Do Red Yams and Sweet Potatoes Taste the Same?

January 11, 2026 •

3 min read

Over 68% of consumers report being confused by the interchangeable labeling of 'yams' and 'sweet potatoes' in U.S. grocery stores, a practice that can mislead home cooks. This common mislabeling leads many to ask: do red yams and sweet potatoes taste the same, or are they different vegetables entirely?

Quick Summary

The names 'yam' and 'sweet potato' are often used interchangeably, but they are botanically different root vegetables with distinct tastes and textures. Sweet potatoes are sweeter and have a softer, creamier consistency when cooked, while true yams are starchier, drier, and more earthy in flavor, resembling a regular potato.

Key Points

Botanical Differences: Red-skinned 'yams' are actually a type of sweet potato, botanically distinct from true yams native to Africa.
Taste Profile: Sweet potatoes have a naturally sweet, moist flavor and creamy texture, while true yams are starchy, dry, and earthy, resembling a white potato.
Mislabeling History: The common mislabeling in the U.S. started in the 1930s when sweet potato growers used 'yam' to distinguish their orange-fleshed variety.
Grocery Store Guidance: When shopping, what's labeled 'yam' in most U.S. stores is a sweet potato. Look for true yams in international or specialty markets.
Nutritional Variation: Though both are nutritious, sweet potatoes are richer in Vitamin A, while true yams contain more Vitamin C and potassium.
Cooking Uses: Use sweet potatoes for sweet dishes like pies and casseroles, and true yams for savory applications like stews where a starchier, milder vegetable is needed.

Unmasking the Identity Crisis: What is a 'Red Yam'?

First, let's clear up the biggest misconception: the vibrant, reddish-skinned, orange-fleshed tuber commonly sold as a 'yam' in most American supermarkets is not a true yam at all. It is simply a variety of sweet potato. The confusion began decades ago when Louisiana sweet potato farmers began marketing their orange-fleshed variety as 'yams' to differentiate them from the more common white-fleshed sweet potatoes. True yams, which are native to Africa and Asia, have a thick, bark-like skin and a much drier, starchier flesh. The sweet potatoes labeled 'red yams' are just one of many varieties, including 'Jewel' or 'Garnet' sweet potatoes, known for their reddish-brown skin and moist, sweet interior.

Taste and Texture: The Definitive Comparison

Sweet potatoes, including the reddish-skinned ones, are known for their signature sweetness, which intensifies as they cook and their starches convert to sugar. The texture is typically moist and creamy, making them perfect for mashing, baking, or incorporating into desserts like pies and casseroles. True yams, conversely, offer a far different culinary experience. They are significantly less sweet and have an earthy, more neutral flavor profile. Their texture is much starchier and drier, akin to a russet potato, which holds up better in savory dishes like stews and curries where they add bulk without overpowering other ingredients.

Navigating the Grocery Store

Since most American grocery stores only stock various kinds of sweet potatoes, how can you know what you are buying? The USDA requires that packages labeled 'yam' must also be labeled 'sweet potato'. If you want a sweet potato, whether it has red, copper, or tan skin, you can feel confident buying what you find labeled as such. If you are specifically seeking a true yam, you'll likely have to visit an international or specialty market, where they are more commonly found.

Sweet Potatoes vs. True Yams at a Glance


Feature	Sweet Potato ('Red Yam')	True Yam
Botanical Family	Convolvulaceae (Morning Glory)	Dioscoreaceae (Lily and Grass)
Taste Profile	Significantly sweeter	Mild, earthy, not sweet
Flesh Texture	Moist, soft, and creamy	Dry, starchy, similar to a regular potato
Skin	Smooth and thin	Thick, rough, and bark-like
Nutritional Standout	Rich in Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene	Higher in Vitamin C and Potassium
Common Culinary Use	Baking, pies, mashes, casseroles	Soups, stews, savory braises
Typical Origin	Central & South America, widely grown in U.S.	Africa & Asia, specialty markets

Cooking with Intent: Choosing the Right Ingredient

Because their flavors and textures are so different, it is crucial to use the correct ingredient for your recipe. For a sweet, silky, and caramelized holiday dish, the 'red yam' (actually a sweet potato) is the right choice. If a recipe calls for a dense, starchy, and more subtly flavored root vegetable that won't compete with strong spices or savory broths, a true yam would be the appropriate and more authentic selection. Substituting one for the other will drastically change the final outcome of your dish. EatingWell provides further details on specific culinary uses and recipe recommendations.

The Verdict: Not Even Close

So, do red yams and sweet potatoes taste the same? The answer is a resounding no. The reddish-skinned 'yam' is a sweet potato, and its taste is fundamentally different from a true yam. By understanding their unique characteristics, you can make informed decisions in the kitchen and bring out the best in these distinct root vegetables. Whether you're making a sweet potato casserole or a savory African stew, choosing the correct ingredient is key to culinary success. Next time you're at the store, look past the confusing labels and remember the fundamental differences in taste and texture to ensure your dish comes out just right.

Conclusion The culinary confusion surrounding 'red yams' and sweet potatoes is easily resolved with a little botanical knowledge. Despite widespread mislabeling in the U.S., the two are entirely distinct vegetables from different plant families. Sweet potatoes offer a sweet, moist profile, while true yams are dry, starchy, and earthy. Knowing this difference empowers you to choose the right ingredient, ensuring your recipes achieve the flavor and texture they were intended to have. Remember to look for true yams in international markets if your recipe calls for them and don't be misled by the name at your local grocery store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sweet potatoes are often mislabeled as yams due to a historical marketing effort by Louisiana farmers in the 1930s. They sought to differentiate their new, moist, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes from the traditional white-fleshed varieties and began calling them 'yams'.

The main flavor difference is sweetness. A sweet potato, as its name suggests, is notably sweet, while a true yam has a mild, earthy, and starchy flavor, similar to a regular russet potato but drier.

True yams have thick, rough, and bark-like skin, often with white or purplish starchy flesh inside. Sweet potatoes have thinner, smoother skin, which can range in color from tan to red, with flesh that is typically orange, white, or purple and moist when cooked.

For sweet dishes and desserts, sweet potatoes are the far superior choice. Their naturally sweet, creamy texture breaks down beautifully for mashes, pies, and casseroles, whereas the dry, starchy nature of a true yam is ill-suited for these applications.

No, true yams are not common in most standard U.S. supermarkets. They are primarily grown in Africa and Asia. You are more likely to find them in international, Caribbean, or specialty food markets.

You can, but the result will taste significantly different. Using a sweet potato in a recipe intended for a true yam will introduce a sweeter flavor and a much moister texture, which may not be desirable for savory dishes.

Yes, they have different nutritional strengths. Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of beta-carotene and Vitamin A. True yams, while also nutritious, are higher in Vitamin C and potassium.