Creamy and delicious while both sweet and savory, this mashed sweet potato recipe is easy to make and is the perfect side dish to accompany any weeknight dinner. And if you're looking for sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving, this recipe is deliciously irresistible! A true crowd pleaser!
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Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite root vegetables. Not only are they healthy, but they also taste amazing and are extremely versatile. They're tender, sweet, and delicious and they work extremely well in so many recipes like these Sweet Potato and Kale Patties. Sweet potatoes can be baked, mashed, boiled, or roasted, and can either be sweet, savory, or both. Personally, I love a good sweet potato that has been mashed. You're going to love this version because they are both sweet and savory!
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🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
The main ingredients you need to make these sweet potatoes taste both sweet and savory are butter and brown sugar. I use salted butter to help cut the sweet a little. I add a cinnamon stick, whole cloves, and brown sugar while I'm boiling the sweet potatoes. This adds a depth of flavor you won't find in other recipes. The ground cinnamon and clove are used in the sweet potato glaze.
🔪 Mashed Sweet Potatoes Step-By-Step Instructions
First, peel the sweet potatoes. Rinse and drain.
Add the diced potatoes to a large pot. Bring the large pot of water to a boil. Add the 2 whole cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, and brown sugar to the pot. Preparing them this way helps both the spice and sweetness really penetrate into the vegetable while they boil.
They will be done after about 20 minutes of boiling. They need to be almost falling apart. Using a colander, drain the potatoes. Discard the cinnamon stick and whole cloves. Pour the potatoes into a large bowl and set aside.
Now it's time to make the spice glaze. In a small saucepan, melt the butter along with the salt, ground cinnamon, and ground clove. For a little kick, add a dash of black pepper.
Once the butter mixture is well mixed, pour over the cooked sweet potatoes and then mash the sweet potatoes. Top with some chopped pecans for added crunch and dig in!
👩🍳 Storing Leftovers
Similar to storing regular mashed potatoes, store any leftover mashed sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave until warm, about 2-3 minutes.
You can also freeze mashed sweet potatoes. After you've smashed the sweet potatoes and once they've changed completely cooled, add the mixture to a plastic sealable bag and flatten. Lay the bag flat in the freezer and store for up to 3 months. When you're ready reheat, place the bag in the refrigerator to thaw. Once it is completely thawed, warm them up in the microwave, in the oven, or on the stovetop.
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions
These are the 4 most popular ways to mash potatoes.
1. Lumpy - For this recipe, I like to take a hand held masher and press until they are slightly mashed. This method allows for some texture in each bite.
2. Creamy - If you want them super creamy, use an electric or standing mixer and mix on medium speed until smooth.
3. Puree - For the softest and lightest consistency, use a blender or food processor and puree. Sweet potato puree can be used for pie filling, baby food, and more.
4. Smashed - For a more solid form, lightly take a fork or potato masher and press down.
- Sprinkle on more brown sugar.
- Add chopped pecans.
- Top with more butter. This provides a more savory flavor.
- Add some raisins.
- Spread and melt marshmallows on top.
There is a difference between yams and sweet potatoes. But what you see in your local grocery store aren't yams; they're sweet potatoes. Yams have a super bumpy texture that looks like tree bark. Yams also taste a lot like russet potatoes and are hard to find in the United States unless you go to a specialty grocery store. What you're seeing at your local grocer are white sweet potatoes. They come in a variety of colors such as purple, white, and orange.
🥔 More Potato Recipes You'll Love
I love potatoes and I'm constantly making new recipes to try out different variations. I grew up on these Homemade Mashed Potatoes. My mom made them at least 4 nights a week to pair with chicken or pork. They are easy to make and taste so good that I still make them for my family. I also love these Slow Cooker Herb Roasted Garlic Potatoes because they require no effort at all on my end. I add the ingredients to the slow cooker and let it do all the hard work. The flavor of these little gemstone potatoes is out of this world delicious!
