Best Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Evolving Table (2024)

These creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes are like a sweet potato casserole and regular mashed potatoes collided! They can be prepared sweet or savory, and make the perfect side dish for any weeknight or holiday meal. It is quick and easy to boil, bake, or cook the potatoes, then mash them to a smooth consistency.

Best Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Evolving Table (1)

Best Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

There is one vegetable in my house that is consumed on the regular – sweet potatoes! (Case in point: I have over 25 Sweet Potato Recipes to share.)

Sometimes I make a Sweet Potato Hash

Or I bake sweet potatoes, boil sweet potatoes and even air fryer sweet potatoes!

But recently my new obsession has been this mashed sweet potato recipe!

Not only is this recipe easy to make with simple ingredients, but there are a TON of flavor variations to try.

Keep them plain with a bit of butter and salt, or you can up-level the flavor with some crumbled bacon, heavy cream and fresh thyme, or a little brown sugar.

And bonus – they make a wonderful side dish recipe that can be meal prepped ahead for your Thanksgiving menu or holiday table!

If you happen to have any leftover, use them up in this Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie. Extra whole sweet potatoes? Try out this Sweet Potato Pie Recipe and BakedSweet Potato Friesnext!

Table of Contents

  • Best Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make Mashed Sweet Potatoes
  • Meal Prep and Storage
  • FAQs
  • Recipe Tips
  • What to Serve with Mashed Sweet Potatoes
  • More Sweet Potato Recipes
  • Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Best Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Evolving Table (2)

Ingredients

  • Sweet Potatoes. You will need about 2 ½ pounds, or 4-5 medium to large-sized, whole sweet potatoes. Garnets have a red-purple skin and are used in sweet potato pies and mashes. Jewel is another variety that mashes well and tastes great in mashed potatoes and casseroles. Beauregards are the most common type found in grocery stores and can be boiled, mashed, and baked. Avoid yams, as they are too starchy and won’t give you the creamy texture you need. (Learn more about the differences of Yams vs. Sweet Potatoes here.)
  • Milk. Between ¼ to ⅓ cup of regular milk is mixed in to reach your desired consistency. Make this recipe vegan and dairy-free with almond, oat, soy, or coconut milk.
  • Butter. Regular butter definitely gives this recipe an incredible flavor.However, if you are dairy-free or vegan you can substitute with vegan buttery sticks or oil. You can even mix in sour cream if you don’t have any butter available.

How to Make Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Please see the recipe card below for ingredient amounts and more detailed instructions.

1. Cook the Sweet Potatoes

When making mashed sweet potatoes you can cook the potatoes by boiling, baking, or using a pressure cooker.

  • To boil sweet potatoes simply fill a large pot with peeled and cubed potatoes and enough water to cover them. Bring it to a boil and reduce to medium-high heat. Boil for 12-15 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender.
  • Baking Sweet Potatoes takes a bit longer but gives a wonderful, toasted flavor. Poke holes in whole potatoes before wrapping in foil and baking at 400°F for 40-60 minutes.
  • Cooking Instant Pot sweet potatoes will give you tender potatoes in a short amount of time. Pierce whole potatoes and place in the pressure cooker with water and cook on high for 16-22 minutes. (This is my favorite method!)
Best Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Evolving Table (3)

2. Mash the Potatoes

There are 3 different ways you can mash sweet potatoes, much like with regular potatoes.Each will give you a slightly different level of creaminess.

Food Processor – This is the preferred method since it will give you a super creamy and tender texture. A large, 10-12 cup food processor is recommended.

Electric Mixer (Or Stand Mixer) – Another great method that does not require much arm work.If you like clumps in your mashed potatoes, then this will be the best method for you.

Potato Masher – By far the most labor intensive method, but also the most traditional.Much like if you mixed it in a stand mixer, you will get a slightly clumpier finished product.

Best Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Evolving Table (4)
Best Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Evolving Table (5)

Add the Flavor

The sweet potato mash recipe does taste great with just milk, butter, and salt.But you can add in a few more ingredients to really up-level your flavor game.

Best Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Evolving Table (6)

Garlic & Herb

Another great savory option is simply swapping out the regular butter for homemade garlic butter. Add a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs just before serving!

Cinnamon, Brown Sugar & Pecans

If you prefer them sweet, then adding cinnamon and brown sugar will be your way to go!

Mix in the brown sugar and cinnamon while mashing and garnish with toasted pecans.

Maple Bacon

The combination of cooked bacon with pure maple syrup will give you a perfectly sweet and savory flavor profile.

Simply add the syrup to the food processor before puréeing then top with the bacon to serve.

Best Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Evolving Table (7)
Best Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Evolving Table (8)
Best Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Evolving Table (9)

Meal Prep and Storage

  • To Prep-Ahead: Boil, bake, or cook the potatoes in a pressure cooker up to 3-5 days in advance. Or make the complete recipe and refrigerate until ready to heat and serve.
  • To Store: Keep mashed sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • To Freeze: Seal in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to 4-6 months.
  • To Reheat: Add the mashed potatoes to a pot on the stove over medium to medium-low heat with a touch more milk or water. You can also microwave until warm.

