How to Boil Sweet Potatoes

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Sweet potatoes are a nutritious vegetable that can be added to many dishes. Sweet potatoes contain a variety of minerals and vitamins including calcium, beta carotene, and vitamin C. You can boil sweet potatoes before you eat them. You can either peel them and then boil them, or boil them with the skin still on. Once your sweet potatoes are boiled, you can use them in a variety of dishes.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Peeling and then Boiling Sweet Potatos

1
Wash your sweet potatoes. You should always wash produce before cooking it. Sweet potatoes are no different. To wash sweet potatoes, run them under cold tap water. Remove any excess dirt or debris from the potato. Make sure the skin is completely clean before you proceed.^{[1]
X
Research source}
2
Peel the potato. You can either use a vegetable peeler or a pairing knife to remove a sweet potato's skin. You should also cut off either end of the potato with a knife.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- If you're having trouble peeling your sweet potato, scrub it with a produce brush first. This should loosen the skin, and make the peeling process easier.
Advertisement
3
Prepare a pot. Find a pot that's big enough that you can fully submerge your sweet potato, or sweet potatoes, in water. You want to make sure all the potatoes fit comfortably without being crowded. You also want to make sure you have a cover for the pot you choose.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Once you find a suitable pot, fill it about halfway full with tap water.
- Add your sweet potato, or sweet potatoes, to the pot. Make sure they're all covered with water. If necessary, add a bit more water.
- Bring the water to a boil.
4
Cook the potatoes for 10 minutes and then check them. Add your sweet potato, or sweet potatoes, to the pot. Cover the pot and allow the potatoes to cook for about 10 minutes. After 10 minutes have passed, remove the cover from the pot.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- The potatoes should be tender enough that you can pierce the outside of the potatoes easily. However, you should not be able to pass the knife through the sweet potatoes.
5
Cook longer, if necessary. If your sweet potatoes are not tender enough after 10 minutes, cook them for an additional 10 to 15 minutes. You may also want to cook your sweet potatoes longer if you want very soft sweet potatoes, such as the kind you would use in mashed potatoes. These need to be cooked for 25 to 30 minutes.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- When the sweet potatoes are cooked to your desired tenderness, drain them with a colander and set them aside to cool.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Boiling and then Peeling Your Potato

1
Wash your sweet potato. Run the sweet potato under cool tap water. Wash the surface of the sweet potato. Make sure to remove any dirt or debris stuck to the sweet potato's skin.^{[6]
X
Research source}
2
Place your sweet potato in a pot. Choose a pot big enough to cover all your sweet potatoes with water. You also need a pot with a lid. Fill the pot with water until the sweet potatoes are covered in water. Place the pot over on the stove and cover it with a lid.^{[7]
X
Research source}
3
Puncture the sweet potato with a knife after boiling for 10 minutes. Keep the pot over high heat for 10 minutes. Then, remove the lid and take a knife. Use the knife to make a small puncture mark on the sweet potato.^{[8]
X
Research source}
4
Cook for an additional 20 minutes. Once you've punctured your sweet potato, cover the pot again. Allow the sweet potato to cook for an additional 20 minutes over high heat.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- When it's tender, you should be able to place a knife through the sweet potato without meeting any resistance. You may have to cook a sweet potato slightly longer if it's not done after 20 minutes.
5
Drain the water. Use a colander to pour the hot water out of the pot. Allow the sweet potato to sit in the colander until it's cool to the touch. If you need to cool a sweet potato faster, you can place it under cool running water.^{[10]
X
Research source}
6
Remove the skin. After the boiling process is over, a sweet potato's skin should slip off easily. Use a pairing knife to make an initial slice into a sweet potato's skin. From there, you can simply peel off the skin as if you were peeling the skin of a banana.^{[11]
X
Research source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Your Sweet Potatoes

1
Cut the sweet potatoes into cubes and use them as a side dish. Boiled sweet potatoes can be used on their own as a side dish. You simply need to cut them into cubes. Then, toss them in some butter, salt, and pepper until you get your desired taste.^{[12]
X
Research source}
2
Add boiled sweet potatoes to other dishes. You can also cut your sweet potatoes into cubes and add them to other dishes. Boiled sweet potatoes can be used in salads, tacos, soups, stews, pastas, and casseroles. If you're looking to add nutrients to a meal, throw in some boiled sweet potatoes.^{[13]
X
Research source}
3
Make mashed sweet potatoes. It's best to peel sweet potatoes first if you're going to mash them. Boil about six sweet potatoes and then use an electronic mixer to add in other ingredients.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- While mixing the sweet potatoes, add in 3/4 a cup of milk, adding it about half a cup at a time.
- You should also add half a cup of butter and 3/4 of a cup of maple syrup.

Community Q&A

Question

Do you have to peel sweet potatoes before you cook them?

Community Answer

Not at all! You can boil sweet potatoes with the skin on. In fact, the skin of sweet potato is full of fiber and potassium, both of which are very good for you!
Question

Do you put salt in the water?

Community Answer

You can put a dash of salt in the water before boiling your potatoes. This may help with the taste.
Question

How long does it take to boil sweet potatoes to mash?

Community Answer

If you want to mash the sweet potatoes, you should boil them for about 25 to 30 minutes.