When cooking with sweet potatoes, it’s helpful to know how much you need for different measurements. If a recipe calls for 1 cup of cubed sweet potatoes, how many whole sweet potatoes do you need to prepare to get that amount? The answer depends on a few factors. In this article, we’ll go over the key considerations for determining how many sweet potatoes equal 1 cup when cubed. We’ll also provide some simple guidelines you can follow. Read on for the details!
Key Factors
There are a couple of key factors that determine how much sweet potato is needed per cup when cubed:
Sweet Potato Size
Sweet potatoes come in different sizes, from small to extra large. The larger the average size of the sweet potatoes, the less you’ll need per cup when cubed. A small sweet potato may yield around 1/2 cup cubed, while an extra large one could give 11⁄2 cups or more.
How the Sweet Potato Is Cut
How uniformly and into what size cubes you cut the sweet potato also impacts the yield per sweet potato. Larger cubes will give you less cup-for-cup than smaller, more precisely diced cubes. So cutting into 1/2-inch cubes will get you more per sweet potato than cutting into 1-inch chunks.
General Yield Guidelines
As a very general guideline, here’s how many medium-sized sweet potatoes you’ll need for 1 cup cubed:
- 2-3 medium sweet potatoes for 1 cup 1/2-inch diced cubes
- 1-2 medium sweet potatoes for 1 cup 1-inch cubed chunks
However, there can be a wide range based on the specific size and cutting method. To get a more precise answer, you’ll need to weigh and measure your sweet potatoes.
Determining Exact Sweet Potato Needs
To get an exact amount of how many sweet potatoes you need for 1 cup cubed, follow these steps:
1. Choose Your Sweet Potatoes
Select the specific sweet potatoes you will be using. Try to pick ones that are similar in size, so they cook evenly. Medium potatoes around 6-8 ounces each are ideal.
2. Weigh the Sweet Potatoes
Weigh your individual sweet potatoes. This will give you an accurate starting point, since sweet potatoes can vary even when they appear similar in size.
3. Cut and Measure a Test Sweet Potato
Take one sweet potato and cut it into cubes to the size called for in your recipe. Then measure the volume – how many cups they yield. This will tell you how much cubed sweet potato one of your potatoes makes.
4. Determine Total Sweet Potatoes Needed
Based on the weight of your individual sweet potatoes and the test yield, calculate how many you need.
For example:
- You have 2 sweet potatoes that each weigh 8 oz (1/2 lb).
- When you cut one up, it yielded 1 1/4 cups of 3/4-inch cubed sweet potato.
- You need 4 cups of cubed sweet potato for your recipe.
- So you’ll need approximately 3-4 sweet potatoes total (4 cups needed divided by 1 1/4 cups per sweet potato).
This gives you a precise number based on measuring your actual ingredients.
Tips for Cubing Sweet Potatoes
Here are some tips to efficiently cut sweet potatoes into uniform cubes:
- Use a large, sharp chef’s knife for safe, easy cutting.
- Trim off ends and peel sweet potatoes before cubing.
- Cut the sweet potato lengthwise into 1-inch thick planks.
- Stack a few planks and cut crosswise into 1-inch strips.
- Line up the strips and cut again to make cubes.
- For smaller cubes, make diagonal cuts through 1-inch cubes.
- Keep cubed sweet potatoes in cold water until cooking to prevent oxidation.
Sample Sweet Potato Yields
To give you a sense of how yield can vary, here are some sample scenarios for how many medium sweet potatoes (about 1 lb each) it takes to equal 1 cup cubed:
| Cutting Method | Cup Yield Per Sweet Potato | Sweet Potatoes Needed for 1 Cup |
|---|---|---|
| 1-inch chunks | Around 1 1⁄4 cups | 1 medium sweet potato |
| 3/4-inch cubes | Around 1 1⁄2 cups | 1 medium sweet potato |
| 1/2-inch diced | Around 2 cups | 1/2 medium sweet potato |
As you can see, the finer the dice, the more cups of sweet potato you’ll get per potato. Keep these sample yields in mind as a point of reference, but assess your specific potatoes and cutting style for the most accurate cubing results.
Cooking Tips
Once you’ve prepped your sweet potatoes into perfect cubes for your recipe, keep these cooking tips in mind:
- Toss cubed sweet potatoes with a little oil to prevent sticking when roasting.
