Mashed sweet potatoes are often smothered in sugar, but this savory recipe is just as delicious! Garlicky, creamy sweet potato mash is a great, lighter alternative to traditional mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving dinner. Your loved ones will keep coming back for more.
Easy Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe
Sweet potatoes can be prepared in many ways, but mashing them is perfect when you want something a little more nutrient-dense than traditional Mashed Potatoes. My mashed sweet potatoes skip the sugar, and instead, I flavor the mash with a combination of garlic, butter, and sour cream. These savory mashed sweet potatoes are an excellent addition to your holiday table, but if you’re looking for something sweeter, try this Mashed Sweet Potatoes Brulée or my Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows.
What Makes This the Best Sweet Potato Mash
When I’m not whipping up mashed sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, I’ll serve this easy sweet potato side dish with Roasted Chicken, Salisbury Steak, Pork Chops, or Turkey Meatloaf. Here’d why this mashed sweet potatoes recipe has everyone coming back for seconds:
- Savory, not sweet. While it’s true that sweet potatoes pair beautifully with brown sugar, I wanted a mash that leaned into the savory flavors. You still get a little sweetness from the sweet potatoes in every bite.
- Easy to prepare. All you need to do is boil your sweet potatoes, season them, and mash! The recipe takes one pot and 25 minutes, and you can even prep your mashed potatoes in advance if you’d like.
- Lighter than traditional mashed potatoes. I love the comfort in dishes like Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes. These mashed sweet potatoes have all that comfort in a lighter format, with a slightly richer texture than, say, Mashed Cauliflower.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a look at the ingredients for this savory mashed sweet potatoes recipe. See the recipe card below for the exact measurements.
- Sweet Potatoes: Peel and cube two pounds of sweet potatoes.
- Unsalted Butter: Sauté the garlic in one tablespoon of butter. You could use olive oil if you prefer.
- Garlic: Crush three cloves. If you don’t have fresh garlic, substitute 1 tablespoon of jarred minced garlic per clove.
- Milk: Use 1% milk if you’re keeping this dish light. Or, swap 1% milk with 2%, whole milk, or even almond milk.
- Light Sour Cream: Stir in two tablespoons for creamy potatoes. Greek yogurt is a good substitute.
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste.
How to Make Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Here’s a step-by-step overview showing how easy it is to make these fluffy, creamy mashed sweet potatoes in one pot.
- Boil sweet potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Once tender, drain them in a colander.
- Sauté the garlic. Melt the butter in the pot and sauté the garlic until lightly golden.
- Mash the potatoes. Return the sweet potatoes to the pot with the garlic and add the milk and sour cream. Mash the mixture with a potato masher until smooth, and season with salt and pepper.
Tips for Success
- Peel the sweet potatoes: While you can eat the skin of sweet potatoes, it’s best to peel them for mashed potatoes, so they’re smooth. Peel the potatoes before dicing and boiling them.
- How long to boil sweet potatoes: This depends on how big the sweet potato pieces are. Use a sharp knife to test if they’re done; they should be tender, without overcooking.
- Mash the potatoes while they’re hot: This is important! Mashing the freshly boiled and drained potatoes prevents them from becoming lumpy and gluey. Don’t wait too long to mash them after cooking.
- Serving a crowd? Double or triple this easy mashed sweet potato recipe and add it to your Thanksgiving menu.
Variations
- Bake the potatoes: Instead of boiling, bake the sweet potatoes at 425° for 45 to 50 minutes. Alternatively, follow the cooking directions for my Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato recipe. Once roasted, remove the skins and continue with step two.
- Add sweetness: If you’d like, add maple syrup, brown sugar, or honey to taste.
- Creaminess: Feel free to add more sour cream or milk for creamier mashed sweet potatoes.
- Herbs and spices: Before serving, sprinkle fresh chives on the potatoes for color. You can also add spices, like cinnamon, pumpkin spice, or smoked paprika, for more flavor in the mash.
- Make it cheesy: Fold in grated Parmesan cheese.
What to Serve with Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Serve this savory sweet potato mash as a side dish with your Christmas spiral ham or Thanksgiving turkey this year, or any of the dinner ideas below.
Mains
Mashed sweet potatoes and quick and easy to serve with just about any meal.
Holiday Sides
Planning a holiday menu? Try these festive side dishes.
How to Store
- Storing whole sweet potatoes: Uncooked sweet potatoes will stay fresh for several weeks if stored in a cool, dry, dark place.
- Store leftover mash: The mashed sweet potatoes will last up to four days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. I like to use leftover sweet potato mash as a topping for Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie!
- Reheat: These mashed sweet potatoes can be reheated in the microwave.
Make Ahead
I do find these mashed sweet potatoes have the best flavor and texture when they’re made and served the same day. However, if you want to make ahead:
- Make them one or two days early.
- Refrigerate them once cool in a baking dish covered tightly with foil.
- Reheat them in a 350°F-oven for about 20 to 30 minutes until warm.
More Sweet Potato Recipes You’ll Love
Mashes Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large pot boil sweet potatoes in salted water until tender, drain in a colander.
- Meanwhile, melt butter and sauté garlic until lightly golden.
- Return potatoes to the pot with the garlic, add milk and sour cream; mash until smooth and creamy. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
