Have perfectly cooked and tender boiled sweet potatoes ready in as little as 20 minutes by adding whole or cubed potatoes to cold, salted water and then bringing to a boil!
Table of Contents
I’ll admit—I used to always bake sweet potatoes, thinking that was the best way to get that soft, creamy texture. But one day, I was in a MAJOR time crunch and needed them ready FAST. That’s when I realized boiling sweet potatoes is not only one of the easiest cooking methods but also the quickest way to get them perfectly tender!
Whether you need them for Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans, or a Sweet Potato Pie, boiling is foolproof and takes the guesswork out of cooking. Plus, you can boil them whole or cubed, with or without the skin, depending on how you plan to use them.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best way to boil sweet potatoes, including cook times for different sizes, peeling tips, and expert tricks to get the best flavor and texture every time!
You can also microwave sweet potatoes or make Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes and Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes for an even faster turnaround time!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Please see the recipe card below for more detailed ingredient amounts.
- Sweet Potatoes. Whether boiling them whole or cubed, try to pick ones that are similar in size so they cook evenly.
- Salt. A little salt in the water enhances their flavor and brings out their natural sweetness!
- Water. Always start with cold water! This helps cook the potatoes evenly from the inside out.
Kitchen Tools
- Large Pot. You need one big enough to fully submerge the sweet potatoes with at least 1 inch of water covering them.
- Sharp Knife. This is needed only if you plan to cube the potatoes before boiling. (And make sure it’s super sharp since sweet potatoes can be kind of tricky to cut!)
- Potato Peeler. If peeling before boiling, this will make the job easier.
- Colander. For easy draining after boiling. You can also use a slotted spoon.
How to Boil Sweet Potatoes
Please see the recipe card below for more detailed ingredient amounts and instructions.
Step 1: Prep the sweet potatoes.
Decide whether you want to boil them whole or cut them into cubes. If cubing, try to keep the pieces even in size so they cook at the same rate. Peeling is optional—if keeping the skin on, scrub them well before boiling.
Step 2: Add to cold water and bring to a boil.
Place the whole or cubed sweet potatoes into a large pot of cold, salted water. You’ll need enough water to cover them by at least 1 inch.
Step 3: Boil Until Fork-Tender.
Turn the heat to high and bring the water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce heat slightly to maintain a gentle boil and cook until fork-tender:
- Peeled & Cubed (1-inch to 2-inch cubes): 12-15 minutes
- Whole Small-Medium Sweet Potatoes: 20-25 minutes
- Whole Large Sweet Potatoes: 30-35 minutes
*Please note that the total cook time will include an additional ~10 minutes that it takes to bring the water to a boil.
Step 4: Drain & use in recipes.
Carefully pour the potatoes into a colander to drain or remove with a slotted spoon. Use them immediately or store for later (see storage tips below!).
FAQs
Nope! Unlike baking, they won’t burst while boiling, and keeping the skin intact helps prevent excess water absorption.
Starting with cold water ensures even cooking—otherwise, the outside gets mushy while the inside stays firm.
Don’t overcook them! Test for doneness early, and drain them immediately once they’re tender.
Boiling is faster and easier, while baking enhances sweetness. If using them in mashed potatoes, casseroles, or purees, boiling is the best option.
Let them cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze mashed or cubed sweet potatoes for up to 3 months.
More Ways to Use Boiled Sweet Potatoes
Now that you have perfectly cooked sweet potatoes, here are some delicious ways to use them:
- Sweet Potato Casserole – A classic holiday favorite that I’m in charge of making for our family holiday get-togethers every year!
- Black Bean Sweet Potato Burgers – I promise you won’t even miss the meat in these vegetarian burgers!
- Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie – They make the perfect creamy topping in this hearty meal.
- Sweet Potato Puree – Great for soups, pies, or even baby food!
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How to Boil Sweet Potatoes
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Ingredients
- 2-4 pounds sweet potatoes
- 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.2-4 pounds sweet potatoes, Salt
- 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.
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Notes
- Water: Make sure you have enough water so the sweet potatoes are covered by at least 1 inch of water. It’s best to err on the side of more water rather than not enough.
- Peeling: If you leave the skin on, it easily peels off once cooled. Just rub it gently with your fingers!
- For Faster Cooking: If you’re short on time, peel the potatoes and cut them into cubes!
- Even Cooking: Always start in cold water for the best texture—no mushy outsides and firm insides!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Boiled Vegetables
Want a few other vegetable to boil next? Check out these boiled beets, learn how to blanch green beans, and make the best boiled carrots recipe!
I loved this recipe as a Diabetic 2 person,,,,I added chopped kale with the stalks into the boil mix…..I added other diabetic friendly spices slurried with olive oil after the boil was finished. As a diabetic, the best way to prepare sweet potatoes with scrubbed skins on is to boil them (not to roast them, stir fry or bake them)…..a very versatile recipe,,,,,,Thank you!!!
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Jonathan! That’s good to know. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating!
Thank you. My sweet potato came out perfect’o!
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Edmond! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment!
So to the point, only required small bandage. Exactly everything I needed and no annoying, personal tripe, superb! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Steve! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating!