5 from 75 votes
How to Boil Sweet Potatoes
Boiling sweet potatoes involves simmering cleansed whole or cubed tubers in salted water until tender. The technique ensures they cook evenly and can be peeled easily if desired. This method prepares them for use in dishes like mashed sweet potatoes, casseroles, or pies by softening the flesh while retaining moisture and natural sweetness.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings:
6
servings
Calories:
13003 kcal
Course:
Side Dish, Lunch, Dinner
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 2-4 pounds sweet potato
- salt optional
Instructions
- If boiling whole potatoes, rinse and scrub the potatoes thoroughly to remove any visible dirt and debris. For peeled and cubed sweet potatoes, peel using a vegetable peeler and then cut into 1-2" cubes.
- Add potatoes to a large pot and then cover by at least 1-inch of water. Add 1 teaspoon of salt for every pound of potatoes and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and maintain a rapid simmer. Boil sweet potatoes according to the times below until they are fork tender:For 1-2" cubes: 12 to 15 minutesFor small-medium potatoes: 20-25 minutesFor large whole potatoes: 30-35 minutes*Please note that the total cook time will include an additional ~10 minutes that it took to bring the water to a boil.
- Drain sweet potatoes in a colander or remove using a slotted spoon and use in your favorite Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Sweet Potato Pie, or Sweet Potato Casserole recipe.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Use enough water to cover sweet potatoes by at least 1 inch to ensure even cooking.
- Leaving the skin on during boiling helps it peel off easily after cooling by rubbing gently.
- Cutting sweet potatoes into cubes before boiling reduces cooking time.
- Starting with cold water and gradually heating prevents uneven texture with mushy outside and firm inside.
- Salt the water with about 1 teaspoon per pound of sweet potatoes to season the tubers.
Nutrition Information
Calories
130.03kcal
(7%)
Carbohydrates
30.42g
(10%)
Protein
2.37g
(5%)
Fat
0.07g
(0%)
Saturated Fat
0.03g
(0%)
Sodium
83.16mg
(3%)
Potassium
509.54mg
(11%)
Fiber
4.54g
(18%)
Sugar
6.32g
(13%)
Vitamin A
21450.39IU
(429%)
Vitamin C
3.63mg
(4%)
Calcium
45.36mg
(5%)
Iron
0.92mg
(5%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 13003
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 130.03kcal | 7% |
| Carbohydrates | 30.42g | 10% |
| Protein | 2.37g | 5% |
| Fat | 0.07g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.03g | 0% |
| Sodium | 83.16mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 509.54mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 4.54g | 18% |
| Sugar | 6.32g | 13% |
| Vitamin A | 21450.39IU | 429% |
| Vitamin C | 3.63mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 45.36mg | 5% |
| Iron | 0.92mg | 5% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.