If you’re in charge of the yams for Thanksgiving dinner, you’re most likely making sweet potatoes instead. Yams have a woody, tree-like exterior (unlike the reddish-hued skins of sweet potatoes) and are native to more tropical regions like Africa, Central America, and Asia. Not only do genuine yams look different, but they’re also starchier and not as sweet as the orange-tinted sweet potatoes you love.

The confusion began long ago when produce shippers dubbed soft, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes “yams” to differentiate them from firmer-fleshed sweet potatoes, and the name has stuck. Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture also requires yams that aren’t the real thing to be labeled as sweet potatoes. So unless you’re in an international grocery store, you’re likely grabbing sweet potatoes.

How to Cook Yams

Whatever you call them, knowing how to cook yams is essential for any home chef because they’re delicious in savory and sweet dishes. For side dishes, they’re often boiled or baked (peeled or unpeeled). They can be added to soups, stews, and braises. Sometimes, boiled yams are mashed to serve as a side dish or an ingredient in quick breads and pies. Read on for instructions on how to cook yams in various ways so you can enjoy them in your favorite recipes.

How to Boil Yams

The most common stove-top method for how to cook yams is to boil them. You can follow our basic directions for boiling sweet potatoes to make perfect mashed dishes.

Step 1: Prep the Yams

Wash and peel the yams, then cut them into bite-size cubes.

Step 2: Add to Pan

Choose a saucepan or Dutch oven that will be large enough to hold them without crowding. Fill the pot with just enough salted water to cover the yams.

Step 3: Boil

Bring to a boil and cook, covered, for 20 to 25 minutes, or until tender. If you can pierce the flesh with a fork or knife, they’re ready.

After draining, you’re ready to use your boiled yams in any recipe that calls for them mashed. Start by picking the right mashing tool for the job. A potato masher, or an electric mixer used at low speed, will produce fluffy, smooth mashed yams. Measure the amount you need for the recipe. Note that one medium yam (8 oz.) yields about 1 ⅓ cups of peeled, cooked mashed yams.

How to Cook Yams in the Oven

Learning how to cook yams in the oven means you can make a simple and nutritious side dish for meatloaf, steaks, grilled chicken, fish, and more. Here’s how to make baked yams whole:

Step 1: Prep the Yams

Preheat oven to 425°F. Scrub yams thoroughly with a vegetable brush, then pat dry. Prick the yams with a fork. Bake 40 to 60 minutes, or until tender.

Step 2: Peel

Place each baked yam inside a kitchen towel. Gently roll to soften the flesh. Cut an X on the top of each, and press the skin to push the flesh upward. You can serve them with butter, brown sugar, and/or cinnamon.

How to Cook Yams in the Microwave

If you can’t wait an hour to eat, here’s how to cook yams in minutes with this super-quick microwave method. Here’s how to get your yams on the table (or recipe-ready) in minutes.

• To microwave whole yams: Prick scrubbed yams all over with a fork. Microwave on high eight to 10 minutes, or until tender, turning them once.
• To microwave sliced yams: Wash, peel, and cut off the woody portions and ends, then cut into quarters. Place the yams and a ½-cup of water in a microwave-safe casserole dish. Microwave, covered, at 100% power (high) 10 minutes, or until tender, stirring once.

How to Make Yam or Sweet Potato Fries

For a colorful and nutritious alternative to regular french fries, you can easily make yam fries in your oven. Here are tips for how to make fries that will rival your favorite diner’s recipe. See our baked sweet potato fries recipe for the full instructions.

Step 1: Clean the Yams

Scrub the yams thoroughly with a brush, then pat dry. You can peel them or leave the skins on.

Step 2: Cut Yams

Use a sharp, thin-blade knife to cut the yams into ¼- to ½-inch-thick strips. Our Test Kitchen Pros recommend cutting each fry to an even thickness as best you can. Because yams contain more sugar than regular potatoes, they tend to burn quickly and cook unevenly if cut too thin.

Step 3: Add Seasonings

Give those yams a drizzle of olive oil and toss with seasonings (fresh or dried sage, rosemary, and thyme work especially well with yams).

Step 4: Bake

Place the slices on a baking sheet in a single layer so they’ll brown evenly. Use two baking sheets if things are getting too crowded. Bake them until tender, turning once so they’re evenly cooked.

Tips for Buying and Storing Yams

Yams are available year-round, but their peak season is winter, which means they’re the perfect addition to all those slow cooker dishes that provide such comforting meals in cold months. When you’re purchasing, look for small to medium yams that are smooth, firm, and free of soft spots. Store them whole and unpeeled in a cool, dry place for up to one week. Do not refrigerate yams, because they’ll dry out.