White Sweet Potatoes with Mirin and Honey

Tender white sweet potatoes caramelized to perfection in a sweet and savory sauce made with Japanese mirin and honey. This dish combines Asian and Western flavors for a delicious side dish that's both elegant and comforting.

4 servings
55 min

Ingredients

  • 2 whole white sweet potatoes
  • ½ cup mirin
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons corn oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 pinch coarse sea salt
  • Ingredient info

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat oven to 450°F. Place a well-seasoned 8"-10" cast-iron skillet in oven.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Pierce potatoes in several spots with a fork. Microwave sweet potatoes on high for 5 minutes. (Alternatively, wrap sweet potatoes in foil and bake at 450°F until tender around edges but still hard in center, 30-35 minutes.) Transfer potatoes to a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let sit for 5 minutes.

    10 min

  3. 3.

    Whisk mirin, honey, vinegar, and salt in a medium bowl. Peel sweet potatoes and cut crosswise into 1"-1 1/2"-thick rounds. Add to mirin mixture; toss to coat.

    5 min

  4. 4.

    Using oven mitts, carefully remove heated skillet from oven; add oil and swirl pan to coat. Add sweet potatoes and mirin mixture to skillet, arranging potatoes cut side down. Bake until sweet potatoes are caramelized on one side, 15-20 minutes. Turn sweet potatoes, rotating them around pan to avoid hot spots, and cook until tender and caramelized, 5-7 minutes longer.

    25 min

  5. 5.

    Transfer sweet potatoes to a platter. Add 2 tablespoons water to skillet, scraping up browned bits. Add butter, swirling pan to melt and combine. Pour sauce over sweet potatoes. Season with salt.

    5 min

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