Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes are a hassle-free side dish that only requires sweet potatoes, water, salt, and 10 minutes of your time. They’re the perfect accompaniment to any meal and can even be cooked simultaneously with your main dish. Let’s dive into how to make these delicious cubed sweet potatoes in your Instant Pot.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Sweet Potatoes: This recipe uses peeled sweet potatoes. If you prefer to keep the skin on, make sure to thoroughly wash and scrub the potatoes to remove any dirt. You can also substitute yams for sweet potatoes if you prefer.
- Water: You’ll need 1 cup of water for a 6-quart Instant Pot or 1 1/2 cups for an 8-quart.
- Salt: Season your potatoes with salt to enhance the flavor. Adjust the amount according to your taste preferences. Alternatively, you can use seasoned salt or your favorite salt blend.
Why Choose an Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot is a versatile kitchen appliance that significantly reduces cooking time. It’s perfect for developing flavors in soups and stews, tenderizing tough cuts of meat, and even baking cheesecakes. Explore the wide range of accessories available to maximize the potential of your Instant Pot. If you don’t own one yet, check out our guide on which Instant Pot to buy and learn how to make the most of this incredible appliance.
How to Prepare Sweet Potatoes
Start by washing and peeling the sweet potatoes. Although the skins are edible and contain valuable nutrients, it’s a matter of personal preference whether to keep them on. Next, use a sharp knife and cutting board to dice the sweet potatoes into large, uniformly sized cubes. This step is crucial to ensure even cooking in the Instant Pot. Aim for cubes that are approximately 1 inch in size for optimal results.
How to Make Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes Cubed
- Peel and cube the sweet potatoes into 1-inch pieces. Remember, larger cubes will require longer cooking times.
- Check the size of your cubes to ensure they will cook within the allotted time. For instance, 1/2-inch cubes will cook in half the time, while 1.5-inch cubes will take twice as long.
- Pour the water into the inner pot of your Instant Pot.
- Place the cubed sweet potatoes in a steamer basket and set it into the Instant Pot. If your steamer basket doesn’t have legs, use a trivet to keep the potatoes above the water level.
- Lock the lid and set the valve to sealing (if necessary on your model).
- Press the Manual or Pressure Cook button and set the time to 3 minutes on high pressure. It will take approximately 5-8 minutes for the pressure to build up.
- Once the cook time is up, manually release the pressure. Be careful not to let the potatoes sit for too long, as they may overcook.
- Open the lid and carefully remove the steamer basket to allow the potatoes to cool.
Serving Suggestions
These cubed sweet potatoes are incredibly versatile and can be used in various ways. Serve them as-is, or incorporate them into mashed potatoes, salads, or soups. They pair exceptionally well with chicken or pork chops. Add some seasoning to the potatoes and meat, and you have a simple yet delicious dinner ready in no time.
Substitutions & Variations
- Seasonings: Experiment with different spices like garlic salt, Cajun seasoning, or Montreal seasoning.
- International Twist: Give these sweet potato cubes an international twist by sprinkling them with curry powder or our homemade taco seasoning.
- Sweet Treat: Transform the sweet potato cubes into a delightful dessert by tossing them in brown sugar or maple syrup, or sprinkling them with cinnamon sugar or nutmeg.
Storing and Reheating
These cubed sweet potatoes are perfect for meal prepping. Store cooked sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For freezing, seal the sweet potatoes in an airtight Ziplock bag, ensuring all the air is pressed out. They will keep well in the freezer for up to 2 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw the sweet potatoes in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. Once thawed, they can be reheated quickly and easily in the microwave.
Tips for Success
- Use a sharp knife to cube the sweet potatoes, as they can be challenging to cut.
- Serve the sweet potatoes fresh to prevent discoloration and mushiness.
- Adjust the cooking time to achieve your desired level of softness. 3 minutes will yield a soft potato with a bit of bite, while 5 minutes will result in a squishier texture.
- You can scale the recipe to accommodate more or fewer potatoes, maintaining the same cooking time and water amount.
Have Any Questions?
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