Savory Sweet Potato Mash

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Savory Sweet Potato Mash is a flavorful twist on the traditional sweetness of the sweet potato casserole that is typically on the holiday table. It’s a creamy and delicious side dish you can serve with any main dish.

Close up of Savory Sweet Potato Mash swirled into a black bowl garnished with fresh chives.

You'll love how easy this Savory Sweet Potato Mash is to prepare. Even better, you’ll love the flavor of this new twist on a holiday classic. Rather than the added sweetness of sugar or maple syrup, this sweet potato mash uses sage, rosemary, and leeks to create a unique savory flavor. The recipe is also gluten-free and Whole30 friendly.

Ready to try a new twist on a holiday classic?

FAQs:

Can I make Mashed Sweet Potatoes ahead of time?

Definitely. Feel free to make these a day or two ahead of time. Simply store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to reheat and serve.

What can I use the dark green part of leeks for?

The tops of leeks are fantastic for flavoring homemade stocks.

Ingredients for Healthy Mashed Sweet Potatoes:

Ingredients portioned on a wood cutting board.

Sweet potatoes: They’re high in vitamin A and contain more antioxidants than regular potatoes.
Leeks: Leeks are sweeter and milder than onions. They’re also high in antioxidants.
Greek yogurt: It's lower in calories and fat than sour cream.
Herbs: Add a fantastic savory flavor to the dish.

How to Prepare Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes:

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Prick each of the potatoes with a fork a few times, and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake the sweet potatoes in the oven at 350ºF for about an hour. Potatoes are finished when a paring knife easily pierces the flesh. Or, carefully squeeze the potato lightly. If it gives easily, potatoes are ready to mash.
When the potatoes are nearly ready, slice the leeks, then sauté them in a skillet with a tablespoon of butter until they are soft. (About 7 minutes.) Remove from the heat, and set aside.
When they are cool enough to handle, cut the potatoes in half, and scoop the soft flesh into a large bowl. Add the leeks, spices, and Greek yogurt, and mash everything together well. I used my grandmother's old-fashioned potato masher. You could use an electric mixer, but the potatoes are so soft that it really isn't necessary.
Once the potatoes are mashed, they are ready to serve. Or, you can place them in a covered baking dish and refrigerate until you are ready to heat them and serve. I reheated them in the oven for the last fifteen minutes of cooking Stuffed Cornish Game Hens, and they were perfect.

Sliced leeks on a green cutting board. — Slice the leeks into thin rounds.

Cooked leeks in a cast iron skillet. — Slice the leeks into thin rounds.

Serving Suggestions:

I like to add a sprinkle of chopped parsley or chives on top just before serving.

While you can serve this healthy Sweet Potato Mash with any main dish you like, a few of my favorites are:

Overhead shot of Savory Sweet Potato Mash swirled into a black bowl garnished with fresh chives.

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INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS:

Butter: Use olive or avocado oil.
Make it a vegan sweet potato mash: Swap out the Greek yogurt for your favorite dairy-free milk and the butter for your oil of choice.
Keep this recipe Whole30 compliant by substituting almond milk for regular milk and using ghee rather than butter.
A few variations that I’ve tried and liked for this recipe include: substitute garlic and shallots for the leeks, or use thyme rather than sage.

RECIPE NOTES:

This recipe was first published on December 21, 2016, but was republished with updated photos, ingredients, and notes to make the recipe more user friendly.
If you have an Instant Pot, you can cook the potatoes in about 30 minutes. Check out Rachel’s easy recipe at Rachel Cooks.
Parchment paper makes clean up a breeze. If You Care's parchment is unbleached and compostable.
I love Nordic Ware’s pure aluminum baking sheets. They conduct heat well, and clean up is easy.
Yes, you could use an electric mixer for the potatoes, but I often find that I don’t get the consistency I like with the mixer. An old-fashioned potato masher works perfectly for me.

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More Mashed Recipes to Love:

Mashed Butternut Squash

Mashed Sweet Potato Blend

Parsnip Mashed Potatoes

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