Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions about thickening watery sweet potatoes:
Why are my sweet potatoes watery?
Sweet potatoes can turn out watery for a few reasons:
- Overcooking – Cooking sweet potatoes too long causes them to break down and become mushy.
- Too much liquid – Boiling or steaming sweet potatoes in too much water dilutes their flavor.
- Old or improperly stored potatoes – Older sweet potatoes or ones stored in humid conditions can become soft and watery.
What are the best methods to thicken sweet potatoes?
Some good techniques for thickening watery sweet potatoes include:
- Drain and return to pan – Boil until tender, drain, then return to pan to dry out.
- Bake or roast – Baking or roasting evaporates moisture and concentrates flavor.
- Mash – Mashing incorporates air to thicken texture.
- Add starch – Mixing in cornstarch, flour, or instant mashed potato flakes can absorb water.
How long does it take to thicken sweet potatoes?
It usually takes 15-30 minutes to effectively thicken sweet potatoes using most methods. Draining and returning sweet potatoes to the pan or baking them may take a little longer. Factors like the amount of moisture and size of sweet potato pieces impact cooking time.
What Causes Sweet Potatoes to be Watery?
There are a few common culprits that can result in mushy, watery sweet potato texture:
Overcooking
One of the most common reasons for watery sweet potatoes is simply cooking them for too long. Sweet potatoes only need to be cooked until tender and easily pierced with a fork.
Cooking sweet potato slices, cubes, or mash for longer than necessary causes them to break down too much, losing structure and absorbing excess moisture. The window between perfectly tender and overcooked mushy is small with sweet potatoes.
Using Too Much Liquid
Another reason sweet potatoes can end up waterlogged is if they are boiled, steamed, or simmered in too much water or other liquid. This dilutes their flavor and causes them to absorb extra moisture from the surrounding liquid.
Using a minimal amount of water when boiling or steaming sweet potatoes helps avoid this. You only need enough liquid to partially submerge the sweet potatoes until they become fork tender.
Old or Improperly Stored Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes that are older or have been stored improperly can also turn watery when cooked. Over time, sweet potatoes start to break down and lose their firm texture.
Leaving sweet potatoes in humid environments causes them to absorb excess moisture. Colder temperatures can also damage potatoes, turning them soft and mushy.
For best results, store sweet potatoes in a cool, dark place with ventilation. They will keep for 1-2 weeks if properly stored when fresh.
How to Thicken Cooked Sweet Potatoes
If your sweet potatoes have already turned out runnier than desired, there are several methods you can use to draw out excess moisture and improve their texture:
Drain and Return to Pan
This technique involves boiling or steaming sweet potato pieces until just tender. Drain the sweet potatoes well in a colander, then return them to the hot pan off the heat. Let them sit for 5-10 minutes, stirring periodically, to evaporate moisture.
Bake or Roast
Baking whole sweet potatoes or roasting cubed sweet potatoes in the oven helps drive off excess water, concentrating their flavor. Bake at 400°F or roast at 425°F until browned and caramelized.
Mash Sweet Potatoes
Mashing incorporates air into sweet potatoes, lightening their texture. After draining boiled or steamed sweet potatoes, mash them with butter, spices, or other ingredients until smooth and creamy.
Add Starch
Stirring a dry starch like cornstarch, flour, or instant mashed potato flakes into cooked sweet potatoes helps absorb excess moisture. Use 1-2 tablespoons starch per 3-4 cups of sweet potatoes.
Mix in Potato Flakes
Instant mashed potato flakes are very effective at soaking up water from sweet potatoes. Mix in a couple tablespoons per cup of sweet potatoes.
Blend in Cooked Rice
Blending in some cooked white or brown rice can also help absorb excess liquid from sweet potatoes.
Tips for Preventing Watery Sweet Potatoes
Using the right techniques when preparing sweet potatoes can prevent them from turning out overly mushy and wet in the first place:
Don’t Overcook
Avoid overcooking sweet potatoes. Check them frequently and remove them from heat as soon as they are fork tender. Err on the side of slightly underdone.
Use Minimal Liquid
When boiling or steaming sweet potatoes, use just enough water to partially cover them until tender. Avoid completely submerging them.
Cook Whole When Possible
Cook whole, unpeeled sweet potatoes whenever feasible. Keeping the skin on helps hold moisture in.
