How to Boil Sweet Potatoes

Original Post: https://www.evolvingtable.com/how-to-boil-sweet-potatoes/

Cubed and tender boiled sweet potatoes are drained in a colander.

5 from 25 votes

How to Boil Sweet Potatoes

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!

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Dinner, lunch, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Author: London Brazil

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 minutes
For small-medium potatoes: 20-25 minutes
For 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.

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