A savory mashed sweet potatoes recipe topped with bacon and chives. If you’re looking for a new twist on classic mashed potatoes, these mashed sweet potatoes are the perfect Thanksgiving side dish. The combination is salty, sweet, savory and delicious!
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Combining Yukon and sweet potatoes satisfies both camps – those who want the flavor and creaminess of the usual mashed potatoes and those who are particularly smitten with sweet potato casserole. Together, they make a show-stopping side dish.
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Ingredients for Sweet Potato Mash:
Making sweet potato mash is as easy as making basic mashed potatoes.
Adding bacon to sweet potatoes is optional, but highly necessary. Got it? 😉 Bacon and sweet potatoes is always a good idea (PROOF: Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Bacon). It satisfies the craving for savory mashed potatoes and makes this dish irresistible on your holiday table.
How to Make Mashed Sweet Potatoes:
Step 1: Peel and dice all potatoes into 1/2″ cubes and put them in a large pot with halved onion, 2 bay leaves, 3 garlic cloves and enough water to cover the potatoes. Place over medium/high heat.
Step 2: As potatoes start to boil, add 1/2 Tbsp salt. Reduce heat to med-low, partially cover and cook for 10-12 min or until potatoes are easily pierced with a knife. Remove and discard, onion, garlic and bay leaves and drain the potatoes.
Step 3: Mash potatoes until uniform in color. Mash in 4 Tbsp melted butter then mash in 3 Tbsp of sour cream until smooth.
Pro Tips for the Creamiest Mashed Potatoes:
- Use a potato ricer or an electric hand mixer to make potatoes silky smooth.
- Mash or rice potatoes while they are still hot
- Add hot melted butter
- Once you’re done mashing, cover and keep potatoes warm before serving. Cold potatoes are not creamy potatoes.
Holiday-Worthy Side Dish Recipes:
- Dreamy Mashed Potatoes – a holiday tradition!
- Creamy Green Bean Casserole – Made completely from scratch!
- Turkey Gravy from your juicy Thanksgiving Turkey!
- Creamy Potato Salad – a delicious twist on a classic
Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Yukon potatoes, (7 medium), peeled
- 1 lb sweet potatoes, (2 medium), peeled
- 1 small onion, peeled and halved
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1/2 Tbsp sea salt
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted, hot
- 3 Tbsp sour cream
- 4 oz bacon, chopped
- 1 Tbsp chives, chopped, to garnish
Instructions
- Peel and dice yukon and sweet potatoes into 1/2" cubes, then place them in a large pot. Add halved onion, 2 bay leaves, 3 garlic cloves, and enough water to cover potatoes then place over medium/high heat.
- When potatoes start to boil, add 1/2 Tbsp salt then reduce heat to med-low, partially cover and cook for 10-12 min. Potatoes are done when easily pierced with a knife. Remove and discard onion, garlic and bay leaves and drain the potatoes.
- Mash potatoes until uniform in color then mash in 4 Tbsp hot melted butter. Finally, add 2 heaping Tbsp of sour cream and mash until smooth. You can use a potato ricer or hand mixer to get it perfectly smooth if desired.
- In a medium sauté pan, cook chopped bacon until golden brown then remove from heat. Sprinkle over the mashed potatoes and garnish with chives to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
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I love bacon on mashed sweet potatoes. The sweet-savory-salty combo is irresistible. If you cook this up for Thanksgiving or Christmas, let us know! 🙂
Ever cook sweet potatoes in orange juice. Reduce the juice to a thick syrup and add a little Chinese 5 Spice.
I have never tried that but it sounds interesting. 🙂
Hi Natasha,
Can the mashed sweet potatoes be made the day before and reheated? Or should they be made that day?
Hi Amy, That should work just fine 🙂 Potatoes generally really heat well.
Thank you for the quick response! Have a Happy Thanksgiving 😊
Excellent recipe!!!
I’m so glad you enjoeyd this recipe, Natasha!
This dish not only tastes wonderful but also makes a very colorful, delicious looking visual presentation! You eat with your eyes as much as with your taste buds, so this recipe delivers on both eye appeal and taste. Another winner!
I love your awesome comments, Sharon. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Hi Natasha, we were thinking about having these on Easter with ham so we made them last night. They are amazing will be a part of our Easter dinner. Thank you for another winner
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe! We make these often!
Can I make it with sweet potatoes only?
Hi, yes that would still work with sweet potatoes only.
Hi I Cooke mine in coco nut milk drain save little milk to mash pot ato add a little parmason and ginger delicious
Thank you for sharing your method! That is a unique flavor combination. I’m definitely curious!
Looks so good. Is is okay to make in advance and reheat?
That should work just fine 🙂 Potatoes generally really heat well.
This looks really good. Sweet potatoes are a must for Thanksgiving.
I agree! They sure are!! Thanks for the great review!! 🙂
Hi,Natasha
How do u cute the sweet potatoes,they r very hard to peel the bark?
Not at all. Very similar to standard potatoes. We use a peeler
Hey,
what else could be added instead of bacon? how about pecans? idk just kind of want to omit bacon but would love something to add that extra crunch. thank you.
angie
Hi Angie, I think pecans would work well but I wouldn’t leave them in there the full baking time or they might burn.
Hello,
This recipe along with your garlic mashed potato recipe look absolutely delicious. The only, issue I have with both of them is the sour cream, I not a fan. Do you think it would be okay to omit the sour cream from both of these recipes? Love following you, your the best! Regards, Ily
Ileana, just omit the sourcream, they will still taste great 😁.
Can’t wait to try them both
I love sweet potatoes! Wanna make it next week. What do you typically serve those with?
It’s good with steak and grilled or sauteed chicken. Pretty much anything you’d serve mashed potatoes with except for gravy; I don’t think that would be a good combo 😉
Natasha, I just made this for my sister and her husband (who don’t like sweet potatoes) in an attempt to change their minds!
My sister’s response? “DIVINE”
So thanks for another great recipe
God bless and have a great Thanksgiving!x
That’s fantastic! Thank you for sharing that with me 🙂 I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving as well!
I have been wanting to use Yukon Gold potatoes…I think this recipe is reason! Looks yummy! Pinned!
Thanks so much for pinning! 🙂
This looks so delicious! Can you sub the Yukon potatoes? I want to try it so badly but don’t have Yukon on hand 🙁
Hi Augustine. I’m sure it would still be fine with another type of potato, but we like the creamier consistency of yukons.
DE-licious!
Thanks so much Coco 🙂
Your mashed potatoes look amazing, Natasha! And what a great idea to combine sweet and Yukon potato! Pinned!
Thank you so much and I sure appreciate that you pinned it! 🙂
Not only I pinned it, I already made it! And ate it. 🙂 Both me and my hubby loved your mashed potatoes. Thanks again, Natasha!
That’s awesome!! I’m so happy you both loved it :). Thank you for the great review!