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A bowl of mashed sweet potatoes with a knob of slightly melted butter on top with a spoon on the side.
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Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Mashed Sweet Potatoes are a creamy and colorful side ready to be paired with almost any meal. Butter, half-and-half, and a bit of maple syrup make this recipe decadent with a rich buttery flavor and a touch of sweetness. Easy to make and beautiful on your holiday table!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 311kcal
Author John Kanell

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Strainer or colander

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds sweet potatoes (1.8kg)
  • 2 teaspoons salt plus more to taste
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter cubed (70g)
  • ⅓ cup half-and-half or whole milk (80ml)
  • ¼ cup maple syrup (60ml)
  • Ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into cubes or roughly 1-inch pieces. Place in a large pot. Fill the pot with enough water until the potatoes are submerged by an inch and add 2 teaspoons of salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until fork tender, about 20 minutes.
  • Drain the potatoes well and return them potatoes to the same pot. Cook on low heat while gently moving the sweet potatoes around for about a minute to dry off any excess water.
  • Add the half-and-half, maple syrup, and butter, then mash with a potato masher to the desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm with extra butter and pepper, if desired.

Notes

  • Sharpen your knife. A sharp knife will help you cube the potatoes quickly and easily! After peeling, use the knife to cut off any dark spots or potato eyes before cutting potatoes into 1-inch pieces.
  • Roasted potato option. If you prefer, you can make this recipe with roasted sweet potatoes instead of boiled. This method will add texture and a toasty flavor.
  • Use heavy cream for a richer dish. If you prefer a richer, creamer texture, substitute an equal amount of heavy cream for the half-and-half.
  • Add herbs or spices for a savory flavor. You can add herbs such as fresh thyme, basil, chives, or oregano, or their dried counterparts, for a more savory flavor. Finely chop any fresh herbs and stir them into the mashed sweet potatoes. Or try adding ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon for a fall flavor.
  • Mash by hand. While some regular mashed potatoes are made utilizing a hand mixer or food processor to combine the ingredients, this recipe is best when mashed by hand. Mashing by hand gives you complete control over the texture and prevents overmixing which can make the potatoes gummy.

Nutrition

Calories: 311kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 714mg | Potassium: 803mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 32474IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 93mg | Iron: 1mg