This mashed sweet potato is a delicious sweet and savory side dish! Perfect for the holidays, they are easy to prepare with 7 simple ingredients.
If mashed sweet potatoes have never appeared on your table, now is the time to change that. they are too delicious not to have in your side dish rotation, especially in the fall. These mashed sweet potatoes have a wonderfully creamy texture and I season them with salt, pepper and a little maple syrup to create a rich flavor that is part salty and part sweet.
But perhaps best of all, this mashed sweet potato recipe is SO easy to make! It requires 7 ingredients and the stove does most of the work for you. It’s a perfect side dish to serve at a holiday meal (you can even make it ahead!), but it’s so simple, comforting, and tasty that I hope you’ll make it for regular dinners, too.
Ingredients for mashed sweet potatoes
What I like most about this recipe is that it really lets the sweet potatoes shine. Unlike sweet potato casserole or some other mashed sweet potato recipes, you won’t find any marshmallows or brown sugar here. I just add a touch of maple syrup to bring out the naturally sweet flavor of sweet potatoes.
These simple ingredients do the rest of the work:
- Butter – For a rich, buttery flavor.
- Milk – Any type you want! Almond milk and whole milk are two of our favorites here, but any unsweetened dairy or non-dairy milk would work great.
- salt and pepper – They provide a tasty balance to this mashed sweet potatoes.
- And fresh thyme leaves – To decorate! I mention them as optional, but I love the depth of earthy flavor they add to this recipe.
Find the full recipe with measurements below.
How to make mashed sweet potatoes
I used to puree sweet potatoes by baking them and then blending them in a food processor.
But after some experimenting, I decided to make them the same way I make my mashed potatoes: by boiling them on the stove and then mashing them by hand.
The process is so simple! This is how I do it:
Start by preparing the potatoes. Peel them and cut them into 1-inch cubes. Place them in a large pot and cover them with cold water by 1 inch. Add a tablespoon of salt to the water to season the potatoes as they cook.
Then boil them. Bring water to a boil and cook until potatoes are tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
Next, drain and mash the sweet potatoes. Drain the water and return the potatoes to the pot. Add the butter, milk, maple syrup, salt and some ground pepper. Use a potato masher to mash until the potatoes are smooth and well combined with the other ingredients.
Finally, season to taste and serve! Transfer the mashed sweet potatoes to a serving bowl and load with any garnishes you like. We love them with more butter and fresh thyme leaves on top.
Variations
- For a sweeter flavor profile, omit the thyme. Instead, top the potatoes with a little cinnamon.
- For a more flavorful puree, reduce maple syrup to 2 tablespoons and add 2 cloves grated garlic.
- For richer mashed potatoes, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup sour cream.
- Or go for fresh herbs! Add 2 teaspoons of chopped rosemary to the puree and decorate with fresh parsley and/or thyme.
Leftover Storage
This mashed sweet potato keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat them in the microwave or in a covered baking dish in a 350°F oven.
You can freeze them too!
How to freeze mashed sweet potatoes
To freeze mashed sweet potatoes, let them cool to room temperature. Then, seal them in a freezer-safe container and freeze them for up to 3 months.
Let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the microwave or oven.
More sweet potato recipes to try
If you love these easy mashed sweet potatoes, try one of these delicious sweet potato recipes below:
Or for more holiday recipes, check out these 50 Thanksgiving Side Dishes!
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
serves 6 at 8
Made with 7 ingredients, this mashed sweet potato recipe is an easy and delicious holiday side dish! I boil sweet potatoes until tender, then mash them with butter, milk, and a little maple syrup to create a creamy, flavorful mash.
- 3 pounds yams, about 5 large or 6 medium, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces, and more to serve
- ½ cup milk, heated
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon sea salt, and more to cook the potatoes
- Freshly ground black pepper
- fresh thyme leaves, optional, to decorate
Prevent your screen from going dark
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Place sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water by 1 inch. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the water.
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Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to maintain a gentle boil. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the potatoes can be easily pierced with a fork.
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Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the butter, milk, maple syrup, salt and some ground pepper. Use a potato masher to mash until smooth and well combined.
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Season to taste and serve topped with more butter and fresh thyme leaves, if desired.
