Sure, buying pre-cut sweet potatoes can be a time saver. But you can buy whole sweet potatoes (usually for less money) and prepare them ahead of time.
If youre peeling and cubing sweet potatoes in preparation for a larger meal or dish, its important to soak them in water in the refrigerator to prevent them from drying out and keep them ready to use.
Wondering how far in advance you can peel sweet potatoes? You can peel and cut sweet potatoes and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours in advance for easier meal prep, according to the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University. To do this, place the raw, cut sweet potatoes in a bowl of water — covered — in the fridge to keep them fresh.
Cutting sweet potatoes in advance is a great way to meal-prep your way to an easier weeknight dinner, but raw sweet potatoes dry out pretty quickly after they’re cut. When chopping sweet potatoes in advance, make sure to store them in cold water in the refrigerator.
Peel the Sweet Potatoes
Grab one potato and a peeler, pushing firmly with the blade along the exterior of the potato until you have removed the outer layer of the skin. Continue to peel the potato with a peeler until there is no skin left.
You can also use a small knife to peel the potato if you dont have a peeler.
If youre boiling a whole sweet potato, you can choose to peel it either before or after it hits the water (or not at all!). Peeled sweet potatoes will cook faster, but the skin will be easier to remove (youll likely be able to strip it off with your fingers) once the potato is cooked, per the U.S. Sweet Potato Council.
Of course, if you choose to remove the skin of the potato after it boils, make sure the veggie is cool enough to touch before you do.
Cut Sweet Potatoes Into Cubes
Once you have peeled your potatoes, you can cube them using a sharp knife. Place the sweet potato on the cutting board, holding one side of the potato with your free hand to keep the potato stable.
The Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts recommends squaring off the ends and four sides of the potato to make it rectangular — an easier shape to cut. Make several parallel cuts along the potato, cutting the potato lengthwise.
Turn the potato one-quarter turn and make another series of lengthwise cuts. Hold these pieces together with your free hand while you slice perpendicular to the first two series of cuts. Cutting in these two directions will get you sweet potato cubes.
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FAQ
Can I prep sweet potatoes ahead of time?
Why do you need to soak sweet potatoes before cooking?
Can you pre cut sweet potatoes or will they turn brown?
Do you peel sweet potatoes before cooking?
Cleaning and preparing: Before cooking, rinse sweet potatoes with cool, running water to remove any dirt from the skin and scrub with a vegetable brush if needed. It is not necessary to peel sweet potatoes before cooking them; leaving the skins on gives you a different texture and more fiber in meals, side dishes, and snacks.
How do you cook sweet potatoes?
The best way to cook sweet potatoes is: first preheat the oven. Then, on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil, prick sweet potatoes all over with a fork. Rub the outsides with a small amount of olive oil if you intend to eat the skins. Bake until tender, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool, then split the tops open with a knife and top with a pat of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper before serving.
How do you keep sweet potatoes fresh after cooking?
Transfer to an ice bath: While the sweet potatoes cook, fill a bowl with ice water. Use a spider or strainer to transfer the cooked potatoes to the ice water. Cool the sweet potatoes: Let them rest in the ice water until completely cool to the touch. Use them right away or store them in an airtight container for up to five days.
How do you cook sweet potato cubes?
The key to perfect cubes or slices of sweet potato is to cut the potatoes before cooking, and then cook them at a high, dry heat. This can be done through oven-roasting or air frying. This works whether you want cubes, wedges, or sliced rounds, and whether you’d prefer to peel them or to leave the skin on. Ready to give it a shot?