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    You are here: Home / Recipes / Side Dishes

    Simple Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes

    Published: Nov 15, 2018 · Modified: Oct 21, 2022 by Susie Weinrich · This post may contain affiliate links. 4 Comments

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    Pinterest Image for Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe with text overlay

    Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes are the such a delicious side dish, especially perfect for a Holiday Meal. The problem with most mashed sweet potato recipes is that they are WAY TOO sweet! So with this recipe you are going to ROAST the sweet potatoes to develop their natural sweetness and then add amazing savory ingredients like roasted garlic and balsamic vinegar to balance the flavor!

    Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes in a large bowl with a pat of butter on top

    This is going to be your new go-to sweet potato mash recipe!

    If you are an Instant Pot lover, then you must check out this similar recipe for Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes.

    If you are a visual learner you can pop over and watch these Savory Sweet Potatoes being made on Pinterest TV.

    Table of Contents hide
    1 Why This Recipe Works
    2 Ingredients
    3 Step By Step Instructions
    4 Variations
    5 More Sweet Potato Recipes
    6 More Mashed Potato Recipes To Love!
    7 Did you make this recipe?!
    8 Simple Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

    Why This Recipe Works

    Number ONE is that the flavors are balanced. You have the sweetness of sweet potatoes, and to round out that sweetness we add just a touch of brown sugar, then you add the deep & warm flavor of roasted garlic, the creaminess of milk and butter, and finish with the tanginess of balsamic vinegar.

    It is truly a completely balanced flavored savory mashed sweet potatoes recipe!!

    Number TWO is that you are roasting the potato instead of boiling. The roasting develops a much deeper and more robust flavor in the potato. You are going to love how it changes this side dish.

    Number THREE it is not a sickly sweet potato recipe that can overpower your dinner and feel like you are eating dessert at the wrong time! It compliments a savory and rich dinner menu perfectly.

    Ingredients

    Besides the 3 pounds of sweet potatoes you just need a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen:

    savory sweet potato mash ingredients: butter, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and kosher salt
    • olive oil
    • small head of garlic
    • brown sugar
    • salted butter
    • milk or half & half
    • balsamic vinegar
    • kosher salt

    Step By Step Instructions

    We are ROASTING the sweet potatoes instead of boiling them. So start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees and grab a large rimmed baking sheet.

    Cut the sweet potatoes in half, lengthwise. Lay them cut side up on the baking pan and drizzle with 3 tablespoons of olive oil.

    a sheet pan with sweet potatoes cut in half lengthwise
    Sweet Potatoes Cut Lengthwise
    a piece of foil with a head of garlic that has the very top cut off
    Garlic Packet for Roasting

    Then cut the very top off of the small head of garlic. Place in a little piece of foil, drizzle with a little olive oil and close the packet up. Tuck the garlic packet in the side of the pan with the sweet potatoes.

    Pop that all in the oven a roast for 20 minutes, then flip the potatoes over. Put back in the oven and continue to roast another 20 minutes.

    At the end of the roasting time make sure the potatoes are completely cooked by piercing them with a fork, if they are soft all the way thru pull them out of the oven. If they are not, keep cooking for 5 more minutes (but pull the garlic packet out).

    sweet Potatoes that have been roasted perfectly

    Let the potatoes cool for a few minutes before handling them. If you need to get them done right away, fold a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel into your hand to hold the hot potatoes.

    Scoop or squeeze the cooked sweet potatoes from the skins, discard the skins. Also squeeze the garlic head so the soft cloves slip out of the peel into the sweet potatoes, discard the peel.

    Add in the butter, milk, brown sugar, kosher salt and balsamic vinegar in with the potatoes.

    Using a potato masher or a hand held mixer, mash/mix the sweet potatoes until they are to your desired consistency (smooth to a little chunky). OR try using your food processor for really smooth and creamy sweet potato puree!

    Give them a taste for your preference…

    • To make them sweeter add a little more brown sugar or maple syrup.
    • If you want them a little saltier, add a couple pinches of kosher salt, or top with Maldon Flake Sea Salt.
    • To add more warmth or depth of flavor drizzle in a little more balsamic vinegar.

    Now they are ready to serve! Scoop into a serving dish and make swoops and swooshes with the back of a spoon.

    A bowl of sweet potato mash

    To garnish (optional) add a big pat of butter to the top, sprinkle on some Maldon Flake Sea Salt, and chopped fresh parsley.

    Variations

    I think that these savory roasted sweet potatoes are excellent just how they are. But, if you want to change it up just a bit, here are some ideas to get you started:

    • Use half and half or heavy whipping cream for a creamier flavor
    • Cut the fat by using extra virgin olive oil instead of butter
    • Add chopped herbs: fresh thyme, rosemary, or chives.
    • Add fresh grated Parmesan cheese to add a great layer of flavor

    More Sweet Potato Recipes

    If you always have a few sweet potatoes on hand in your kitchen, you will love these other sweet potato dishes too.

