These are the absolute best mashed Sweet Potatoes you'll ever have. They are buttery, creamy, nutty, and have hints of caramel.
Think of sweet potatoes mixed with butter, a little brown sugar, and a small splash of sherry to make it extra special.
While you can't go wrong with our classic Cheesy Mashed Potatoes, it doesn't hurt to have some variety.
Using just four ingredients, they are easy to make and are a wonderful addition to any holiday meal.
But you don't need to wait for Thanksgiving or Christmas to serve this delicious side dish.
RELATED: Check out our ➡ Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes!
Why This Easy Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe Works
EASE. This sweet potato recipe is as simple as it gets! You only need simple ingredients that are easy to find. And all you have to do is bake, scoop, season, and mash.
STRESS-FREE PREP - Mashed sweet potatoes can easily be prepared a day ahead. So if you're planning a big Thanksgiving dinner, this is a great dish to prep on Wednesday and refrigerate overnight. Take it out of the oven about 30 to 40 minutes before you reheat it in the oven (about 20 minutes at 350º Fahrenheit).
HEALTHY. Sweet potatoes are excellent sources of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants making this a great dish to stay healthy this holiday season. It also contains fewer calories than regular potatoes, making it one of the quite healthy recipes.
COMFORT. Undeniably delicious, this side dish has all the elements of delicious home-cooked comfort food. It's sweet, creamy, and oh-so buttery.
CUSTOMIZABLE. I wanted to keep this recipe simple and let the sweet potatoes shine through. However, feel free to add extra ingredients and spices to your liking.
Ingredients
Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.
SWEET POTATO - Of course, they are the star of the show! I used both red-skinned and light-skinned sweet potatoes for this recipe. If you can only find one kind, that's okay, too. But the combination of the two makes a perfectly textured mash.
TIP: Choose medium-sized sweet potatoes because they are the most flavorful.
BUTTER - We're not shy about butter in this recipe. It makes it so rich, smooth, and creamy.
SUGAR - Brown sugar gives the dish a boost of sweetness and caramel flavor.
SHERRY - This secret ingredient makes this a "next-level recipe." Don't skip it! I've also tried it with bourbon, and it's good, too, but dry sherry is so much better for this recipe.
Additions, Substitutions, and Variations
ORANGE - If you like to add an orange twist to this recipe, add a bit of orange zest and fresh orange juice to the sweet potato mash. I don't do it for mine because I think the sherry by itself works wonderfully with the creamy sweet potatoes, but it's definitely an option.
HERBS - You can also add some herbs and spices like thyme, ground cinnamon, or parsley to add more flavor to the dish.
SUGAR - Instead of brown sugar, try adding a few tablespoons of maple syrup for more woodsy maple flavors.
CASSEROLE - Turn it into a sweet potato casserole! Place the mashed mixture in a shallow baking dish and top with either marshmallows or candied pecans. Then, drizzle with a few tablespoons of maple syrup and bake for a few more minutes. Perfect for those with a sweet tooth.
BOURBON - If you don't like sherry, you can use bourbon or rum instead. Both work beautifully with sweet potatoes. But my favorite spritz of booze for this recipe is sherry, for sure.
VEGAN - Need to make a vegan option? No problem. Use coconut milk instead of butter, and look for a vegan dry sherry brand.
How To Make This Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe
Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- BAKE sweet potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet for 50-55 minutes.
- SLICE lengthwise in half, scoop out the flesh, and put it in a large bowl.
- ADD brown sugar, melted butter, and sherry. Blend until creamy.
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Recipe Success Tips
Make sure to poke holes into the sweet potatoes before baking. This will allow the steam to escape and save you from any 'sweet potato explosions.'
Choose medium sweet potatoes that are uniform in size to make sure they roast evenly. Large sweet potatoes will need more baking time. Use a fork to check for doneness.
ALTERNATIVE TOOLS - If you do not have a hand mixer, use a food processor, immersion blender, or potato masher instead.
TEXTURE - Take note that the consistency of the dish will differ depending on what you use, though. Using a food processor or blender will result in a very smooth, creamy texture. A potato masher will give you a chunkier mash.
Leftovers
STORE - If you are making this ahead or storing leftovers, place the mashed sweet potatoes in an airtight container. Or you can cover your serving bowl tightly with cling wrap. Make sure to consume the leftovers within 3-4 days.
FREEZE - You can store the mashed sweet potatoes in your freezer for up to 3 months. When reheating from frozen, thaw the mashed sweet potatoes in the fridge overnight.
REHEAT - Microwave or heat on the stove. If you find it a little too dry, add a little butter or a splash of milk to make it into a creamy mash again.
Serving Suggestions
WITH TURKEY - If you're looking for the perfect side dish to go with your holiday turkey, look no further. This Sweet Potato Mash pairs beautifully with turkey, adding a sweet and creamy contrast to the savory meat.
AS A SIDE - This dish is versatile enough for any day of the week, not just for the holidays. It goes wonderfully with grilled chicken or steak, making your meal complete and oh-so-tasty.
ADD GREENS - Want to make sure you're getting your veggies in? A side of steamed or roasted vegetables like green beans, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts can create a well-rounded and nutritious meal when paired with this Sweet Potato Mash.
More Easy And Delicious Side Dishes
HONEY ROASTED SWEET POTATOES - a reader-favorite
CANDIED CARROTS - Don't wait for the holidays to make this recipe
MUSHROOM PIE - This recipe will be on our Thanksgiving table this year
CLASSIC STUFFING - Foolproof stuffing recipe.
BACON ROLLS - Stuffing wrapped in bacon.
CANDIED SWEET POTATOES - A side dish that tastes as sweet as candy!
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds red-skinned sweet potatoes
- 2 pounds light-skinned sweet potatoes
- 1 ½ sticks butter unsalted, melted
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup dry sherry
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425º Fahrenheit.
- Pierce sweet potatoes in several places with a fork.
- Place on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until tender. About 50-55 minutes
- Cut sweet potatoes lengthwise and scoop the flesh out. Scoop the pulp into a large bowl. Add sugar, melted butter, and sherry.
- Use a hand mixer and blend until creamy.
Caroline
We made this last weekend for a Friendsgiving. It was so super and delicious and a hit amongst our friends.