Mashed Sweet Potatoes

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!

Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe Highlights

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.

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 works wonderfully with the creamy sweet potatoes, but it’s an option.

HERBS – You can also add herbs and spices like thyme, ground cinnamon, or parsley to add flavor.

SUGAR – Add a few tablespoons of maple syrup instead of brown sugar 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.

1. BAKE sweet potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet for 50-55 minutes.
2. SLICE lengthwise in half, scoop out the flesh, and put it in a large bowl.
3. 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 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.

TEXTURE – Note that the dish’s consistency will differ depending on what you use. Using a food processor or blender will produce a 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!

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