Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes – Plant-Based on a Budget -

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These easy vegan mashed sweet potatoes are super smooth and creamy with a delicious sweet and savory flavor and plenty of customization. A perfect side dish for weeknight meals and the holidays! Plus, 100% dairy and gluten-free!

Cooked mashed vegan sweet potatoes with a slice of vegan butter on top. In a white bowl with a blue rim and a silver spoon on top. On a white crinkled paper with a white cloth napkin in the right bottom corner and cinnamon in the left corner,

Creamy No-Fuss Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes

We’ve already shared a simple recipe for Instant Pot mashed sweet potatoes, but this stovetop version is the perfect alternative for those without an IP. Not only are these vegan mashed sweet potatoes the perfect side dish for your holiday table, but it’s become one of our favorite low-budget vegan side dishes to enjoy year-round.

These easy mashed sweet potatoes are super creamy, delicious, and even more nutritious than regular mash (with extra antioxidants and lower GI). It also only requires a handful of ingredients and under 40 minutes to prepare from scratch. Even better, we’ve made these mashed sweet potatoes with brown sugar/ maple syrup and cinnamon to bring out the potato’s sweetness.

However, there are plenty of sweet and savory flavoring options below to adjust to your mood or meal. No matter how you flavor them, though, and who or when you’re making this mashed sweet potato recipe for, they will surely be a satisfying, crowd-pleasing hit!

The Ingredients

Ingredients for making mashed sweet potatoes.

Sweet Potatoes: If possible, we recommend using potatoes of a similar size and shape so it’s easier to cube them into even-sized pieces.
Plant-based milk: Use any unsweetened dairy-free milk according to your dietary requirements (nut-free, paleo, etc.). I.e., soy milk, oat milk, etc. Use canned coconut milk for creamier results, though it will leave a subtle coconut taste.
Vegan butter: It’s best to use unsalted butter to control the sodium, though salted butter (like Miyoko’s or Earth Balance) works in a pinch.
Sweetener: There are two classic options; mashed sweet potatoes with brown sugar or mashed sweet potatoes with maple syrup (perfect for those who prefer unrefined sugars).

You could use a sugar-free brown sugar or maple syrup alternative if preferred.

Cinnamon: (or pumpkin pie spice) This warming spice pairs perfectly with the brown sugar/maple syrup and the natural sweetness in simple mashed sweet potatoes.
Salt: To balance the sweetness – season to taste.

To make paleo mashed sweet potatoes, use canned coconut milk and replace the butter with coconut oil.

Cooked mashed vegan sweet potatoes with a slice of vegan butter on top. In a white bowl with a blue rim and a silver spoon on top.

How To Flavor Mashed Sweet Potatoes?

Vanilla: Just a little natural vanilla extract enhances the flavors in the brown sugar and cinnamon mashed sweet potatoes.
Nutmeg: Just a little pinch enhances the warming flavor of the cinnamon.
Bourbon: Make moreish maple bourbon mashed sweet potatoes by adding 3-4 tbsp Bourbon whiskey to this recipe for mashed sweet potatoes.
Vegan marshmallows: Top the mashed sweet potatoes with marshmallows, then broil the dish until the ‘mallows brown/melt.
Basic savory mashed sweet potatoes: Replace the sweetener/cinnamon in this recipe for mashed sweet potatoes with salt, black pepper, and green onions/chives/parsley.
Garlic: There are several ways to make garlic mashed sweet potatoes. You can boil a head of garlic with the potatoes, use roasted garlic, and/or use garlic powder – add to taste.
Spice: Make spicy mashed sweet potato with chili or cayenne powder, chipotle, etc.
Herbs: We particularly like rosemary mashed sweet potatoes (with garlic), but thyme, sage, and oregano also pair well with sweet potatoes.
Smoked paprika: To add a subtle, savory, smoky flavor. This pairs well with garlic.
Cheese: Make cheesy savory mashed sweet potatoes with nutritional yeast (for a subtle umami-rich, nutty, cheesy flavor) and/or vegan cream cheese/meltable shredded cheese.
Nuts: Sprinkle over toasted nuts (like pecans or walnuts) for crunch.

