Perfect Boiled Sweet Potatoes at Home: Easy and Delicious

Boiled sweet potatoes are a familiar, nutritious dish that’s easy to prepare. However, not everyone knows how to boil sweet potatoes to achieve a delicious, sweet, and tender result. Let’s explore the secrets to perfectly boiled sweet potatoes in the article below!

How to Choose the Best Sweet Potatoes

Choosing the right ingredients is crucial for a perfect dish of boiled sweet potatoes. There are various types of sweet potatoes, such as honey sweet potatoes, purple sweet potatoes, and yellow sweet potatoes, depending on your preference.

• Choose medium-sized, evenly shaped potatoes to ensure they cook uniformly.
• Prefer sweet potatoes with soil still clinging to the skin; this helps them retain their sweetness and flavor.
• Avoid buying sweet potatoes that are fibrous, waterlogged, or sprouting, as they lose nutritional value and taste.

Choosing evenly shaped sweet potatoes

Popular Methods for Boiling Sweet Potatoes

1. Traditional Boiling Method

This method is simple and widely used.

• Wash the sweet potatoes, place them in a pot, and cover with water. Add a pinch of salt to enhance flavor.
• Boil on high heat for about 10 minutes, then check the tenderness with a fork. If the fork goes through easily, the sweet potatoes are done.
• Leave the sweet potatoes on the stove for another 3-5 minutes on low heat to slightly char them, creating an enticing aroma.

Traditional method for boiling sweet potatoes

2. Boiling Sweet Potatoes with Stainless Steel Spoons Without Water

This unique method helps sweet potatoes become tender without using water.

• Wash and dry the sweet potatoes. Wipe them dry with a paper towel.
• Arrange stainless steel spoons crisscrossed at the bottom of the pot, then place the sweet potatoes on top. Cover and simmer on low heat for about 40 minutes.
• Check the tenderness of the sweet potatoes; if done, remove them to cool and enjoy.

Boiling sweet potatoes with stainless steel spoons

3. Boiling Sweet Potatoes in a Microwave

A microwave is a convenient tool for quickly boiling sweet potatoes.

• Wash the sweet potatoes, cut off the ends, and pierce the surface with a fork to prevent them from becoming tough.
• Wrap the sweet potatoes in a damp cloth and place them on a tray, then put them in the microwave.
• For every 500 grams of sweet potatoes, cook at high power for 8 minutes, then add another 4 minutes to ensure even cooking.
• Check the tenderness; if not done, continue cooking for a few more minutes.

Boiling sweet potatoes in a microwave

4. Boiling Sweet Potatoes in a Rice Cooker

A rice cooker is also a great option for boiling sweet potatoes.

• Wash the sweet potatoes and place them in the rice cooker, adding about 2 cups of water to cover half the sweet potatoes.
• Turn on the Cook mode; when it switches to Warm, turn it back to Cook a few times. The total cooking time is about 35-40 minutes.

Boiling sweet potatoes in a rice cooker

5. Boiling Sweet Potatoes in a Pressure Cooker

A pressure cooker saves cooking time while ensuring the sweet potatoes are tender.

• Wash the sweet potatoes and place them in the pressure cooker, adding water to cover two-thirds of the sweet potatoes.
• Lock the lid and cook at high pressure for 15-20 minutes. Then release the safety valve and remove the sweet potatoes.

Boiling sweet potatoes in a pressure cooker

Storing Boiled Sweet Potatoes

Boiled sweet potatoes should be eaten while still hot to fully enjoy their delicious flavor. If stored at room temperature, they should be consumed within the day. If refrigerated, they can be kept for a maximum of 2-3 days.

We hope this guide on how to boil sweet potatoes will help you confidently cook and provide a nutritious meal for your family!