An alternative way to prepare an old favorite.
There’s more than one way to cook a sweet potato! I’ve always baked them in the oven because it seemed easy and hands-off. Plus, there was no arguing with the results. However, if you have a steamer basket, steaming your sweet potatoes could be a great alternative—especially in the summer months when you’d rather not heat up your kitchen by turning on the oven.
In terms of convenience, steaming sweet potatoes is just as easy as baking them in the oven. Once you get a pot of water boiling and put the steaming basket in place, there isn’t much else to do. And in terms of results, this method will not let you down! Steamed sweet potatoes turn out moist and fluffy, tasting no different from baked sweet potatoes. Suh-weet!
Are Steamed Sweet Potatoes Healthy?
By steaming sweet potatoes, you don’t need to use any oil or additives, which helps sweet potatoes maintain their nutritional value. Typically, sweet potatoes are a good source of antioxidants and several vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, manganese, copper, and potassium. They also contain fiber, which, among other things, is beneficial for your digestive tract.
What Color Is Your Potato?
There’s a whole colorful world of sweet potatoes out there you can try! For this recipe, I used traditional orange sweet potatoes that are medium-sized, about eight ounces apiece. But all varieties are suitable for steaming, and each brings something unique to the table. Explore the offerings at your local grocery store, and see which one suits your palate.
Japanese sweet potatoes have reddish-purple skin and white or cream flesh that turns golden when cooked. Their sweetness contains hints of vanilla, brown sugar, and nuttiness, and their firm, starchy texture doesn’t get mushy when they’re cooked. Hannah sweet potatoes have cream-colored skin and ivory flesh that becomes more yellow when cooked. They’re not as sweet as other varieties, with a drier texture that reminds me of russet potatoes. My favorite is the purple sweet potato! They’re purple inside and out, and their flesh gets positively velvety when you steam them. Plus, these beauties are exceptionally high in antioxidants, as you might’ve guessed from their spectacular hue!
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Once cooled, leftover steamed sweet potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Or freeze them for up to 6 months. Thaw leftovers in the fridge overnight, then reheat in the oven with a cover of aluminum foil when you’re ready to serve them.
Serving Suggestions
Sweet potatoes make a good side dish for just about any meal. Typically, chicken is a good partner for sweet potatoes. This can include Grilled Chicken Breast or Grilled Tropical Chicken Bowls. Several seafood dishes are also a good complement to sweet potatoes, including Chilean Sea Bass and Crispy Air-Fried Fish. To keep it vegetarian-friendly, pair steamed sweet potatoes with zesty Carrot-Ginger Soup, Gluten-Free Mac And Cheese With Zucchini Noodles, or a vibrant Kale Salad With Cranberries.
There are many other ways to prepare sweet potatoes, too. If steaming isn’t your fave, you could use the Best Baked Sweet Potato Recipe for a more traditional route. Whip up a batch of Air-Fryer Sweet Potato Fries for a satisfying snack—or consider dishes that incorporate these humble tubers, like Sweet Potato Casserole, a hearty Potato Breakfast Bowl, or this deeply comforting Sweet Potato Soup Recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes about 4 medium-sized, washed but unpeeled
Instructions
- Fill a pot with approximately 1 inch of water and bring it to a boil.
- Place the sweet potatoes in a steamer basket and set it over the boiling water, ensuring the water does not touch the potatoes. Cover with a lid.
- Steam the sweet potatoes for 25 to 35 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Remove the sweet potatoes from the steamer and let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing them in half. Serve with your preferred toppings.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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