How Do You Steam A Sweet Potato?

How Do You Steam A Sweet Potato
Description – Here’s how to make a steamed sweet potato! This easy method makes most deliciously moist potatoes, ideal for topping and stuffing.

2 pounds medium-sized sweet potatoes (about 4 medium potatoes)

  1. Place water in a pot* to a level just below the steamer basket (about 1 inch of water). Bring it to a boil.
  2. Add the steamer basked with whole sweet potatoes. Maintain a steady boil and steam for 25 to 35 minutes, depending on the size of the potato, until tender when pierced with a fork. Allow to sit for 5 minutes, then slice in half and top with your favorite toppings (see Stuffed Sweet Potatoes ).
  • Category: Side dish or main dish
  • Method: Steamed
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan

Keywords: Steamed sweet potatoes

How do you steam sweet potatoes without a steamer?

Even though I create recipes that I hope will be followed to the letter, when I’m cooking, I, um, don’t always stick to the instructions 100 percent. And one of my most frequent hacks is skipping the steamer basket when I steam vegetables. When it comes to recipe revisions, steaming without a steamer basket is a minimal one—I’m not talking about taking out an ingredient or skipping a cooking step.

All a steamer basket does is lift food off of the direct heat (i.e. the bottom of a pot) as it cooks. It’s a great, simple tool that doesn’t cost a lot, but if you’ve misplaced yours or don’t have one, there are other ways to effectively steam your veggies. To make sure that my personal makeshift method—simply cooking the vegetables in a small amount of boiling water in a covered pot—was the best way to go, I tested a few different techniques on both broccoli florets and cubed potatoes.

Here’s what I found: Cooking Method: Plate On Tinfoil Rhoda Boone, Epi’s food director, supports my skip-the-steamer-basket claim, but her go-to method involves a plate. The technique is simple: fill a medium pot with 1/2 inch of water, place three golf ball–sized balls of aluminum foil on the bottom, rest a heat-proof plate on top of the foil balls, cover the pot, and bring the water to a boil.

Add vegetables to the plate, cover, and steam until crisp-tender. Carefully remove vegetables from plate and set aside. The aluminum-foil-and-plate combo basically becomes a DIY steamer basket. This technique is super simple and the resulting vegetables are crisp (broccoli) and creamy (potatoes), accordingly.

Takeaway: Don’t have a steamer basket? Grab tinfoil and a plate for the same results. Cooking Method: Microwave After my success with microwaving cauliflower, I was pretty sure the microwave would be the way to go for steaming veggies. I tested this technique two ways, placing one batch of vegetables in a microwave-safe bowl with a tablespoon of water and one batch without water, then covering with plastic wrap (you can also use a microwave-safe plate), and cooking until crisp, checking frequently.

(This should take about 2 1/2 minutes for the broccoli and 5 minutes for the potatoes, depending on the particulars of your microwave,) The vegetables cooked without water tasted dry; I don’t recommend this. But those cooked with 1 tablespoon water tasted crispy and “steamed,” although all of the microwaved vegetables had a slightly shriveled appearance.

Another important factor: these cooked much faster than the vegetables cooked in the pot (about 3 minutes less cooking time, plus no wait time for the water to boil). Takeaway: For quick steaming, when appearance isn’t an issue (i.e. curries, casseroles, or low-key late-night dinners), go with the microwave.

See also:  What Potato Chips Are Vegan?

Is it healthy to steam sweet potatoes?

Did You Know? –

  • In addition to the root, sweet potato leaves and shoots are also edible and commonly eaten in some countries.
  • Boiling sweet potatoes retains more beta-carotene and makes the nutrient more absorbable than other cooking methods such as baking or frying. Up to 92% of the nutrient can be retained by limiting the cook time, such as boiling in a pot with a tightly covered lid for 20 minutes. Cooking with the skin on further helps to minimize leaching of nutrients including beta-carotene and vitamin C.

How long does it take to steam yam?

