🥬 Vegetables & Aromatics

Can You Substitute Sweet Potato for Squash? Complete Guide

Learn how to substitute sweet potato for squash in cooking and baking. Get proper ratios, cooking tips, and when to use this substitution.

✓

Quick Answer

Yes, you can substitute sweet potato for squash in most recipes. Use 1:1 ratio for most applications. Sweet potato works best in roasting, purees, soups, and baking where you want similar sweetness and creamy texture.

Best Substitutes

Sweet Potato

1:1

Excellent substitute for squash with similar sweet, earthy flavor and creamy texture. Perfect for roasting, purees, soups, and baking. Slightly sweeter than most squash varieties.

Best for:

roastingpureessoupsbakingwhen you want similar sweetness

Sweet potato is sweeter than most squash varieties, so you may want to reduce added sugar in recipes

Butternut Squash

1:1

If you're looking to substitute squash with sweet potato, butternut squash is the closest match. It has similar sweetness and texture to sweet potato.

Best for:

roastingpureessoupsbakingwhen you want similar texture

Butternut squash is the closest squash variety to sweet potato in terms of flavor and texture

Kabocha Squash

1:1

Another good squash substitute for sweet potato. It has similar sweetness and dense texture, making it perfect for most sweet potato recipes.

Best for:

roastingpureessoupsbakingwhen you want similar sweetness

Kabocha squash has a denser texture and sweeter flavor than most squash varieties

Honeynut Squash

1:1

Smaller, sweeter variety that's very similar to sweet potato. Perfect substitute with similar flavor and texture, just smaller in size.

Best for:

roastingpureessoupsbakingwhen you want similar flavor

Honeynut squash is very similar to sweet potato in flavor and texture

Delicata Squash

1:1

Similar winter squash with sweet, nutty flavor and creamy texture. Perfect for roasting and purees, very similar to sweet potato.

Best for:

roastingpureessoupsbakingwhen you want similar flavor

Delicata squash has similar flavor and texture to sweet potato

Cooking Tips

  • 💡Sweet potato and squash have similar sweet, earthy flavors that work well in both sweet and savory dishes
  • 💡For best results, roast sweet potato and squash substitutes at 400°F until tender and caramelized
  • 💡Both sweet potato and squash puree beautifully and can be used in soups, sauces, and baked goods
  • 💡The skin of both sweet potato and squash is edible when cooked and adds nice texture
  • 💡Both pair well with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and sage
  • 💡For roasting, cut both sweet potato and squash substitutes into even pieces for consistent cooking
  • 💡Both can be stored in a cool, dry place for several months
  • 💡When substituting, consider the sweetness level and adjust added sugar accordingly

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I substitute sweet potato for butternut squash?

Yes, sweet potato is an excellent substitute for butternut squash. It has similar sweetness and creamy texture, making it perfect for most recipes.

What's the best squash substitute for sweet potato?

Butternut squash is often the best substitute for sweet potato due to its similar sweet, nutty flavor and creamy texture. Use a 1:1 ratio in most recipes.

Can I use sweet potato instead of squash in soup?

Yes, sweet potato makes an excellent substitute for squash in soup. It purees beautifully and provides similar creamy texture and sweetness.

Is sweet potato sweeter than squash?

Yes, sweet potato is generally sweeter than most squash varieties. When substituting, you may want to reduce added sugar in recipes.

Can I substitute sweet potato for squash in baking?

Yes, sweet potato works very well as a substitute for squash in baking. It has similar texture and sweetness, making it perfect for most baked goods.

Summary

Learn how to substitute sweet potato for squash in cooking and baking. Get proper ratios, cooking tips, and when to use this substitution.