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These easy savory mashed sweet potatoes are a welcome change from the decadent Thanksgiving variety.  With only 5 simple ingredients and a unique cooking technique you are sure to love this lightly sweet and savory side dish.

My memories of sweet potatoes as a child are not so fond.  I really remember having the mushy orange vegetable around thanksgiving, covered with butter, marshmallows, and brown sugar, and although all of those things are pretty delicious, it wasn’t my thing.  I was not digging the veggie and marshmallow thing.  So I decided I absolutely, definitely, did not like sweet potatoes one little bit.  That was until I discovered these.

Easy Mashed Sweet Potatoes

When I discovered some simple sweet potatoes don’t have to be overly sweet, a love affair with the veggie began.  It started with this savory mashed sweet potato recipe.  I loved the mildly sweet flavor and creamy texture.  This recipe is  a quick side and it’s a welcome change from traditional mashed potatoes.  After this awesome recipe got me started on sweet potatoes, I now have what some may consider a problem.  I add sweet potatoes to everything.  Sweet potatoes might rival my avocado addiction.  Just rival, I think the humble avocado still has them beat.  But barely.

Ahem.  Avocado tangent over.   Back to sweet potatoes.  One interesting thing about these savory mashed sweet potatoes is that the potatoes aren’t boiled before mashing.  They are very slowly sauteed/simmered in a butter/milk mixture so none of their flavor is lost in the water.  Then you mash the milk, butter, and potatoes all together.  It’s a strange method, but just trust it, the sweet potatoes do get soft eventually, and when they do they’re oh so rich, and buttery, and yummy!

I find that this recipe goes great with almost anything, but some of my favorite combinations are pork tenderloin and green beans or asparagus.

So if you’re a so-called sweet potato hater, don’t hesitate to give this savory mashed sweet potatoes recipe a try.  They are just sweet enough with yummy melt in your mouth flavor.  If you’re a sweet potato lover, but prefer the uber sugary kind, you should also give them a try, I think you’ll be surprised how good the simplicity tastes.

What are your favorite ways to serve sweet potatoes? Are you over the overly sweet thanksgiving potatoes and ready for this savory mashed sweet potatoes recipe!? Or are you pretty devoted to the marshmallows and brown sugar.  Let me know in the comments below, I always like to hear from my readers.  If you try it, let me know what you think of mildly sweet potatoes, hopefully I can convert you!

As always, thanks for reading!

*Note: Because this is one of the most popular recipes on my blog, I gave this recipe a little tender love and care in May of 2016.  The recipe stayed the same, but the pictures got a much needed facelift!

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Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

A take on mashed sweet potatoes that isn't overwhelmingly sweet and has a savory flair!

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Ingredients

• 2 Medium Sweet Potatoes, peeled and cut 1/4 thick
• 4 Tbsp Butter, cut into 4 pieces
• 2 Tbsp Milk
• 1 tsp Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Salt

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan or cast-iron pot. Cook, covered on low heat stirring occasionally until potatoes are soft. This will take 30-45 minutes. Remove from heat and mash with a potato masher or in a mixer. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 186

If you’d like to read more about my sweet potato PROBLEM you might be interested in these recipes as well.

Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet with Bacon and Red Bell Pepper

Sweet Potato Chili