Why Is My Sweet Potato White Inside?

Is your sweet potato white inside? Don't worry — it's perfectly fine to eat! Learn more about white sweet potatoes and how to use them!

Have you ever cut into a sweet potato to discover it is white inside?

It might come as a surprise to find out that sweet potato with a white inside does actually exist, but the explanation for this is actually quite simple.

Sweet potatoes, like any root vegetable, come in many varieties, which give them slight differences. While orange-fleshed sweet potatoes are most common in the United States, you will also find sweet potatoes with starchy white flesh inside.

You might be more likely to find the white variety at the farmers market, depending on where you live, as they're less common in American grocery stores. But the bottom line to remember is that they're just as delicious and safe to eat as their bright orange counterparts!

Does a White Sweet Potato Taste Different From an Orange One?

White sweet potatoes are slightly less sweet than orange ones, so they make good substitutes for normal baking potatoes. That being said, their mild flavor doesn’t quite compare to the likes of russet potatoes or Yukon gold potatoes.

There is still some degree of the sweetness associated with these sweet potatoes with creamy white flesh. Nevertheless, they do have the somewhat crumbly texture that you tend to find with a baked potato.

They'll still give you that somewhat earthy taste and some of the sweet flavor you're looking for, but the main difference between it and other kinds of sweet potatoes is the color.

Orange sweet potatoes are known for their health benefits, especially their large amounts of beta carotene. Because white potatoes don't contain as much, they are marginally less nutritious.

There is also slightly more dietary fiber in orange varieties than in white sweet potatoes.

You will also notice that white sweet potatoes don’t stay as fresh as regular sweet potatoes and will lose their firmness much more quickly.

How to Cook a White Sweet Potato

White sweet potatoes are highly versatile and can be cooked in a variety of ways including roasting, baking, grilling or mashing.

For a delicious, yet simple way to enjoy white sweet potato, pierce its skin and bake it for about an hour until the inside is soft. Slice it in half and mash in some butter or cream and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

Our sweet potato benedict skillet is a great way to combine the textures and flavors of both sweet potato types. We love this recipe for weekend brunch or even for dinner!

We suggest a mix of 50/50 sweet potatoes and white sweet potatoes, or use one or the other depending on what sweet potatoes you have on hand.

You can even meal prep the potatoes in advance, and then warm them when you're ready to eat. We love this as an easy dinner hack during the week.

Just be sure to let them cool to room temperature before storing, just like regular potatoes or any other food prior to refrigerating.

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Sweet Potato Benedict Skillet Recipe

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20 m 30 m 2 Servings

Ingredients

1 pound Sweet Potato, peeled and diced
4 slices Ham, or chicken bacon
2 large Eggs

For the Hollandaise:

2 Large Egg Yolks
1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
4 tablespoons Salted Butter, melted
Paprika
Salt and Pepper, to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 450°F. In a large bowl, drizzle diced sweet potatoes with 2 Tablespoons olive oil.
Spread on a baking sheet and sprinkle generously with salt.
Bake for 30 minutes, stopping every 10 minutes to stir, or until potatoes are browned and soft in the center. (This can also be done in advance – roast and cool potatoes, then place in a container with a lid until ready to use. Reheat in a skillet on the stove.)

Prepare Hollandaise:

Whisk together two yolks, lemon juice, and a dash of salt.
Slowly drizzle in melted butter, whisking until combined and smooth.
Microwave for 20 seconds, stopping to stir every 5 seconds.
Heat chicken or turkey bacon OR ham slices in a skillet until cooked/warm.
Poach two eggs – I use an egg poaching pan for this and it’s SO incredibly easy!
Divide sweet potatoes onto two plates. Top with bacon or ham, and one poached egg. Top with hollandaise, paprika, and parsley.

Tip: Learn how to parboil sweet potatoes. It can really help you out!

Another quick and easy way to incorporate more sweet potato varieties into your menu is this recipe for Instant Pot candied sweet potatoes. They make a great side dish for weeknight dinners or for a fancier holiday feast.

Also topping our list of the best sweet potato recipes is this one for roasted tahini maple sweet potatoes. This gem of a recipe is another one that's completely versatile and delicious any meal of the day.

This recipe works with different types of sweet potatoes, including purple sweet potatoes and white-fleshed sweet potatoes, so if you need ideas for more savory dishes that offer a little natural sweetness, this recipe will be a delicious addition to your next meal.

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Roasted Tahini Maple Sweet Potatoes Recipe

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10 m 20 m 4 Servings

Roasted Tahini Maple Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Ingredients

1 pound Sweet Potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 teaspoon Toasted Sesame Oil
1 teaspoon Avocado Oil
Salt
2 teaspoons Ghee, melted (or vegan butter)
2 teaspoons Tahini Paste
1 teaspoon Pure Maple Syrup, plus additional for drizzeling
1/2 teaspoon Fresh Lemon Juice
2 teaspoons Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth
Fresh Cilantro, for garnish

Directions

Pre-heat your oven to 500°F.
In a medium bowl, toss together the potatoes with the oils. Spread onto a large rimmed baking sheet and sprinkle with salt. Cover with tinfoil and bake for 10 minutes. Then, turn the oven down to 400°F.
While the potatoes bake, whisk together all the remaining ingredients.
Transfer the potatoes back to bowl and toss with the ghee mixture until evenly coated.
Line the baking pan with parchment paper and then spread the potatoes over it, leaving space between them.
Bake for 6 minutes, stir and then cook another 6-10 minutes until golden brown and soft.
Drizzle with additional maple syrup and cilantro
DEVOUR.