Easy Mashed Sweet Potatoes - Downshiftology (2024)

Mashed sweet potatoes make for the perfect sweet and savory side dish. They’re rich, creamy, and pair well with any main course, especially during the holidays. Just gather up four simple ingredients to whip up this easy and delicious recipe.

While classic mashed potatoes are a crowd favorite, don’t overlook its counterpart: sweet potatoes.

Not only do sweet potatoes have a rich flavor, but their luscious texture is irresistible. And when I say irresistible, I mean I can devour half a batch of sweet potatoes in one sitting whether they’re roasted sweet potatoes or baked sweet potatoes.

But when sweet potatoes are transformed into mashed potatoes, it takes them to an entirely new level. With this recipe, the buttery, creamy texture just gets better and better with every bite.

How to prep and cook Sweet Potatoes

While there’s a few options on how to prep and cook sweet potatoes, I find that the easiest process is to peel, dice, and boil. Here’s the breakdown.

• Peel the potatoes using a hand peeler (my favorite peeler is linked in the recipe notes).
• Dice the potatoes into large or small cubes.
• Boil the potatoes until tender, and then place it into a large mixing bowl to prepare for mashing.

How To Mash Sweet Potatoes

Now that you have your sweet potatoes warm and tender, it’s time to get mashing. There are a few ways to do it, but it comes down to the preference in texture.

• For a chunkystyle mash which is a mix of creamy and chunky potatoes, it’s best to use a fork or hand masher.
• For an ultra smooth and creamy consistency, you’ll want to use a hand mixer or food processor. But just remember that there is a fine line between a purée and a perfectly mashed potato. If you purée it too much, then it almost becomes too soft like baby food!

Flavor Variations

You can take your sweet potato mash on a more savory or sweet route, depending on how you want to season it.

• Garlic & herb: Add minced and sauteed garlic along with a few herbs such as chives, parsley, or thyme into the mix.
• Candied bacon: Use my baked bacon recipe and brush maple syrup over each piece to give it a sweet and savory flavor. Then crush the bacon bits on top of your mashed sweet potatoes.
• Smoky and spicy: Add 1/4 teaspoon of chili powder, smoked paprika, ground coriander, and ground chipotle chile pepper into your blend.

Can You Freeze Mashed Sweet Potatoes?

The answer is yes! Just make sure to store them in a freezer safe container or large resealable bag. They can be frozen for up to 5 months.

To reheat them, place the potatoes in the refrigerator overnight to thaw. Then add the mashed sweet potatoes to a casserole dish to reheat in the oven. Bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes until it’s warmed through. If the consistency isn’t creamy enough, you can add a little bit of nut milk into the mixture, and stir thoroughly.

You can also reheat the mashed sweet potatoes in the microwave in 30 second increments.

What To Eat With Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Let’s be honest, mashed sweet potatoes go with just about everything. But here are a few delicious combinations to pair with with them.

• Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs
• Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
• Roasted Balsamic Chicken
• Rosemary Grilled Lamb Chops.

More Sweet Potato Recipes

If you’ve got a few more sweet potatoes left, don’t let them go to waste. Whip up a few of my other delicious sweet potato recipes including:

• Sweet Potato Soup
• Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash
• Candid Yams
• Curly Sweet Potato Fries
• Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole

Recipe originally published October 2019, but updated to include new information and a video for your benefit!