Description
This creamy mashed sweet potatoes recipe is a classic holiday side dish made with boiled sweet potatoes mashed with butter, warm milk, and maple syrup for a naturally sweet, flavorful finish. Perfectly seasoned with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, and optionally garnished with fresh thyme leaves, this comforting dish is simple to prepare and serves 6 to 8 people.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes, about 5 large or 6 medium, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
Mash Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pats, plus more for serving
- ½ cup milk, warmed
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus more for cooking the potatoes
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Fresh thyme leaves, optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes: Place the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover them with cold water by about 1 inch. Add 1 tablespoon of sea salt to the water to season the potatoes during cooking.
- Boil the Potatoes: Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle boil and cook the sweet potatoes for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they are easily pierced with a fork, indicating they are tender.
- Drain and Mash: Drain the cooked sweet potatoes well and return them to the pot. Add the unsalted butter, warmed milk, maple syrup, 1 teaspoon sea salt, and several grinds of freshly ground black pepper to the pot.
- Mash Until Smooth: Use a potato masher to mash the sweet potatoes until they reach a smooth and creamy consistency, ensuring all ingredients are well combined.
- Season and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve the mashed sweet potatoes topped with additional butter and optionally garnish with fresh thyme leaves for an aromatic touch.
Notes
- Use slightly warmed milk to help the butter melt smoothly into the mash.
- Maple syrup adds natural sweetness and depth of flavor; adjust quantity to taste if you prefer a less sweet version.
- Fresh thyme leaves are optional but add a lovely herbal aroma and garnish.
- For extra creaminess, you can substitute some milk with cream or sour cream.
- Make sure not to overboil the potatoes to avoid them becoming waterlogged.
- This recipe is best served warm and can be made ahead and reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
