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.

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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.

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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

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 thicken up sweet potato mash? ›

What can I do if my mashed sweet potatoes are too runny? If the mixture is too runny, cook it on low heat for a few minutes to evaporate some moisture, or add a bit more mashed sweet potato to thicken it up.

How to stop sweet potato mash from being watery? ›

Try draining the potatoes better next time And don't over beat/ blend but if you want to thicken them up Try some Wondra quick mix flour, corn starch Or some breadcrumbs . Actually sweet potatoes can be mashed without using marjorine or butter. Mashing without the use of butter or marjorine will make it thicker.

How do you keep mashed potatoes from getting gummy? ›

The main way we combat this problem is by rinsing away starch, both before and after cooking potatoes for fluffy mashed potatoes.

Why not to boil sweet potatoes? ›

Bake, don't boil

It intensifies their flavor and creates a richer taste compared to boiling, which can result in a watered-down, bland flavor. As the oven temperature rises (when baking), the molecular structure of the sugar molecules in the sweet potatoes begins to change.

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.

Do you peel sweet potatoes before boiling? ›

There is not much difference between boiling sweet potatoes with the skins on versus peeling them, but you will get a boost of fiber and potassium if you keep the skin on. The skin also adds a subtle texture to each bite. If you're looking for a smoother mash, peel the potatoes first before boiling.

Is cornstarch or flour better for thickening mashed potatoes? ›

Flour, cornstarch and even powdered milk can thicken mashed potatoes quickly. Gradually stir a teaspoon of one of these commonly found thickening agents into your mashed potatoes until you reach the desired thickness — start with a teaspoon, and you can always add more if needed.

Is sweet potato mash healthier than normal mash? ›

Though they can both be part of a healthy diet, sweet potatoes are generally healthier than regular potatoes, partly because of their incredibly high vitamin A content. Sweet potatoes are also lower on the glycemic index, meaning that they are less likely than regular potatoes to make your blood sugar spike.

How do you keep sweet potatoes from getting mushy? ›

Start with fresh sweet potatoes that lack obvious blemishes or soft spots. Store them in a cool, dark place with plenty of ventilation away from a heat source. I keep mine in a breathable bin at the bottom of my pantry, where they'll last about two weeks.

Why did my mashed potatoes turn out sweet? ›

In this case the starches within the potato convert to sugar and this affects the cooking chemistry, and results in the sweet flavor you describe. To recondition, store cold-impacted, unwashed potatoes in an ambient (room temperature) area, protected from light. Such as inside a cupboard or in a pantry.

How do you get moisture out of sweet potatoes? ›

However, our favorite way to pretreat sweet potatoes is to bake them! Baking your sweet potatoes in the oven at 350ºF (177ºC) for about 20 minutes and then fully dehydrating them will yield a much better flavor and texture when they are rehydrated.

Why do restaurant mashed potatoes taste better? ›

There's just something about those velvety smooth, luxuriantly creamy, full-flavored mashed potatoes that have most homemade versions beat beyond comparison. As it turns out, there is a pretty simple reason why steakhouse mashed potatoes are so much better than other versions: They don't skimp on the salt or fat.

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

Soaking and/or rinsing the potatoes can help you modify the amount of starch that remains on them. Cutting potatoes into smaller pieces before cooking and rinsing them under cold water will wash away much of the excess starch.

What causes gluey mashed potatoes? ›

When too much starch gets released, the potatoes become gummy, gluey, and unappetizing. Overworking the potatoes can happen in a couple ways: either by simply handling them too much, or by using a food processor, blender, or similar tool, which mixes the potatoes too aggressively.

How do you keep mashed sweet potatoes from turning brown? ›

The best (and most popular) way to keep cut potatoes from turning brown is to completely submerge them in a bowl of water. Store the water-covered potatoes in a bowl in the refrigerator until you're ready to use them, up to one day in advance.

How do you keep mashed sweet potatoes from getting stringy? ›

To avoid stringy potatoes, look for short, plump sweet potatoes instead of long skinny ones (and don't buy the biggest sweet potatoes available).

Why do you put oil on sweet potatoes before baking? ›

If I'm planning to, I rub the sweet potatoes in a small amount of olive oil before baking to crisp them up and add extra flavor. After baking, let the potatoes cool slightly, split the tops open, and dot with butter that will melt from the residual heat. Season with a little salt and pepper, and you're ready to go.

Should you boil or bake potatoes for mash? ›

For the silkiest fluffy mashed potatoes, start with firm, cool Russet Burbank spuds, also known as baking potatoes. They're the easiest to mash without becoming pasty and are even tastier steamed instead of boiled.

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