FAQs

Is it better to peel sweet potatoes before boiling?

Peeling potatoes before boiling is not necessary, however peeling and cubing them will reduce the cooking time.

Are sweet potatoes healthier than mashed potatoes?

Sweet and regular white potatoes are quite similar when it comes to nutrition. The biggest difference is that sweet potatoes contain more vitamin A and regular potatoes have more potassium.

Why are my mashed sweet potatoes lumpy?

If your mashed potatoes are lumpy they were likely not cooked enough. The potatoes should be tender before mashing by hand or in a food processor.

Best Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Evolving Table (10)

Recipe Tips

  • Adjust to taste. Start with minimal milk and add more to reach your desired consistency.
  • Bake for flavor. Roast the potatoes in the oven for a deeper and sweeter taste.
  • Wait to peel. Cook the potatoes whole to easily remove the skin once done.
  • Get the best texture. Use a food processor for the most creamy and tender mashed potatoes.
  • Prep ahead. Make this dish in advance to save time during the holidays.

What to Serve with Mashed Sweet Potatoes

These mashed sweet potatoes are so delicious, try them as a side with one of these recipes:

  • Air Fryer Nuggets
  • Salmon Burgers
  • Lemon Garlic Baked Salmon
  • Baked Honey Mustard Chicken
  • Filet Mignon

More Sweet Potato Recipes

Sweet potatoes are so versatile! Give one of these recipes a try next time you’re craving them:

  • Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
  • Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato
  • Sweet Potato Black Bean Burger
  • Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
  • Sweet Potato Hashbrowns
  • Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas
  • Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
  • Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

Tap stars to rate!

5 from 4 votes

Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

If you love mashed potatoes then you're going to go crazy for these creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes! They can be prepared sweet or savory, and make the perfect side dish for any weeknight or holiday meal.

Best Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Evolving Table (11)

Yield 6 servings

Prep 15 minutes mins

Cook 15 minutes mins

Total 30 minutes mins

Print Pin Comment

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ lbs. sweet potatoes peeled and cooked
  • cup milk or almond or cashew milk
  • 4 Tbsp. butter or vegan buttery sticks, softened
  • ¾ – 1 tsp. salt to taste
  • Parsley finely chopped, optional

Cinnamon Sugar

  • ¼ cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
  • ½ tsp. cinnamon
  • ¼ cup toasted pecans coarsely chopped

Garlic & Herb

  • 4 Tbsp. Homemade Garlic Herb Butter

Maple Bacon

  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup
  • 4 oz. cooked bacon crumbled

Instructions

  • Prepare Potatoes: Peel sweet potatoes with a potato peeler and cut into 1” cubes.

    2 ½ lbs. sweet potatoes

  • Boil Sweet Potatoes: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add potatoes, and boil for 12-15 minutes. Drain sweet potatoes in a colander.

  • Mash or Puree: Add sweet potatoes to the bowl of a large food processor with milk, butter, and salt. Process until smooth. You can also mash them using a potato masher if you'd like them lumpier. Serve with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

    ⅓ cup milk, 4 Tbsp. butter, ¾ – 1 tsp. salt, Parsley

  • Cinnamon Sugar: Add brown sugar and cinnamon to the bowl of the food processor before pureeing. Serve with toasted pecans.

    ¼ cup brown sugar, ½ tsp. cinnamon, ¼ cup toasted pecans

  • Garlic & Herb: Replace the 4 tablespoons of butter with the same amount of garlic herb butter.

    4 Tbsp. Homemade Garlic Herb Butter

  • Maple Bacon: Add maple syrup to the bowl of the food processor before pureeing. Serve with cooked bacon crumbles.

    ¼ cup pure maple syrup, 4 oz. cooked bacon

Tap stars to rate!

5 from 4 votes

Notes

  • Nutritional information is calculated without any of the additional toppings.
  • You can also mash sweet potatoes with a potato masher or in a large stand mixer.
  • You can also cook sweet potatoes by baking them in the oven or in the Instant Pot.
  • To Store: Keep mashed sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • To Freeze: Seal in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to 4-6 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 231.4kcal, Carbohydrates: 38.09g, Protein: 3.12g, Fat: 7.83g, Saturated Fat: 4.83g, Cholesterol: 20.07mg, Sodium: 479.33mg, Potassium: 636.92mg, Fiber: 5.67g, Sugar: 7.92g, Vitamin A: 27046.22IU, Vitamin C: 4.54mg, Calcium: 75.61mg, Iron: 1.15mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Made this recipe?Leave a comment below!

Categorized as:
Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Low-Fat, Lunch, Nut-Free, Paleo, Recipes, Refined Sugar-Free, Side Dishes, Soy-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30

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Best Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Evolving Table (2024)

FAQs

How do you make ina garten mashed sweet potatoes? ›

Place the sweet potato meat into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and add the orange juice, cream, butter, brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Mix together until combined but not smooth and transfer to a baking dish. Bake the potatoes for 20 to 30 minutes, until heated through.