20 – 30 min. Yams and sweet potatoes, as well as regular potatoes take about 20 – 30 minutes to steam (when using whole potatoes), When I say steam, I’m referring to the potatoes being over boiling water versus in the water itself. How Do You Steam A Sweet Potato This was a really good question and I thought I should share it because even though it seems simple – which it is, it needed an answer. This is my favorite pot. It was one of the first pots I ever owned. It’s the perfect size, versatile and came with a steamer insert, that I use all the time.

How Do You Steam A Sweet Potato
3 quart Revere Ware

When I cook yams or sweet potatoes I prefer to steam them, because in my opinion, they get too watery when boiled. Make sure you have plenty of water in the bottom pot and check it to make sure it doesn’t dry out. Set your timer for 20 minutes and poke it with a knife or skewer.

How do you steam if you don’t have a steamer?

First, take three sheets of aluminum foil and roll them up into baseball-sized balls. Place them on the bottom of the pot, and pour in about an inch of water. Then rest the plate on top of the foil balls, and add whatever food you’re trying to steam to the plate. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and steam away.

How do I steam?

Round Cooling Rack, Set of 3 – To steam, place the rack in the center of the pot. Add about an inch of water—it shouldn’t be touching the highest part of the rack. Cover the pot and turn the heat to medium. When you hear the water boiling or see steam coming out, you’re ready to start.

Add your food, re-cover the pot, and let it cook according to the recipe (or your liking). A tip for removing handling hot dishes (and avoiding painful steam burns): Use a hot dish clip, Yes, dry towels or mitts are chefs’ best friends in the kitchen when handling burning hot pans. But it’s much easier to use the clip to retrieve the dish, especially when towels tend to get wet from steam or boiling water.

From Taipei to New York, I always keep a hot dish clip in my kitchen.

Does steaming sweet potatoes remove nutrients?

Steaming or Boiling on the Stovetop – Steam or boil sweet potatoes in their jackets to retain as much of their nutritional value as possible. Place a steamer basket in a wide, shallow pan with a lid. Place washed sweet potatoes into the steamer basket.

  1. Fill the pan with water up to the bottom of the steamer basket.
  2. Season the sweet potatoes, cover the pan and bring the water to a boil.
  3. Reduce the heat slightly and let the potatoes steam for 20 to 30 minutes, depending on their size.
  4. This works best with smaller potatoes.
  5. Boiling sweet potatoes does leach out nutrients, but according to physician and author Dr.
See also:  How Fast Does Sweet Potato Vine Grow?

Michael Greger, of NutritionFacts.org, boiling sweet potatoes lowers their glycemic index, which means you get less insulin spike after eating them. Place whole, washed sweet potatoes into boiling water and let them cook for 10 to 15 minutes.

Do you peel sweet potatoes before boiling?

Description – Thinking about boiling sweet potatoes? Let’s do it! Here’s how to boil sweet potatoes and when it’s the right cooking technique.

  • 1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes
  • ½ tablespoon olive oil or butter
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  1. Dice the sweet potatoes into roughly 3/4-inch cubes. You can either peel or leave the skin on: just make sure to cut off any black spots.
  2. Place the sweet potatoes in a pot and cover with 1 inch of lukewarm water; add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and cook until tender when pierced with a fork, around 7 to 12 minutes. Then drain.
  3. Use in recipes as desired (see Sweet Potato Enchiladas or Mashed Sweet Potatoes ), or for a side dish season with ½ tablespoon olive oil or butter and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, Taste and add additional seasoning to taste. Refrigerate leftovers for 3 to 5 days.
  • Category: Side dish
  • Method: Boiled
  • Cuisine: Potatoes
  • Diet: Vegan

Keywords: Boiling sweet potatoes, How long to boil sweet potatoes, How to boil sweet potatoes

Is steaming quicker than boiling?

Steaming makes your vegetables taste better. Steaming is faster than boiling. Steaming is far more energy- and time-efficient than boiling.

How do you soften a sweet potato in the microwave?

Skip baking — microwaving a sweet potato is by far the FASTEST way to cook one. All you need is five minutes. When you’re in a pinch and don’t feel like waiting for that pesky oven to preheat, this is definitely the option for you. Whether you’re looking for an easy, healthy side or the base for a delicious quick lunch, microwaving a sweet potato is a quick and easy start to a delish meal.

