How To Freeze Sweet Potatoes: The Best Methods! Cubed, Diced or Mashed!
Can you freeze Sweet Potatoes? The answer is Yes, you certainly can. Sweet potatoes, also referred to as Kumara are a delicious vegetable which can be used in a variety of ways.
Sweet Potato is a healthy vegetable, rich in beta carotene (which converts to Vitamin A during digestion). High in manganese and potassium a 100g serving of baked sweet potato contains only 104 calories! This makes it a great vegetable for people looking to lose or maintain their weight, as well as providing wonderful nutrients and goodness for the body.
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Can I Freeze Sweet Potatoes?
It is very easy (and recommended) to freeze sweet potatoes, especially whilst they are in season as this will ensure you have a good supply of sweet potatoes to enjoy all year round.
Sweet Potato is a tasty and delicious vegetable that freezes well when slightly cooked or blanched. This means that you can freeze those lovely sweet potatoes from your garden or those which you have left over from the growing season to enjoy as a great tasting vegetable throughout winter.
Freezing is a wonderful way of preserving vegetables for future use and no one knows this better than myself as Sweet potato happens to be my number one favorite food!
What Is The Best Way To Freeze Sweet Potatoes?
There are a number of simple steps that will help you to freeze sweet potatoes correctly. These tips will help you freeze your vegetables safely and retain their flavor and texture without compromising the quality.
The first thing you need to do is to blanch them before freezing. You can freeze sweet potatoes in its normal cubed form or mashed, as part of a casserole, fries or even as chips.
In this article, we will talk about the three best methods for freezing sweet potato, which are:
- Frozen sweet potato cubes.
- Freezing mashed sweet potatoes.
- Freezing sweet potato fries.
Method 1: How To Freeze Sweet Potatoes Cubed or Diced?
To freeze cubed kumara, firstly wash the pieces thoroughly under cold running water. Then remove any bumps or bruises on them.
Prepare a large bowl of ice-cold water and keep it ready.
Bring enough water to cover the sweet potatoes in a saucepan. Then, add half teaspoon salt into that water. Also, squeeze one lemon’s juice into the water before adding cubed kumara to it so as to keep them from darkening during the blanching process.
Next, put the cubes in the boiling salted water for about 5 minutes or until they turn slightly translucent or fork-tender. Quickly remove them from the hot liquid and drain thoroughly.
Now freeze the sweet potato cubes in suitable freezer bags or freezer containers. Layer with paper towels to absorb any moisture from the kumara cubes and then seal tightly. You can freeze sweet potatoes for months in the freezer.
Method 2: How To Freeze Mashed Sweet Potatoes?
To freeze mashed sweet potato, firstly wash and peel the skin off and then cut it into small pieces.
Then, bring enough water to cover the potatoes in a saucepan along with half a teaspoon salt. Add your kumara to boiling salted water and cook until fork-tender or for 5 minutes on medium heat.
Drain thoroughly once done and let it cool down completely before freezing in suitable freezer bags or containers Frozen sweet potato mash can last for up to 6 months in the freezer and is a great option when you’re busy and wanting to defrost some mash to go with dinner!
Method 3: How To Freeze Sweet Potato Fries
To freeze sweet potato fries, firstly peel the skin off and then cut into desired size or shape of fries. Here is my favourite potato peeler on Amazon. It’s the Oxo good grip which is easy to handle and use. However if you struggle with peeling, why not try my grandma’s favourite peeler! It’s an electric potato peeler!
Next, bring enough water to cover the potatoes in a saucepan along with half a teaspoon salt. Put your chips in boiling salted water until fork-tender. Drain thoroughly once done and seal tightly into a freezer bag or air tight container.
In this manner, you can freeze sweet potatoes for months in the freezer. So next time when you see a great deal on fresh sweet potatoes at your local market or grocery store, don’t hesitate to stock it up to make this healthy superfood easily accessible to your family all year round!
Should You Freeze Sweet Potato Quickly?
To freeze sweet potatoes, the process needs take place quickly. When you freeze something fast, it preserves more of its great taste and nutrients than if you were to freeze slowly over time. The key is that your frozen vegetable should be made with as little exposure to air or water as possible.
How To Avoid Freezer Burn?
When you freeze a food, it’s very important that you freeze it in a way that will keep the food from drying out. If freezer burn is occurring, your frozen veggie will be dry and tasteless – not tasty at all!
To avoid freezer burn, make sure to place your sweet potato into a plastic bag or container with as little air as possible before placing it in the freezer. Also, freeze the pieces quickly. If juices are forming on your sweet potato because of being exposed to air too long during the freezing process, just drain them before storing in the freezer.
Fantastic Sweet Potato Recipes
Now that you know how to freeze kumara, why not enjoy a few of my favorite sweet potato recipes once your sweet potatoes have defrosted.
Sweet Potato Cottage Pie – Family Meal
Sweet Potato Roasted Potatoes – Perfect with Pot Roast
Sweet Potato Casserole – Thanksgiving Sidesdish
Sweet Potato Pie – Dessert With Marshmallow Meringue
Sweet Potato Fries with Tuna Burgers
Top Tips For Reheating Sweet Potatoe Cubes
When reheating sweet potatoes there are a few important things to remember.
- Defrost your sweet potato naturally before reheating!
- The best way to reheat sweet potato is slowly in an oven around 150 degrees Celsius (300 Fahrenheit).
- You can also microwave at a medium heat until fully reheated throughout, this takes about 10 minutes on average.
- To microwave your sweet potatoes remove all wrapping and cover with a damp cloth or paper towel, then cook on medium or until soft, turning twice during cooking time.
- When reheating, you should also remember not to overcook your sweet potato.
- Alternatively bring a pot of water to the boil and add your sweet potatoes for 10 minutes or until soft again.
Reheating Mashed Kumara After Frozen
If you’ve frozen mash in an air tight container you can boil the mash the frozen sweet potato mixture. Be sure to add a little more butter, salt and pepper to taste along with half a cup of milk.
Mashed Kumara makes a great side dish or shepherds pie topper!
Reheating Frozen Sweet Potato Fries
Thaw out your sweet potato fries before sprinkling some light seasoning over them and roast under the broiler (grill) until they are crispy again.
Thank You For Reading How To Freeze Sweet Potatoes
You can freeze sweet potatoes for months in the freezer. So next time when you see a great deal on fresh sweet potatoes at your local market or grocery store, don’t hesitate to stock it up as the healthy superfood is easily accessible all year round!
For more Sweet Potato Inspiration check out this list of 20 simple sweet potato recipes.
You may also enjoy the following: how to freeze cucumbers, how to freeze cabbage, how to freeze cauliflower, how to freeze brussels sprouts, how to freeze green beans and what is a good way to freeze fruits & vegetables .
About Angela Milnes
Angela Milnes is a Qualified Early Years Teacher who has specialised in teaching. She has a wealth of experience teaching young children and adults. Angela has also taught cooking classes and loves to share both family recipes and easy instant pot recipes here on The Instant Pot Table. Follow her on Pinterest!
