogurt
Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Sally McKay, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood
Sweet potatoes, caramelized to perfection with a mix of aromatic spices, are served over a tangy yogurt base that adds a cool, creamy contrast. This simple yet sophisticated recipe will elevate your next gathering.
Anti-Inflammatory Sweet Potato Salad
Photographer: Stacy k. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling
This sweet potato salad is packed with anti-inflammatory foods like cherries, kale, avocado and, of course, sweet potatoes. Don’t skip the step of massaging the dressing into the kale! It helps soften it and also helps the greens absorb more of the flavor from the sweet-tart dressing.
Coconut Stew with Spinach & Beans
Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Lexi Juhl
Sweet potatoes add sweetness and body to this stew flavored with ginger, cumin, coriander and turmeric (which gives it its vibrant yellow color). Unseeded chiles add extra heat, but you can seed them to mellow the spiciness.
Sheet-Pan Salmon with Sweet Potatoes & Broccoli
The vibrant combo of cheese, cilantro, chili, and lime—inspired by Mexican street corn—makes this salmon sheet-pan dinner burst with flavor.
Stuffed Sweet Potato with Hummus Dressing
Ali Redmond
Hearty yet simple to prepare, this stuffed sweet potato with black beans, kale and hummus dressing is a fantastic 5-ingredient lunch for one!
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