Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes

These savory mashed sweet potatoes are the perfect blend of sweet and savory. Creamy sweet potatoes are mashed until fluffy, then blended with butter, sour cream, and parmesan, and finished with fresh chives for an amazing savory combination. Perfect for a busy weeknight, or a holiday meal, you can throw these together in 25 minutes and serve with your favorite savory entrees!

this Recipe

Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes – The EASY Way!

These Savory Mashed Potatoes are a fun twist on what we normally see with mashed sweet potatoes.

Rather than the classic brown sugar and marshmallow combination, we’re giving these a savory twist with parmesan, salt, pepper, and chopped chives. If you are like me and find all the sugar a little too much, you are going to LOVE these!

If you are looking for a traditional mashed potato recipe, make sure to check out my Classic Mashed Potatoes, Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes, Make-ahead Mashed Potatoes, or Boursin Mashed Potatoes!

Why I LOVE this recipe!

• One-pot recipe. You can boil and mash the potatoes all in one pot. Easy clean-up makes everything taste better, right?

• Perfect texture. Starting the potatoes in cold water allows them to cook perfectly so you get the best texture.

• Sweet and savory. The natural sweetness of the potatoes pairs deliciously with the savory add-ins.
  
• Holiday or ANY day! These make an amazingly delicious side dish for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter, but they are so quick easy and yummy they may also become an everyday favorite.

Recipe Notes

This mashed sweet potatoes recipe is as simple as promised! Just 25 minutes for a family friendly meal.

In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use when making this recipe to get the absolute best and most delicious results.

Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.

Ingredients + Substitutions

• Sweet Potatoes – You’ll need 2.5 pounds of sweet potatoes (yams) that have been peeled and chopped into 2-inch pieces.
• Butter – You’ll mix butter directly into the mashed potatoes, then you can make them more buttery and use it as a topping for serving.
• Sour Cream – The tangy flavor of sour cream offsets the sweetness of the potatoes perfectly and makes them so creamy.
• Parmesan
• Salt and Pepper
• Chopped Chives (optional) – for garnish!

Recipe Step by Step

I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes.

Recipe Tips

1. Peel the potatoes – While technically this isn’t necessary, removing the peel creates the creamiest texture. When cooked, the peel can become tough and chewy.
   
2. Chop the potatoes into 2-inch chunks – Make sure the potatoes are cut into relatively even, 2-inch chunks so they cook at the same rate. Over-cooked potatoes have a less fluffy, less creamy texture.
   
3. Start with cold water – Bringing the water to a boil with the potato chunks already in it helps them cook more evenly for a better texture.
   
4. Don’t over-mix – Over-mixed potatoes can become rubbery and gummy. Mix only until just combined.

Recipe Short Cuts

If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!

• Prep the potatoes in advance – You can peel and chop the potatoes ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to a day before cooking.
  
• Make it ahead of time – These reheat well, so you can get ahead by simply making them in advance and storing them in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Recipe Variations

If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!

• Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Chipotle – Add a kick of smoky heat to your side dish by mixing in a sprinkle of chipotle seasoning.
  
• Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Pecans – Give your potatoes a crunchy bite by mixing in a handful of chopped pecans or using them as garnish.
  
• Spicy Mashed Sweet Potatoes – Take the heat up a notch with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.

Freezer Meal Instructions

Making this easy mashed sweet potatoes recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.

1. Prepare the potatoes as directed, then let them cool completely.
2. Store them in an airtight container and freezer bag, then store in the freezer for up to 1 month.
3. When you’re ready to serve, simply thaw your frozen mashed potatoes in the fridge, then warm on the stove with a splash of milk or cream to thin if needed.

What to Serve with Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Since this dish has both sweet and savory flavors, it will pair well with many of your favorite sweet and savory meals. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.

Main Dish Ideas

• Oven Roasted Turkey Tenderloin– The perfect way to make moist, delicious turkey!
• Honey Glazed Ham – This sweet and salty entree features juicy ham coated in a simple and sweet brown sugar and honey glaze. Just 10 minutes to prep! Our choice for Easter and Christmas dinner!
• Million Dollar Baked Pork Chops – Serve your mashed sweet potatoes next to these juicy pork chops topped with cream cheese, mayo, bacon, green onions, and cheddar!
• Baked Panko Chicken with Honey Drizzle – Tender and juicy chicken breasts coated in crispy breadcrumbs and drizzled with honey. The perfect sweet and savory main.
• Slow Cooker Roast Beef –  Tender, flavorful, and hearty—and it comes together with practically no prep time at all!

Sides that pair well

• Mile High Biscuits – This buttermilk biscuits recipe creates the fluffiest, softest biscuits of all time. Just 6 basic ingredients needed for the perfect complementary side dish.
• Sautéed Green Beans – Tie in the savory flavors of your potatoes with these classic sautéed green beans topped with parmesan and red pepper flakes.
• Jiffy Corn Casserole – Enjoy the sweet flavor of corn in a creamy, cheesy casserole side dish. Just 7 ingredients and 5 minutes to prep.
• Oven Roasted Vegetables– This easy vegetable medley is packed with flavor!

You can choose one or add a few to round out the meal.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes Leftovers

If you have leftovers after making this easy recipe for mashed sweet potatoes, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.

To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:

• in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
• in the freezer up to a month

Leftover Recipes

Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!

• Shepherd’s Pie – Layer the sweet potatoes into your favorite shepherd’s pie recipe for a sweeter flavor twist.
• Sweet Potato Patties – Mix your potatoes up with additional spices of your choice and fry them up into sweet potato patties.

More Side Dish Recipes

If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!

You can check out all of my side dish recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.

• Easy Baked Macaroni and Cheese
• Brown Butter Broccoli
• Crock Pot Corn on the Cob with Garlic Butter
• Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts