How to Boil a Sweetpotato

Sweetpotatoes are a highly versatile vegetable. They can be baked, roasted, mashed, fried or boiled with each method bringing something new to the table. Boiling is one of the simplest and healthiest ways to prepare sweetpotatoes but it’s important to know how long to boil sweetpotatoes so you can enjoy their deliciousness.  

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about boiling sweetpotatoes, from how long they take to cook, to how to tell when they’re done, their nutritional benefits, and some delicious boiled sweetpotato recipes.  

The length of cooking time depends on how you’re cooking your sweetpotatoes. Sweetpotato cubes take about 12-15 minutes to boil whereas it can take up to 30-50 minutes to boil whole sweetpotatoes.  

If you are boiling whole sweetpotatoes, there are several things you can do to make the process easier: 

1. If possible, boil similar sized sweetpotatoes together so they can cook uniformly. 
2. Use a large pan so that your potatoes are fully submerged and have adequate room to cook evenly. 
3. Boil sweetpotatoes with a lid to avoid heat escaping.  

To explore more ways to cook sweetpotatoes, head to our Cooking Tips page. 

This largely depends on personal preference and the dish you are preparing. If you are making mashed sweetpotatoes, many people find it easier to leave the skin on while boiling and then slip the skins off once the potatoes have cooled slightly. 

Keeping the skin on can also increase the nutritional value of your meal. Sweetpotato skin contains high levels of fibre, along with important nutrients such as potassium, and vitamins A, C, and E. It is also rich in antioxidants, which help protect the body’s cells from damage caused by free radicals. 

Removing the skin can significantly reduce the fibre content of sweetpotatoes so leaving it on is a good idea. However, the texture can be unideal for recipes such as mashes, soups, or purees so in this case removing the skin before or after boiling may be better.  

To learn more about why sweetpotatoes are so good for you, head over to our Nutrition Page. 

You need enough water to fully submerge the sweetpotatoes when boiling sweetpotaotes. Ideally, the water should be about 2 inch (2.5cm) above the potatoes to ensure they cook evenly. 

For the best results, always begin with cold water. Starting with cold water helps the sweetpotatoes boil more evenly.  

You can also add a pinch of salt to the water if desired to enhance the flavour of the sweetpotato while cooking, but this is entirely optional.  

Once the heat reaches a boil, reduce the heat slightly and simmer until the sweetpotatoes are tender.  

Start by placing the sweetpotatoes in a pan of cold water and bringing it to a boil over high heat. This usually takes around 8-12 minutes, depending on the amount of water and the size of the pan.  

Once the water reaches a rolling boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the sweetpotatoes to simmer for the remainder of the cooking time. Simmering helps the potatoes cook evenly and reduces the risk of them becoming mushy.  

Boiling is one of the healthiest ways to cook sweetpotatoes. This method helps keep their glycaemic index low, which means blood sugar may rise more slowly after eating them. Boiled sweetpotatoes can also contain more resistant starch, a type of gut-friendly prebiotic fibre that supports digestive health. In addition, boiling has been shown to retain more beta-carotene, the antioxidant that the body converts into Vitamin A. 

Some water soluble nutrients, particularly vitamin C, can be lost in the water during boiling. Baking or steaming may preserve slightly more of these nutrients. However, it is important to remember that vitamin C is present is many other fruits and vegetables, making it easy to compensate for any losses. 

Nevertheless, sweetpotatoes are highly nutritious regardless of the cooking method, making them a wonderful addition to a balanced diet. Whether boiled, baked, steamed, or roasted, they provide an exceptional range of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and plenty of fibre. The main exception is when they are fried or prepared with large amounts of butter, oil, sugar, or high-calorie sauces, which can reduce their overall health benefits.  

Boiled sweetpotatoes are incredibly versatile and can be used in a wide range of delicious sweet and savoury recipes. 

If you’re looking for something sweet, why not try our indulgent sweetpotato cranberry white chocolate oatmeal cookies? Or maybe you’re in the mood for our yummy, delicately sweet sweetpotato brioche. If you prefer something savoury, our flavour packed sweetpotato burger with cranberry ketchup is a great chance to incorporate boiled sweetpotatoes into a meal.   

Whether it’s soups, curries, salads, desserts, or smoothies, hopefully this guide has encouraged you to boil your sweetpotatoes the next time you’re cooking. Check out our website to discover even more delicious recipes!