Spicy Ginger Sweet Potato Dip

(Note: this post was originally published on November 1, 2020. It has since been updated with new photos and some tweaks.)

A Sweet Potato Dip for Fall

If you think you've seen all the dips, think again. I'm excited to share a really unique one with you. This fall appetizer is packed with flavor, has a festive color, and is perfect for harvest meals and even Thanksgiving.

The base of this dip is just pureed sweet potatoes, so it's actually a very nutritious appetizer option (unlike many other appetizers). Yogurt gives it added creaminess, while fresh ginger, cayenne, and cumin provide a big burst of flavor. Finish it off with a drizzle of olive oil and some crunchy garnishes and you have yourself a dip that perfectly straddles spicy and sweet.

This sweet potato dip has all the appeal of hummus. It's versatile, easy to make, nourishing, customizable, and can be paired with a wide variety of dipping items. But unlike hummus, the star of the show is a very iconic seasonal ingredient that deserves to be celebrated all fall long. I can't wait for you to try this surprising and spicy sweet potato recipe!

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A Savory Sweet Potato Recipe

I love sweet potatoes, but I fear they get a bad reputation because of that iconic marshmallow-laden Thanksgiving dish. I think it's such a shame to take a beautiful, vibrant, healthful veggie and bury it in marshmallows. There are so many other ways to enjoy sweet potatoes that don't have to involve loads of added sugar.

In this savory sweet potato recipe, some complexly flavored ingredients balance the natural sweetness of the potatoes. Ginger provides lots of zing, cumin provides depth, and cayenne provides some heat. This combination is much more interesting and multi-dimensional (and better for you too) than sweet potato dishes that are purely sweet. This spicy sweet potato recipe has such a lovely balance of flavors that I promise you'll never miss the marshmallow dish.

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Sweet Potato Dip Variations

One of the best things about dips is that you can taste them as you go and adjust them to fit your own palette. You can easily add more heat to this spicy sweet potato recipe if you like things hot. Conversely, you can omit the cayenne entirely if you just want the heat from the ginger. Feel free to add more yogurt for enhanced creaminess or more lime juice if you want the citrus to shine. Although the recipe suggests lime, you could use lemon instead if you have more of a Mediterranean-leaning menu.

For serving, I love this savory sweet potato recipe alongside other iconic fall ingredients. It goes beautifully with root veggie chips, whole-grain crackers, local fresh bread, baby carrots, and apple or pear slices. There are so many tasty possibilities.

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Make-Ahead Tips

This sweet potato dip works beautifully as a make-ahead dish. You can easily do all the work in advance, making this a great recipe for entertaining (and especially Thanksgiving, when you know the kitchen will be chaos). Make the dip up to two days ahead of time and just store it in a sealed container in the fridge. When you're ready to surprise your guests with this spicy sweet potato recipe, just transfer it to a serving dish and garnish. Easy!

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Ingredients and Substitutions

Here's what you'll need for this savory sweet potato recipe, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.

• Sweet potatoes
  
• Yogurt. You can use either vegan or non, but make sure it's unsweetened and unflavored. This recipe will work best with a thick, rich, full-fat yogurt for maximum creaminess.
• Lime. You'll use the juice of half a lime to add some subtle acidity to the dip. Conversely, you can use lemon instead for a different flavor profile.
  
• Fresh ginger. The ginger is definitely the star of this spicy sweet potato recipe, so you'll want to use fresh ginger root. I don't recommend powdered ginger.
• Cumin
• Paprika
• Salt
• Cayenne. You'll use cayenne to give this dip some very gentle heat. Personally speaking, I like it just the tiniest bit spicy to balance the sweetness of the potatoes. Remember that the ginger will add some heat too, so start with just a little pinch of cayenne at first; you can always taste it and add more.
  
• Olive oil. For garnishing. It's optional, but it gives this dish a nice little bit of richness. You can also garnish it with a drizzle of maple syrup if you love the sweet/spicy combo.
  
• Pecans
• Pepitas. As shown in the photos here, I like to use TWO crunchy garnishes for all the holiday vibes. Feel free to choose just pecans or pepitas though if you're looking to streamline.‍

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Closing Thoughts

I think we all need some good dip recipes up our sleeves, don't you think? Everyone likes a dip. Unfortunately, many dips are really heavy, leaving you feeling weighed down before the main course has even begun. This unique savory sweet potato recipe is different; it's satisfying yet light, super seasonal, and a much fresher take on sweet potatoes than you generally find during the holidays. Even though I'm usually a huge hummus fan, this sweet potato dip is one I love to make all fall long.

Creamy sweet potatoes, zingy ginger, fresh lime, spicy cayenne, crunchy garnishes... this dip has it all! I hope you'll enjoy it all season long, and especially as a Thanksgiving appetizer.

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Share It!

It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.

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Suggested Pairings

Ginger Bee's Knees‍

Kabocha Squash Dippers

Roasted Brussels Sprouts Waldorf Salad‍

Harvest Wild Rice Salad

Chai-Spiced Pear Crumble Bars