Purple Sweet Potatoes in the Instant Pot: Quick and Delicious

Using an instant pot to cook purple sweet potatoes allows you to preserve their delicate texture while getting them on the table quickly, making it an ideal choice for both lazy cooks and health enthusiasts.

How to Choose Purple Sweet Potatoes?

Choosing high-quality purple sweet potatoes is quite simple. Keep these tips in mind, and you'll pick ones that are both delicious and nutritious:

Smooth Skin: Look for sweet potatoes with smooth skin, free from cracks or insect damage. Those with intact skin are easier to store and taste great when steamed.

Weight: Choose ones that feel heavy for their size, indicating they are moist and tender. Avoid ones that feel light, as they might be hollow or dry inside.

Even Color: The deeper the purple, the better! Richly colored skin and flesh are signs of high anthocyanin content, which means better nutrition.

Size: Medium-sized sweet potatoes are ideal. Larger ones might cook unevenly, with the exterior overdone and the interior undercooked, while smaller ones tend to be less juicy.

Smell: Fresh purple sweet potatoes have a natural earthy aroma. Avoid those with sour or moldy smells, as they may have spoiled.

Ingredients and Substitutes

Main Ingredient:

Purple Sweet Potatoes: Rich in dietary fiber and natural sweetness, they are the star of this simple steamed dish.

Substitute:

Purple Sweet Potatoes can be replaced with regular sweet potatoes for a slightly sweeter taste.

Cooking Times for Different Sizes of Purple Sweet Potatoes：

Small Purple Sweet Potatoes (Diameter ~3-5 cm):

Steaming time: 15-20 minutes.

Their smaller size allows heat to penetrate quickly. Around 15 minutes is usually enough, but extend by a few minutes for a softer texture.

Medium Purple Sweet Potatoes (Diameter ~5-7 cm):

Steaming time: 20-30 minutes.

These are the most common size and require a bit more time. Test for doneness with chopsticks halfway through.

Large Purple Sweet Potatoes (Diameter ~7 cm or more):

Steaming time: 30-40 minutes.

Larger potatoes take longer to cook. To save time, cut them into halves or thick slices before steaming for faster and even cooking.

Multiple Purple Sweet Potatoes:

Steaming time: Add 5-10 minutes to the standard time.

Steaming several sweet potatoes at once may require extra time to ensure even heat distribution. Avoid over-steaming to prevent drying out.

Success Tips

Here are some useful and simple tips for making this recipe:

Thoroughly Wash the Purple Sweet Potatoes

The skin of purple sweet potatoes can hide dirt, so it's important to scrub them clean with a small brush, especially in the grooves. This ensures you can safely eat the skin after steaming.

Steam with Indirect Heat for a Smoother Texture

Steaming with indirect heat helps retain moisture, preventing the flesh from drying out. Make sure there’s enough water in the steamer to avoid drying out halfway through.

Control Heat and Timing

Medium-low heat is the best choice. High heat can cause the exterior to cook faster than the interior. Adjust the steaming time based on the size of the purple sweet potatoes. They’re ready when a chopstick easily goes through.

Let Cool Slightly After Steaming

Let the steamed purple sweet potatoes cool for a few minutes before eating. Cooling enhances their sweetness and improves the texture, plus it prevents burns.

Use the Cutting Method for Large Potatoes

If the purple sweet potatoes are large, it’s helpful to cut them into chunks before steaming. This allows for more even heat distribution and saves time.