How to Boil Sweet Potatoes
Updated Jan 07, 2026
How to boil sweet potatoes whole or cubed until fork-tender. Simple instructions with cooking times for different sizes.
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Boiling Sweet Potatoes is Soo Easy!
I boil sweet potatoes when I need them plain and ready to use for something else, like sweet potato chili, breakfast bowl, and, of course, a good old sweet potato mash! It’s the method I use for mashing, meal prep, or recipes where I don’t want any browning or added flavor. You can boil them whole or cut them into cubes, depending on how you plan to use them. Boiling is just a straightforward way to get tender sweet potatoes without turning on the oven.
Happy Cooking!
– Yumna
Recipe Video
How to Make Boiled Sweet Potatoes Two Ways
You can boil sweet potatoes whole, skin and all, which is super convenient for making mashed sweet potatoes or even just eating them as is. Cubes can be par-boiled for later use or fully cooked to use in bowls!
Whole Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes Cubes
How to Boil Sweet Potatoes Whole and Cubed
Video
Ingredients
- 1 sweet potato peeled if desired
Instructions
- Scrub and wash the sweet potatoes. If cooking the potato whole, simply trim the roots ends, or leave intact. If cooking the potatoes in cubes, peel the sweet potato and cut into either 2-inch cubes or 1-inch cubes.
- Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water by 1 inch. Add salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and continue cooking the sweet potatoes until fork tender: 40 minutes for whole, 25 minutes for 2-inch cubes and 15 minutes for 1-inch cubes.
- Drain carefully in a colander. Enjoy warm on its own as a side dish or use as desired in a recipe of choice.
Notes
- My Top Tip: Cold water start. Always start with cold water. This helps the sweet potatoes cook from the inside out without overcooking the outer layers.
- Storage: Allow the sweet potatoes to cool completely. Then, transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. For cubed sweet potatoes, consider lining the bottom of your container with a paper towel to absorb any moisture. To freeze cubed potatoes, flash freeze them first in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe zip-top bag, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. You can peel whole potatoes and add them directly to a freezer-safe container or bag, seal, and freeze.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Recipe Tips
- Consistent size. If boiling sweet potatoes whole, try to find potatoes that are all similar in size. And if you’re cutting sweet potatoes in cubes for faster cooking, keep them as uniform as possible to ensure even cooking. Check out this quick guide for tips and tricks on how to cut sweet potatoes.
- Simmer, not boil. After bringing the water to a boil, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Boiling can cause the sweet potatoes to break apart or cook unevenly.
- Don’t overcrowd. If you need to boil a lot of sweet potatoes, consider cooking them in batches, so they have enough space in the pot with water to cook evenly.
- Save the cooking water. It can be used as the base of soups, or use a little to add to mashed sweet potatoes to make them creamy.
Recipes to Make with Boiled Sweet Potatoes
- Use them mashed in a side dish like these Mashed Sweet Potatoes.
- Or try them for breakfast with these Sweet Potato Pancakes, Kale and Sweet Potato Hash, Sweet Potato Muffins or Sweet Potato Waffles
- Add cooked cubed sweet potatoes to a tasty bowl like the viral Ground Beef Cottage Cheese Bowls or this Black Bean Quinoa Salad
Comments
Yeah! In the jacket, then peel.
Exactly! Glad this method works for you too, Martha!
Made these for a large family Christmas dinner. WORKED OUT WELL! I used a mix of yams and golden sweet potatoes (8 total) and found as long as they are the same size (relatively) they all finished at the same time. If some are larger, you can always boil the larger ones longer. SO LITTLE WASTE because the skin peels right off, and so much easier than peeling before boiling! The sweetness and flavor of these are so much better than any canned yams. THANKS!
Great! So glad this worked out so well for you!