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Grilled Sweet Potatoes are all about simplicity and ease. Think of them as baked sweet potatoes, but cooked directly on the grill. The smoky flavor is incredible using our ultimate dry rub, with a soft interior and a nice char on the exterior. Top with a decadent smoked honey butter, and find out why this is one of my favorite easy side dish recipes.

This sweet potato recipe is gluten-free and vegan (if you leave out the butter topping).

We always say anything you can cook inside, in your oven, can be adapted to cooking on the grill. That applies to sweet potatoes! And the bonus is that grilling gives a nice texture to the outside and a smoky, soft flavor inside.

Grilled Sweet Potatoes are a perfect side dish (especially in the fall as a holiday side dish recipe). Whether you’re serving it alongside a grilled steak or pork chops, a sweet potato “baked” on the grill is our favorite way to make them.

These are coated with a savory dry rub, then cooked on the grill until soft.

Ingredients for Grilled Sweet Potatoes

It’s easy to find all of these ingredients at your grocery store.

• Whole Sweet Potatoes – We prefer the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes. Use any variety for this recipe including yams.
• Seasoning – Our sweet and savory dry rub includes brown sugar, kosher salt, garlic powder, and chili powder flavors that are both sweet and savory. You can add cayenne pepper for some additional heat.
• Toppings – We add a smoked honey butter after it’s been grilled so it melts and adds a richness to the sweet potatoes. If you don’t want butter, drizzling in real maple syrup is a delicious addition.

Portions and Preparation

Plan on one potato per person, or a half potato if serving with several other side dish options.

The potatoes should be cleaned of any dirt and then dried. The best way is to rinse under cold water, then use a paper towel to dry them off. After they’re dry, use a fork to poke holes throughout the potatoes then season them. The holes allow steam to escape while grilling and avoids the sweet potatoes from splitting open.

You do not need to boil the potatoes prior to grilling.

Seasoning

Start with a generous coating of extra virgin olive oil and then coat with the dry rub. The olive oil helps the rub adhere to the sweet potatoes and acts as a binder.

We are using our Ultimate Dry Rub with both sweet and savory flavors, but you can substitute your favorite dry rub if you don’t have all of the ingredients. If using a store bought, seek out one with some sugar to allow for some caramelization on the sweet potato skin.

Recipe Testing Notes On The Grill

We have tried direct and indirect grilling methods as well as a hot grill at higher temperatures. Direct grilling will create burning, even at low temperatures. Indirect heat, when too high, will dry out the sweet potato. We find the best method is setting up your grill for indirect grilling and targeting 375 degrees Fahrenheit for the ideal temperature. This will give the sweet potatoes a soft interior and crispy skin. 

We also do not wrap in foil so we can allow the convection cooking in the grill to get the skin crispy while softening the interior.

How to Grill Sweet Potatoes

1. Prepare the grill for indirect grilling, targeting 375 degrees Fahrenheit ambient temperature in the grill.
2. Place seasoned sweet potatoes on the grill grates and grill indirect for 30 minutes, flip the potatoes and continue grilling for additional 30 minutes to get even heat on both sides.
3. Remove when the texture is soft. We use a knife or an instant read thermometer, like a Thermoworks Thermapen One, so we can test how soft the interior is (without ripping the skin open). It should insert with little friction.
4. Remove and serve with smoked honey butter, or your favorite toppings.

Charcoal Grill Set Up: Two-Zone Grilling with lump charcoal.

Gas Grill Set Up: On an average three burner gas grill, ignite two adjacent burners and set for medium low heat.

Big Green Egg or Kamado Grill: Place your ConvEGGtor plate, legs up, with grill grate over the top.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Grilled Potato Recipes

These side dish recipes are some of our favorites featuring potatoes.

• Grilled Mashed Sweet Potatoes – Chipotle, maple syrup, and grilled soft mashed sweet potatoes.
• Crispy Grilled Potato Wedges – You can also substitute sweet potato slices for russets for an incredible sweet potato fries recipe.
• Grilled Baked Potato – Classic steakhouse style baked potatoes grilled and topped with bacon and sour cream. Amazingly rich and creamy.

Other Great Holiday Side Dishes on the Grill

Great for Thanksgiving or any time of the year.

• Smoked Sausage and Cornbread Stuffing
• Grilled Green Beans
• Grilled and Glazed Carrots
• Brussels Sprouts on the Grill

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This recipe was originally published in October of 2020, and updated in October 2023 with more details and FAQ. The original recipe remains the same.

About Vindulge

Mary (a certified sommelier and recipe developer) and Sean (backyard pitmaster) are co-authors of the critically acclaimed cookbook, Fire + Wine, and have been creating content for the IACP nominated website Vindulge since 2009. They live in Oregon on a farm just outside Portland.

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