How long should you boil sweet potatoes for? ›

Boil sweet potatoes for 15 to 20 minutes, until they are tender when pierced with a fork. It will take less time if you cut the sweet potatoes into smaller pieces. Drain and return to the pot.

How to thicken sweet potato mash? ›

What can I do if my mashed sweet potatoes are too runny? If the mixture is too runny, cook it on low heat for a few minutes to evaporate some moisture, or add a bit more mashed sweet potato to thicken it up.

How many sweet potatoes will make 3 cups mashed? ›

Note: 3 cups sweet potatoes is about 3-4 large sweet potatoes.

How to cook sweet potatoes with Martha Stewart? ›

Pierce potatoes all over with the tines of a fork and bake in oven, directly on rack, until soft and caramelizing, 1 1/2 hours. Slash the tops of potatoes open with the tip of a sharp knife and push ends of each potato toward each other to open. Divide butter, salt, and pepper among potatoes and serve.

How to make mashed potatoes rachael ray? ›

directions
  1. Boil potatoes until tender, 15 minutes. ...
  2. When the potatoes are tender, drain them and return them to the hot pot to let them dry out a bit.
  3. Mash potatoes with half-and-half or milk using a potato masher.
  4. Add in the cream cheese and smash until the cheese melts into the potatoes.
  5. Add chives or scallions.

What to do with water after boiling sweet potatoes? ›

You can discard the water used to boil sweet potatoes. Some people repurpose it as a base for soups and stews as it contains nutrients. If making mashed sweet potatoes, you may want to reserve a cup to add to the mixture to help make them fluffy and creamy.

Do sweet potatoes get softer the longer you cook them? ›

How Long to Roast Sweet Potatoes. This recipe produces perfectly roasted sweet potatoes after about 30 minutes in an oven preheated to 425 degrees F. If you like your roasted sweet potatoes very soft, you might want to cook them a tad longer.

Do sweet potatoes get sweeter the longer you cook them? ›

You can control the amount of maltose produced when cooking sweet potatoes by varying the cooking time. The longer and slower you cook a sweet potato, the more maltose is formed and the sweeter it will taste.

How to stop sweet potato mash from being watery? ›

You should drain all the water away that you boiled them in and let them steam a little to dry. You can then add some butter and milk or cream - but I guess if you have overdone the liquids, and it is still pretty hot, some cornflour will thicken it up a little. How do I cook and mash sweet potatoes?

What happens when you put too much milk in mashed potatoes? ›

Runny potatoes can happen for a few different reasons. Too much liquid: This is the most common reason. In the mashing process you may have added too much milk or broth. Boiled too long: Boiling your potatoes for too long can make them water-logged, which (you guessed it) can contribute to runny mashed potatoes.

What to eat with mashed sweet potatoes? ›

A delicious sweet potato version of our popular Creamy Mashed Potatoes — the perfect mash. Savory sweet potato mash can easily be served with any main — Garlic Herb Butter Roast Chicken, Crispy Skin Slow Cooker Turkey, Crispy Roast Pork and Garlic Herb Prime Rib.

Is a yam a sweet potato? ›

Yams and sweet potatoes differ in flavor and appearance, and they are not related. Sweet potatoes are in the morning glory family, while yams belong to the lily family. Yams aren't as sweet as sweet potatoes, and they are starchier and drier. Their texture and flavor are more similar to potatoes or yuca.

How many people does 3 lbs of sweet potatoes feed? ›

A good rule of thumb is to trust the recipe. A sweet potato casserole recipe might call for three pounds, or about 48 ounces, of sweet potatoes. By Burgess's estimation, that should equate to 9 to 12 servings.

Should I rinse canned sweet potatoes? ›

Rinsing sweet potatoes of any leftover sugary film will uphold their integrity, giving you the most authentic sweet potato taste and texture. Most sweet potato recipes value the natural taste and texture of the yam first and foremost, adding sugar or seasonings separately instead of incorporating the canning liquid.

Why not boil sweet potatoes? ›

Bake, don't boil

It intensifies their flavor and creates a richer taste compared to boiling, which can result in a watered-down, bland flavor. As the oven temperature rises (when baking), the molecular structure of the sugar molecules in the sweet potatoes begins to change.

Why do you soak sweet potatoes before baking? ›

The theory is that soaking draws out starch from inside the potatoes, helping them crisp up. I've tested soaking sweet potato fries many times, and I've found that it doesn't make them much crispier, if at all.

How to avoid stringy mashed sweet potatoes? ›

I peel and cook sweet potatoes with butter or oleo in a crock pot, about a half pound for 6-8 pounds of sweet potatoes, then use an electric mixer to pull out most of the strings - mix for a few minutes, lift up the mixer to spin off the sweet potatoes, turn it off and wash the strings off.

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