This simple Sweet Potato, Peach, and Cranberry dish is the perfect side dish for someone who is a little bit domestically challenged like me. It only takes three cans and a microwave to make this deliciously tangy holiday side. My kids can even make this one.
It can build your confidence so you can move on to bigger things (although… I’ve learned how to make lots of things, and I still go back to this recipe)
I was always intimidated when I had to bring something to someone’s house when they are a great hostess. I felt inadequate. That was something I had to get over. Not only am I much better at doing stuff than I thought, but it doesn’t even matter. It isn’t about the food. It’s about the people.
Let me say that again!
It’s not about the food; it’s about the people!
Don’t let your lack of skill (or imagined lack of skill) stop you from enjoying time with others. Pick up a veggie tray or a bag of rolls if you have to. There is nothing wrong with that.
However, this Sweet potato, peach, and cranberry dish is almost as easy as picking up a veggie tray on the way and is deliciously sweet!
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My Auntie Lorna taught me this Sweet Potato, Peach, and Cranberry Dish recipe one year when we traveled across the country to join my family for a holiday dinner.
Someone else was already bringing the rolls. Dang it!
I usually try to sign up for something I can grab from a bakery!
So… I needed an easy side dish I could whip up quickly in her kitchen. The microwave is the perfect solution for this delicious sweet potato, peach, and cranberry side dish when the oven is already in use with all the other holiday goodies.
This is the easiest side dish you will ever make! It is delicious when served with Turkey, Ham, or Roast beef and helps satisfy my sweet tooth. (I was the kid who ate rolls, cranberry sauce, and jello at all holiday parties… I would have loved this!)
Now put on a cute apron, tie back your hair, and let’s get cooking… if you can even call this cooking. It practically makes itself!
Ingredients
Typically I would label all of the ingredients, but this is LITERALLY three cans. It is so easy to make… now all you need is a can opener and a microwavable dish!
- Canned Sweet Potatoes- you can use any brand you can find. For some reason, I can only ever find Princella Sweet Potatoes (cut yams in syrup… Southern Style), which work great. You could bake your sweet potatoes, adding time and work to this recipe. The point of this dish is that it is fast and simple.
- Canned Peaches- Any canned peaches will work. It doesn’t matter if they are in syrup, water, juice, or whatever. You will drain them. I prefer the slices, but peach halves will work just as well. Either way, you will probably want to cut them into bite-sized pieces.
- Can of Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce- You must use the whole berry kind. That is what gives it some fun texture, and looks much prettier than a blob of jellied cranberry sauce (which I love with turkey but not in this dish)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Open all three cans and pour them into a microwavable dish. I use my small CorningWare Ceramic Baking Dish. It is microwave, dishwasher, oven, freezer, and refrigerator safe. Best of all… it reminds me of all of my childhood holidays. I love nostalgic things!
You can take a knife to cut the sweet potatoes and peaches into smaller pieces. This step is optional. It made it a tiny bit easier to eat, but once it is heated, it is easy to cut with a spoon or fork. It looks nicer when you leave them whole… but both ways of preparing the sweet potato, peach, and cranberry dish are equally delicious.
Mix it together, cover the dish, and put it in the microwave for about seven minutes. My CorningWare comes with a lid, but you can use microwavable plastic wrap or the food cover from your microwave.
Take it out of the microwave, stir it, and then put it back in for a few more minutes until it is hot all the way through (microwaves may vary).
That is all you need to do! It is ready to be served! It is the perfect microwavable sweet potato, peach, and cranberry side dish.
The last time I made this, my son asked if he could try it… and he stole a giant bowl.
Questions and Substitutions
Can I cook this Sweet Potato, Peach, and Cranberry dish in the oven? Absolutely! If there is room in my oven, I cook it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes. Just make sure it is hot all the way through.
Do I have to use canned fruit? Nope! But it takes this sweet potato, peach, and cranberry dish from being a simple side dish recipe to being more involved. The time commitment would significantly increase. You can bake your sweet potatoes first, use fresh peaches, and stir in homemade whole cranberry sauce. (I don’t know the cooking times because I have never tried this. My main reason for making this recipe is that it doesn’t take up any oven space, but I’m sure it would taste delicious.)
Can I add nuts? I have not tried it with nuts, but I imagine walnuts or pecans would go well in this dish and give it a nice crunch. If you try adding nuts, let me know how it turns out.
Can I add mustard? Gross! Why would you even ask that? But… if you’re adventurous and try it and it’s actually good, let me know!
Are you looking for another fun treat to bring to your family gathering? Try Pumpkin Hummus Dip. It doesn’t require an oven either, and it is so good I can eat it with a spoon! It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and easy to make with a food processor or blender.
Sweet Potato Peach Cranberry Dish
Equipment
- 1 microwavable dish
- 1 knife optional
Ingredients
- 1 29 oz can Sweet potatoes or cut yams in syrup (drained)
- 1 15 oz can Sliced peaches (drained)
- 1 14 oz can Whole berry cranberry sauce
Instructions
- Dump the drained can of sweet potatoes into a microwave-safe dish. Use a knife to cut the potatoes into bite-size pieces. (cutting is optional)
- Dump the drained can of peaches into the microwave-safe dish. Cut the peaches into bite-size pieces. (I would not omit cutting the peaches, but I guess you could leave out this step too. People can easily cut them with a spoon)
- Pour in the can of whole-berry cranberry sauce.
- Mix everything together until combined and cover. (If your dish has a microwavable lid, use that. You can also use microwavable plastic wrap or the plastic plate cover that goes in the microwave.
- Microwave on high for about seven minutes. Stir. If needed, put it back in the microwave for another 2 minutes or so. Heat until it is hot all the way through.
- Your simple side dish is ready to serve!
23 Comments
Brilliant! I personally LOVE to cook but have a few friends I will be sharing this with!
I do, too, now that I am more confident. lol
Okay, this seems doable. I can’t mess this up. and if I do, I won’t know what to do with myself lol. Thank you for this!!
Haha! If you mess this up, you have a gift! lol
Such a fun and easy idea for a quick side and also for the upcoming holiday season. Great tip!
Yes! It is so so easy!
I was just talking to my family about what to prepare for Thanksgiving this year! I came across this recipe at the perfect time. Thanks so much! Can’t wait to whip it up.
I hope you love it, Brooke! It has certainly been a time-saver for me!
This isn’t a combination I’ve ever heard of but actually sounds really good and simple! Thank you for sharing!
That was my first thought… and then I couldn’t stop eating it!
This looks so easy and same time very delicious! I will definitely give it a try.
I hope you love it!
Great recipe! Unusual combination, but very inviting. I will try for Christmas!
this looks great I want to try right now
Haha! If you try it, let me know what you think. 🙂
I love how this dish pairs three holiday flavors in a way I haven’t tried them before. And that it’s so fast and easy to make!
Thank you, Sage!
Your cranberry sweet potato recipe is very easy. This is perfect for the upcoming holiday season. Appreciate the choice if ingredients. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you!
Thank you, it seems like this is a recipe perfect for me! I should try it, thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome 🙂
Okay this looks like the most delicious healthy side EVER.
This looks so good! What a great recipe for the holidays.