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?
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Chestnut Recipes
Cranberry Recipes
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Are you ready to have some delicious fun in the kitchen?
