• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Veggie Primer
  • Home
  • About
    • Why I'm An Unlikely Food Blogger
    • Why I Follow A Plant-Based (Vegan) Diet
  • All-Recipes
    • Meal Plans
    • Breakfast
    • Drinks & Smoothies
    • Salads
    • Soups & Stews
    • Sushi & Spring Rolls
    • Burgers, Sandwiches & Wraps
    • Pizza
    • Pasta
    • Grains
    • Casseroles & Pies
    • Sides
    • Dressings, Sauces & Spreads
    • Snacks & Desserts
    • Test Kitchen
  • All-Tips
    • Food Allergies
    • Healthy Living
    • Tools
  • Resources
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Tips
  • Resources
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Tips
    • Resources
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » All-Tips » Healthy Living

    Sweet Potatoes vs. Yams

    Published: Mar 16, 2015 · Modified: Jan 2, 2022 by Margaret · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 3 Comments

    Sweet Potatoes

    I always thought the only distinction between sweet potatoes and yams was the color of their flesh. I believed sweet potatoes were yellow and yams were orange. The names tend to be used interchangeably and I prided myself on knowing the difference. Well, when I began my research for this article I learned I was mistaken. Botanically speaking, sweet potatoes and yams are unrelated and the root vegetables we call yams in the United States are usually a soft variety of sweet potato.

    Yams

    True yams are native to Africa and Asia. They are considerably starchier and drier than sweet potatoes and are typically only available in the U.S. at international markets.

    Sweet Potatoes

    There are over 400 varieties of sweet potatoes. Their skin color ranges from white to yellow, red, purple or brown. Their flesh color ranges from white to yellow, orange, or orange-red. The varieties fall within two categories:

    • Firm sweet potatoes remain firm when cooked.
    • Soft sweet potatoes become soft and moist when cooked.

    Firm sweet potatoes were produced in the U.S. before soft varieties. When soft sweet potatoes were introduced, African slaves called them “yams” because they resembled the yams in Africa. The name was adopted commercially as a way to distinguish between firm and soft varieties.

    Common Sweet Potato Varieties

    • Garnet Yam – soft orange flesh with high moisture content is perfect for recipes that call for mashed or grated sweet potatoes.
    • White Sweet Potato – very firm white or cream-colored flesh is ideal for baking or steaming.
    • Oriental Sweet – firm white flesh is great for grilling or roasting.

    Health Benefits

    Sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamins A, C and B-6, beta-carotene, potassium, manganese and fiber. As such, they are associated with a decreased risk of:

    • Obesity
    • Diabetes
    • Heart disease
    • Cancer
    • Inflammation

    They are also believed to promote:

    • A healthy complexion
    • Lower blood pressure
    • Good digestion and regularity
    • Fertility
    • Immunity
    • Good vision

    Storing

    Store uncooked sweet potatoes for up to two weeks in a cool, dry well ventilated area. Avoid storing uncooked sweet potatoes in the refrigerator.

    Prepping

    When possible, leave skin intact. The sweet potato skin contributes a significant number of nutrients. Scrub potatoes under warm water with a vegetable brush and pat dry with a towel.

    I usually bake my sweet potatoes before I add them to recipes, but some recipes require raw cuts. You may find this video demo helpful: How To Cut Sweet Potatoes. The trick is to have patience and a sharp knife.

    Cooking Options

    Sweet potatoes can be baked, boiled, steamed, grilled, roasted, microwaved or cooked in a slow cooker. I like to keep cooked sweet potatoes in the fridge for quick meals. My favorite cooking methods are baking and slow cooking.

    How To Bake Sweet Potatoes

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
    • Prick the top of each sweet potato several times with a fork.
    • Place potatoes on a baking sheet line with aluminum foil.
    • Bake approximately 1 hour or until potatoes feel soft when squeezed gently with tongs or oven mitt.

    How to Cook Sweet Potatoes in Slow Cooker

    • Wash 4-6 medium sweet potatoes but do not pat dry.
    • Place in slow cooker, cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or until soft when squeezed gently with tongs or oven mitt.

    Favorite Recipes

    • Slow Cooker Lentil Soup with Baked Sweet Potato
    • Warm Teriyaki Quinoa Salad
    • Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Soup
    • Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers

    Sources

    • ncsweetpotatoes.com
    • sweetpotatoes.com
    • loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/sweetpotato
    • medicalnewstoday.com/articles
    « Blueberry Snack Cake - Vegan and Gluten-Free
    Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Soup »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Crista

      June 23, 2015 at 10:15 pm

      great info here! i never really knew the difference between the 2....

      Reply
      • Margaret

        June 24, 2015 at 11:02 am

        Glad you found the information helpful Crista. As I think I mentioned, I always thought the firmer, lighter colored potatoes were true sweet potatoes and the softer, darker variety were yams. Imagine my surprise when I learned they were all sweet potatoes!

        Reply
    2. Kathleen Jain

      November 18, 2020 at 12:39 pm

      Very interesting! Thank you so much. Mystery solved.

      Reply

    I welcome questions and comments! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Margaret Helthaler headshot

    Hi! I'm Margaret. I created Veggie Primer to share what I've learned since adopting a plant-based lifestyle in 2011.

    Learn more →

    Subscribe to my monthly newsletter and receive a free ebook.

    Latest Recipe

    • Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    👩🏻‍🍳 Sign up! for my monthly newsletter to receive tips and updates

    Note: The information I publish on Veggie Primer is based on my experience and represents my personal opinion. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of the information I share.

    Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Veggie Primer