Mashed Sweet Potatoes

This recipe for Mashed Sweet Potatoes is a whole holiday celebration in a bowl! Whether you’re craving a quiet, cozy meal on a rainy day or a big celebratory feast, this side dish will never let you down.

Creamy, without any added cream, and sweet, without any added sugar; mashed sweet potatoes taste like a little bit of culinary magic. There are no compromises between flavor and nutrition either, so you get the best of all worlds. When in doubt, start a pot of water boiling and start peeling your potatoes. The rest will come together in no time.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Sweet Potato Mash

You’ll be won over at first bite, but here are a few more compelling reasons why you’ll fall in love with this effortless recipe:

• Allergen- and alternative diet-friendly. Whether you’re dealing with picky eaters, food intolerances, or dietary preferences, this is the dish that can unite them all. It’s vegan and vegetarian of course, but also wheat-free, gluten-free, sugar-free, nut-free, soy-free (depending on your vegan butter), paleo, and keto. Now that’s a mouthful!
• Great for meal planning and make-ahead meals. Mashed sweet potatoes keep beautifully in the fridge, so you can make them roughly 5 to 7 days in advance if needed.
• Super healthy superfood. Eat your vitamins with ease! Sweet potatoes are especially high in fiber, potassium, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B6.
• Just 6 ingredients. If you don’t count salt or pepper, it’s only 4!

Notes on Ingredients

Please note that this is important information on the ingredients and instructions and the FULL recipe with amounts and details can be found DOWN BELOW (scroll to it) in the recipe card.

• Sweet potatoes – There are over 6,000 different types of sweet potatoes grown worldwide, and they’re all delicious! Whether you chose white to yellow, red, purple, or brown, you can’t go wrong.
• Vegan butter – Choose unsalted if you’re watching your sodium; you can always add more salt to taste.
• Oat milk or coconut milk – Chose the richest non-dairy milk for the most decadent results. Coconut milk will have a subtle but distinctive tropical taste, so keep that in mind if you’re not a fan.
• Garlic
• Sea salt
• Black pepper
• Parsley (optional)

How to Make Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes

• Bring water to a boil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the sweet potatoes and cook for 15 to 18 minutes, until fork tender.
• Drain thoroughly. Make sure all the excess liquid is removed.

• Mash the potatoes briefly to begin breaking them into small pieces. Just a few seconds of mashing is fine.
• Combine the vegan milk and butter in a small dish.  Microwave until hot and melted together.

• Add the vegan milk vegan butter mix to the potatoes. Follow with the garlic and salt and mash everything together with the potato masher until smooth and creamy. Incorporate more milk if needed to reach your desired consistency.
• Top with black pepper, chopped parsley, and an extra pat of butter, to taste. Enjoy!

Tips for Success

Mashed potato mastery is within reach when you follow these easy instructions. Here’s how you can modify the dish and make it your own:

• Peeling the potatoes guarantees a lusciously smooth mash. If you’d prefer more texture and nutrition, go ahead and leave the peels on! Just make sure they’re thoroughly scrubbed before cooking to remove any residual dirt.
• Cut the sweet potatoes into cubes that are the same size. This way, they’ll cook at the same rate and have a more consistent texture.
• Enhance the sweetness by adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of dark brown sugar or maple syrup. Everyone loves the classic sweet potato casserole, and you can emulate that by adding vegan marshmallows on top, too. Spread the mashed potatoes into a casserole dish, top with marshmallows, and run it under the broiler for a few minutes, until browned and gooey.
• Make it savory with herbs and spices. Mix in cumin, chili powder, or hot sauce to spice things up. Consider rosemary, thyme, or sage for an earthy, autumnal blend.

How Long Do You Need To Boil Sweet Potatoes for Mashing?

Cut into 1-inch cubes, it takes about 15 to 18 minutes for the sweet potatoes to cook all the way through. Keep the pot uncovered with the water at a steady simmer. To test for doneness, try poking them with a fork. If the fork sticks in the cubes easily, without too much resistance, they’re ready to be drained. Drain thoroughly to prevent the mash from getting watered down.

What Goes Well With Sweet Potatoes?

Deftly walking the line between sweet and savory, this versatile side is the ultimate unifier between all entrees. Traditionally, they’re often accompanied by a grand roast for the holidays, but they’re great for simple weeknight suppers as well, served alongside:

• Vegan Swedish meatballs
• Vegan meatloaf
• Vegan chicken nuggets
• Vegan fish sticks

How to Store Leftovers

Once cooked, store leftover mashed sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for 5 to 7 days. To reheat, gently cook over medium-low heat when ready to serve. Add an extra splash of non-dairy milk or water as needed to loosen it up and make it creamy again. If using a microwave, heat for 1 to 2 minutes on full power, stirring well, until hot all the way through.

Can I Freeze Mashed Sweet Potatoes?

Yes, mashed sweet potatoes can be frozen for safe keeping! Store them in an airtight container and keep frozen for up to 3 months. See reheating instructions above but anticipate an extra 5 to 10 minutes on the stove, or 2 to 4 minutes in the microwave.

More Holiday Side Dishes

• Vegan Green Bean Casserole (From Scratch)
• Vegan Mashed Cauliflower
• Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Apples and Pecans
• Vegan Biscuits
• Easy Stovetop Candied Pecans

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