How to Make Mashed Sweet Potatoes?

First, peel and chop the sweet potatoes into 1-inch cubes (2.5cm) while you bring a large saucepan filled with water and the salt to a boil.
Carefully transfer the sweet potatoes to the pot and bring it back to a boil. Then, lower the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are tender.

Alternatively, steam the sweet potato cubes for 15-20 minutes.

Carefully drain the sweet potatoes, then transfer them back to the pot or to a large bowl.
Mash the sweet potato with a potato masher, ricer, or even a sturdy fork, slowly incorporating the plant-based milk in as you do until you reach your desired consistency.
Finally, mix in the brown sugar/maple syrup, salt, and cinnamon (to taste). Enjoy the super creamy mashed sweet potatoes!

Storage Information

To save on prep time, optionally peel and chop the potatoes a day in advance and store them in water in the fridge. Once cooked, allow the leftover vegan mashed sweet potatoes to cool and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

You can reheat the mash on the stove or in a microwave with an extra splash of plant-based milk or stock/water (and any butter/seasonings) if needed.

Can You Freeze Mashed Sweet Potatoes?

Freezing mashed sweet potatoes is simple and extends the shelf life up to 3 months. To do so, we portion it and then spread it flat in freezer-safe Ziplock bags, squeezing out excess air.

When needed, allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge or for several hours at room temperature.

How to Serve Mashed Sweet Potatoes

When making mashed sweet potatoes with brown sugar and cinnamon, it becomes a moreish sweet and savory side dish perfect for the holidays (like Thanksgiving and Christmas), with:

Savory mashed sweet potatoes can also replace regular mashed potatoes. Enjoy it alongside:

FAQs

Do you have to peel the sweet potatoes?

Technically, no, if you want the added fiber in the easy mashed sweet potato recipe.

What to do with leftover mashed sweet potatoes?

There are several ways to use leftover mashed potatoes as long as you haven’t added too much butter and milk. These include:

Making sweet potato pancakes, patties, fritters, or croquettes, using it over Shepherd’s pie, for stuffed potato dumplings, making potato-based bread or baking it into muffins/ biscuits, or even delicious ‘bubble and squeak’.

Can I use a food processor to mash sweet potatoes?

While it’s possible to use a food processor, blender, or immersion blender to mash sweet potatoes, the heat, and blades can cause the potato starches to activate and the cinnamon-mashed sweet potatoes to become gummy/gluey. If you want to try, make sure to ‘pulse’ the potatoes to avoid over-processing them.

Top Recipe Tips

Drain potatoes well: To ensure the vegan mashed sweet potatoes don’t end up watery.
For thicker/thinner mash: Adjust the amount of added liquid you use.
Adjust the consistency: By adjusting the method used to mash the sweet potatoes. A fork will be thicker/chunkier than a potato masher, which is less fluffy than a potato ricer.
Experiment with flavor profiles: Refer to our long list of flavor options and play around to find your favorites.

More Sweet Potato Recipes

Over medium high heat in a large pot, bring water to a boil and add the salt.
Carefully add the sweet potatoes to the boiling water.
Bring back to a boil, lower the heat to a simmer, and cook for 25 minutes. When the potatoes are soft, carefully drain and transfer to a large bowl.
Mash the sweet potatoes with a potato masher or with a hand mixer.
Slowly add ¼ cup of plant-based milk at a time until the desired consistency is achieved.
Add the brown sugar or maple syrup, salt, and cinnamon.Mix well and serve hot or cold.

To make paleo mashed sweet potatoes, use canned coconut milk and replace the butter with coconut oil.
You could use a sugar-free brown sugar or maple syrup alternative if preferred.

Serving: 6gCalories: 5kcalCarbohydrates: 0.4gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.3gSaturated Fat: 0.002gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 230mgPotassium: 1mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.04gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 0.03mg

Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American