How to Steam Sweet Potatoes for a Moist and Sweet Result
The Ultimate Guide to Steaming Sweet Potatoes: Perfect Timing and Techniques
Autumn’s sweet potato harvest is at its peak, and when steamed correctly, they become a nutrient-rich snack. Freshly steamed sweet potatoes are delicious on their own, but they can also be transformed into various dishes like sweet potato mousse, salads, or lattes once prepped. While air-frying is a popular method for enhancing sweetness, steaming is the classic technique for achieving a moist and tender texture. Sweet potatoes, especially varieties like Beauregard (often called ‘pumpkin sweet potato’ in Korea) which have higher moisture content, can become mushy if boiled in water. Today, I’ll share a foolproof method for steaming them using indirect heat, ensuring they are perfectly cooked—moist, tender, and naturally sweet, without becoming watery. The vibrant yellow or orange hue inside indicates a rich content of beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant. Furthermore, sweet potatoes boast twice the dietary fiber of potatoes, making them excellent for gut health. Let’s walk through the simple steps to steam delicious, moist, and sweet sweet potatoes every time.
Main Ingredients- 5-6 medium sweet potatoes
- 600ml (approx. 3 cups) water
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Since the skin is rich in nutrients, it’s beneficial to eat sweet potatoes with their peels on. First, thoroughly scrub the sweet potatoes to remove any dirt or soil. Using baking soda or coarse salt can help in cleaning the skin effectively. This ensures you remove all impurities.
Step 2
Wash each sweet potato meticulously, rubbing them by hand to ensure they are completely clean. This thorough washing step is key for a hygienic preparation.
Step 3
Trim off the tough, fibrous ends of each sweet potato. This small step helps them cook more evenly, resulting in a softer and moister texture when served. These ends can sometimes be quite fibrous.
Step 4
Pour 600ml (about 3 cups) of water into the bottom of your steamer. It’s crucial that the water level does not reach the sweet potatoes themselves. This amount of water should be sufficient to steam the sweet potatoes thoroughly without running dry.
Step 5
Arrange the washed sweet potatoes neatly in the steamer basket. For medium-sized sweet potatoes, a good steaming schedule is 10 minutes on high heat, followed by 20 minutes on medium heat, and then allowing them to rest for a final 10 minutes to finish cooking.
Step 6
Place the sweet potatoes in the steamer, cover with the lid, and steam on high heat for 10 minutes. After the initial 10 minutes, reduce the heat to medium and continue steaming for another 20 minutes. Keep track of the time.
Step 7
After the 20 minutes of steaming, carefully lift the lid to check for doneness. Insert a chopstick or a skewer into the thickest part of a sweet potato; if it glides in smoothly, they are perfectly cooked. If they still feel firm, replace the lid and steam for an additional 5 minutes, then let them rest covered for 10 minutes to finish.
Step 8
This steaming method, unlike boiling, preserves the sweet potato’s natural moisture, resulting in a tender and moist texture without becoming mushy. The skin becomes so soft it peels away effortlessly, making them easy for children to eat. Sweet potatoes are a wonderfully nutritious root vegetable, packed with both flavor and health benefits. A bowl of freshly steamed sweet potatoes, perhaps with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee, makes for a satisfying and healthy light meal. I personally love pairing them with coffee! Any leftover steamed sweet potatoes can be easily transformed into a creamy sweet potato latte for breakfast tomorrow. Served warm, they are a delightful healthy snack that the whole family can enjoy. Just follow the steaming time, and anyone can easily achieve delicious, nutritious results with this recipe. Enjoy your perfectly steamed sweet potatoes!
