Stir Fry Sweet Potato Leaves Recipe

One of the reasons I love Chinese food so much is the variety of ingredients! Just think about the veggies - bok choy, Chinese mustard, yu choy, to name a few, and now one of my favorite veggies ever (It's #2), Sweet Potato Leaves! This Stir Fry Sweet Potato Leaves Recipe will show you how to make it at home super easily too.

Jump to:

• About Sweet Potato Leaves
• You can grow it!
• How to Stir Fry Sweet Potato Leaves (Step by Stp)
• FAQ
• Stir Fry Sweet Potato Leaves Recipe
• More Delicious Chinese Vegetable Stir Fry Recipes!
• Pin for later!

About Sweet Potato Leaves

There is a lot of confusion between yam leaves and sweet potato leaves. This recipe is on sweet potato leaves which are edible, and not all yam leaves are edible.

Something interesting about this vegetable too is that back in the day people refused to eat it (some may still refuse) because people used to grow sweet potatoes for eating and then fed the leaves to the pigs. My late grandpa used to hate it and referred to it as 'Pig's food'.

However, more and more people eat it now as it is actually one of the most nutritious veggies, so actually people should've been eating it all along.

These veggies contain niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, fiber, beta-carotene, and vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K. They also contain sodium, potassium, calcium, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, and manganese.

Also, if I haven't already mentioned, it is also delicious - one of my favorite vegetables ever!

You can grow it!

I was amazed by how easy it was to regrow sweet potatoes. We had some sweet potatoes laying around the other day, for a bit too long, and it started sprouting, so my mom just took it to the backyard, and planted it.

A few days later, sweet potato leaves just started popping out of the dirt, and then we actually did end up with a bunch (not just from one sweet potato). So if you really want some of this veggie and can't locate any, try to hunt down some sweet potatoes.

How to Stir Fry Sweet Potato Leaves (Step by Stp)

First gather your ingredients:

• 1 bunch of sweet potato leaves
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 3-5 cloves of garlic, smashed
• Salt, as desired
• 1 teaspoon Fermented bean curd (optional - but we always cook sweet potato leaves with it!)

Wash sweet potato leaves and cut off the stem area, leaving only the leaves and a bit of the tender parts of the stem.

In a wok or cooking pan, add cooking oil and smashed garlic, and cook on high heat for just about a minute.

Add the sweet potato leaves in to the wok/pan and stir fry until veggies are halfway wilted. Add the fermented bean curd (optional) and salt to taste.

Stir fry until veggies are soft, and then remove from heat immediately to avoid overcooking and making it all mushy.

FAQ

What are sweet potato leaves?
Sweet potato leaves are the tender green leaves and stems of the sweet potato plant. Unlike regular potato leaves, these are edible and very nutritious, with a mild earthy flavor.

Are sweet potato leaves the same as yam leaves?
Not exactly. Sweet potato leaves are edible, but not all yam leaves are safe to eat. Be sure you're using sweet potato leaves for this recipe.

What do sweet potato leaves taste like?
They have a soft, mild, slightly earthy flavor - similar to spinach but less bitter. When stir fried with garlic (and optional fermented tofu), they're absolutely delicious.

Where can I buy sweet potato leaves?
They're usually found at Asian grocery stores and sometimes at farmer's markets. If you can't find them, you can also grow them easily from sprouted sweet potatoes.

Are sweet potato leaves healthy?
Yes! They're packed with vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K, plus minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron. A very nutrient-dense veggie.

Do I need fermented bean curd for this recipe?
Not at all! It's optional, but many families (mine included) always add it for an extra savory umami kick. Without it, the dish is still simple, garlicky, and delicious.

How do I store leftovers?
Like most stir fried greens, this dish is best fresh. Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for 1-2 days, then quickly reheated in a hot pan.

More Delicious Chinese Vegetable Stir Fry Recipes!

These easy stir fry veggie dishes make perfect veggie side dishes!

• Stir Fry Water Spinach with Garlic - Similar to Sweet Potato Leaves - Tender, garlicky greens with a savory umami kick. Quick, bold, and perfect with rice.
• Stir Fry A Choy (Taiwanese Lettuce) - A quick and easy dish made often in Taiwanese households. Tender a choy leaves stir fried with garlic.
• Stir Fry Luffa Gourd (Si Gua, Silk Melon) - A light, nutritious dish stir fried with dried shrimp for savory depth.
• Chinese Broccoli Stir Fry with Garlic (Gai Lan) - Classic Chinese veggie stir fry: crisp-tender gai lan cooked simply with garlic and salt.

Pin for later!