The Best Savory Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe (2024)

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4.25 from 12 votes

Learn how to make the BEST savory mashed sweet potatoes ever. They make a great healthy, low carb option perfect as a side dish for your midweek meal, as well as Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas.

The boiled sweet potatoes are mashed until smooth and then mixed with butter and sour cream, to create an easy and quick side, that doesn't take up oven space. Plus boiling them makes them extra soft, smooth and creamy.

The Best Savory Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe (1)

Mashed Sweet Potato

Mashed potatoes are a weekly occurrence in our house, they are one of the most loved side dishes! And rightly so, who can resist pillows of soft fluffy mash?
And on special occasions I make my famous French Style Mashed Potatoes, they are so full of butter that you can't help but love them (Be warned your skinny jeans will hate them!)

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But as much as we all love mash, sometimes you want something a little healthier, with lower carbs and dare I say it something that fits into a diet!

Stew is currently working on a Lower Carb diet, so amongst my favorite pasta recipes, I am going to bring in low carb recipes specifically for your partners who have decided to turn their backs on pasta and bread!

(p.s we'll work out some ways for you to still get your carbs without having to cook two meals!!!)

The Best Savory Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe (2)

So many recipes for Mashed Sweet Potatoes are made extra sweet, with brown sugar, maple syrup or marshmallows.
Now don't get me wrong I LOVE the maple syrup version, I even have one on my site with pecans. IT IS SO GOOD!!! You can see it here - Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Maple Pecans.

I also have a deliciously savory Sweet Potato Mash with Lemon and Sage!!! Or this Thai Sweet Potato Mash, which is just a little bit different, but so good!

But in the interest of low carb and also for those days when a savory mash is needed, I set aside the maple syrup and tried mashed sweet potato with sour cream instead. I can tell you guys, it was good. Lick the bowl clean good!

The Best Savory Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe (3)

How to make Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes

The recipe starts with boiling the mashed potato in salted water until nice and tender. You can steam them if you like but this will take longer.
Once the potatoes are fork tender they are mashed down and then mixed with sour cream, butter, and plenty of seasonings.
(see further down the post for ways to mash your sweet potatoes)

Don't forget the salt and pepper

Seasoning is so important in cooking, salt brings out the flavor of food and can change a dish from okay to great! All those delicious restaurant dishes you've tried, quite often the only difference to your home cooking is the chef's use of salt during the cooking process.

I suggest ½ teaspoon of salt for these potatoes, I actually like to add a little more to my plate, but most people find ½ teaspoon to be enough. And don't forget the sweet potatoes were simmer in boiling water first so they have taken on some salt.

The Best Savory Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe (4)

How to Mash Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are so much softer and less starchy than a regular potato so they are easier to mash.

  • Use a Fork: This will give you a coarser mashed sweet potato.
  • Use a Potato Masher: (preferred method) This gives great results and a wonderful smooth mash.
  • Use a Food Processor/mixer: Unlike standard potatoes, you can get a smooth mash from sweet potatoes in the food processor but be careful, just like standard potatoes they can turn gluey if you mix them for too long.

To finish the dish, fresh parsley is added, this really helps to make the dish savory, as parsley has a wonderful, almost cut grass like taste.

But there are several other herbs you can try.

  • Add chopped fresh rosemary to the sweet potatoes as you boil them.
  • Use fresh thyme instead of parsley.
  • Use chives or green onions instead of parsley.
  • Add chopped sage to your mash (great with chicken)
The Best Savory Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe (5)

How to heat up leftovers?

Mashed Sweet Potatoes will keep well in the fridge for 4 days. Reheat the covered bowl them in the microwave, on 50% power. They taste almost as good as if you had made them fresh.
Heat them until hot and steamy, but don't overheat or the butter and sour cream will start to separate from the mash. If this happens, take a wooden spoon and mix them as vigorously as possible.

What to serve with mashed sweet potato?

  • Creamy Honey Mustard Pork Chops
  • Balsamic Butter Steak
  • Easy Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken
  • Seared Lemon Paprika Garlic ButterScallops
  • Honey Pecan Chicken Breasts

Enjoy x

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The Best Savory Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe

Claire | Sprinkle and Sprouts

Learn how to make the BEST savory mashed sweet potatoes ever. They make a great healthy, low carb option perfect as a side dish for your midweek meal, as well as Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas. The boiled sweet potatoes are mashed until smooth and then mixed with butter and sour cream, to create an easy and quick side, that doesn't take up oven space. Plus boiling them makes them extra soft, smooth and creamy.

4.25 from 12 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Side

Cuisine Modern Australian

Servings 4

Calories 216 kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 medium sweet potatoes
  • pinch salt
  • 3 tablespoon butter
  • ¼ cup sour cream - see note 1
  • ½ teaspoon salt - see note 2
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoon finely chopped parsley

Instructions

  • Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into 1" (2.5cm) cubes.

  • Then place in a large saucepan and cover with boiling water.

  • Bring back to a boil, add a pinch of salt, then simmer for 15 minutes until tender.

  • Drain well and then return potatoes to saucepan.

  • Mash the potatoes to your preferred consistency (See note 3)

  • Add in the butter, sour cream, salt, pepper, and most of the chopped parsley.

  • Stir well to combine and melt the butter.

  • Taste and add more salt depending on your tastes (see note 2)

  • Once mixed, serve with an extra slice of butter and the remaining chopped parsley.

