Sweet Potato Leaves Stir Fry

Name: Sweet Potato Leaves Stir Fry
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1.5 pounds Sweet potato leaves ((Yam leaves)); 4 cloves Garlic; 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil; 1/8 teaspoon Salt; 1/2 cup Water

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Sweet potato leaves or yam leaves stir fry is a classic vegetable side dish in Chinese cuisine like baby bok choy, yu choy sum, gai lan, water spinach and Chinese spinach amaranth. In this sweet potato leaves stir fry recipe, it has a few simple ingredients. Let’s learn how to make yam leaves stir fry for your side dish and go along with rice, noodles or other main dishes.

Love Chinese food? Check out these cashew shrimp, pan fried buns, salt & pepper squid, lobster yee mein, claypot rice, pork knuckle & ginger stew and Chinese cabbage bacon stir fry recipes.

sweet potato leaves stir fry with garlic on the white plate

What is sweet potato leaves stir fry?

Sweet potato leaves stir fry is a delicious and nutritious leafy green dish. It is a classic vegetable stir fry dish in Chinese cuisine. Besides, sweet potato leaves are a common ingredient in many Asian and African dishes because they pack with vitamins and minerals.

The simple and tasty way to prepare sweet potato leaves is by stir frying them. Sweet potato leaves stir fry is a dish made by stir frying sweet potato leaves with garlic, salt and vegetable oil.

What are sweet potato leaves?

Sweet potato leaves, also called yam leaves, are the leaves that grow from sweet potato plants. Often, Asians and Africans like to use sweet potato leaves in their cuisine because the leaves are packed with nutrients like vitamins A, C, K, iron, and calcium.

A sweet potato leaves stir fry dish like baby bok choy, yu choy sum, gai lan, water spinach and Chinese spinach amaranth serve as a side dish. It is a tasty and nutritious side dish that goes well with rice, noodles or other main dishes.

What do sweet potato leaves taste like?

Sweet potato leaves have a slightly sweet, nutty flavor, and a slightly bitter aftertaste. The texture is similar to spinach or Chinese spinach amaranth, but the stems are slightly tougher.

Are sweet potato leaves the same as potato leaves?

No, sweet potato leaves and potato leaves are not the same. Sweet potato leaves come from the sweet potato plant (Ipomoea batatas). But, potato leaves come from the potato plant (Solanum tuberosum). They are two different plants belonging to different botanical families and have different characteristics.

Sweet potato leaves are commonly used in many Asian and African dishes. They are known for their nutritional value, slightly sweet and nutty flavor. However, potato leaves are not commonly consumed as a vegetable because the leaves of potato plants are not safe to eat as they contain toxic compounds called solanine and chaconine.

What are the ingredients for stir fry yam leaves?

In this stir fry sweet potato leaves recipe, the ingredients are sweet potato leaves, garlic, vegetable oil, salt and water.

Cooking tips for how to make yam leaves stir fry:

The best is to use fresh sweet potato leaves that are not wilted or discolored for the best flavor and texture.
Cut or remove the hard and tough stems.
Preheat the wok, pot or pan, then add the oil and garlic. Stir fry the garlic for a minute or two until fragrant comes out. This helps to infuse the oil with garlic flavor and adds depth to the dish.
Add salt, water and cover for the lid, let the sweet potato leaves cook for 2 minutes. Then, stir and flip them. Keep stir frying for 1-2 minutes until it is soft.

FAQs:

Are sweet potato leaves safe to eat?

Yes, sweet potato leaves are safe to eat and are commonly consumed in Asia and Africa.

Where can I buy sweet potato or yam leaves?

You can find them at Asian or African specialty grocery stores. I got mine at a local Asian market.

Can I grow sweet potato leaves?

Yes, you can grow sweet potato leaves and it is a great way to enjoy the fresh yam leaves.

How to cook sweet potato leaves?

You can boil or stir fry sweet potato leaves. Most people like to stir fry yam leaves with garlic because it helps retain the vibrant green color, aroma flavor and nutritional value.

Instructions for how to make sweet potato leaves stir fry:

1. Put 1.5 pounds of yam leaves into a big pot. Pour 12 cups of water to soak it for 15 minutes. Then, wash and rinse it 3 times. Then, drain and set it aside.

2. Peel and cut 4 cloves of garlic into slices.

vegetable oil and garlic in the pot top view

3. Pour 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil into the pot or wok. Turn on the fire to medium small, add the sliced garlic from step 2. Stir fry them a little bit or until it’s slightly golden brown.

washed yam leaves put into the pot top view

4. Next, put the washed yam leaves from step 1 into the pot or wok. Pour ½ cup of water and ⅛ teaspoon of salt. Then, cover the lid and let it cook for 2 minutes.

5. After that, open the lid, flip the vegetables and stir fry it for 1-2 minutes or until it’s soft.

Enjoy this simple, easy and delicious sweet potato leaves stir fry recipe for your side dish! Also, check out these Japchae Korean glass noodles, massaman curry, orange chicken, Vietnamese spring rolls, gyudon beef bowl and mango sago pomelo recipes.