Description
This Mashed Sweet Potatoes recipe is a creamy and versatile side dish perfect for any meal. Made with boiled sweet potatoes, milk, and butter, it offers a smooth texture that can be customized with flavors like cinnamon sugar, garlic herb butter, or maple bacon. Ideal for gatherings or everyday dinners, this recipe yields six servings and takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Basic Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- 2 ½ lbs. sweet potatoes (peeled and cooked)
- â…“ 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 Variation
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
- ½ tsp. cinnamon
- ¼ cup toasted pecans (coarsely chopped)
Garlic Herb Variation
- 4 Tbsp. Homemade Garlic Herb Butter
Maple Bacon Variation
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 4 oz. cooked bacon (crumbled)
Instructions
- Prepare Potatoes: Peel the sweet potatoes thoroughly using a potato peeler and cut them into 1-inch cubes to ensure even cooking.
- Boil Sweet Potatoes: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and carefully add the sweet potato cubes. Boil for 12-15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Drain the water using a colander.
- Mash or Puree: Transfer the drained sweet potatoes to the bowl of a large food processor. Add milk, butter, and salt, then process until the mixture is smooth and creamy. For a chunkier texture, you can alternatively mash them by hand using a potato masher. Optionally, sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
- Cinnamon Sugar Variation: Before pureeing, add the brown sugar and cinnamon to the food processor with the sweet potatoes. Puree until smooth and serve topped with toasted pecans for added crunch and sweetness.
- Garlic Herb Variation: Replace the 4 tablespoons of regular butter in the basic recipe with the same amount of homemade garlic herb butter for a savory, aromatic twist.
- Maple Bacon Variation: Add pure maple syrup to the sweet potatoes in the food processor before pureeing. After blending, serve the mashed sweet potatoes garnished with crumbled cooked bacon for a sweet and salty flavor combination.
Notes
- For dairy-free options, substitute milk with almond or cashew milk and use vegan buttery sticks instead of butter.
- Adjust salt according to your taste preference, starting with a smaller amount and adding more as needed.
- Sweet potatoes should be cooked until very tender to achieve a smooth mash or puree.
- To toast pecans, spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and lightly browned.
- Homemade Garlic Herb Butter can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for convenience.
- This recipe is easily adaptable to different flavor profiles, making it great for holidays or everyday meals.
