Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Real + Vibrant (2024)

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This vegan mashed sweet potatoes recipe is made with a few ingredients and takes 30 minutes to make. It's vegan, vegetarian, and refined sugar-free.

Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Real + Vibrant (1)

While I enjoy sweet potatoes all year long, I especially enjoy them during the holidays. One of the most popular ways to enjoy them is making mashed sweet potatoes. They pair well with almost any main course and are a delicious addition to any Thanksgiving meal.

How do I define the perfect mashed sweet potatoes? They are:

  • Creamy
  • Sweet, but not too sweet
  • A little savory
  • Flavorful
  • Delicious

Jump to:
  • Ingredients you'll need
  • How to make vegan mashed sweet potatoes
  • Storing and reheating
  • How to cook sweet potatoes
  • How to mash sweet potatoes
  • Substitutions and variations
  • More Thanksgiving dishes
  • Other sweet potato recipes
  • Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients you'll need

To make these mashed sweet potatoes, you'll need the following ingredients:

Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Real + Vibrant (2)
  • Sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch cubes
  • Maple syrup
  • Almond milk: Or any other kind of milk.
  • Ground cinnamon and nutmeg
  • Sea salt

How to make vegan mashed sweet potatoes

Once you have the ingredients, making them is pretty straightforward:

1. Cook the potatoes: In a large pot, pour enough water to cover an inch of the base. Insert steamer basket and place the chunks of potatoes on top. Cover the lid and steam on medium heat for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are very tender.

Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Real + Vibrant (3)

2. Mash the potatoes:In a medium-sized bowl, add the steamed sweet potatoes. Mash the mixture until the desired texture is achieved.

Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Real + Vibrant (4)

3. Add remaining ingredients:Add almond milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt and mix until well combined. Adjust seasoning and sweetness, if needed. Serve and top with pecans, if using.

Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Real + Vibrant (5)

Storing and reheating

To store: Store leftover sweet potato mash in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for 3 days.

To freeze: mashed sweet potatoes store well in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To reheat: When you're ready to enjoy the mashed sweet potatoes, warm it on a skillet on medium-low heat, the microwave, or enjoy at room temperature.

How to cook sweet potatoes

If you scour the internet for recipes on how to make mashed sweet potatoes, you'll find a few different methods for cooking the sweet potatoes:

1. Boil: Submerging the sweet potatoes in boiling water to cook them.

2. Steam: Exposing them to hot steam without submerging them in the boiling water below them. Quick and easy without losing any of the nutrients in the water.

3. Roast: Cooking the sweet potatoes in high dry heat in the oven until they are cooked through. This method usually takes the longest.

I find that steaming sweet potatoes is the easiest and quickest way to cook them - less than 30 minutes from start to finish.

How to mash sweet potatoes

There are a few ways to mash the sweet potatoes once they are cooked. Each technique will lead to a different texture:

  • Potato masher: This will give you a chunkier texture depending on how long you mash it.
  • Fork: This is a great alternative if you don't have a potato masher and also prefer a slightly coarse and chunky texture.
  • Food processor: Using a food processor will lead to an ultra-smooth texture but be sure not to over-process, otherwise you'll end up with a gummy-like texture.
  • Immersion blender: This will give you a smoother texture than using the potato masher but not as smooth as the food processor.
  • Hand or stand mixer: Similar to the food processor, this will lead to a smooth and creamy texture.

Substitutions and variations

Leave the skin on the sweet potatoes: for a more rustic taste, simply leave the skin on the sweet potatoes.

Use another milk: Any type of dairy-free milk works. Use coconut milk for added flavor and creaminess.

Roasting the sweet potatoes: Instead of steaming the sweet potatoes, try roasting them. To roast, preheat oven to 400°F. In a medium bowl, toss sweet potatoes with avocado oil, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, lay the sweet potatoes in a single layer.

Garnish with fresh herbs: Add crushed garlic and fresh herbs for a savory flavor. Some of my favorite include chives.

Add additional toppings: Add chopped nuts, fruit, and other toppings for added flavor. Check out Eat with Clarity's sweet potato breakfast bowl for a filling breakfast idea.

