Mashed Sweet Potatoes (Savory Recipe)

Mashed Sweet Potatoes are creamy, savory, and incredibly easy to make. Butter, garlic, sour cream, and a touch of Parmesan take this mashed sweet potato recipe to the next level.

These healthy mashed sweet potatoes are smooth, flavorful, and perfect for any meal. They are surprisingly delicious paired with my Grilled Pizza Panini which adds a change of pace to the sweetness. Watch the video below or follow the step-by-step guide in this post to see how to make mashed sweet potatoes at home.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes in a pan topped with butter pieces - 1

Why People Love These Mashed Sweet Potatoes
What Goes Into Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Optional Add-Ins And Substitutions (Make Them Your Own)
How To Make Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Recipe FAQs
Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Why People Love These Mashed Sweet Potatoes

There is something quietly impressive about this Mashed Sweet Potatoes that works just as well on a Tuesday night as it does on a holiday table.

Creamy without being heavy: Sweet potatoes naturally mash smooth, so you get that lush, spoonable texture without loading it up with cream.
Sweet but still savoury: The seasoning is balanced so the natural sweetness shines without tipping into dessert territory.
Easy to adjust for any table: This mashed sweet potato recipe can be dressed up or kept simple, making it flexible for weeknights, gatherings, or picky eaters.
Comfort food you feel good serving: These healthy mashed sweet potatoes feel indulgent but are still packed with goodness, which is always a win.

What Goes Into Mashed Sweet Potatoes

A labeled flatlay photo of ingredients for mashed sweet potatoes arranged on a neutral surface. Visible are whole sweet potatoes, peeled garlic in a bowl, cubed butter, sour cream, milk, parsley leaves, shredded cheese, garlic powder, and salt. - 2

This mashed sweet potato recipe keeps things simple while packing in rich, savory flavor. A few key ingredients come together to create a creamy, irresistible side dish.

Sweet Potatoes: Naturally sweet and velvety, they’re the perfect base for a flavorful mash. Unsalted Butter: Adds a rich, buttery flavor without overpowering the sweetness. Sour Cream: The secret to ultra-creamy, slightly tangy mashed sweet potatoes. Parmesan Cheese: Optional, but adds a salty, nutty depth that enhances the savory profile.

Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients with measurements.

Optional Add-Ins And Substitutions (Make Them Your Own)

This is where you can tweak things depending on what is in your fridge or who you are feeding. None of these are essential, but each one adds something different without overpowering the base flavour.

Greek Yogurt: A spoon or two adds extra creaminess with a gentle tang, great if you want a lighter feel without sacrificing texture.
Maple Syrup: Just a drizzle enhances the natural sweetness and works especially well for holiday meals or roasted meats.
Garlic Powder: Adds subtle savoury depth without turning the mash into full-on garlic potatoes.
Olive Oil: A smooth, dairy-free swap for butter that keeps the mash rich and glossy.

How To Make Mashed Sweet Potatoes

cut and peel the sweet potatoes into 2-inch cubes and boil - 3

Peel and cut sweet potatoes into 2-inch cubes, place in a large pot, cover with water, and season with 3 teaspoons salt. Boil, then simmer until fork tender.

drain the potatoes and add butter, sour cream, garlic, salt and parmesan cheese - 4

Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add butter, sour cream, garlic, the remaining teaspoon of salt, and Parmesan cheese.

Mash everything using a potato masher until smooth. Add milk if you want a creamier texture. - 5

Mash everything using a potato masher until smooth. Add milk if you want a creamier texture.

Garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm. - 6

Transfer to a serving bowl , garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm.

These Mashed Sweet Potatoes pair beautifully with hearty, comforting mains. For a show-stopping holiday meal, try them alongside Crispy Beer Roast Turkey : the crispy skin and juicy meat balance the creamy sweetness perfectly.

They’re also a great match for Juicy Oven-Roasted Pork Loin , with its savory, garlicky crust, or a Tender Pot Roast , where the rich, slow-cooked beef and pan juices soak deliciously into the mash.

Yes! Sweet potatoes are packed with fiber, vitamins B and C, calcium, iron, selenium, and beta-carotene. They’re also low on the glycemic index, which helps keep blood sugar levels stable and keeps you feeling full longer.

Boil sweet potatoes for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until fork tender. Just poke one with a fork—if it slides in easily, they’re ready to mash. It’s quicker than roasting and perfect when you’re short on time.

It’s up to you. The skins are edible and soften while cooking, but for a smoother, creamier mash like this recipe, it’s best to peel them first.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes On Video

Karina in a white and black dress with her hair blowing back, standing in front of her cooktop, cooking salmon in a pan - 7

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IngredientsUSMetric1x2x3x

▢ 4 pounds sweet potatoes
▢ 4 teaspoons salt divided
▢ 1 tablespoon garlic powder
▢ 1/3 cup unsalted butter
▢ 1/4 cup sour cream (reduced fat)
▢ 2 cloves garlic
▢ 1/4 cup parmesan cheese fresh shredded, optional
▢ 1/4 cup milk if desired
▢ 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped, optional to garnish

Instructions

Peel and cut sweet potatoes into 2-inch cubes.
Place sweet potatoes in a large pot (6-quart) and cover with water by an inch. Season with 3 teaspoons salt and bring to a boil, reduce heat down to medium-low and allow to simmer until fork tender (about 15-20 minutes).
Drain cooked potatoes, add in the butter, sour cream, garlic, remaining salt and parmesan.
Mash with a potato masher until smooth, adding milk if desired for a smoother/lighter mash.
Garnish with parsley, serve.

Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.