Notes

  1. You can replace the sour cream with a low fat yogurt, but the results won't be as creamy.
  2. If you were overly generous with the salt in your boiling water you may need slight less. I find most people use ½ tsp, but I like a little more. So taste your mash and add more as needed.
  3. Ways to mash your sweet potatoes
    • Use a Fork: This will give you a coarser mashed sweet potato.
    • Use a Potato Masher:(preferred method) This gives great results and a wonderful smooth mash.
    • Use a Food Processor/mixer: Unlike standard potatoes, you can get a smooth mash from sweet potatoes in the food processor but be careful, just like standard potatoes they can turn gluey if you mix them for too long.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Nutrition

Calories: 216kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 449mg | Potassium: 458mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 18800IU | Vitamin C: 3.1mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 0.8mg

Nutrition is per serving

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The Best Savory Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What enhances flavor of sweet potato? ›

14 Ways To Add More Flavor To Sweet Potatoes
  • Slather with cinnamon butter. Siims/Getty Images. ...
  • Drizzle with tahini. ...
  • Roast with savory chili sauce. ...
  • Sprinkle on some good ol' salt and pepper. ...
  • Pan fry with ginger and orange. ...
  • Rub with garlic and rosemary. ...
  • Dip in honey mustard. ...
  • Sweeten with brown sugar and pecans.
Feb 17, 2023

How do you make Ina Garten mashed sweet potatoes? ›

Place the sweet potato meat into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and add the orange juice, cream, butter, brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Mix together until combined but not smooth and transfer to a baking dish. Bake the potatoes for 20 to 30 minutes, until heated through.

What does baking soda do to sweet potatoes? ›

Baking Soda – boiling the potatoes in baking soda draws out the starch and allows the outside to get brown and crispy. Sweet Potatoes – yams work fine too. Extra Virgin Olive Oil – gets infused with rosemary and garlic and is the key to getting that crispy exterior.

Why does my sweet potato taste bland? ›

So if you want a sweet, sweet potato, you have to cook it until it reaches 135–170°F (57–77°C). And you want to keep sweet potatoes in that range for as long as possible. That will maximize how sweet the potatoes taste.

What makes sweet potatoes better? ›

They're high in fiber and antioxidants, which protect your body from free radical damage and promote a healthy gut and brain. They're also incredibly rich in beta carotene, which is converted to vitamin A to support good vision and your immune system.

What does Rachael Ray use to mash potatoes? ›

Mash potatoes with half-and-half or milk using a potato masher. Add in the cream cheese and smash until the cheese melts into the potatoes. Add chives or scallions. Season with salt and pepper, to your taste.

Why do restaurant mashed potatoes taste better? ›

Garlic and herbs are added to boost flavor

Instead of boiling a few potatoes and mashing them plain, a lot of restaurant chefs like to apply a little more finesse. Garlic and herbs infused in butter and cream add a flavor boost without overpowering.

What do professional chefs use to mash potatoes? ›

The best potato masher is actually a ricer

If you want the most velvety, plush mashed potatoes, you're going to need a ricer. To understand why, it's important to know what makes potatoes gummy in the first place: overworking the starches in cooked potatoes.

How do you make Patti Labelle sweet potatoes? ›

Boil the sweet potatoes in a large stockpot until soft, about 25 minutes; drain. When cool enough to handle, peel the potatoes and transfer them to a large bowl. While the potatoes are still warm, add the butter, cream, agave, cinnamon and salt, and mash until smooth. Sprinkle with the orange zest.

Is it better to boil sweet potatoes or bake sweet potatoes? ›

Baking can also cause an 80% drop in vitamin A levels, twice as much as boiling. Therefore, from a nutritional standpoint, boiling rather than baking should be recommended for cooking sweet potato.

Why do you soak sweet potatoes before baking? ›

The cold water bath helps rinse the starch off the sweet potatoes so they're a bit more crispy. That said, if you do not have the time, you can still get crispy baked sweet potato fries by using high heat and a little drizzle of olive oil.

Why is boiling not good for sweet potatoes? ›

Despite their sweet taste, these potatoes have an intermediate glycemic index (GI) level, meaning they are digested and absorbed fairly slowly, leading to a more gradual increase in blood sugar levels. But, a lot of these benefits, including nutrients and taste, can be lost by boiling sweet potatoes.

Should you rinse starch off sweet potatoes? ›

Give them a cold water bath: Once your fries are chopped, toss them into a large bowl. Then cover the fries completely with cold water and let them soak for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight). This will help to rinse off the excess starch and help the potatoes crisp up beautifully in the oven.

Is it better to boil potatoes with vinegar or baking soda? ›

Baking soda will cause the potatoes to break down, making them a little mushy and fall apart. Vinegar will make them hold their shape better.

What can I add on my sweet potato? ›

For a topping, stick to butter, Greek yogurt, or sour cream, or try adding a dollop of cilantro lime dressing, tzatziki, chipotle sauce, pesto, guacamole, or a drizzle of tahini sauce. If you have leftover baked sweet potatoes, save the soft flesh for another recipe.

What is a value addition to sweet potatoes? ›

Added value for farmers comes from a variety of products and ingredients made from sweetpotato root including flour, dried chips, juice, bread, noodles, candy, and pectin.

References

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