The Ultimate Guide to Cooking Sweet Potatoes: A Delicious and Healthy Treat

Steamed sweet potatoes are a favorite daily treat for many of us, but not everyone knows how to cook them to perfection. Let's take a look at this article and discover the ultimate way to prepare this delicious snack.

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1How to Choose and Buy Delicious Sweet Potatoes

Before boiling sweet potatoes, it is essential to select clean, safe, and tasty ones. You can opt for Japanese sweet potatoes, Da Lat sweet potatoes, or purple sweet potatoes, among others. However, it is recommended to purchase sweet potatoes with a clear origin and free from chemicals or stimulants.

Choose sweet potatoes that are similar in size

When buying sweet potatoes, it is advisable to select medium-sized potatoes that are evenly shaped to ensure even cooking during boiling. Opt for potatoes with slightly moist soil on the outer skin, as they tend to be sweeter and more flavorful.

Avoid purchasing sweet potatoes with excessive fiber, water absorption, or sprouting, as they may have lost some nutrients and may not taste as good.

25 Tips for Boiling Delicious Sweet Potatoes

Common Method for Boiling Sweet Potatoes

Common method for boiling sweet potatoes

  • After cleaning the sweet potatoes, place them in a pot and add enough water to submerge them. Remember to add a little salt to enhance the flavor.
  • Turn on the heat to high and check the potatoes’ doneness every 10 minutes by poking them with a chopstick; they are ready when the chopstick easily penetrates the potatoes.
  • Once the potatoes are cooked, drain the water and continue heating on low heat for another 3-5 minutes to allow the potatoes to char slightly. Then, remove the cooked potatoes from the pot and serve them hot or let them cool down.

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Boiling Sweet Potatoes with a Spoon and No Water

Boiling sweet potatoes with a spoon and no water

  • After cleaning the sweet potatoes, ensure they are dry, or use a paper towel to pat them dry.
  • Next, take a clean stainless-steel pot and arrange stainless-steel spoons in a crisscross pattern at the bottom of the pot. Using stainless-steel utensils helps prevent any harmful chemical reactions with the food.
  • Place the sweet potatoes on top of the spoons, cover the pot, and cook over low heat for about 40 minutes.
  • When you start to smell the sweet aroma, check the potatoes for doneness. If they are soft, remove them from the pot, let them cool down, peel, and enjoy.

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Boiling Sweet Potatoes in a Microwave

Boiling sweet potatoes in a microwave

  • Clean the sweet potatoes, cut off the ends, and use a fork to prick the surface of the potatoes to ensure even cooking and prevent sogginess.
  • Wrap the potatoes in a damp cloth, place them on a microwave-safe dish, and put them in the microwave.
  • The cooking time and power level depend on your microwave; as a guide, for every 500g of sweet potatoes, cook for approximately 8 minutes, plus an additional 4 minutes to turn them over and ensure even cooking, totaling around 12 minutes.
  • After this time, open the wrapping and check the potatoes’ doneness. If they are not soft enough, wrap them again and cook for a few more minutes, depending on their firmness. Once they are soft, they are ready to be enjoyed.

Boiling Sweet Potatoes in a Rice Cooker

Boiling sweet potatoes in a rice cooker

  • After cleaning the sweet potatoes, place them in the rice cooker and add about two cups of water to submerge half of the potatoes.
  • Turn on the cooker by pressing the ‘Cook’ button. When it switches to ‘Warm,’ press ‘Cook’ again. Repeat this process for around 35-40 minutes until the potatoes are evenly cooked.

Boiling Sweet Potatoes in a Pressure Cooker

Boiling sweet potatoes in a pressure cooker

  • Clean the sweet potatoes and place them in the pressure cooker with water covering about ⅔ of the potatoes.
  • Secure the lid and set the timer manually; cook for 15-20 minutes at high pressure.
  • After this time, release the pressure for 15 minutes before opening the lid and enjoying your perfectly cooked sweet potatoes.

By now, you should know how to boil sweet potatoes deliciously. However, there is one more crucial step before boiling: to ensure that your boiled sweet potatoes are not only tasty but also packed with nutrients.

3Benefits of Sweet Potatoes

  • Good for diabetics
  • Anti-inflammatory properties and wound healing support
  • Improves food absorption
  • Combats aging caused by
  • Boosts immune function
  • Promotes bone health

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4How Long Can Boiled Sweet Potatoes Be Stored?

Boiled sweet potatoes are a comforting treat on rainy days and a favorite among many families. They exude a delightful aroma and offer a subtly sweet taste without being overly filling.

In reality, boiled sweet potatoes can be stored for a while before spoiling. However, if kept for too long, they may lose some of their flavor and freshness compared to when they were first boiled.

It is best to consume boiled sweet potatoes within the same day if stored at room temperature. If you plan to keep them in the refrigerator, they will stay fresh for up to 2-3 days.

5How to Store Boiled Sweet Potatoes

Storing at Room Temperature

Unlike raw sweet potatoes, which can be stored at room temperature for several months without any issues, boiled sweet potatoes should only be consumed within the same day if kept in a typical indoor environment. This is because overnight storage may cause the potatoes to become slimy and produce a sticky substance with an unpleasant odor.

Storing boiled sweet potatoes

Storing in the Fridge

If you choose to store boiled sweet potatoes in the fridge, they can last for up to 2 days without spoiling. However, their texture and flavor may not be as optimal as when they were freshly boiled. Before consuming, let the potatoes sit at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes, and then reheat them in a steamer or by boiling to serve hot.

Utilize or to store boiled sweet potatoes in the fridge.

Avoid using plastic bags to store potatoes in the fridge, as they can increase moisture levels and cause the potatoes to absorb excess humidity, leading to quicker spoilage.

We hope that these sweet potato boiling secrets will be helpful to you in choosing and boiling sweet potatoes. If you have any other methods for boiling sweet potatoes, please share them with us!

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