How to Cook Yams
Regardless of what you call them, yams (or sweet potatoes) are delicious in both savory and sweet dishes. For side dishes, they’re often boiled or baked (peeled or unpeeled). They can be added to soups, stews, and braises. Sometimes boiled yams are mashed to serve as a side dish, or for use as an ingredient in quick breads and pies. Read on for instructions on how to cook yams in a variety of ways, so you can enjoy them in your favorite recipes.
How to Boil Yams
The most common stove-top way to cook yams is to boil them. You can follow our basic directions for how to boil sweet potatoes for making perfect mashed dishes. After draining, you’re ready to use your boiled yams in any recipe that calls for them mashed. Start by picking the right mashing tool for the job. A potato masher, or an electric mixer used at low speed, will produce fluffy, smooth mashed yams. Measure the amount you need for the recipe. Note that one medium yam (8 oz.) yields about 1 ⅓ cups of peeled, cooked mashed yams. Test Kitchen Tip: In a pinch, you can use canned sweet potatoes for recipes that call for boiled and mashed yams or sweet potatoes. Simply drain and mash with a potato masher or electric mixer. Measure the amount needed for your recipe.
How to Bake Yams
Learning how to cook yams in the oven means you can make a simple and nutritious side dish for meat loaf, steaks, grilled chicken, fish, and more. Here’s how to make baked yams whole:
How to Cook Yams in the Microwave
If you can’t wait an hour to eat, try making yams in minutes with this super-quick microwave method. Here’s how to get your yams on the table (or recipe-ready) in minutes.
To microwave whole yams: Prick scrubbed yams all over with a fork. Microwave on high eight to 10 minutes, or until tender, turning them once.To microwave sliced yams: Wash, peel, and cut off the woody portions and ends, then cut into quarters. Place the yams and a ½-cup of water in a microwave-safe casserole dish. Microwave, covered, at 100% power (high) 10 minutes, or until tender, stirring once.
Test Kitchen Tip: One pound of yams equals about two medium yams, or 2 ¾ cups of cubed yams.
How to Make Yam or Sweet Potato Fries
For a colorful and nutritious alternative to regular french fries, you can easily make yam fries in your oven. Here are tips for how to make fries that will rival your favorite diner’s recipe. See our baked sweet potato fries recipe for the full instructions.
Sweet Potato and Yam Desserts
Yams and sweet potatoes also work well in sweet dishes. They’re great in a classic sweet potato pie, but have you tried sweet potato brownies or cupcakes? If you want something less conventional, try cooking the bright-colored ube. It’s a type of purple sweet potato popular in the Philippines that can be turned into gorgeous (and delicious) purple yam desserts.
Tips for Buying and Storing Yams
Yams are available year-round, but their peak season is winter, which means they’re the perfect addition to all those slow cooker dishes that provide such comforting meals in cold months. When you’re purchasing, look for small to medium yams that are smooth, firm, and free of soft spots. Store them whole and unpeeled in a cool, dry place for up to one week. Do not refrigerate yams, because they’ll dry out. In the mood for baked yams yet? For more inspiration, try the BHG favorite Florence Mama’s candied yams. Bake a batch of yam and jam muffins for breakfast, or go for one of these delicious sweet potato casseroles to go with your holiday feast.