Roast for about 30 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are tender. Once cool enough to handle, add the roasted sweet potatoes back into the bowl. Add in the remaining ingredients and mash.

Boiling the sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes can also be boiled in water if you don't have a steamer basket on hand. Simply pour enough water to cover the sweet potatoes and boil until cooked through. Turn off the stove and drain the sweet potatoes.

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More Thanksgiving dishes

For more holiday side dishes, check out these recipes:

  • Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole
  • Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
  • Homemade Cranberry Sauce
  • Vegan Collard Greens
  • Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte
  • Apple Spinach Salad

Other sweet potato recipes

  • Sweet Potato and Kale Soup
  • Crispy Sweet Potato Black Bean Bowl
  • Roasted Sweet Potato Kale Bowl
  • Sweet Potato Pancakes
  • Sweet Potato Soup

Did you make this vegan mashed sweet potato recipe?Leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let us know how it turned out! Save this easy Thanksgiving recipe for later by pinning to your favorite Thanksgiving Pinterest board and be sure to tag me onReal + Vibrant’s Instagramto show me your delicious mashed sweet potato!

Editor’s note:This recipe was originally published on October 31, 2019. Since then, it’s been freshened up with new pictures and more details to help you make the recipe.

Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Real + Vibrant (7)

Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes

5 from 19 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 100kcal

Author: Sapana Chandra

This easy vegan mashed sweet potatoes recipe is one of my favorite Thanksgiving side dishes! Made with only a few ingredients, it's cooked on the stovetop and ready in 30 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into 2-inch chunks
  • ¼ cup almond milk
  • 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Dash of nutmeg

Optional Topping:

  • Raw pecans, roughly chopped

Instructions

  • Cook the Potatoes: In a large pot, pour enough water to cover an inch of the base. Insert steamer basket and place the chunks of potatoes on top. Cover the lid and steam on medium heat for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are very tender.

  • Mash the Potatoes: In a medium-sized bowl, add the steamed sweet potatoes. Mash the mixture until the desired texture is achieved.

  • Add Remaining Ingredients: Add almond milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt and mix until well combined. Adjust seasoning and sweetness, if needed. Serve and top with pecans, if using.

Notes

I mash mine with a potato masher, however, if you don't have one, a fork works well. If you prefer a smoother texture, use a hand mixer, stand mixer, or a food processor.

Nutrition

Calories: 100kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 365mg, Potassium: 340mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 13832IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 53mg, Iron: 1mg

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe?Mention @realandvibrant and hashtag #realandvibrant!

Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Real + Vibrant (2024)

FAQs

Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe - Real + Vibrant? ›

Don't whip the potatoes with a hand mixer, mash them with a potato masher. You can bake the yams if you want them to be particularly dense. If you just want them lumpier, that's just a matter of less mashing and less moisture - whether in the form of butter, yogurt or milk. Add some whole-wheat flour.

How to stop sweet potato mash from being watery? ›

Don't whip the potatoes with a hand mixer, mash them with a potato masher. You can bake the yams if you want them to be particularly dense. If you just want them lumpier, that's just a matter of less mashing and less moisture - whether in the form of butter, yogurt or milk. Add some whole-wheat flour.

How do I make my sweet potato mash thicker? ›

You can use what you have on hand: Flour, cornstarch, or powdered milk are all solid options that are probably already in your pantry. Potato flour and potato starch would work as well. Stir in the thickening agent gradually, about a tablespoon at a time, until the potatoes have reached your desired consistency.

How do you make Ina Garten mashed sweet potatoes? ›

Place the sweet potato meat into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and add the orange juice, cream, butter, brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Mix together until combined but not smooth and transfer to a baking dish. Bake the potatoes for 20 to 30 minutes, until heated through.

How to make mashed potatoes without making them gummy? ›

Don't overmix the potatoes! For mashed potatoes that are smooth without being gummy, a potato ricer is your best bet. It gently presses the potato into fine pieces, so all that's left to do is add your liquid and a pat or two of butter.

How do you make sweet potatoes less watery? ›

While baking condenses the flavor and moisture, the best method overall is to simmer sweet potatoes in butter and cream until tender. This produces an incredibly creamy mash like you've never had before! I don't recommend boiling sweet potatoes for a mash because they will be watery.

