Southern Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole

Name: Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 100 min
Ingredients: 4 sweet potatoes (medium); 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, (melted); ¼ cup orange juice; ½ cup light brown sugar, (packed); 3 tablespoons bourbon; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; ½ teaspoon nutmeg; ½ cup light brown sugar; 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour; ½ tsp cayenne pepper; ⅔ cup pecan halves, (raw); 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, (melted); 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary (finely chopped)

Jump to Recipe

Southern Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole, made with baked sweet potatoes, and topped with pecans and brown sugar, is a delightful combination of flavors that is sure to draw rave reviews from everyone.

This is a lighter version of the classic dessert-like sweet potato casserole recipe most folks expect to see during the holidays.

But it has a fun twist, a splash of bourbon, a quintessential southern libation. Made without eggs, it includes orange juice, butter, and surprise ingredients: fresh rosemary and cayenne pepper.

Sweet potato casserole in a white baking dish with a serving spoon.

Sweet potatoes for the holidays are as traditional as turkey and dressing. And this easy, make-ahead, sweet, savory, southern-style sweet potato casserole will quickly become your new favorite.

Like my Candied Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans and Southern Green Bean Casserole, you will love how simple this showstopping side dish is to prepare, and your guests and family will love how indescribably delicious it is.

Jump to:

Ingredient notes:
How to make Southern Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole:
Recipe FAQs:
Recipe variations:
Sharon’s tips:
More sweet potato recipes:
📋 Recipe:

Ingredient notes:

Four sweet potatoes and other ingredients to make sweet potato casserole.

Sweet potatoes – are the star of this show, and fresh are best!
Butter – adds rich flavor and creamy deliciousness to the casserole and its topping.
Orange juice – brings a citrusy element to this casserole and goes beautifully with the sweet potatoes.
Brown sugar – I think there is a law that all sweet potato casseroles contain this sweet caramelly goodness.
Bourbon – with its sweet, smooth taste, is a lovely addition to this casserole.
Salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg – pair beautifully with sweet potatoes and enhance the other flavors in this dish.
All-purpose flour – helps to bind all of the streusel-type topping ingredients together.
Pecans – and sweet potatoes are a match made in heaven. These southern nuts add their rich buttery goodness and great crunch to the mouth-watering topping.
Rosemary and cayenne pepper – are two unusual ingredients that add a pop of unexpected flavor and help balance the casserole’s sweetness.

How to make Southern Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole:

Preheat the oven to 425° F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Use a fork or knife to pierce holes in the top and bottom of the potatoes. Roast the sweet potatoes for 40 to 50 minutes or until they are very soft, and you can easily squeeze them with a potholder.

Let the potatoes cool for a few minutes, slice them in half, and scoop the flesh into a medium-sized bowl.

Baked sweet potatoes cut in half with the flesh scooped out.

Add the melted butter, orange juice, light brown sugar, bourbon, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Cooked sweet potatoes, brown sugar and other ingredients in a clear glass mixing bowl.

Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes and combine all of the ingredients.

A clear glass bowl with sweet potatoes being mashed with a potato masher.

Spray a one-and-a-half quart baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and add the potato mixture. Spread out evenly and set aside.

A white baking dish will sweet potato filling.

To make the topping, add the brown sugar, flour, pecans, melted butter, cayenne pepper, and fresh rosemary to a small bowl and stir to combine the ingredients.

Pecans, brown sugar, and butter in a small mixing bowl.

Sprinkle this topping evenly over the sweet potato mixture.

A white baking dish with sweet potato casserole topped with pecans and brown sugar.

Bake the casserole for 30 minutes and serve hot.

A large spoon with a serving of sweet potato casserole and pecans.

Recipe FAQs:

How to make this casserole ahead?

To make this casserole ahead, prepare the dish according to the directions, but do not bake it. Cover and store the unbaked casserole in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. Then before serving, bake it as directed.

What to serve with Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole?

This tasty side dish would pair well with other Southern holiday classics such as Smoked Turkey, Make Ahead Turkey Neck Gravy, Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes, Traditional Southern Cornbread Dressing, Southern Cornbread Pudding, Baked Pineapple Cheese Casserole, and Cranberry Sauce.

Southern Sweet Potato Pie or Old-Fashioned Pecan Pie would round things out nicely.

How to store and reheat leftovers?

Leftover bourbon sweet potato casserole is delicious when reheated in a 350° F oven for about 10 minutes or in a microwave for about a minute.

It will keep well covered in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Can you freeze sweet potato casserole?

Yes, prepare the casserole as directed, but do not bake it, and do not add the pecan topping. Wrap it tightly and freeze it for up to a month. Before baking, let it thaw overnight in the fridge, add the topping, and follow the directions to bake it.

Recipe variations:

To make this sweet potato casserole a little healthier, you can leave off the topping altogether or sprinkle plain pecans on the top. It will still be delicious.
You can leave the bourbon out if you prefer. The rosemary is optional but adds a nice touch. You can also substitute fresh sage or leave the herbs out. I wouldn’t substitute dried herbs.
You can substitute canned sweet potatoes for fresh ones. Drain and rinse the canned potatoes off with water first.
And, finally, if you are a marshmallow family, feel free to leave off the pecan topping and top your casserole with marshmallows. Or if you are a house divided, top half of it with marshmallows and the other half with the pecan topping.

Sharon’s tips:

Try to select sweet potatoes that are approximately the same size so they will cook in the same amount of time.
If you are in a hurry, you can cook the sweet potatoes in the microwave. To do this, prick the skin of the potato three to four times with a fork and place it on a microwave-safe plate. Then, microwave it for five minutes. If it isn’t soft enough, turn it over and microwave it for additional 30-second intervals until it is done.
If you plan to take this casserole to a potluck or travel with it, make it in a disposable aluminum pan, and bake it on a baking sheet so it will cook evenly. It will also be easier to get in and out of the oven.