    1. Quinoa Sweet Potato Chili
    2. BBQ Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Peppers
    3. Southwest Sweet Potato & Turkey Bowl
    4. Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes

    More Mashed Potato Recipes To Love!

    • The BEST Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
    • Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes
    • Creamy & Flavorful Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

    Susie Weinrich washing produce

    Did you make this recipe?!

    If you make this recipe I would love to hear your review. Pop down to the comment section and connect with me.

    Then sign up for our Weekly Newsletter so you never miss a new recipe!

    Rate This Recipe
    A bowl of sweet potato mash

    Simple Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

    A delicious mashed sweet potato side dish that is made of roasted sweet potatoes mixed with savory ingredients like roasted garlic and balsamic vinegar. It is a perfectly balanced sweet potato dish that isn't overly sweet!
    LISTEN TO THE FULL AUDIO RECIPE WITH THE PLAYER BELOW.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved to Grow
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories: 337kcal
    Author: Susie Weinrich

    Equipment

    • Large rimmed baking sheet

    Ingredients

    • 3 lbs. sweet potatoes washed and cut in half lengthwise
    • 3 tablespoon olive oil plus 1 teaspoon for the garlic
    • 1 small head of garlic
    • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
    • 4 tablespoon salted butter
    • 1 tablespoon milk
    • 2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

    Optional Garnish

    • large pat of butter
    • Maldon Flake Sea Salt Can be found at Amazon Here.
    • fresh chopped parsley
    Prevent your screen from going dark while you are cooking!

    Instructions

    Roasting the Sweet Potatoes

    • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grab a 9×13 or larger rimmed baking sheet
    • Cut the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise, and place cut side up on the baking sheet.
      Drizzle with the olive oil.
      3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 3 tablespoon olive oil
    • Cut the very top off the head of garlic, just so you can see the inside of all the cloves.
      Place in a small piece of foil and drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Close the foil around the garlic, then place on the baking sheet with the potatoes.
      1 small head of garlic
    • Roast the potatoes and garlic for 20 minutes, then flip the potatoes over. Pop back in the oven and roast an additional 20 minutes.
      Pro Tip: make sure the potatoes are cooked all the way through by piercing with a fork, you shouldn't meet any resistance past the skin of the potato.
      If they need to cook longer, put them back in the oven for 5 minute increments, BUT REMOVE THE GARLIC from the pan to avoid burning.

    Mashing – potato masher, hand held mixer or food processor

    • Let the potatoes cool for a few minutes before handling. With a spoon scoop the potato from the peel into a mixing bowl, discard the peel.
      You may also be able to just squeeze the potato and the flesh will fall out of the skins!
      Pro Tip: If the potatoes are still hot fold a towel in your hand to hold them.
    • Give the head of garlic a squeeze and all the roasted, soft garlic should squeeze out into the mixing bowl with the potatoes. Discard the garlic peels.
    • Add the butter, brown sugar, kosher salt, balsamic vinegar, and milk.
      Pro Tip: if your potatoes are no longer warm/hot, you may want to melt the butter at this point.
      1 tablespoon brown sugar, 4 tablespoon salted butter, 1 tablespoon milk, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
    • With a potato masher or hand held mixer blend the potatoes until they are your desired consistency.
      OR you can puree in a food processor, pulse a few times and then run until they are smooth and creamy.

    Troubleshooting Flavor

    • You want these to be a stand out savory side dish, with just the right amount of sweetness. I highly recommend you give them a taste before serving:
      + To make them sweeter add a little more brown sugar or maple syrup.
      + If you want them a little saltier, add a couple pinches of kosher salt, or top with Maldon Flake Sea Salt.
      + To add more warmth or depth of flavor drizzle in a little more balsamic vinegar.

    Serving

    • Spoon into a large serving bowl.
      Optionally garnish with a large pat of butter, Maldon flake sea salt, and fresh chopped parsley.

    Storing

    • Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

    Notes:

    VIDEO: You can also watch these Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes being made on this episode on PIN TV.
    INSTANT POT: You can make a similar recipe in your electric pressure cooker- pop over to this recipe for Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes.
    Did you try this recipe? Connect with me & let me know how it turned out by commenting below!
    Jump to Comments
    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 337kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 575mg | Potassium: 781mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 32417IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 1mg

    If nutrition facts are provided they are calculated as an estimate to the best of our knowledge.

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    About Susie Weinrich

    Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Lindsey Brown

      April 28, 2022 at 8:22 pm

      5 stars
      Very delicious. No leftovers!

      Reply
    2. Emily Bruno

      November 16, 2018 at 2:54 pm

      5 stars
      That roasted garlic though!!! Love all the variations for this recipe.

      Reply
    3. John

      November 15, 2018 at 12:07 pm

      5 stars
      Love this recipe! This is one I could eat every day!!

      Reply
    4. Tawnie Kroll

      November 15, 2018 at 10:03 am

      5 stars
      I love that you added balsamic vinegar!

      Reply

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