Seido 101: How to Peel and Cut Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a delicious, versatile superfood full of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, minerals and beta-carotene. Knowing how to cut sweet potatoes lets you take advantage of recipes from casseroles to fries. Once you know how to peel and cut them, you can handle sweet potatoes like the pros.

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Tools You'll Need

The first thing you need to know about peeling and cutting sweet potatoes is to make sure you have the right tools.

Chef/Santoku Knife

A high-quality Epokishi AUS-10 Santoku or chef's knife with a sharp blade makes peeling sweet potatoes easy. You can cut through the firm flesh and tough skins of your sweet potatoes with precision and control.

Cutting Board

It's best to learn how to slice a sweet potato on a sturdy Acacia End Grain Cutting Board. It protects your countertop and provides a stable surface to cut your sweet potatoes.

Vegetable Peeler

Knowing how to dice sweet potatoes is important, but you should peel them first. A vegetable peeler is an efficient tool for removing skin with easy gliding and minimal resistance.

Paring Knife (Optional)

A paring knife is a good complement to your Takoizu Gyuto Chef Knife because you can use it to remove imperfections or tough spots after peeling. It's also useful for detailed, smaller cuts.

Preparing Your Sweet Potatoes

Once you get the necessary tools, the steps for peeling and cutting sweet potatoes are easy and efficient.

Step 1: Wash Thoroughly

Scrub your sweet potatoes well under running water. A vegetable brush can help you remove the residue and dirt that lingers on the skin.

Step 2: Peeling Sweet Potatoes

Remove the skin with a vegetable peeler by holding the sweet potato in one hand firmly and peeling from the top down. Long, even strokes are possible when you rotate the sweet potato during each peel. Remember to remove blemishes and rough spots that might impact the final texture of your recipe.

Step 3: Cutting Sweet Potatoes

The method for cutting sweet potatoes after peeling varies by recipe because you might need cubes, slices or batons.

Cubes

Knowing how to cube sweet potatoes is great for roasting or adding them to soups and stews. Start by cutting your sweet potato in half lengthwise, then put the flat side down before slicing long, even strips. Turn the strips to make crosscuts that form uniform cubes.

Slices

Cut slices to make baked chips or casserole layers. Cut your lengthwise sweet potato into 1/4-in.-thick slices. If you want thinner slicers, a mandolin slicer can help.

Batons (Wedges)

Sweet potato wedges are great for roasting or fries. Cut your sweet potato into two lengthwise halves before slicing again to make quarters. You can cut the quarters into narrower strips if you want smaller batons.

Recipe Options

Once you peel and cut sweet potatoes, you can explore many different recipes.

Sweet Potato Fries

Toss batons with salt, pepper, olive oil and spices like garlic powder or paprika. Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for half an hour, flipping halfway through to achieve even browning.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

This creamy, comforting side dish involves boiling cubes until they're tender. Then, mash them with cream, butter and a pinch of salt. Maple syrup, nutmeg and cinnamon are all optional additional flavors.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Roasted sweet potatoes make an excellent side dish! Toss cubes with herbs, seasonings, and olive oil before oven-roasting for half an hour at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Stir occasionally to ensure even roasting.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Layer slices in your baking dish, then cover them with cinnamon, butter and brown sugar. Top with a pecan crumble or marshmallows before baking to a golden brown.

Now You're Ready to Cut and Peel Like a Pro

The easiest way to master how to peel sweet potatoes is through practice. For a broader understanding of knife skills, check out our post, Classic Knife Skills You Need in the Kitchen. Cut and prepare this food and many others confidently when you stock your kitchen with the best Seido Knives!

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