🍠🌰Cranberry Chestnut Holiday Skillet Yams Recipe

Easy Holiday Side Dish Made in A Skillet🍳

Follow this incredibly easy and delicious Holiday Skillet Yams Recipe to create a stunning side dish with classic seasonal flavors.

By combining yams, chestnuts, and cranberries, you get a unique blend of earthy, savory, and sweet notes that are perfect for any holiday meal.

This side dish is not only delicious but also naturally vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free (always check ingredient labels for pre-packaged items).

It’s an effortless, four-ingredient recipe that works for a weeknight dinner, yet tastes special enough for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s celebrations!

It’s a simple, plant-based dish that everyone at the table will love, regardless of dietary needs.

A Naturally Inclusive Side Dish 🥦🤝

Hosting a holiday dinner often involves accommodating various dietary preferences.

This simple yam recipe is naturally compliant with several common needs, making your meal planning much easier:

Vegan & Vegetarian: This recipe relies entirely on plant-based ingredients (yams, chestnuts, cranberries, olive oil), making it a worry-free choice for plant-based guests. 🌱
Gluten-Free: All four core ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Just ensure any salt or specialized olive oil you use is certified if cross-contamination is a concern.
A Popular Alternative: This dish is a great savory alternative to overly sweet, marshmallow-topped sweet potato casseroles, appealing to those who prefer their sides less dessert-like.

Flavor Focus: Yam vs. Sweet Potato 🍠

While yams and sweet potatoes are often confused, they offer slightly different flavors in this dish.

The recipe suggests using yams, but you can choose based on your preference:

Yams: Traditional yams (like the Organic Baby Japanese Yams suggested) offer a more neutral, earthy flavor that balances the sweet chestnuts and tart cranberries perfectly.
Sweet Potatoes: If you prefer a distinctly sweeter flavor, feel free to substitute sweet potatoes. They will be tender and delicious, just with a naturally higher sugar content.
The Chestnut Effect: Steamed chestnuts add a unique, tender texture and a light, slightly sweet, and earthy flavor that is the signature taste of this holiday side dish. 🌰

Prep Tips for a Quick Skillet Finish ⏱️

With only a 5-minute cook time, this dish is truly fast, provided you take care of the prep steps first.

Prep Essentials

Rehydrating Cranberries: Don’t skip this step! Soaking the dried cranberries in warm water for 15-20 minutes makes them plump and juicy, giving them a better texture than hard, dried cranberries.
Garlic Oil: The recipe suggests a garlic-infused olive oil for maximum flavor with minimal effort. If you substitute regular olive oil, you can add a tablespoon of fresh minced garlic to the skillet with the yams to ensure the garlic flavor comes through.

Holiday Skillet Yams Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 4 Servings

🥣 Ingredients

1 lb. Yams (sliced into bite-sized pieces)
1 package Steamed Chestnuts (cut in half) 🌰
1/2 cup Dried Cranberries
2 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Garlic Infused is recommended)
Salt to Taste

🥄 Supplies

Small Bowl (for rehydrating cranberries)
Skillet (Cast iron works beautifully) 🔥
Chef Knife

📝 Instructions

Rehydrate Cranberries: Soak the dried cranberries in a small bowl of warm water for about 15–20 minutes. Drain the excess water thoroughly when plump.
Prepare Produce: Slice the yams into uniform, bite-sized pieces and cut the steamed chestnuts in half.
Cook Yams: Heat the olive oil in your skillet. Add the sliced yams and cook for a couple of minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened.
Combine Flavors: Add the chestnut halves and the rehydrated cranberries to the skillet. Cook for a few more minutes, continuing to stir occasionally, until everything is heated through.
Finish and Serve: Salt the dish to taste. Serve immediately while warm. Enjoy!

Ready to Cook This Simple Side Dish? ⬇️

This quick and flavorful skillet yam recipe is a beautiful, seasonal side that removes the fuss from holiday cooking.

It’s simple enough for a beginner and delicious enough for your most formal gathering!

Will you use yams or sweet potatoes?