This recipe for mashed sweet potatoes was essential for me to make. I know this is going to sound crazy to most of you. But up until this recipe I have pretty much despised sweet potatoes as a whole. I've never really liked their sweetness, I don't like sweet potato pie, and a few sweet potato fries are tolerable at best. However, this recipe is awesome! The sweetness isn't overpowering, the color really pops, and the texture is that of a slightly chunky mashed potato recipe. So lets talk sweet potatoes!
Where are Sweet Potatoes Grown
Sweet Potatoes are grown in tropical regions such as the southern United states, tropical regions of America, as well as Japan and parts of Russia.
Are Sweet Potatoes a Vegetable
Sweet potatoes are a starchy root vegetable just like a regular spud. Many people think that they are fruit or somehow less starchy which simply isn't the case. Where they gain their popularity is the high vitamin count compared to a regular white potato. So many medical specialists will say that if you HAVE to have a potato that it should be sweet. Well...sorry Doc...I love this recipe for mashed sweet potatoes but I also have the best mashed potato recipe EVER! So there you have it!
Are Sweet Potatoes the same as Yams
No, sweet potatoes are not the same as yams. First of all, we already know where sweet potatoes are grown. Yams originated in Africa. Second, they do not look the same either. Sweet potatoes have a reddish skin with a orangey purplish flesh while yams have a brown skin with a similar flesh to a regular potato. A real Yam can actually be pretty hard to find in most grocery stores in the US despite what the little signs say.
Supplies needed for Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Large Pot, Large Colander, and a Potato Masher.
These are pretty typical items that most of you will already have in your kitchens. However, if you don't already have a potato masher I highly recommend grabbing one.
Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe Ingredients
Vegetables
Sweet Potatoes, Green Onions, and Garlic
You'll need about 4 pounds of sweet potatoes which is about 6-7 medium sized potatoes. If you can't find them also look for a sign that says yams and read the differences above. Also grab a bunch of green onions. These will be in the potatoes and also used as garnish. Lastly, use fresh garlic cloves or pre-minced garlic. Whichever is easiest for you.
Dairy and Liquids
Butter, Buttermilk, Sour Cream, and Pure Maple Syrup
You want need much of any of these ingredients so certainly don't overbuy unless you use these ingredients on a regular basis. The cost of food has gone up so much that we all have to watch those dollars so leave the gallon bucket of sour cream at the store. You'll only use it for garnish.
Herbs and Spices
Kosher Salt and Black Pepper
Yup, that's it. This recipe for Mashed sweet potatoes is so full of flavor already that nothing else is really needed. Unless of course you want to add to it. Then you have at it!
Cooking Directions
Begin by boiling a large pot of water with about a teaspoon of salt. While you're waiting for the water to boil peel and cube the sweet potatoes. Once the waters ready add the potato cubes and boil for about 10-12 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender.
Drain the potatoes in a large colander and immediately return them to the pot. Add almost all of the green onions and the remaining ingredients. Mash everything together until you've reached the desired consistency. I like mine to be a little chunky still but almost fully mashed. Feel free to add some sour cream to the mix or more buttermilk if you feel they are too thick.
When serving Mashed sweet potatoes I like to top them with a Tablespoon of Sour cream, a sprinkle of slide green onions and a drizzle of pure maple syrup.
In Conclusion
Like I said before, I don't like sweet potatoes at all. So I set out to make a recipe that I would enjoy. My wife loves sweet potatoes and also loved this recipe for mashed sweet potatoes. With that being said, these should please just about anyone!
Try them out and let me know what you think by leaving a comment. If you made any changes let us know that as well. This home cooking thing is a team effort and I love hearing from the team!
I trust you'll love this recipe just as much as we do and appreciate you stopping to check it out.
Thank you again and as usual...
Happy Cooking!
-Jeremy
📖 Recipe
Recipe for Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 Lbs Sweet Potatoes, peeled and cubed
- ⅓ Cup Green Onion, sliced (plus more for garnish)
- 1 Tbsp. Minced Garlic
- ¼ Cup Buttermilk
- 3 Tbsp. Salted Butter, cubed
- ¼ Cup Pure Maple Syrup
- 1 ½ tsp. Kosher Salt (plus 1 tsp. for boiling)
- 1 tsp. Black Pepper
- Sour Cream (for serving)
Instructions
- Begin by boiling a large pot of water with about a teaspoon of salt. While you're waiting for the water to boil peel and cube the sweet potatoes. Once the waters ready add the potato cubes and boil for about 10-12 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender.
- Drain the potatoes in a large colander and immediately return them to the pot.
- Add almost all of the green onions and the remaining ingredients. Mash everything together until you've reached the desired consistency.
- Transfer to a serving dish or dish them up on individual plates, garnish with a tablespoon of sour cream, a sprinkle of sliced green onion, and a drizzle of pure maple syrup.
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