Name: Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 3 lbs sweet potatoes; 5 cloves garlic (roughly chopped); 1/8 cup salt (for boiling water); 1/2 cup cream; 4 tbsp. butter; 1 tsp. salt; 2 tbsp. brown sugar

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This Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes recipe takes less than 30 minutes to make and is rich and garlicky, with just the perfect touch of sweet to complement the savory flavors. These sweet potatoes are perfection!

bowl of mashed sweet potatoes with butter and fresh sage

I never thought I would like sweet potatoes this much. These easy mashed sweet potatoes have caused me to fall head over heels in love.

Rich, slightly sweet, creamy mashed sweet potatoes with generous amounts of garlic and salt all make for the perfect savory sweet potatoes. And they go so perfect with this sous vide pork tenderloin (it's our fav!) or these Instant Pot cornish hens.

Plus, they are just the easiest to make and work very well made in advance. If you bring these to your holiday dinner or office potluck, people will be impressed.

There will be applause, maybe some bowing....ok ok, maybe not quite like that. But it's a good recipe. And if you like this, you'll love this mashed pumpkin too!

You may also want to try these Instant Pot mashed sweet potatoes.

Why This Recipe Works

The garlic cloves are cooked with the sweet potatoes so they can be mashed together;
Potatoes are boiled in heavily salted water which helps add flavor;
It sooooo easy to make it's perfect for potlucks or holiday gatherings.

Step By Step Instructions

Wash, peel and cut sweet potatoes into 2-3" chunks. Add sweet potatoes and chopped garlic cloves to a pot of salted water (use ⅛ cup of salt) and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until potatoes can be easily pierced with a fork.

Drain the potatoes thoroughly, ensuring any excess water is drained off. Combine the cream, butter, salt and brown sugar in a bowl and add the sweet potatoes.

Using a potato masher, mash all the ingredients together until fully combined.

mashed sweet potatoes in a bowl with a potato masher

Serve topped with fresh sage and butter.

mashed yams in a bowl with butter and a spoon

Variations

Top with cooked crumbled bacon pieces ;
Top with Spiced Candied Pecans for a touch of sweet;
Give them some heat by adding 1-2 tsp. of cayenne pepper;
Top them with roasted pumpkin seeds;

Expert Tips

Drain the sweet potatoes thoroughly otherwise they will be watery. You can throw them in the microwave for a few minutes to cook off any excess water;
Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes. I find they get a little gluey when using a food processor;
If the mashed potatoes are watery, place them in a pot on the stove and cook until the excess liquid has evaporated;
If the potatoes are too dry, add additional cream or whole milk until the desired consistency is reached.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you peel sweet potatoes before boiling them? In this recipe, I like to peel the sweet potatoes to give them a smooth, creamy texture.
What to do with leftover mashed sweet potatoes? Make these Cheesy Mashed Sweet Potato Cakes from Cafe Delites, use them to thicken chili (it also adds a nice sweetness), or these Sweet Potato Biscuits.
How long do mashed sweet potatoes last? They will last stored in the fridge for about 3-5 days.
Can you freeze mashed sweet potatoes? Store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 year. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove over medium heat or in a microwave.

mashed sweet potatoes in a bowl with a spoon

More Favorite Holiday Side Dishes

More Sweet Potato Recipes

Did you make this savory mashed sweet potatoes recipe? Rate the recipe and leave a comment to let me know how it turned out!