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A Flavorful, Fresh, and Festive Thanksgiving Side
Looking to add something bold, healthy, and crowd-pleasing to your Thanksgiving menu? These grilled sweet potatoes with chimichurri are everything you didn’t know you needed. They’re smoky, caramelized, and slightly crispy on the edges, then topped with a fresh herb sauce that wakes up your entire plate.
This recipe is naturally gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, Whole30, and paleo. It's a perfect lighter option for the holidays, but still packed with seasonal flavor.
Jump to:
- Why This Recipe Works for Thanksgiving
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Tips for Best Results
- Serving Suggestions for Thanksgiving
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Recipe Variations
- More Sweet Potato Recipes You'll Love
- Save This Recipe for the Holidays
- Grilled Sweet Potatoes with Chimichurri
Why This Recipe Works for Thanksgiving
Fast and Easy
This dish comes together in under 30 minutes. With just a few ingredients and a hot grill (or grill pan), you can have a colorful, festive side ready to go without taking up oven space.
Crowd-Friendly
It fits nearly every diet at the table—vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, Whole30, and nut-free—making it a perfect addition to a Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving potluck.
Balanced Flavors
Sweet potatoes are rich and naturally sweet. Chimichurri adds brightness, acidity, and a little heat for a perfectly balanced bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Grilled Sweet Potatoes
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes
- 3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
For the Chimichurri
- 1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small shallot, finely chopped
- 1 small serrano chili, optional, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- ½ cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep Your Grill
Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Brush the grates with oil to prevent sticking.

2. Slice and Season
Cut sweet potatoes lengthwise into ¼-inch thick slices. Toss with oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
3. Grill the Sweet Potatoes
Place the slices on the grill. Reduce heat to medium and grill for 8 to 10 minutes per side, until the potatoes are soft in the center and charred around the edges.

4. Make the Chimichurri
In a bowl, mix parsley, oregano, garlic, shallot, and serrano chili. Stir in red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper. Slowly add olive oil while mixing. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes to develop flavor.

5. Assemble and Serve
Transfer grilled sweet potatoes to a serving platter and drizzle with chimichurri. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips for Best Results
Keep Slices Even
Cutting your sweet potatoes to the same thickness helps them cook evenly on the grill.
Don’t Use High Heat
Medium heat is best. High heat can burn the outsides before the insides are tender.
Let the Chimichurri Rest
Giving the sauce at least 10 minutes to sit helps the flavors blend beautifully.
Serving Suggestions for Thanksgiving
This dish pairs wonderfully with both traditional and plant-based Thanksgiving mains. Try it alongside:
- Roasted turkey or herb-roasted chicken
- Vegan lentil loaf or stuffed squash
- Cranberry-glazed meatballs or pork tenderloin
Add a festive touch with toppings like pomegranate seeds, toasted pepitas, or chopped parsley for color and crunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
How to Store
Store grilled sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Chimichurri can be refrigerated separately for up to 1 week.
How to Reheat
- Oven: 375°F for 8 to 10 minutes
- Skillet: Medium heat with a little oil
- Air fryer: 350°F for 5 to 6 minutes
Reheat chimichurri gently or bring to room temperature before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The skin crisps up nicely on the grill, but you can peel them if you prefer a smoother texture.
Absolutely. Roast in the oven at 425°F for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
No soaking needed. Just slice, season, and grill.
Recipe Variations
Try a Flavor Twist
- Add a dash of smoked paprika or chili flakes for a spicier version
- Swap parsley for cilantro for a Latin-inspired chimichurri
- Use lemon juice instead of vinegar for a brighter flavor
Make It Holiday-Ready
- Add maple syrup and cinnamon for a sweeter Thanksgiving variation
- Top with roasted pecans and dried cranberries for a festive finish
More Sweet Potato Recipes You'll Love
Here are more cozy, seasonal recipes to round out your Thanksgiving menu:
- Sweet Potato Chickpea Curry
A comforting vegan main dish that’s great for leftovers too. - Oven Roasted Maple Sweet Potatoes
Sweet, caramelized, and the perfect classic side. - Sweet Potato Pancakes – Thanksgiving Breakfast
Start your holiday morning off right with this cozy breakfast.
Save This Recipe for the Holidays
Planning your Thanksgiving menu? Save this recipe to your Pinterest board so you can easily find it when it's time to cook. It's easy to prep, guaranteed to impress, and makes a beautiful addition to any fall feast.
Let me know in the comments how it turned out and what you served it with—I’d love to hear your Thanksgiving plans.



Grilled Sweet Potatoes with Chimichurri
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Grill
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Slices of sweet potato are coated in a delicious blend of seasonings and grilled until soft with a slightly crispy edge, then tossed with a zesty homemade chimichurri sauce.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes, sliced into ¼-inch thick pieces
- 3 to 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Optional: Serve with Chimichurri:
- 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves, finely minced
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 small shallot, finely minced
- 1 small serrano chili, seeds removed and finely minced (optional)
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and oil the grates.
- Slice sweet potatoes lengthwise or diagonally into ¼-inch thick pieces.
- Place in a bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Lower grill heat to medium and place sweet potatoes on the grill.
- Cook about 10 minutes on each side until soft and slightly crispy.
- While grilling, make chimichurri: mix parsley, oregano, garlic, shallot, chili (if using), vinegar, salt, and pepper. Stir in olive oil.
- Transfer grilled sweet potatoes to a bowl, season with more salt if needed, and toss with chimichurri before serving.
Notes
Slice all sweet potatoes to the same thickness to ensure even cooking. Grill sheets or pans can be used if preferred. Make sure grill grates are greased to prevent sticking. Potatoes are done when easily pierced with a fork.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg









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