These Zesty Italian Potatoes are an excellent choice when serving burgers or a BBQ pulled chicken sandwich. These seasoned potatoes are full of flavor, have a crispy texture, and super easy to make! And if you smoke meat, then try smoking these Garlic and Herb Smoked Potatoes! They pair perfectly with my smoked turkey breast or smoked ham!
Easy Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized chunks
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 cloves, whole
- 6 Tablespoons butter, salted
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground clove
Instructions
- Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into bite-size pieces.
- Rinse well and set aside. In a large pot, combine the sweet potato chunks, brown sugar, cinnamon stick, and whole cloves.
- Add enough water to cover the potatoes. Bring potatoes to a boil, until they become tender (about 20 minutes).
- When done, drain the potatoes and add them to a large mixing bowl and set aside. Discard the cinnamon stick and the 2 whole cloves.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Whisk in the ground cinnamon, salt, and ground clove.
- Once your butter mixture is well mixed, pour the butter mixture over the cooked sweet potatoes and mash with a hand masher or electric mixer until the desired consistency.
- Top with your favorite toppings, such as pecans, raisins, and marshmallows and serve.
Notes
- Lumpy - For this recipe, I like to take a hand held masher and press until slightly mashed. This method allows for some texture in each bite.
- Creamy - If you want them super creamy, grab an electric or standing mixer and mix on medium speed until smooth.
- Puree - For the softest and lightest consistency, grab a blender or food processor and puree. Sweet potato puree can be used for pie filling, baby food, and more.
- Smashed - For a more solid form, lightly take a fork and press down.
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Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published in November 2017, but was re-published with updated step-by-step instructions, pictures, and FAQs in September 2021.
Ann
This is one of my favorite side dishes. I could die for it. So creamy, sweet, and savory. I can’t believe there are people who can REALLY resist this. I used to say that I had never tasted anything as delicious as that. I think I can say this even now. It really is an obsession. I often make mashed sweet potatoes, especially when my grandma comes to visit us. She adores mashed potatoes too. This is something she could never get bored of. Partners in crime.
To be honest, I’ve never even thought of spicing the meal cuz it always seemed so good plain to me. But I do love your version. Such a nice combo of flavors. Can’t wait to give it a try. Thank you for this inspiration Amanda. Look forward to your new recipes!
Amanda Mason
Awe - thanks, Ann!! You're going to love this one! I hope you get to make them for your grandma, too! Let me know how they turn out!!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
This is my all time favorite side dish! I love how velvety it is and that it's full of cinnamon!
Amanda Mason
Thanks! You're going to love it!
Julie
Sweet potatoes are always better than regular potatoes! These look like a lovely take on a classic dish.
Amanda Mason
Yes!! This is a classic dish and it's so divine!
Stacey
Oh my goodness, this is one of my favorites ever. I've been to enjoy it as dessert too! Love 'em.
Amanda Mason
Yes- they really could be eaten as a dessert!
dixya @food, pleasure, and health
sounds like a great side!
Amanda Mason
Thanks!! You'll love it!
Leslie
I love adding pecans to sweet potatoes - they're a match made in heaven!
Amanda Mason
Yes and pecans are so readily available this time of year!!
Jenni
I loooove me some mashed potatoes! The rest of my family doesn't particularly care for them, but I can't get enough! Love how you spiced these and added pecans! Delicious!
Amanda Mason
Thanks! These are such a crowd pleaser!!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
OMG....seriously I would just eat a bowl of this for dinner. Love the flavours happening here....and this is the perfect holiday side dish for company too.
Amanda Mason
Yes - it's the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner!!
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
Cloves are such a fun spice for the cooler months of the year. Love how fragrant they are - I bet they're SO good with the other spices you have going on here. YUM!
Amanda Mason
Yes - the clove is wonderful in this dish! you'll love it!!
Sarah
I think your little fella and I would get along! This is probably my favorite side dish on the planet!
Amanda Mason
I know! I'm in love with any sweet potato dish and this one is amazing!!