Mashed sweet potatoes with brown sugar is an easy and delicious Thanksgiving side dish. It is sweet, creamy and indulgent.
If you ever tried our Sweet Potato Butter, you will love this easy mash recipe, too! Such a colorful side dish to serve for holidays.
Serve mashed potatoes with cinnamon and chopped almonds or pecans. I like it warm, but you can also serve it cold. You can also top mashed sweet potatoes with brown sugar with marshmallows. If you want more sweetness, you can add honey or maple syrup!
This recipe is gluten-free, and if you have allergies for nuts, you can serve it without them. I will share some tips on how to make the best mash consistency and how to make it savory!
Ingredients for mashed sweet potato recipe
Sweet Potatoes. This is the base of this recipe. Wash and peel the potatoes, then cut them into cubes to let them cook faster.
Dry ingredients. Brown sugar and salt. You can adjust with a little bit of cinnamon or nutmeg to add more fall flavors.
Dairy products. Milk and butter will make this sweet potato mash more rich and creamy.
How do you make mashed sweet potatoes?
You will need about 2-3 medium size potatoes. Wash and peel them.
Cut into cubes, put into the pot and cover with water.
Bring to the boil and simmer 15-20 minutes until tender.
Drain and bring back to the heat for few minutes to evaporate excess water. This step can help you make sweet potato mash less watery, but it is optional.
Remove from heat and mash with a fork, potato masher or blender.
How do you thicken mashed potatoes?
If your potatoes are watery, you can bring a pot with mashed potatoes back to the low heat. Simmer couple more minutes, stirring with a spatula. This will help evaporate excess liquid.
Alternatively, you can whisk in a teaspoon of cornstarch, flour or tapioca.
How to make mashed sweet potatoes with brown sugar
Mash potatoes as I mentioned previously or in the recipe instructions. Add a splash of milk, butter and sugar, while the mash is still hot.
Don’t add too much milk or it will ruin the color and be too runny.
Mix the potato mash until well combined.
You can bring back to the heat and boil off some milk, stirring. Let it cool.
Serve mashed sweet potatoes with brown sugar with cinnamon, brown sugar and chopped almonds.
How to turn this dish into savory
Omit sugar from the recipe and add ginger, chives, rosemary or thyme.
You can serve it with browned bits of bacon or chicken on top. The sweetness of potatoes will go really well with meat.
You should check our other savory mash recipes, such as mashed turnips and potatoes and Colcannon.
How to store mashed sweet potatoes with brown sugar
Store in the air-tight container up to 6 days in the fridge. You can reheat in a pot or microwave for 15 minutes.
To freeze mashed potatoes, let them cool completely. Transfer to freezer safe bags or containers. Store up to 6 months.
Health benefits of sweet potato
According to Harvard School of Public Health , by boiling sweet potatoes, more beta-carotine and totally 92 % of nutrients can be retained, comparing with other cooking methods.
Sweet potatoes improve human health and prevent some diseases. For example, according to Medical News Today , sweet potatoes help to maintain healthful blood pressure levels, reduce the risk of cancer and inflammation, improve digestion and eye health, boost immunity.
If you are looking for more holiday season recipes, check these 101 Awesome Thanksgiving Recipes.
Do you have leftover sweet potatoes? Check our best sweet potato recipes:
- Sweet Potato Fritters
- Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
- Baked Sweet Potato Fries
- Sweet Potato Soup
Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest , Instagram , Twitter and Facebook to receive more sweet recipes and desserts! And if you make this easy sweet potato mash with brown sugar or our other recipes, tag us to let us know. We love to see what you are making!
Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar
- Pot
- fork or potato masher
- spatula
- stove top or electric hob
- 2-3 sweet potatoes peeled, chopped
- ½ tbsp butter
- ¼ cup milk warm
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 1-2 cups water
- 1 tsp almonds or pecans for serving (optional)
- ½ tsp cinnamon for serving (optional)
- Add potatoes to the pot and cover with water.2-3 sweet potatoes, 1-2 cups water
- Cook 20 minutes until soft (check with fork). Drain.
- Mash potatoes with fork.
- Add salt.½ tsp salt
- Add brown sugar.2 tbsp brown sugar
- Add butter.½ tbsp butter
- Mix all ingredients together.
- Add milk.¼ cup milk
- Combine with a spatula.
- Serve warmed or cold with cinnamon and nuts.1 tsp almonds or pecans, ½ tsp cinnamon
This sweet potatoes recipe was so easy and delicious! I love the use of brown sugar to complement the sweet potatoes.
Love this sweet potatoes mash. Perfect side for gatherings
What delicious sweet potatoes using brown sugar I just love this recipe the sweetness compliments these potatoes perfectly
Such a classic, tasty and comforting side!
Love sweet potatoes! An easy and great recipe.