The Legendary Steakhouse Side Dish You Can Make at Home
Among Ruth’s Chris Steak House’s celebrated dishes, one stands out: the Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole. It’s a culinary masterpiece – a harmonious blend of creamy, sweet, and crunchy, blurring lines between side and dessert. Its velvety sweet potato base, enriched with butter and sugar, is crowned with a crisp, buttery pecan streusel. Craving that iconic flavor? This guide provides a foolproof, step-by-step copycat Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole recipe, bringing steakhouse luxury right into your home.
Why This is the Only Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe You’ll Ever Need
For holiday meals, an exceptional sweet potato casserole is essential. This Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole take surpasses all others. Here’s why it’s your go-to recipe:
- Perfectly Replicates the Original: Experience the authentic, luxurious taste and texture of the famous steakhouse version. This copycat Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole delivers.
- Crowd-P_le_asing Favorite: A guaranteed hit! This rich, sweet, comforting dish consistently receives rave reviews, perfect as a sweet potato casserole for a crowd at any gathering.
- Simple, Accessible Ingredients: No exotic items. All components are easily found, making this an easy sweet potato casserole.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Reduce holiday stress! Prepare in advance, freeing up time. It’s a dream make-ahead sweet potato casserole.
- Irresistible Texture Contrast: The magic is in the textures. An ultra-creamy, almost sweet potato souffle base meets a crunchy, sweet, and savory pecan streusel topping – a divine combination that makes this the best sweet potato casserole.
Unpacking the Ingredients for a Perfect Casserole
To capture the legendary flavor and texture of Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole, understanding each ingredient’s role is key to this Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse recipe.
For the Creamy Sweet Potato Filling:
- Sweet Potatoes: Use fresh, firm Beauregard, Garnet, or Jewel varieties for the best sweet potato casserole. Fresh ensures superior texture and richer flavor. While using canned vs fresh sweet potatoes is possible, fresh offers better moisture control. If using canned, drain and rinse thoroughly.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides foundational sweetness, complementing natural sugars for a delightful, dessert-like quality.
- Softened Butter: Crucial for richness and smooth texture. Softened, not melted, butter incorporates better for a lighter, airy, creamy sweet potato souffle effect.
- Eggs: Bind and give structure, contributing to a souffle-like consistency.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and deepens flavors.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth, complementing sweet potato and butter.
For the Crunchy Pecan Streusel Topping:
- Light Brown Sugar: Delivers caramel sweetness and aids crispiness for the pecan streusel topping recipe.
- All-Purpose Flour: Binds the topping, creating a perfectly crumbly texture.
- Chopped Pecans: The star! Their buttery, nutty flavor and crunch make this sweet potato casserole with pecan topping shine. Toasting them intensifies flavor.
- Melted Butter: Binds streusel into crumbles and ensures a golden-brown, crisp finish.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole
Here’s how to recreate the iconic Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole with precision:
Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes
Baking (Recommended): Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pierce sweet potatoes, place on a baking sheet, bake 45-60 minutes until very tender. Baking concentrates sugars for richer flavor. Alternatively, peel, chop, and boil 15-20 minutes until tender. Drain exceptionally well. Mash until completely smooth using a ricer, food mill, or hand mixer for that true creamy sweet potato souffle texture.
Step 2: Create the Sweet Potato Base
In a large bowl, combine mashed sweet potatoes with granulated sugar, softened butter, eggs, salt, and vanilla extract. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat on medium speed until all ingredients are thoroughly combined, smooth, and creamy. Avoid overmixing. This step is key for mastering how to make Ruth’s Chris sweet potatoes.
Step 3: Assemble the Pecan Topping
In a separate bowl, combine light brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and chopped pecans. Whisk. Pour in melted butter and mix with a fork or fingertips until crumbly, like wet sand. Do not overmix; aim for distinct crumbs. This pecan streusel topping recipe is crucial for texture.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake the Casserole
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour sweet potato mixture into the dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle pecan streusel topping evenly over the surface. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until topping is golden brown and bubbly, and filling is heated through. Rest 5-10 minutes before serving.
Pro Tips from a Chef’s Kitchen
Elevate your Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole with these expert tips:
- Silkiest Texture: For an ultra-smooth, cloud-like creamy sweet potato souffle, use a food processor or potato ricer for the filling. This whips air into the mixture, making it lighter and luxurious.
- Toast the Pecans: This simple step transforms your pecan streusel topping. Toast pecans in a dry skillet (3-5 mins) or oven (7-10 mins at 350°F) to intensify nutty flavor and crunch. Cool before adding.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure eggs and softened butter are at room temperature. This allows them to emulsify and incorporate smoothly, preventing lumps and ensuring a creamy mouthfeel for your holiday sweet potato casserole.
- Perfecting Sweetness: Taste mashed sweet potatoes before adding sugar. Natural sweetness varies, so adjust to your preference.
Make-Ahead and Storage Solutions
This Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole is perfect for meal prepping during busy holidays. Here’s how to manage it:
Can I Make This Casserole Ahead of Time?
Yes! This fantastic make-ahead sweet potato casserole. Prepare filling and topping up to 2 days in advance. Store filling airtight in fridge, topping separately at room temp. Assemble and bake when ready, adding 5-10 minutes if cold.
How to Store Leftovers
Cover leftover Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole tightly or transfer to airtight container. Refrigerate up to 4 days. Reheat in microwave or oven.
Can You Freeze Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole?
Yes, best unbaked without topping. Prepare filling, transfer to freezer-safe dish, cover tightly, freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in fridge overnight, prepare fresh topping, then bake. Great for a sweet potato casserole for a crowd.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Common questions about making and enjoying your homemade Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole:
Can I use canned sweet potatoes instead of fresh?
Yes, but fresh are highly recommended for best flavor/texture. If using canned vs fresh sweet potatoes, choose water-packed, drain exceptionally well, and rinse. Mash thoroughly. Texture may be softer, and sugar might need adjusting.
Is this sweet potato casserole a side dish or a dessert?
While sweet, the Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole is traditionally served as a rich holiday side, complementing savory roasts. It bridges the gap, making it a decadent treat within a meal. Ideal as a Thanksgiving side dish recipe or holiday sweet potato casserole.
Can I use walnuts or other nuts instead of pecans?
Absolutely! While pecans are traditional for the authentic copycat Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole, chopped walnuts or almonds are delicious substitutions. Ensure they are fresh and, ideally, toasted for enhanced flavor, like pecans in your pecan streusel topping recipe.
My topping isn’t crumbly. What did I do wrong?
Likely overmixing or butter too soft/too much. Aim for a crumbly, sand-like texture, not a paste. Mix lightly. Adjust with a tiny bit more flour if wet, or melted butter if dry.
What to Serve with Your Casserole
This Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole is a versatile holiday table star. Pair it with roasted turkey, glazed ham, or seared steak, much like on the Ruth’s Chris menu. It’s superb alongside other Thanksgiving side dish recipes like green bean casserole or mashed potatoes. Its sweet and savory balance complements any hearty meal, solidifying its place as an essential southern sweet potato casserole recipe for any festive spread, perfect as a sweet potato casserole for a crowd.
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Below you’ll find the complete, printable recipe card for this incredible Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole. Get ready to create a masterpiece that will become a beloved tradition in your home!
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