How do you remove excess water from sweet potatoes? ›

Freezing sweet potatoes drives excess water out of the potato, resulting in an interior with more concentrated flavor. Freezing also lowers the starting temperature of the potato, allowing more time for amylase enzymes to convert starch to sweet-tasting maltose.

How do you thicken mashed potatoes without flour or cornstarch? ›

Cook more potatoes and mash them properly (see the steps above) but with no additional liquid, and then fold them into the runny batch. Stir in dehydrated mashed potato flakes a tablespoonful at a time until you reach the right consistency.

Does sour cream thicken mashed potatoes? ›

Both heavy cream and sour cream can help thicken your mashed potatoes while making them rich. They not only add flavor, but they also add significant fat, which helps make mashed potatoes silky and satisfying.

How do you make mashed potatoes fluffy and not sticky? ›

As already discussed, pastiness is caused by too much potato starch being worked into the mashed potatoes. The main way we combat this problem is by rinsing away starch, both before and after cooking potatoes for fluffy mashed potatoes. Rinsing off starch means that there is less of it that can end up in the dish.

How do you make Patti Labelle sweet potatoes? ›

Boil the sweet potatoes in a large stockpot until soft, about 25 minutes; drain. When cool enough to handle, peel the potatoes and transfer them to a large bowl. While the potatoes are still warm, add the butter, cream, agave, cinnamon and salt, and mash until smooth. Sprinkle with the orange zest.

Is it better to boil sweet potatoes or bake sweet potatoes? ›

Boiling may theoretically be best, but sweet potatoes are so incredibly healthy that the actual best way to prepare them is whichever way will get you to eat the most of them! The exception is deep frying, which can lead to the formation of acrylamide, a potential human carcinogen.

Why do you soak sweet potatoes before baking? ›

The cold water bath helps rinse the starch off the sweet potatoes so they're a bit more crispy. That said, if you do not have the time, you can still get crispy baked sweet potato fries by using high heat and a little drizzle of olive oil.

Why did my mashed potatoes turn out like glue? ›

Some cells will inevitably burst, releasing tacky gel that helps give mashed potatoes their cohesiveness. But if too much gelled starch seeps out of the cells, either from overcooking or too-vigorous mashing (or both), gumminess ensues.

What is the secret to non-gluey mashed potatoes? ›

Thick-skinned varieties like russets will give you the fluffiest results. Steer clear of waxy red-skinned potatoes, which turn gluey when mashed. If it's too late to make the swap, change course and roast the potatoes tossed with oil, garlic and some fresh rosemary if you have it, instead of boiling them.

Why do restaurant mashed potatoes taste better? ›

Garlic and herbs are added to boost flavor

Instead of boiling a few potatoes and mashing them plain, a lot of restaurant chefs like to apply a little more finesse. Garlic and herbs infused in butter and cream add a flavor boost without overpowering.

Why are my sweet potatoes soupy? ›

(Another hot tip if you're boiling your sweet potatoes: Don't overcook them! They tend to absorb water, which could make the filling watery.) So, say you do have some undercooked bits of sweet potato. You have two choices: Pick them out or bake your sweet potato casserole long enough to soften the underdone pieces.

Why is my mashed potato so watery? ›

Runny potatoes can happen for a few different reasons. Too much liquid: This is the most common reason. In the mashing process you may have added too much milk or broth. Boiled too long: Boiling your potatoes for too long can make them water-logged, which (you guessed it) can contribute to runny mashed potatoes.

How do you stop potatoes going watery? ›

There are a few ways you can help avoid this:
  1. Boiling the potatoes with the skins on reduces the amount of water absorbed (and adds some of the flavour from the skins).
  2. Get the starch of the individual cells to gel before fully cooking. ...
  3. Use baked potatoes.
Dec 28, 2012

How do you fix mashed potatoes that are too thin? ›

Whisk a little cornstarch into the warm potatoes, only a teaspoon at a time, until the potatoes thicken to your liking. The potatoes must be warm. You can also use tapioca starch or potato starch, although most cooks are less likely to have those products on hand.

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