Use Fresh, Properly Stored Potatoes
Pick fresh, firm sweet potatoes without soft spots. Store them in a cool, dark place and use within 1-2 weeks.
Pat Dry Before Seasoning
Drain cooked sweet potatoes well and pat dry with paper towels before mashing or mixing in other ingredients.
Add Binders When Mashing
When making mashed sweet potatoes, mix in butter, cream, cheese, or sour cream to thicken the texture.
What to Do With Leftover Sweet Potatoes
Have leftover baked, mashed, or pureed sweet potatoes? Here are some delicious ways to use them up:
Sweet Potato Toast
Top slices of toasted bread with mashed sweet potatoes, goat cheese, and sliced avocado for a savory breakfast toast.
Sweet Potato Pancakes
Combine mashed sweet potatoes with eggs, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and vanilla to make fluffy pancakes.
Sweet Potato Gratin
Layer sliced sweet potatoes with cream, cheese, herbs, and breadcrumbs and bake until bubbly for a decadent gratin.
Sweet Potato Soup
Puree leftover baked sweet potatoes with chicken or vegetable broth, onions, garlic, and spices for a creamy soup.
Sweet Potato Fries
Toss sweet potato wedges with oil, salt, and spices and bake at 425°F until crisped for easy oven fries.
Sweet Potato Burritos
Warm corn or flour tortillas, stuff with spicy sweet potato puree, black beans, avocado, and cheese for a vegetarian burrito.
Sweet Potato Salad
Chop cooked, peeled sweet potatoes and toss with vinaigrette, arugula, walnuts, and feta cheese for a room temperature salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my baked sweet potatoes turn watery?
Overbaking is the most common cause of watery baked sweet potatoes. Cooking them for too long causes excess moisture loss. Pulling them from the oven 5-10 minutes earlier helps avoid this.
Can I freeze mashed sweet potatoes to use later?
Yes, mashed sweet potatoes freeze well for future use. Cool them completely before freezing in an airtight container for 3-4 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
What’s the best way to reheat sweet potatoes?
To reheat baked, mashed, or pureed sweet potatoes, place them a microwave-safe dish with a splash of milk or water. Cover and microwave in 30 second increments until hot, stirring between intervals.
Why do my sweet potatoes boil over when cooking?
Sweet potatoes can foam and boil over if too much starch leaches out into the cooking water. Letting them sit in salted water for 30 minutes before boiling helps prevent this.
Can I use a slow cooker to make sweet potatoes?
Yes, a slow cooker is great for easily cooking sweet potatoes without the risk of overcooking. Place whole, washed sweet potatoes in the slow cooker and cook on low for 7-9 hours until fork tender.
Tips for Using Leftover Sweet Potatoes
Don’t let leftover cooked sweet potatoes go to waste! Here are some tasty ways to repurpose them:
Breakfast Ideas
- Make sweet potato hash by dicing and pan frying with onions, garlic, peppers, and spices
- Blend into a smooth sweet potato breakfast bowl with oats, yogurt, fruit, nuts, and seeds
- Stir into oatmeal or grits to add natural sweetness
- Make sweet potato toast by mashing on bread and topping with egg, avocado, or ricotta
Savory Dishes
- Stuff into tacos, burritos, enchiladas, or quesadillas
- Top flatbreads or pizza crust with mashed sweet potatoes, cheese, and veggies
- Blend into soup recipes like tomato, curry, or broccoli cheddar for extra nutrition
- Mix into mashed potato recipes for added color and nutrients
Sweet Treats
- Blend into smoothies, milkshakes, or nice cream
- Bake into breads, muffins, or brownies
- Swirl into cheesecake, pumpkin pie, or custards
- Use as the base of vegan ice cream
Conclusion
Watery sweet potatoes can be disappointing, but there are many effective methods to improve their texture. A little extra cooking after boiling, strategic draining and patting, or adding binders like starch, potato flakes, or rice can all help absorb excess moisture.
Preventing watery sweet potatoes in the first place comes down to not overcooking, using minimal liquid, and starting with fresh potatoes. With the right techniques, you can enjoy tender, flavorful sweet potatoes every time.
Don’t throw out leftover sweet potatoes! They can be repurposed into tons of delicious breakfasts, savory dishes, and sweet treats. With a few simple preparation tips, you can rescue a runny batch of sweet potatoes or avoid a watery texture from the start.
