This Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe is a no-fuss side dish that is ultra creamy, super simple to make, and packed with flavor! With only 3 budget-friendly ingredients, you can have this holiday-worthy side on your table in just over 30 minutes. Plus we share our easiest trick for achieving a deliciously smooth texture every time - nothing gummy or goopy here!
Serve this savory sweet potato recipe alongside any number of healthy main dishes or make them the star of your Thanksgiving dinner table! For more inspiration, check out our full collection of potato recipes.
We're on a mission to stock you up with all the Thanksgiving Recipes you might need! Plus this is a healthy side dish you could serve with dinner all year long. Here's everything we love about them:
- Savory
- Creamy
- 3 ingredients
- Nutritious
- Easily customizable
If you want something that will hold more toppings, try these Baked Sweet Potatoes or this Savory Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe instead! For another pop of color on your table, add this Cranberry Sauce with Grand Marnier Recipe!
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Ingredients for sweet potato mash
Here are a few tips to make sure you choose the best ingredients to make this easy side dish.
- Sweet potatoes: It's best to measure these by weight, since they can come in very different sizes. They should be easy to find at your grocery store. Peel them before cooking.
- Butter: This adds lots of flavor and a bit of fat, which helps the texture.
- Milk: I would suggest whole milk because it improves the texture, but 2% will also work. I personally don't suggest dairy-free alternatives such as coconut milk or almond milk, because they don't have the same flavor or fat content that contributes to the final creamy texture.
- Salt and pepper: Kosher salt and ground black pepper are best!
Helpful kitchen tools
How to make mashed sweet potatoes
This is a very easy recipe, but it's never a bad idea to read through it all the way first so you're ready for each step.
Start by peeling the potatoes, then cut them into equal size chunks between ½-1 inch wide. The smaller they are the faster they cook.
Add them to a large pot filled with water and bring them to a boil over medium to medium-high heat. Boil for 10-20 minutes, or until they are super tender.
Drain the potatoes in a colander, shaking vigorously to remove as much water as possible. For the texture to be right, it's important to remove as much excess water as possible.
Add them back to the hot pot and top with butter, salt, and pepper. Then allow the potatoes to sit uncovered for 5 minutes in order to release excess moisture.
Next, use a hand mixer on low to medium speed to mix everything together until they are mostly creamy and only small chunks remain.
Add the milk, then whip on medium to high speed, adding more milk until the desired consistency is reached. Serve and enjoy!
Pro tip: If you don't have a hand mixer, you can also use a handheld potato masher. It will take a little more arm strength and the texture won't be as fluffy.
Variations
Add some of these sweet or savory mix-ins and toppings to take these to the next level!
- Fresh herbs: Some minced fresh thyme, parsley or rosemary sprinkled on top would be delicious!
- Brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey: Add a little of your sweetener of choice when you add the butter. A little goes a long way, since this dish is already naturally pretty sweet.
- Pecans or walnuts: Toast them first for extra flavor, then chop them and sprinkle on top for a nice texture.
- Cinnamon: Just a dash will give these extra fall flavor!
- Parmesan: A little freshly grated cheese will give this a deeper savory flavor.
- Browned butter: Replace the regular butter with browned for a nutty taste. Check out this guide to How to Brown Butter for more instructions.
What to serve with savory mashed sweet potatoes
This easy side goes with any number of main dishes. Here are some ideas, including some of our holiday table favorites!
Storage instructions
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat at full power in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds to help them warm up evenly.
FAQ
Yes! You can cut them and store them in a tightly sealed container in the fridge one day in advance. If preferred, you can store them submerged in water to prevent any slight color changes.
You should always peel your potatoes before mashing them to keep the dish smooth and creamy.
It depends on the size you cut your potatoes. You will need to boil them for 10-20 minutes for pieces that are anywhere between ½ and 1 inch wide.
Yes! If you want to skip the boiling, you can bake or roast the potatoes instead. Make sure they are super tender before mashing them.
Tips and tricks
- Cut the potatoes as evenly as possible so that they cook uniformly. This will help you avoid lumpy mashed potatoes.
- If you don't have a hand mixer, you can also use a stand mixer or a hand held potato masher, although they might not have quite the same whipped texture.
- The secret to getting fluffy potatoes is removing as much excess moisture as possible. So shake the colander vigorously and be sure to allow them to steam for 5 minutes before mashing.
More potato recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
This post was photographed by Rhadonda Sedgwick.
Recipe
Easy Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe (3 Ingredients!)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 lbs sweet potatoes peeled
- 6 tablespoon butter
- ¾ cup milk plus more if needed
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut the sweet potatoes into equal size chunks (I usually do somewhere between ½ -1 inch wide pieces). Add to a large pot filled with water.3 lbs sweet potatoes
- Bring the potatoes to a gentle boil over medium high to high heat. Once boiling, cook for 10-20 minutes or until they are very tender (the time depends on the size of your pieces). Once they look done, check for tenderness. The best way to know if they are done is to pull one out and smash with a fork. Then taste it and see if it has any lumps. If so, continue to boil until evenly tender.
- Pour the potatoes into a colander. Shake vigorously, removing as much water as possible. Add them back to the hot pot and top with butter, salt, and pepper. Then allow the potatoes to sit uncovered for 5 minutes in order to release excess moisture.6 tablespoon butter, Salt and pepper
- Using a hand mixer, mix on low to med speed until the potatoes are mostly mashed and only small chunks remain. Then pour in the milk. Whip on med to high speed, adding more milk until the desired consistency is reached. Serve and enjoy!¾ cup milk
Notes
- Cut the potatoes as evenly as possible so that they cook uniformly. This will help you avoid lumpy mashed potatoes.
- If you don't have a hand mixer, you can also use a stand mixer or a hand held potato masher, although they might not have quite the same whipped texture.
- The secret to getting fluffy potatoes is removing as much excess moisture as possible. So shake the colander vigorously and be sure to allow them to steam for 5 minutes before mashing.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition information is provided by a third party and is an estimate only. Use your own nutritional calculator for more specific measurements.
Lee says
Really easy side dish and healthy!