Sweet Potato Cubes: Insta Pot Cooking Guide

how to cook cubed sweet potatoes in insta pot

Cooking cubed sweet potatoes in an Instapot is a simple and easy way to prepare this versatile vegetable. In under 20 minutes, you will have perfectly steamed sweet potatoes. You can enjoy them as a side dish, make a mash, or even add them to your muffin batter. The cooking time will be the same whether you need 2 lbs of cubed potatoes or as many as 5 lbs. To avoid sogginess, use a vegetable steamer or the rack that came with your Instant Pot.

Characteristics Values
Ingredients Sweet potatoes, water
Utensils Instant Pot, vegetable steamer basket or rack (trivet)
Preparation Wash, peel, and cut sweet potatoes into uniform cubes (1-1.5 inches)
Cooking time 10-18 minutes on high pressure
Serving suggestions Side dish, mash, casseroles, puree, muffins

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Preparation: wash, peel and cut into uniform cubes

To prepare sweet potatoes for cooking in an Insta Pot, start by washing them under running water to remove any dirt or residue. Next, use a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife to remove the skin and peel the sweet potatoes. Be careful when handling the knife and keep your fingers away from the blade. After peeling, use a sharp knife to cut the sweet potatoes into uniform cubes. Aim for a size between 1 to 1.5 inches for each cube to ensure even cooking. Try to make the cubes as evenly sized as possible so that they cook at the same rate. Place the cubed sweet potatoes into a large bowl or onto a plate, ready for the next step of cooking in your Insta Pot.

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Steaming: use a steamer basket or trivet to steam the cubes

Steaming is an effective way to cook sweet potato cubes in an Instant Pot. This method ensures that the sweet potato cubes retain their shape and do not turn mushy. To begin, add one cup of water to the Instant Pot. Then, place a steamer basket or trivet inside the pot. The trivet that came with your Instant Pot can be used for this purpose.

Next, prepare the sweet potatoes by washing, peeling, and cutting them into uniform cubes. The recommended size for each cube varies from 1/2-inch to 1 1/2-inch. Place the sweet potato cubes into the steamer basket or on top of the trivet, ensuring they are above the water level. Close the lid of the Instant Pot and turn the valve to the sealing position.

Now, it's time to cook the sweet potatoes. Press the "Pressure Cook" or "Manual" button and adjust the settings for the desired texture. For tender sweet potato cubes, set the timer for 3 to 5 minutes. If you prefer them firmer, reduce the cooking time to 2 minutes. The Instant Pot will take about 5 to 10 minutes to build up pressure before it starts cooking. Once the cooking time is up, manually release the pressure. Be cautious when handling the steamer basket as the steam will be hot.

Your steamed sweet potato cubes are now ready to be served. They should have a fluffy, creamy, and soft texture while still holding their shape. You can enjoy them as a side dish or use them in various recipes, such as casseroles, mashes, or even baked goods.

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Timing: cook for 10 minutes on high pressure

Cooking cubed sweet potatoes in an Instapot is a quick and easy way to prepare this versatile vegetable. The cooking time will depend on the size of the cubes and whether you prefer them tender or firmer. For 1-inch cubes, it is recommended to cook them for 10 minutes on high pressure.

To begin, wash, peel, and cut the sweet potatoes into uniform cubes. This ensures that they cook evenly. Place a vegetable steamer basket or the rack that came with your Instapot inside. It is important to keep the potatoes above the water level, so they do not get soggy. Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of the pressure cooker.

Once the potatoes are in the steamer basket, close the lid and turn the valve to the sealing position. Set the Instapot to high pressure and the timer for 10 minutes. It will take about 10 minutes for the Instapot to come to pressure. After the cooking cycle is complete, manually release the pressure. Be cautious of the hot steam.

Your sweet potatoes should now be fluffy, sweet, creamy, and soft, but still holding their shape. Carefully lift out the steamer basket and serve the potatoes in a bowl or on individual plates.

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Customisation: add spices, seasonings and flavours

Customisation is a key advantage of cooking cubed sweet potatoes in an Instapot. The natural sugars in sweet potatoes mean that they can be customised to be sweeter or more savoury.

For a sweet flavour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, ginger, and mace are all good spice options. A drizzle of honey or maple syrup can also be added, as can a pinch of brown sugar. The sweet potatoes themselves will also caramelise and sweeten when pressure-cooked.

For a savoury flavour, salt is a good option to enhance the earthy taste of the potatoes. Onions, garlic, and olive oil can also be added to the potatoes, as can curry paste and coconut milk.

Fresh herbs like chives, thyme, rosemary, tarragon, basil, or parsley can also be added to the potatoes to give them a unique flavour.

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Serving suggestions: use in casseroles, as a mash or a side dish

Sweet potatoes are a versatile ingredient that can be used in casseroles, as a mash, or as a side dish. Here are some ideas for using cooked cubed sweet potatoes in these ways:

Casseroles

Sweet potatoes are a great addition to casseroles, providing a sweet and creamy element to the dish. You can simply add the cooked cubed sweet potatoes to your casserole, or you could mash them first for a smoother texture. Seasonings and spices can be added to enhance the flavour of the casserole. For a holiday-themed casserole, try using cinnamon and nutmeg to spice up your sweet potatoes.

Mash

For a simple mash, coat the cooked sweet potato cubes with butter to create a creamy texture without making it gluey. You can also add spices and seasonings to your mash to create a unique flavour profile. For a warm and cosy dish, try cinnamon and nutmeg.

Side Dish

Sweet potatoes make a great side dish as they are full of flavour and can be prepared in a variety of ways. Keep them plain and unseasoned to let the sweet potato flavour shine through, or add spices and seasonings to create a more complex side dish. You can also experiment with different cooking methods, such as steaming or sautéing, to add a unique twist to your side dish.

No matter which serving suggestion you choose, remember that sweet potatoes are a versatile ingredient that can be customised to your taste preferences. So, feel free to experiment with different spices, seasonings, and cooking methods to create unique and delicious dishes!

Frequently asked questions

First, peel and wash the sweet potatoes, then cut them into uniform cubes. Place the cubes in a steamer basket, and put the basket inside the Instapot with a cup of water. Close the lid, and turn the valve to the sealing position. Set the Instapot to high pressure, and cook for 10 minutes.

Cubed sweet potatoes take around 10 minutes to cook in an Instapot. The Instapot will take around 10 minutes to come to pressure, and then you can start cooking.

You can use Instapot cubed sweet potatoes in casseroles, as a mash, or as a side dish. They can also be added to muffin batter or used to make a puree.

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