Yam Storage Hack (Fresh Yam!)

Sometimes, all you need is an easy, effective, and quick Yam Storage Hack to make your yams longer!

Yams are only in season between June to October, that’s not a lot of time, especially if you love yams. It’s a good thing that there are so many ways to store them, so you can enjoy them all year long.

I’ve been using this technique for a long time and it has always worked perfectly. My family loves yams, so I make sure that we never run out. Now, I can cook yams whenever my family craves them!

With this yam storage hack, you will save money, keep your yams fresh, avoid food wastage, and enjoy quality yams anytime you want. It’s the perfect hack for everyone who can’t live without yams!

How to Store Yams

Generally, yams weeks or even months at room temperature. The good thing about this yam storage hack is that they’re already ready to use whenever you need them. It doesn’t cost much but it’s guaranteed to give the best results.

Let me share with you my favorite yam storage hack!

Ingredient

Yam lovers, you have come to the right place!

Yams

You will surely go “yum” with yams!

Yams are tuber vegetables that are starchy and sweet with a touch of nutty and earthy flavors. They are commonly mistaken for sweet potatoes but they have distinct differences, too.

These are popular tuberous vegetables in Asian, African, and Caribbean recipes. Once you cook them, yams will remind you of how potatoes taste and feel! Raw yams may feel firm, but cooked yams have a soft, buttery, and decadent texture.

It’s truly a versatile ingredient that you can use for desserts, stews, soups, and more! Yams are usually boiled or fried but can also be used for slow-cooked recipes because they hold their shape well. 

Kinds of Yams

There are plenty of varieties that you can try out. For instance, American Yam is likely to be softer and red. It is also best used when you want to achieve a dish with a creamy consistency. 

Another popular variant is the tropical variant, which has a dry texture and a mild sweet taste that enhances dishes. There is also a variant called Purple Yam or “ube,” which has a vibrant and creamy texture that can be used for desserts. 

You can try plenty of other kinds besides the ones mentioned above. They are all guaranteed to be delicious, nutritious, and versatile. Whichever of these yams you prefer, they will surely last longer with the yam storage hack!

Directions

Here are the steps you need to remember for the yam storage hack:

1. Use a knife to slice the yam into large circles.
2. Peel the yams.
3. Slice them into your preferred shapes and sizes.
4. Then, rinse the yam slices in water.
5. Drain the water using a colander.
6. Arrange the yams on a lined tray.
7. Let it freeze solid for about two hours. 
8. Once frozen, transfer them into freezer bags.

Can you believe that this is how easy and simple it is to store yams? Now, you won’t have to worry about running out of yams!

Tips

Aside from learning the yam storage hack, here are other tips you will find handy when it comes to yams.

Buying yams

• According to Medium, yams should feel firm without bruises, cracks, or soft spots.
• It has a bark-like texture that isn’t shriveled. 

How to Tell Yams from Potatoes

• When it comes to inside color, yams are white, whereas sweet potatoes are usually orange.
• They also have a darker color and more textured skin than potatoes. 
• If you’re buying from a grocery store, then check the packaging label to be certain. 

Preparing Yams

While frozen foods are usually thawed overnight, you can slice or cook them directly to use them. You’ll notice they’re starting to cook when you can pierce through them with a fork. 

More Yam Storage Hacks

Do you want to know other ways to store your yams?

If you prefer fresh and whole yams, then you can just keep them in your kitchen for two weeks to two months. In case you prefer them cut or peeled, be sure to use them within several days.

Try to avoid storing them in the fridge, as moisture can shorten their shelf life and affect the yams’ natural flavors. Always remember to keep them dry, even at room temperature.

Moreover, don’t keep them near onions and potatoes. The gases from onions and potatoes can cause yams to spoil quickly. Be sure to check the yams regularly and remove any rotten yams.

Recommended Tools

• Knife: Slice and peel the edible starchy tuber with a knife.
• Cutting board: Prepare the vegetable on a chopping board.
• Colander: Filter it with a colander. 
• Freezer bags: Do the yam storage hack with freezer bags.
• Tray: Pre-freeze the slices in a lined tray. 
• Glass bowl: Rinse the yam in a glass bowl with water. 

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How to Use Yams

Yams can make excellent ingredients for thousands of dishes! In fact, you can already eat it after boiling or frying it because that is how yummy it is. As long as you cook it right, you can expect all the fantastic flavors from it.

I also love how ready-to-use it is right out of the freezer. You can remove it from storage and fry it immediately. There’s no need to peel or chop it anymore to help you save time and energy.

If you want to try out dishes, I suggest Yam and Egg Frittata, Pounded Yam, Ojojo, Porridge, and more! For combinations, I suggest cooking it with sweet potatoes, plantains, and beans. 

Storage Tips

• At room temperature: Yams can last up to a week at room temperature. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to store yam?

Two of the best ways to store yams are freezing and keeping them at room temperature. As long as you keep them away from moisture and sunlight, your yams can last up to several weeks or months.

Meanwhile, you can peel, slice, and freeze the yams to make them last for up to a year. I especially love freezing yams before I deep fry them.

How do you make yams last longer?

My favorite way of making yams last longer is to freeze them! It seals in the starch to make them last longer. Out of all the storage methods I have used, this yam storage hack is the most effective one yet.

Which method is used to preserve yam?

I suggest storing yams in freezer bags so you can remove as much of the air as you can. The freezer bags will also protect the texture of the yams while stored in the freezer.

Where is the best place to store yams?

The best place to store yams is in the freezer. It keeps the yams fresh without changing much of the flavor and texture. Storing them in the fridge will also make them last for months.