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Home » Recipes » Side Dish Recipes

Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Garlic Herb Butter

Dated: November 25, 2019 Last Modified: November 2, 2022 This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes

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.

Mashed sweet potatoes with thyme in white bowl with fork.

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.

Jump to:
  • Do You Peel Sweet Potatoes Before Boiling?
  • Ingredients For Mashed Sweet Potatoes
  • How To Boil Sweet Potatoes
  • How To Make Garlic Herb Butter
  • What Pairs Well With Sweet Potatoes?
  • Can You Freeze Mashed Sweet Potatoes?
  • Can This Recipe Be Doubled?
  • Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Garlic Herb Butter
Diced sweet potatoes on wooden cutting board with knife.

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

Boiled sweet potatoes in ceramic bowl.

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.

  1. Place the potatoes in a large pot and add enough water to cover them by a few inches.
  2. Add a generous pinch of salt to the water.
  3. 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).
  4. 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.
Melted butter, garlic cloves, and thyme in sauce pan.

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.

  1. Add 4 Tbsp. butter to a small sauce pan and heat to low.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Scoop of mashed sweet potatoes lifted from ceramic bowl on wooden spoon.
  1. Once the potatoes are strained return them to the pot and mash them with a potato masher.
  2. Remove the sprigs of thyme, garlic cloves, and pour the melted butter over the potatoes. Continue to mash until all the butter is incorporated.
  3. 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.

Mashed sweet potatoes in small white bowl in front of ceramic bowl.

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.

Sweet potatoes in ceramic bowl garnished with thyme.

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 thyme in white bowl with fork.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Garlic Herb Butter

Christine Rooney
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!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe!
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 5
Calories 323 kcal

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.

Notes

Feel free to substitute any variety of fresh herbs in place of thyme. Herbs that pair well with sweet potatoes include rosemary, tarragon, parsley, or sage.
Dried thyme or Italian seasoning may be used in place of fresh herbs.
Adjust the herb, garlic powder, and salt and pepper levels to your liking.
This recipe may be doubled if serving more people.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 323kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 5gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 426mgPotassium: 917mgFiber: 8gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 38922IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 92mgIron: 2mg
Keyword mashed sweet potatoes, garlic mashed sweet potatoes, herb mashed sweet potatoes,
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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About Christine

My name is Christine Rooney. I live in rural Minnesota with my husband. I own and operate The Rustic Foodie and work as a freelance photographer and writer. I like my food to be like anything else in life - down to earth and full of flavor.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ann

    December 04, 2019 at 2:23 pm

    5 stars
    Sweet potatoes are such a staple in our house! They’re always a hit with the kids. Will try these next time for sure 🙂

    Reply
    • Christine

      January 21, 2020 at 11:54 pm

      I love sweet potatoes in all forms and these are definitely a good way to enjoy them! 🙂

      Reply

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Thanks for stopping by! My name is Christine Rooney. I live in rural Minnesota with my husband. I own and operate The Rustic Foodie and work as a freelance photographer and writer. I like my food to be like anything else in life - down to earth and full of flavor.

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