Steaming Sweet Potatoes: Pressure Cooker Time And Tips

Cooking sweet potatoes in a pressure cooker is a quick and easy way to get perfect, tender potatoes. The cooking time depends on the size of the potatoes and the amount of water used, but generally, it takes around 30 minutes to cook sweet potatoes in a pressure cooker. The pressure cooker method is a convenient way to prepare sweet potatoes, as it frees up your oven and keeps your kitchen cool. The potatoes come out creamy and fluffy, making them a versatile ingredient for various dishes.

How to prepare sweet potatoes for pressure cooking

Ingredients and Equipment

To prepare sweet potatoes for pressure cooking, you will need the following:

• A pressure cooker or Instant Pot
• A steamer basket or rack
• Water
• Sweet potatoes

Cleaning the Sweet Potatoes

Start by rinsing and scrubbing your sweet potatoes in cold water. You do not need to peel them unless you are cubing them. Prick the sweet potatoes 4-5 times with a fork.

Preparing the Pressure Cooker

Add 1 cup of water to your pressure cooker (1.5 cups for an 8-quart Instant Pot). Place the steamer basket or rack inside the pressure cooker.

Cooking the Sweet Potatoes

Place the sweet potatoes on the steamer rack or basket. Close the lid and turn the venting knob to the sealing position. Set the pressure cooker to high pressure and use the following cooking times, depending on the size of your sweet potatoes:

• Small (6-8 oz): 12-15 minutes
• Medium (8-12 oz): 17-18 minutes
• Large (12-16 oz): 25 minutes

Once the cooking time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure.

Serving

Your sweet potatoes are now ready to be served! You can serve them as they are, or add toppings such as butter, salt, pepper, cinnamon, or maple syrup.

How to cook sweet potatoes in an Instant Pot

Ingredients:

• 2-4 sweet potatoes
• 1 cup of water for a 6-quart Instant Pot or 1.5 cups for an 8-quart Instant Pot
• Optional toppings: butter, maple syrup, salt, pepper, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, honey, sour cream, chives, shredded cheese, Greek yoghurt, jalapenos, pico de gallo, black beans, shredded chicken, bacon, egg, guacamole

Utensils:

• Instant Pot
• Trivet or steamer rack
• Measuring tape
• Measuring cup
• Fork

Method:

• Measure the width of your sweet potatoes.
• Scrub the sweet potatoes and prick them 4-5 times with a fork.
• Place the trivet or steamer rack at the bottom of the Instant Pot.
• Add 1 cup of water to a 6-quart Instant Pot or 1.5 cups to an 8-quart Instant Pot
• Arrange the sweet potatoes on the trivet or steamer rack.
• Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to 'sealing'.
• Set the Instant Pot to 'high pressure' and select 'manual' or 'pressure cook'.
• Set the timer according to the width of your sweet potatoes:

• Small (under 2 inches): 15 minutes
• Medium (2-3 inches): 30 minutes
• Large (3-4 inches): 60 minutes

• Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then release the remaining pressure.
• Serve the sweet potatoes as they are or with your desired toppings.

Tips:

• You can stack the sweet potatoes on top of each other, but try to limit it to two layers to ensure they cook evenly.
• If your sweet potatoes are not fully cooked through, simply put the lid back on and add another 5-10 minutes of cooking time.
• You can store cooked sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze them for up to 3 months.

How to cook sweet potatoes in a pressure cooker

Ingredients and equipment:

• 2-4 sweet potatoes
• 1 cup of cold water (1.5 cups for an 8-quart pressure cooker)
• A pressure cooker
• A steamer rack or basket
• A trivet

Method:

• Rinse and scrub the sweet potatoes in cold water.
• Place 1 cup of cold water and a steamer rack in the pressure cooker.
• Put the sweet potatoes on the steamer rack.
• Close the lid and turn the venting knob to the sealing position.
• Use the time chart below to find the best time to pressure cook the sweet potatoes based on their circumference or width.
• Pressure cook on high pressure for:

• 6 inches: 15-20 mins
• 8 inches: 25-30 mins
• 10 inches: 35-40 mins
• 12 inches: 45-50 mins

• Then, do a full natural release (roughly 10-11 minutes). Open the lid carefully.
• Serve the sweet potatoes as they are or drizzle with maple syrup and butter.