  1. Do I need to prick the potato before I microwave it? Yes! Pricking the skin will allow steam to escape.
  2. Does a microwaved sweet potato have a different texture than a roasted one? Only slightly, and if you’re dressing it up with toppings (like our favorite BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potato ) we doubt you’ll taste a difference.

How long does it take to microwave a sweet potato? Five minutes! Check to see if the sweet potato is tender after that. If it’s not, microwave in 30-second increments until it is. Depending on your microwave, it might take less than five minutes — if you have a high wattage, set it for a few minutes and keep an eye on it, cooking until tender.

  • How do I know when it’s cooked through? You’re looking for the inside to be completely tender.
  • Use a paring knife to pierce all the way through the skin to the center of the potato.
  • If there is some resistance, keep cooking.
  • If it’s glides through to the center, it’s ready to eat! What should I top my sweet potato with? So glad you asked! We love topping sweet potatoes with a mixture of protein, vegetables, and cheese to make them a full meal.

Try out some of our favorites: Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes and Sloppy Joe Sweet Potatoes, If you’re looking for an easy side, you can’t go wrong with a little butter, honey and cinnamon (or even our Texas Cinnamon Butter ?) if you’re feeling sweet.

See also:  How Much Potato Salad For 10 People?

Wash sweet potato thoroughly, pat dry, and pierce 3-4 times with a fork. Place potato on microwave-safe plate and microwave 5 minutes, turning halfway through. If your potato isn’t fork tender after 5 minutes, continue microwaving in 30 second increments. Split potato down the middle, season with salt and pepper and top with a pat of butter.

This content is imported from, You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. How Do You Steam A Sweet Potato Parker Feierbach Lena Abraham Senior Food Editor Lena Abraham is the Senior Food Editor at Delish, where she develops and styles recipes for video and photo, and also stays on top of current food trends.

How many minutes should I boil sweet potato?

Step 2: Boil the Sweet Potatoes – Select a saucepan or Dutch oven that is large enough to hold the sweet potatoes without crowding them. Add enough cold water to cover potatoes and sprinkle with salt. Bring to boiling, cover, and cook until tender. How long to boil sweet potatoes: For one pound of sweet potatoes, cover the pan and cook sweet potatoes in the boiling salted water 20 to 25 minutes or until just tender.

Can you use a colander as a steamer?

Photo by James Ransom Steaming vegetables can be a real life-saver when it comes to dinner, which is why we’re bringing back this steamer basket hack from Sarah Jampel, originally published in 2013. Here’s how to steam vegetables without a steamer. Kitchen gadgets can be miracle workers—just try making cherry pie without a cherry pitter—but they also have a dark side.

  1. Not only are some tools pricey, but many are also one-trick ponies.
  2. Shell out the big bucks for a kitchen torch and chances are you’ll make crême brûlée once and then retire it to your already-crowded shelves.
  3. If you don’t steam food frequently—‚or if you find yourself in need of a steaming basket, stat—don’t run out and buy one.

All you need is a metal colander or a baking rack, a big pot, and some aluminum foil, and you’ve got everything you need to make a steamer at home. Let’s get steamy. Fill a pot with approximately half an inch of water. Place a metal colander or a strainer inside, leaving enough room so that the boiling water won’t touch the strainer. Place the food in a single layer in the strainer, bring the water to a boil, then lower the heat so it’s barely bubbling. Cover the pot as much as possible in order to prevent steam from escaping. Check on your food often to prevent over-cooking! Keep in mind that steaming times will vary depending on the food you are cooking. This one’s for anyone who doesn’t have a metal strainer.

Is it better to boil or microwave sweet potatoes?

Learn how to microwave a sweet potato (or two) in minutes. – If you are big on sweet potatoes but short on time, there’s an easy solution: Microwave your sweet potatoes. It’s really the best way. Microwaving sweet potatoes cuts down cook time by 45 to 55 minutes and helps maintain nutritional value.