Canned sweet potatoes offer year-round convenience when you want the flavor and nutrients of this hearty root vegetable on your plate fast. But are they ready to enjoy straight from the can? Or do they benefit from further cooking? Here’s what you need to know.
1. Are Canned Sweet Potatoes Ready to Eat?
Canned sweet potatoes are fully cooked and tender during the canning process, so technically they can be eaten straight from the can without additional preparation. They’ll be noticeably softer than fresh sweet potatoes.
However, while edible as is, canned sweet potatoes really shine when you take them from bland and mushy to caramelized and flavorful with quick stove top sautéing, oven roasting or microwave steaming before enjoying. The additional cooking brings out their natural sweetness and enhances their texture considerably.
2. How To Cook Canned Sweet Potatoes on Stove
Ingredients
- 1-2 tablespoons butter
- 2 (15 oz) cans sweet potatoes, drained and patted dry
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Pinch of ginger (ground or powder)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the drained canned sweet potatoes in an even layer. Let cook untouched for 2 minutes so the bottoms can get crispy and caramelized.
Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the sweet potatoes followed by the spices. Sauté for 5-6 minutes, gently stirring occasionally until the sweet potatoes are glazed, hot and slightly crisped on the outside but still smooth and tender inside.
Season to taste with salt and pepper then serve warm.
2. How To Cook Canned Sweet Potatoes in Oven
Ingredients
- 2 (15 oz) cans sweet potatoes, drained, rinsed and patted very dry
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Pinch of ground ginger
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
In a large bowl, stir together the butter, brown sugar and spices until combined.
Add the drained sweet potatoes to bowl and gently toss to coat completely in spiced butter mixture.
Spread coated sweet potatoes in a single layer on baking sheet. Roast for 15 minutes, gently flip and roast for 8-10 more minutes until hot and lightly browned.
Season to taste with salt and pepper then serve immediately.
3. How To Cook Canned Sweet Potatoes in Microwave
Ingredients
- 1 (15 oz) can sweet potatoes, drained and placed in a microwavable dish
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of nutmeg
- Dash of vanilla extract
- Chopped pecans (for topping)
Instructions
Add the butter to the drained canned sweet potatoes and microwave for 30 seconds until melted.
Stir in brown sugar and spices until combined. Microwave in 1 minute intervals until heated through, stirring gently halfway, about 3-4 minutes total.
Stir in vanilla, top with pecans and serve.
The microwave is the simplest route for turning bland canned sweet potatoes into a delicious side in just minutes.
Canned sweet potatoes are one of the most convenient canned vegetable options, but they require some additional cooking using quick stovetop, oven or microwave methods to bring out their natural caramelized sweetness and luscious textures before you serve them.