Tips:

• The cooking times are tested in a 6-quart pressure cooker at sea level. Adjust according to your texture preference and altitude.
• Sweet potatoes with a circumference of 11 inches or more: save time by cutting the sweet potatoes in half (lengthwise) before pressure cooking. This will cut the pressure cook time from 45 mins to 25 mins.
• If you're pressure cooking more sweet potatoes or using an 8-quart pressure cooker, you may need to decrease the pressure-cooking time by 1 to 3 minutes. Make sure not to pack them too tightly and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• You don't need to poke the skin before pressure cooking sweet potatoes.
• Look for small to medium sweet potatoes that feel heavy for their size.
• Store sweet potatoes in a loosely covered bag or basket to allow air circulation. Don't refrigerate because they don't keep well in the fridge.

How to store and reheat sweet potatoes

To store sweet potatoes, it is best to keep them in a cool, dry, and dark area, like a pantry or kitchen countertop. They should be kept in a bowl or basket, and it is important to thoroughly wash and scrub their skin before cooking. Potatoes should not be stored in the refrigerator, as refrigeration can cause an unpleasant taste and a hard centre. They will last for about a month at room temperature and three months in the fridge.

Once cooked, sweet potatoes should be stored in the fridge in a shallow airtight container or zip-top bag. They will stay good for about five days. It is not advisable to leave cooked sweet potatoes at room temperature for more than two hours.

To reheat sweet potatoes, you can use the oven, microwave, stovetop, air fryer, or barbecue. Here are some instructions for each method:

Oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C fan (200°C/400°F/gas mark 6). Place the whole baked sweet potato on a metal baking sheet, uncovered. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the potato is hot and the skin is crisp.

Microwave: Cut the baked sweet potato in half and place it in a microwave-safe bowl or dish. Cover the dish and microwave on full power for around 2 minutes or until the potato is hot.

Stovetop: Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a skillet or frying pan. Cut the baked potato in half and place it cut-side down in the pan. Place a lid on the pan and cook for approximately 10 minutes, or until the potato is hot. Flip the potato and fry for another 2 minutes to crisp up the skin.

Air fryer: Place the baked sweet potato in the air fryer basket and heat for 4-5 minutes at 180°C (350°F) until hot. Larger potatoes may need an additional minute.

Barbecue: Wrap the baked potato tightly in aluminium foil and place it on the barbecue for 10-15 minutes, turning it a few times, until hot.

What to serve with steamed sweet potatoes

Steamed sweet potatoes are a tasty and versatile dish, perfect as a side or loaded with toppings as a main. They are also a great option for those watching their weight, as they are considered a healthy alternative to normal potatoes and can aid in weight loss. Here are some ideas for what to serve with steamed sweet potatoes:

Savoury Options

• Meat - steamed sweet potatoes pair well with pork, chicken, beef, and turkey.
• Fish - salmon, walleye, halibut, cod, and mahi-mahi are all great options to serve with steamed sweet potatoes.
• Vegetables - any vegetable will accompany steamed sweet potatoes, but some suggestions include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, zucchini, collard greens, carrots, cauliflower, green beans, and bell peppers.
• Beans - baked beans and black beans are a great option to serve with steamed sweet potatoes.
• Cheese - try steamed sweet potatoes with cheddar cheese, or feta cheese.
• Sour cream - a great option to add some creaminess to your steamed sweet potatoes.
• Chives - chives add a nice onion flavour to your steamed sweet potatoes.
• Spices - cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper are all great spices to add flavour to your steamed sweet potatoes.
• Salsa - add some spice and flavour to your steamed sweet potatoes with salsa.
• Peanut butter sauce - for a sweet and savoury combination, try steamed sweet potatoes with peanut butter sauce.
• Broccoli and cheese sauce - a classic combination that would pair well with steamed sweet potatoes.

Sweet Options

• Maple syrup - for an extra sweet treat, drizzle some maple syrup over your steamed sweet potatoes.
• Honey - another sweet option to drizzle over steamed sweet potatoes.
• Brown sugar - sprinkle some brown sugar over your steamed sweet potatoes for a sweet treat.
• Butter - add some extra richness to your steamed sweet potatoes with butter.
• Tahini butter - for a more interesting flavour, try tahini butter on your steamed sweet potatoes.
• Sesame seeds - sprinkle some sesame seeds over your steamed sweet potatoes for a crunchy topping.

Frequently asked questions