Delicious Yams: Slow-Cooked Perfection

how to cook 40 oz canned yams in crock pot

Candied yams are a popular holiday side dish that can be made in a crockpot or slow cooker. They are sweet, soft, and gooey, with a blend of warm spices, brown sugar, and butter coating the tender sweet potatoes. While candied yams can be made in the oven, using a crockpot saves oven space and makes for an easy, low-maintenance cooking process. This introduction will provide a guide on how to cook 40 oz canned yams in a crockpot, including preparation, cooking time, and serving suggestions.

How to cook 40 oz canned yams in a crock pot

Characteristics Values
Type of dish Side dish
Prep time 20 minutes
Cook time 1-5 hours
Ingredients 40-ounce can of yams, butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, marshmallows, kosher salt, water, cornstarch, molasses, cloves
Instructions Drain the juice from the canned yams and cut them into smaller pieces. Melt butter in a separate bowl. Add all ingredients except marshmallows to the crock pot. Cook on high for 1-5 hours or on low for 2-8 hours. Add marshmallows and stir.
Notes True yams are not the same as sweet potatoes and cannot be used interchangeably.

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Drain the yams and cut them into smaller pieces

To cook 40 oz canned yams in a crock pot, the first step is to drain the yams and cut them into smaller pieces. This is a simple but important step to ensure that your yams are the right size and consistency for cooking.

Start by opening your 40-ounce can of yams and draining out the liquid. You can do this by pouring the yams into a colander or sieve to allow the liquid to drain away, or you could carefully pour off the liquid while keeping the yams in the can.

Once drained, you can then cut the yams into smaller pieces. This step is optional, but it is recommended if you have large yams or prefer your yams in smaller chunks. Use a sharp knife to carefully cut the yams into the desired size. You may also peel the yams if you prefer, though this is also optional.

By draining and cutting the yams, you prepare them for the next steps of the cooking process. This includes adding seasonings and placing them in the crock pot for slow cooking.

Overall, draining and cutting the yams is a straightforward task that helps set the foundation for a delicious crock pot yam dish.

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Melt butter and add to the crock pot

To melt butter and add it to the crock pot, start by measuring out the desired amount of butter. You can use either salted or unsalted butter, depending on your preference. Next, you'll want to melt the butter. The easiest way to do this is in the microwave in short increments of around 20 seconds, stirring in between until the butter is completely liquid. Alternatively, you can use a small saucepan and place it over medium-low heat. Add the butter to the pan and whisk continuously until it is melted and smooth.

Once your butter is melted, you can add it to the crock pot. If you're making candied yams, you'll want to add the butter directly to the slow cooker after draining and chopping the yams. You can also add other ingredients to the crock pot along with the butter, such as brown sugar, spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and even maple syrup or molasses for extra flavour.

If you're making a yam dish that doesn't require a crock pot, you can simply add the melted butter directly to the yams or other ingredients in a separate bowl before transferring the mixture to a baking dish or pan.

Keep in mind that the amount of butter you'll need to melt may vary depending on the recipe and the number of servings you're preparing. For example, one recipe for crockpot candied yams calls for 56.75 grams of butter for approximately 6-8 servings.

Remember to adjust the amount of butter accordingly if you're making a larger or smaller batch, or if your recipe includes other ingredients that require specific proportions.

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Add spices and seasonings

When it comes to adding spices and seasonings to your 40 oz canned yams in a crock pot, there are several options to explore. It's important to note that yams and sweet potatoes are different vegetables, and true yams may not be easily found in American grocery stores. However, canned yams are often packaged as "canned yams" and are actually sweet potatoes. So, if your canned yams are, in fact, sweet potatoes, here are some spice and seasoning options to consider:

Spices and Seasonings

  • Cinnamon: Cinnamon adds a warm, aromatic flavour to your yams. It pairs well with other spices like nutmeg and cloves.
  • Nutmeg: Nutmeg has a distinct, slightly sweet flavour that can enhance the taste of your dish. It is often used in small quantities due to its strong aroma.
  • Cloves: Cloves have a strong, pungent flavour that can complement the sweetness of the yams. They can be used whole or ground.
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice: If you want a quick and easy option, pumpkin pie spice is a blend of spices that typically includes cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice. It can be a convenient way to add a blend of warm, sweet flavours to your dish.
  • Salt: Salt is essential to enhancing the flavours of your dish. Kosher salt is recommended as it has a coarser texture and a less salty taste than table salt.
  • Butter: Butter adds richness and moisture to your dish. You can use salted or unsalted butter, depending on your preference.
  • Brown Sugar: Brown sugar, especially dark brown sugar, will give your yams a sweet, syrupy glaze. It pairs well with the spices and butter, creating a delicious coating for your yams.

When adding spices and seasonings to your 40 oz canned yams in a crock pot, you can simply combine them with the yams and other ingredients before cooking. However, some recipes suggest melting the butter and whisking it together with the spices and brown sugar before pouring it over the yams and cooking them together in the crock pot. This allows the spices and butter to form a glaze that coats the yams evenly.

Feel free to experiment with the spice quantities to suit your taste preferences. You can also add other ingredients like maple syrup or vanilla extract to enhance the flavour profile of your dish.

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Cook on high for 3-4 hours

Cooking yams in a crock pot is a simple, low-maintenance process. After draining and cutting the yams into smaller pieces, you can add butter and other seasonings to your crock pot. Then, simply cook on high for 3-4 hours.

It is important to note that you should stir the ingredients after about 2 hours. After 3 hours, check the yams for tenderness. If they are not soft, continue cooking for another hour.

The crock pot is a valuable tool for cooks as it does not require much upkeep. Once you have prepared your ingredients and set the temperature, you can leave the crock pot to do the rest of the work.

The yams will be ready to serve hot after 3-4 hours. However, you can also store them in an airtight container for up to 4 days and reheat them in the oven when needed.

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Top with marshmallows

If you want to add marshmallows to your candied yams, you can either sprinkle them over the yams and let them melt by placing the cover back on for a few minutes, or you can broil them until browned and serve immediately. You can also use a kitchen torch to brown the tops of the marshmallows.

If you are making mashed sweet potatoes or a sweet potato casserole, add a layer of marshmallows on top of the potatoes/casserole, put the lid back on the crockpot, and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes, until the marshmallows begin to melt. Serve immediately.

You can add 1 and 1/2 cups of marshmallows to your crockpot yams. If you want to add marshmallows throughout the cooking process, add them towards the end, about 15 minutes before serving, so they don't liquify.

Frequently asked questions

First, drain the yams and cut them into smaller pieces. Then, melt some butter and add it to the crock pot along with the yams and other seasonings like brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Finally, cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for up to 8 hours, stirring occasionally.

It depends on the heat setting you use. If you cook the yams on high heat, they should be done in 3-4 hours. If you cook them on low heat, they may take up to 8 hours to cook through.

Yes, you should drain the liquid from the can and cut any large yams into smaller pieces. You can also melt butter and add seasonings to the yams before putting them in the crock pot.

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