Sweet Potato vs. Yam: What’s the Difference?

There are thousands of edible plants, so naturally, some of them get mixed up from time to time. Spring onions and scallions, zucchini and squash, and sweet potatoes and yams are all examples of vegetables that occasionally get confused for each other. 

It’s easy to mix up foods that look alike or belong to the same family, but in the case of sweet potatoes vs. yam, they’re neither. They look very different, and although they’re both stem tubers, they belong to different plant families. So, why are sweet potatoes and yams commonly conflated? Some people use the terms “sweet potato” and “yam” interchangeably, and in some grocery stores, sweet potatoes might be sold as yams and vice versa. However, sweet potatoes and yams are two separate vegetables. Here’s how to tell the difference between them.

What Is a Sweet Potato?

A sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a stem tuber that grows in the ground, and, as such, it’s also classified as a root vegetable. However, sweet potatoes aren’t actually potatoes at all. They don’t belong to the potato (Solanum tuberosum) family, but rather to the bindweed or morning glory (Convolvulaceae) family. They do bear some resemblance to the potato, though, and they’re high in starch like potatoes. Originally cultivated in South America, sweet potatoes are now grown all over the world, particularly in warm, tropical climates.

Though you might picture a potato with brown skin and orange flesh when you think of a sweet potato, there are actually several different varieties of sweet potatoes. In the United States, the most common types of sweet potatoes include the Beauregard, garnet, and jewel. The Beauregard and jewel are likely what you’re most familiar with—they both have orange flesh, but the Beauregard has a reddish skin while the jewel has tan skin. Other varieties of sweet potatoes have white or even purple flesh. 

And, like the name suggests, sweet potatoes tend to be sweet in flavor. However, the different types of sweet potatoes have varying tastes and textures. Some are sweeter than others, such as the Beauregard. Sweet potatoes with a softer texture are ideal for making mashed potatoes and using them in baked goods, such as pies, biscuits, and candied sweet potatoes. Those that are more dense are better for making recipes like sweet potato fries and casseroles.

What Is a Yam?

A yam is a starchy root vegetable and stem tuber belonging to the yam family (Dioscoreaceae). It’s native to Africa and Asia, with most crops hailing from African countries. “Yams” is a catch-all term for the many different types of yams. 

Yams are grown underground, and though they might look like large potatoes, they’re not. On the outside, the skin of a yam looks kind of like bark on a tree. It’s rough to the touch with a brown exterior and white or pale yellow flesh on the inside. The yam isn’t entirely edible—the leaves and stems must be removed, and yams need to be peeled and cooked before being eaten. They’re toxic when eaten raw. 

When cooked, yams have a neutral taste. They can be slightly sweet and earthy, but they mostly take on the flavor of whatever seasoning they’re cooked with. For this reason, yams can be used in both sweet and savory recipes. In African cuisine, yams are often cooked in a stew, or boiled and served with a savory sauce.

Though dozens of countries produce tons of yams every year (literally), they’re not commonly found in the United States. You might find them in specialty stores or international markets, but even those labeled “yams” in American supermarkets are usually sweet potatoes—even canned “yams.” So, those candied yams on your table at Thanksgiving are most likely sweet potatoes.

What’s the Difference Between Sweet Potatoes and Yams?

Sweet potatoes and yams are two separate foods, but they still get confused for each other. And it’s easy to understand why—they’re even mixed up at the supermarket. Here’s how to distinguish between them.

Appearance

Yams and sweet potatoes are both cylindrical tubers, but yams are larger and rougher in texture. Yams have brown skin with pale flesh, and the most common sweet potatoes have red, orange, or brown skin with orange flesh.

Taste and Texture

Sweet potatoes are exactly that—sweet. Though they vary in sweetness depending on the variety, sweet potatoes have an unmistakably sweet flavor profile that makes them ideal in baked goods and desserts. When cooked, the flesh is often soft and moist, though some sweet potatoes are denser than others. Yams, however, aren’t super sweet. They’re neutral in flavor, so they’re used in both sweet and savory recipes, though they’re mainly used in savory recipes since they lack sweetness. They’re also drier and denser than your average sweet potato.

Nutrition

Despite their differences, sweet potatoes and yams have similar nutrition profiles. They’re both full of beneficial nutrients, such as antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. They’re also each lower in fat and higher in carbohydrates, thanks to their starchy composition. This also makes them good sources of dietary fiber. Neither is a significant source of protein, though sweet potatoes are slightly higher in protein. Both are nutritious choices, but between the two, sweet potatoes provide more nutrients, such as fiber, protein, vitamin C, iron, and more. 

Availability

In the United States, sweet potatoes are much easier to find. In fact, you’d typically have to actively seek out genuine yams because what’s labeled as “yams” in American supermarkets are often actually sweet potatoes. In other parts of the world, yams are easier to come by, but in the States, you might have to visit a specialty store to find them.

Can You Substitute Yams For Sweet Potatoes? 

Yams and sweet potatoes aren’t as interchangeable as you might think. They have a different taste and texture, so they’re not the best substitute for one another. If you’re thinking of replacing sweet potatoes with genuine yams in your candied yams recipe, you might be disappointed. Yams aren’t nearly as sweet as sweet potatoes, so the final result would taste much different. 

You can swap yams for sweet potatoes in some savory recipes, however. In recipes where you’d mash sweet potatoes or bake them into fries, you can use yams instead—if you can find them, that is.