Marry This Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe is a creamy and fluffy recipe, which is made with sweet potatoes and maple syrup. It’s the perfect holiday side dish, ready in about 30 minutes.
Jump to RecipeMashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe Ingredients
A simple blend for a classic, sweet, and comforting side dish.
- 5 lb. sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
- Salt, plus more to taste
- 3/4 cup salted butter, plus more for serving
- 3/4 cup half-and-half
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper, plus more to taste
How To Make Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
A step-by-step guide to the creamiest sweet potato mash.
- Boil the Potatoes: Place the peeled and chopped sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover them with cold water by at least one inch. Season the water lightly with salt. Bring the pot to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the potatoes are very tender and can be easily pierced with a fork, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: While the potatoes are boiling, return the now-empty pot to the stove over medium heat. Add the butter, half-and-half, brown sugar, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Whisk frequently until the butter is completely melted and the mixture is warm and smooth.
- Mash and Combine: Drain the boiled potatoes well in a colander. Return the drained potatoes to the pot with the warm butter and cream mixture. Reduce the heat to low and use a potato masher to mash the potatoes until they reach your desired consistency. Stir well to combine everything, then season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Keep warm until ready to serve.
Recipe Tips
For the best, most flavorful mashed sweet potatoes every time.
- How to get the creamiest texture? The secret is to mash the potatoes while they are still hot and to use warm half-and-half and melted butter. Cold liquids can make the potatoes gummy. For an ultra-smooth texture, you can use a potato ricer or an electric hand mixer on low speed.
- Can I make these savory instead of sweet? Absolutely. For a savory version, omit the brown sugar, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Instead, season with roasted garlic, fresh thyme, rosemary, or sage. A sprinkle of cayenne pepper also adds a nice kick.
- What’s the best way to peel sweet potatoes? A Y-shaped vegetable peeler works best for the irregular shape of sweet potatoes. Peel them before boiling for the smoothest mash.
- Can I make mashed sweet potatoes ahead of time? Yes, this is a great make-ahead dish. Prepare the mashed sweet potatoes completely, let them cool, and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or cream to loosen them up if needed.
What To Serve With Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Perfect pairings for this classic holiday side dish.
These sweet and savory mashed sweet potatoes are a fantastic accompaniment to a variety of main courses, especially:
- Thanksgiving Roast Turkey
- Holiday Glazed Ham
- Roasted Chicken or Pork Loin
- Pan-seared steak or pork chops
How To Store Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Keeping your leftovers delicious and creamy.
- Refrigerate: Store leftover mashed sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Gently warm the potatoes on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. You may need to add a splash of milk or half-and-half to restore their creamy consistency. You can also reheat them in the microwave.
Mashed Sweet Potatoes Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per serving.
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Fat: 14 g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Yes, you can use whole milk as a substitute. The resulting dish will be slightly less rich and creamy, but still delicious. For a richer alternative, you can use heavy cream.
Peeling is recommended for the creamiest, smoothest texture. If you prefer a more rustic dish with extra fiber, you can leave the skins on, but make sure to scrub the potatoes very well before boiling.
Yes. If you don’t have maple syrup, you can substitute it with an equal amount of honey or agave nectar. You can also adjust the amount of brown sugar to suit your taste preference.
Try More Recipes:
Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Course: Side DishCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy10
servings10
minutes20
minutes310
kcalA simple guide to making perfectly creamy, fluffy, and sweet mashed sweet potatoes, flavored with maple syrup, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
Ingredients
5 lb. sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
3/4 cup salted butter
3/4 cup half-and-half
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp. cinnamon
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Directions
- Place peeled, chopped sweet potatoes in a large pot, cover with salted water, and boil for 15-20 minutes until fork-tender.
- While potatoes cook, gently warm the butter, half-and-half, brown sugar, maple syrup, and cinnamon in a separate pot.
- Drain the potatoes well and return them to the pot with the warm cream mixture.
- Mash the potatoes until smooth and well combined.
- Season to taste with additional salt and pepper.
- Serve warm with an extra pat of butter on top.
Notes
- For the creamiest results, always mash potatoes while they are hot.
- Using warm liquids (half-and-half and melted butter) is key to preventing a gummy texture.
- You can easily make this dish ahead of time. Just store it in the fridge and reheat on the stove with a splash of milk to loosen it up.
- Adjust the level of sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar and maple syrup to your liking.