- Roast at 400°F for 25-35 minutes, flipping once, until browned and tender.
- Boil cubed sweet potatoes for less than 10 minutes until just fork tender.
- Saute cubed sweet potatoes over medium-high heat for about 15 minutes until browned.
- Microwave cubed sweet potatoes with a little water for 4-6 minutes until soft.
- Puree roasted cubed sweet potatoes with broth for sweet potato soup.
Cubed sweet potatoes pair well in soups, stews, casseroles, roast dishes, and more. Their sweet flavor and creamy texture when cooked make them a versatile ingredient.
Substitutions
If you don’t have enough sweet potatoes for a recipe, here are some substitution options:
- Pumpkin – Best for baking. Use 2/3 cup pumpkin per 1 cup sweet potatoes.
- Butternut squash – Has a similar texture. Use equal amounts.
- Carrots – Use 1 1/4 cups chopped carrots per 1 cup sweet potatoes.
- Yams – Very close relatives to sweet potatoes. Use 1:1 ratio.
Adjust any added spices or sweeteners in a recipe to account for the different flavors. And keep in mind cooking times may vary based on the substitution used.
Storing Sweet Potatoes
To make your sweet potatoes last:
- Store whole, unwashed sweet potatoes in a cool, dark place. Do not refrigerate.
- They will usually keep 2-3 weeks.
- Once cooked, store cubed sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days.
- You can also freeze cubed sweet potatoes for longer storage. Blanch them first for optimum flavor and texture after thawing.
Proper storage will help your sweet potatoes stay fresh and ready to use.
Nutrition
Sweet potatoes are packed with beneficial vitamins and minerals:
- High in vitamin A – supports immune function and eye health.
- Good source of vitamin C – aids immunity and nutrient absorption.
- Provide vitamin B6, potassium, and manganese.
- Contain antioxidants like beta-carotene and anthocyanins.
Enjoy sweet potatoes as a nutritious part of balanced meals and snacks. Their great taste and versatility make them easy to incorporate into your diet.
Cost Effectiveness
Sweet potatoes are typically an affordable vegetable, especially when purchased in season. The average cost is around:
- $1-$2 per pound for conventional sweet potatoes
- $2-$3 per pound for organic
A pound of sweet potatoes yields around 3-4 cups cubed. So you can get 3-4 servings of cubed sweet potato for $1-$3 – a cost-effective nutrition boost!
Buying in bulk when they are on sale and freezing extras can help you save even more. Sweet potatoes are very budget-friendly for the amount of nutrition they deliver.
Recipes with Cubed Sweet Potatoes
Here are some top-rated recipes that showcase cubed sweet potatoes:
Roasted Sweet Potato Soup
Uses:
- 2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
Method:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Toss sweet potatoes, onion, garlic, and 2 Tbs olive oil on a baking sheet.
- Roast 25-30 minutes until tender, stirring once.
- Puree roasted vegetable mixture with broth until smooth.
- Season with salt, pepper, and any desired herbs.
Sweet Potato Hash
Uses:
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 2 cups)
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 Tbs olive oil
- 1/2 tsp each salt, pepper, paprika
Method:
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add sweet potatoes, bell pepper, and onion. Cook 10 minutes.
- Season with salt, pepper, paprika. Cook 5 more minutes until browned and tender.
Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie
Uses:
- 2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 lb ground beef or lamb, browned
- 1 cup vegetable or beef broth
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp fresh thyme
Method:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Boil sweet potato cubes 5 minutes until almost tender.
- Drain and mash sweet potatoes with milk, salt, and pepper.
- Combine ground meat, broth, peas, garlic and thyme. Put in casserole dish.
- Top meat mixture with sweet potato mash.
- Bake 30 minutes until heated through.
The cubed sweet potatoes in these recipes lend great texture, color, and flavor. Adjust the cube sizes and cook times as needed to customize the dishes.
Conclusion
Determining how many sweet potatoes you need to yield 1 cup cubed requires checking the size of your individual sweet potatoes and testing your specific cutting style. As a general rule of thumb, plan on 2-3 medium sweet potatoes per cup of 1/2-inch cubes. But weighing and measuring your actual sweet potatoes will give you the most accurate quantity needed. Once you know the right amount to cube up, you can easily substitute sweet potatoes into any recipe. Their versatility, nutrition, and affordability make them a handy staple in any kitchen.
