This savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes recipe is a great easy side dish! It's creamy and tossed in an herb garlic butter. Rich and flavorful!
These Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes are flavored with lots of garlic and fresh herbs like thyme.
When we think of sweet potatoes we tend to think of them as, well, sweet. They're often piled high with brown sugar, maple syrup, and marshmallows. Personally, I feel that sweet potatoes are sweet enough and prefer to go savory with them.
They lend themselves well to many different herbs and spices. I love sweet potatoes in tacos, breakfast hash, and soups.
We all know and love Classic Mashed Potatoes but it turns out that their sweeter counterparts are just as delicious when mashed with butter and herbs.
This recipe makes a a great simple side dish for Thanksgiving or any holiday! They're easy enough to whip up any night of the week and they taste great alongside all kinds of roasted meats, vegetables, or greens.
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Do You Peel Sweet Potatoes Before Boiling?
I normally do not peel potatoes before cooking because I enjoy the texture of the skins. I do recommend peeling the sweet potatoes before mashing them because the skins tend to become chewy and tough when boiling.
These Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes are creamy and buttery - The skins tend to get in the way in a recipe like this.
- The first step is to wash and peel 2 large or 4-5 small sweet potatoes. A vegetable peeler works great to remove the skins. It's also important to cut out any tough or dark spots from the skin.
- Once the potatoes are peeled dice them into pieces. It's important they are relatively uniform in size to ensure even cooking.
4-5 large sweet potatoes should yield 5-6 cups of diced potatoes.
Ingredients For Mashed Sweet Potatoes
You only need a few ingredients for this easy side dish!
Here's What You'll Need To Make It:
- 2 large or 4-5 small Sweet Potatoes
- 4 Tbsp. Butter
- 2 Cloves Garlic
- ¼ tsp. Garlic Powder
- 5 Sprigs Fresh Thyme or Herb of Choice (or ½ tsp. Dried Thyme or Italian Seasoning)
- ½ tsp. Kosher Salt
- ½ tsp. Pepper
How To Boil Sweet Potatoes
Once the potatoes are diced it's time to boil them. This works much the same as boiling regular potatoes.
- Place the potatoes in a large pot and add enough water to cover them by a few inches.
- Add a generous pinch of salt to the water.
- Bring the water to a boil and cook uncovered for 15-18 minutes (cooking times will vary slightly depending on the size of the potatoes).
- The potatoes are done once they can be easily pierced with a fork or knife. Drain the potatoes in a strainer once they are fully cooked.
How To Make Garlic Herb Butter
The thing that takes these sweet potatoes over the top is the melted garlic herb butter that gets poured over the top. This is where the majority of the flavor comes from so I highly recommend not skipping this step!
The butter can be prepared on the stove top while the sweet potatoes are boiling.
- Add 4 Tbsp. butter to a small sauce pan and heat to low.
- As the butter is melting add 2 whole cloves of garlic, ¼ tsp. garlic powder, and 4-5 sprigs of fresh thyme or herb of choice.
- Continue to cook on low until the butter is fully melted and has become fragrant.
Can I Use A Different Herb?
Yes!
Feel free to use any type of herb you like - Rosemary, Oregano, Sage, or Parsley would all be great options.
You can also substitute dried Thyme, Italian Seasoning, or any variety of dried spice you like. Simply swap the fresh herbs for ¼ - ½ tsp. of your dried herb of choice.
- Once the potatoes are strained return them to the pot and mash them with a potato masher.
- Remove the sprigs of thyme, garlic cloves, and pour the melted butter over the potatoes. Continue to mash until all the butter is incorporated.
- Add ½ tsp. kosher salt and pepper to the potatoes. Stir until completely combined.
What Pairs Well With Sweet Potatoes?
This dish is incredibly versatile. It pairs well with any type of meat including chicken, beef, ham, or turkey. You could even enjoy them topped with gravy at Thanksgiving.
If you choose to serve them for Thanksgiving they pair well with this Homemade Green Bean Casserole, Wild Rice and Fennel Stuffing, Fennel Stuffing, Au Gratin Potatoes, Kohlrabi Mash, and Spiced Butternut Squash Salad.
They would be great alongside bitter greens like kale, Swiss chard, or arugula. Roasted vegetables like these Roasted Green Beans, Sesame Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Sweet Spicy Brussels Sprouts, or Maple Mustard Brussels Sprouts are perfect.
I love them served with wild rice or something like quinoa.
Sweet potatoes are great with roasted meats like Braised Pot Roast, Instant Pot Pot Roast, or Dutch Oven Short Ribs.
Can You Freeze Mashed Sweet Potatoes?
Sometimes it's nice to prepared side dishes ahead of time, particularly if they are on a Thanksgiving or holiday menu.
Freezing them is a great way to have them on hand when you need them!
How To Freeze:
Prepare the recipe as directed. Allow the mashed sweet potatoes to come down to room temperature and place them in a heavy-duty freezer-friendly storage bag. Label the storage container with the date. They should last up to 3 months in the freezer.
How To Thaw:
Place the bag in the fridge 24 hours before serving. Reheat the potatoes in a large pot on the stove top. Feel free to add some water, broth, or cream if they have dried out a bit. They can also be reheated in the microwave.
Can This Recipe Be Doubled?
Yes!
This recipe can easily be doubled if serving more people. Simply double all of the ingredients if you would like to double it.
If you're used to preparing ultra-sweet sweet potatoes I encourage you to try a more savory version - It's a great way to switch up your potato routine!
Love sweet potatoes? Check out these recipes!
- Sweet Potato Turkey Hash
- BBQ Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet Potato Kale Soup
- Sweet Potato Tacos
- Healthy Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowls
- Southwest Sweet Potato Frittata
Looking For More Savory Sweet Potato Recipes? Don't Miss These!
Sweet Potato and Cauliflower Dip
Broccoli, Sweet Potato, and Craisin Hash
Savory Sweet Potato Casserole
Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Garlic Herb Butter
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet potatoes or 4-5 small sweet potatoes | yields 5-6 cups
- 4 Tbsp. butter
- 2 cloves garlic
- 4-5 sprigs fresh thyme or herb or choice or ¼ - ½ tsp. dried herbs of choice
- ¼ tsp. garlic powder
- ½ tsp. kosher salt
- ½ tsp. pepper
Instructions
- Wash and peel 2 large or 4-5 small sweet potatoes. Remove any tough or dark spots from the potatoes.
- Dice the sweet potatoes into a uniform size.
- Place the potatoes in a large pot and pour water into the pot covering the potatoes by a few inches. Add a generous pinch of salt.
- Bring the potatoes to a boil and cook for 15-18 minutes (cooking times may vary depending on the size of the potatoes). The potatoes are done when easily pierced with a fork or knife. Drain the sweet potatoes using a strainer.
For The Garlic Herb Butter:
- While the potatoes are boiling add 4 Tbsp. of butter to a small sauce pan. Heat the pan to medium low and slowly melt the butter. As the butter is melting add 2 cloves of garlic, 4-5 sprigs of fresh thyme (or herb of choice), and ½ tsp. garlic powder. Cook until the butter is melted and fragrant. Remove from heat.
- Return the cooked potatoes to the large pot and mash them using a potato masher. Slowly add the melted butter along with ½ tsp. kosher salt and pepper to the potatoes. Continue to mash until completely combined.
- Serve the mashed sweet potatoes immediately. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Ann
Sweet potatoes are such a staple in our house! They’re always a hit with the kids. Will try these next time for sure 🙂
Christine
I love sweet potatoes in all forms and these are definitely a good way to enjoy them! 🙂