Mashed Sweet Potatoes

This simple recipe for creamy fluffy Mashed Sweet Potatoes comes together with only a few basic ingredients. It’s features a mouth-watering combination of flavors perfect for any holiday meal or weeknight dinner.

Ingredients to Make Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Sweet potatoes are a fabulous side dish year-round but especially in the fall and around Thanksgiving and Christmas. They go especially well with savory entrees like baked ham, prime rib, pork roast and turkey. They’re also have health benefits as they’re loaded with fiber, antioxidants and other nutrients. These creamy mashed sweet potatoes can be made one day in advance then reheated just before serving for a time saver on busy kitchen days. Ingredients you’ll need to make creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes.

Sweet Potatoes: Raw sweet potatoes scrubbed clean. I use around 4 1/2 – 5 pounds.
Butter: Salted butter adds a rich flavor.
Sugar: Light brown sugar or you could use dark brown sugar for a stronger molasses flavor.
Cinnamon: Cinnamon adds a touch of warm spice to the overall flavor.
Seasonings: Plain salt and black pepper. You can omit the pepper or use white pepper.
Maple Syrup: You can use either grade a or grade b maple syrup for a hint of maple flavor and sweetness.
Pecans: You can purchase candied pecans at the grocery store or use chopped toasted pecans for a more savory garnish.
Rosemary: Fresh rosemary for garnishing adds color especially festive for fall meals and Thanksgiving.

How to Make the BEST Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Heat Oven and Prep Sweet Potatoes: Preheat oven to 375°F. Wash and pat dry sweet potatoes. Pierce a few times with a knife.
Sheet Pan: Place onto a baking sheet and into the oven. Bake per the cook time in the recipe until soft when squeezed.
Slice Potatoes: Use a sharp knife to slice baked sweet potatoes through the middle. Use a tablespoon to remove the potato flesh.
Add Butter and Seasonings: Place sweet potatoes, butter, cinnamon, salt and black pepper into a large bowl.
Whip: Use an electric mixer to mash potatoes at medium speed until smooth.
Maple Syrup: Gradually beat in the maple syrup.
Serve: Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle the top with candied pecans and rosemary.

Tips for Making Sweet Potatoes

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need: Large sheet pan, knife, hand mixer, measuring spoons and rubber spatula.
Make-Ahead Tip: You can make these mashed sweet potatoes one day in advance, then reheat just before serving. Reheat them in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat just until heated through, then garnish and serve. You may need to add a bit of milk or cream to loosen them up a bit after chilling.
How To Boil Sweet Potatoes: If you’d rather cook the sweet potatoes on the stovetop, you can. Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into 2-inch cubes. Place sweet potatoes into large pot filled with cold water. Add 1 teaspoon salt. Cook uncovered over medium-high heat for around 16-18 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender. Drain well and add to the mixing bowl, or whip in the pot with the remaining ingredients per the recipe.
Maple Syrup: Adds maple flavor and sweetness. For a more savory flavor you can use heavy cream or half and half in place of the maple syrup.
Brown Sugar: You could adjust the sweetness to your taste. Begin with 1/4 cup of brown sugar, then taste.
Texture: These potatoes are smooth and creamy. You can use a potato masher instead of a mixer, for a slightly different texture.
What To Serve With Mashed Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes go well with Thanksgiving turkey, pork chops, baked chicken thighs, baked ham and meatloaf.

ingredients-to-make-whipped-sweet-potatoes

Recipe Variations

Maple Syrup Substitution: You can use honey in place of maple syrup.
Sour Cream: For a more savory flavor, use sour cream in place of maple syrup and add grated Parmesan cheese.
Fresh Herbs: You can add fresh thyme or chives to the mix. You could also add garlic.
Citrus: You could stir in a small amount of orange juice or orange zest for a bright fresh citrus flavor.
Garnish Substitutions: Top these creamy potatoes with toasted walnuts, green onions, crispy bacon or Parmesan cheese.

Storage and Leftovers

Leftovers: Store leftover sweet potatoes in an airtight container or covered with foil, chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop in a saucepan over medium heat. Add cream or milk to thin, if needed.
Freezer: You can cool and freeze these up to 3 months in advance of serving. Thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving.

More Sweet Potato Recipes to Make

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole is a cinch to make for the holidays, freeing up oven space for other dishes.
Sweet Potato Biscuits are delicious stuffed with holiday ham or turkey.
When you’re serving a crowd, make this Sweet Potato Slab Pie.
Sweet Potato Cornbread is a fan favorite year after year.
Leftover holiday ham can be transformed into this skillet Ham and Sweet Potato Hash with Eggs.
Stuff these Sweet Potato Biscuits with baked ham or slather with cinnamon butter for holiday brunch.
These Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are the perfect way to make sweet potato casserole for two.
Sweet Potato Tots from Real Housemoms.

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