I am SO EXCITED for summer. Back when we bought our new place, we were lucky enough to score a roomy back deck. And basically, when the weather warms up, we live on the thing.
See! This is me right this very second.
Notice the black covered behomoth at left? That’s our grill! That grill gets a looooot of use in the spring and summer. These past couple of years, it’s been churning out these Smoky Grilled Sweet Potatoes with Cilantro & Lime. Good grill!
Last summer, I was determined to find an easy way to grill sweet potatoes. They’re such a hearty foodstuff and it just seems like they belong on the grill.
After poking around various sites and being turned off by many recipes that required pre-cooking your sweet potatoes before plopping them on the grill, I found this method on Simply Recipes. You cut the sweet potatoes vertically, and slice them thin enough so that they cook through nicely on the grill, no pre-cooking needed. Done!
I opted to add this sweet and smoky spice rub to the sweet potatoes before grilling them. This gives them loads of flavor and, as far as I’m concerned, makes them extra special. We made these all the time last summer, and this year, it’s shaping up to be more of the same.
I like to finish off my sweet potato deliciousness off with a good squeeze of lime and a few flecks of cilantro.
Summer life is good.

Smoky Grilled Sweet Potatoes with Cilantro & Lime
Ingredients
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes (scrubbed well and sliced lengthwise 1/4-inch thick)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Approx. 3 tablespoons Sweet & Smoky BBQ Dry Rub Mix
- A couple of limes (halved)
- A handful of cilantro (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to medium-high (direct heat).
- Brush the sliced sweet potatoes with olive oil and rub with about 1 teaspoon of spice mix per side.
- Lay potatoes on the grill and cook until grill lines form, 5-6 minutes. Flip and cook on the other side until cooked through and tender, about 5-6 more minutes. Remove from the grill and lay on a platter. Squeeze lime juice over the top and sprinkle with cilantro. Serve immediately.
I have all these ingredients and burgers are on the menu later this week–this is going to be the side dish for them for sure!
I love sweet potatoes! Adding these to my summer BBQ list.
I bet the grill makes those sweet potatoes super sweet.They look delicious!
Love sweet potatoes! I have to try them grilled, and with lime, they are winners. Pinned!
These potatoes are sooooooo good. That rub is EVERYTHING!
THANK YOU so much for this recipe.
This recipe is perfect as is, but I didn’t have a grill, so I had to make the following changes:
I parboiled the yams for 3 mins (brought to boil and simmered for 3 mins), drained the pot really well, added the spice blend, put the lid on and shook it for 10 seconds)
I then baked them on baking trays lined with non-stick foil (you could also use parchment). I drizzled with a tiny bit of oil and baked them at 425 for 25 minutes (turning over halfway through). I served them with Pinch of Yum’s “5 MINUTE MAGIC GREEN SAUCE”. Incredible. I can’t wait to make this on the grill.
I’m so glad you like them! Love the adaptations. I’ll have to try it with the sauce!
I always do my cooking inside, but will prepare these and have my husband throw them all the grill with his other veggies. They turn out so delicious! Your BBQ spice rub is excellent!!!