Are sweet potatoes a fruit or a vegetable?

Sweet potatoes are root vegetables.

How long can I store them raw?

Raw sweet potatoes don't keep as long as regular potatoes. If kept in a cool, dry location (like a pantry or cellar) you can store raw sweet potatoes for about 2 weeks. After that, they might start to soften and rot. Don't store raw sweet potatoes in the refrigerator.

How long do steamed sweet potatoes stay fresh?

After steaming sweet potato cubes, they should be stored in the refrigerator and eaten within 5 days for the best flavor and texture.

Can I freeze cooked, cubed sweet potatoes?

Yes, although sometimes the texture of defrosted sweet potato cubes is a bit soft and mushy. Place cooled sweet potato cubes in a freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. They can be frozen up to 3 months. To defrost, put in the refrigerator overnight or add directly to a simmering soup or stew.

Can I roast the potato chunks after steaming?

It doesn't work very well. The chunks of potato will just burn around the edges, rather than getting crispy. If you want roasted sweet potato, try this recipe for roasted sweet potato slices.

What are Korean sweet potatoes?

There are several varieties of Korean sweet potatoes. One popular variety has purple skin and a pale interior and is sometimes called a chestnut potato because of its flavor. Mykoreankitchen.com has a recipe for candied Korean sweet potato .

What are Japanese sweet potatoes?

Japanese sweet potatoes have purple/magenta skin and white interior. Okonomi Kitchen has a recipe for baked Japanese sweet potatoes.

Yams vs Sweet Potatoes

Yams and sweet potatoes are two entirely different root vegetables. Although in American grocery stores, they are often labeled incorrectly or sold as the same thing. Yams have a brownish/beige exterior and are starchier than sweet potatoes. Food & Wine has an interesting article about how the confusion over yams and sweet potatoes goes all the way back to the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.

White Sweet Potato vs Orange Sweet Potato

Although there are many varieties of sweet potato, there are two types you'll see most often in American grocery stores. One is pale white/cream on both the outside and inside. The other has darker orange/brown skin and a vibrant orange interior. Orange sweet potatoes are often called Garnet, Jewel or Beauregard potatoes. The main difference is that the white sweet potato is drier and starchier. It won't have a creamy texture like an orange sweet potato. It also tastes a little less sweet.

Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes (Cubed or Whole)

Name: Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes, Cubed
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 to 8 sweet potatoes (about 2 to 4 pounds), cut into 1-inch cubes* (peeled or unpeeled); 1 cup water

Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes, Cubed

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The most important thing to know about steamed Instant Pot sweet potato cubes is that the size of the cubes (or chunks) determines the cooking time.

For 1x1x1 inch cubes or 1/2-inch thick rounds, 5 minutes will give you a soft texture that is easily pierced with a fork but the pieces still hold their shape.

If you want a firmer texture, try 3 minutes. If you want a very soft texture, try 8 minutes.

See the Notes section for cooking instructions for whole, steamed sweet potatoes.

Remember, it's best to error on the side of undercooking the sweet potatoes, because you can always secure the lid again and cook the potatoes for a few more minutes.

Author: Jenny Meier
Prep Time: 10
Cook Time: 5
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
Category: Side Dishes
Method: Instant Pot
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Units Scale

4 to 8 sweet potatoes (about 2 to 4 pounds), cut into 1-inch cubes* (peeled or unpeeled)
1 cup water

*Slightly smaller or larger cubes are okay, such as ¾-inch cubes or 1 ½-inch cubes. You don’t have to cut precise cubes. The most important thing is that all of the chunks are about the same size. See the blog post section above "How to Cut Sweet Potatoes" for links to videos that show how to cut sweet potato cubes.

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Instructions

Add the water to the Instant Pot insert.
Place a steamer basket over the water.
Fill the steamer basket with the sweet potatoes cubes.
Secure the lid.
Program the Instant Pot to cook for 5 minutes on high pressure.
When the cooking time is done, quick release the pressure

Notes

This recipe was tested in a 6-quart Instant Pot.

Instead of cubes or chunks, you can also cook rounds of sweet potato that are 1/2-inch thick using this cooking time and method.

If the sweet potato is not as soft as you'd like, then either set the lid back on the pot and let the potatoes steam longer in the residual heat or secure the lid and cook the potatoes for 1 to 3 more minutes.

These potatoes are soft enough to mash with a fork, but if you want really soft, creamy sweet potato cubes then increase the cooking time to 8 minutes.

Using a steamer basket yields the best results because it keeps the potatoes from getting waterlogged and soggy.

Instant Pot Whole Sweet Potato Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Prick the whole sweet potato several times with a fork.
Step 2: Pour 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot. Set a trivet or steamer basket over the water.
Step 3: Arrange the sweet potatoes in the steamer basket. They can be laying flat or standing straight up.
Step 4: The cooking time depends entirely on how large the potato is.

Small, skinny sweet potatoes = 15 to 20 minutes
(1 to 2-inches diameter and less than 6 inches circumference)

Medium sweet potatoes = 25 to 35 minutes
(2 to 3-inches diameter, 7 to 10 inches circumference)

Large "jumbo" sweet potatoes = up to 60 minutes
(3.5 to 4-inches diameter, 11+ inches circumference

Step 5: Let the pressure release naturally after the cooking time is complete.

Find it online: https://www.kitchenskip.com/instant-pot-sweet-potatoes-cubed/