Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Pecans is made in one pot with just 7 simple ingredients, including butter, cinnamon, brown sugar, and pecans.
These potatoes are a great addition to your next holiday meal.
Do you like sweet and spicy? You'll love these creamy potatoes with my Mexican Chicken Breast! It's an easy weeknight dinner and I love the sweet and spicy combination!
WHAT MAKES THIS SWEET POTATOES RECIPE GREAT
- Unlike sweet potato casserole, these potatoes are made on the stovetop freeing up the oven during busy holiday cooking.
- This quick and easy side dish is just as easy as making regular mashed potatoes.
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Pecans is full of flavor! Because the potatoes are cooked in cream and butter instead of water, they soak up tons of flavor.
- It's the perfect side dish for your holiday table.
- These potatoes could easily be the main course with a healthy salad as the side dish.
ARE SWEET POTATOES HEALTHIER THAN REGULAR POTATOES?
There are so many benefits to eating sweet potatoes!
- Vitamins - They are full of vitamins A, C, and B6 and have good amount of potassium, which helps to improve heart health.
- Magnesium - The magnesium found in sweet potatoes can help reduce stress and anxiety.
- Reduce inflammation - Due to the high level of choline in sweet potatoes.
- Help fight off diabetes - Sweet potatoes are relatively low on the glycemic index, which means they slowly release sugar into the bloodstream, unlike other starchy foods.
- Sweet potatoes are lower in calories and carbohydrates than regular potatoes.
- They are rich in fiber, which can help make you feel full and help promote weight loss.
HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD QUALITY SWEET POTATO
Choose a firm, medium-sized sweet potato with no bruises and store it in a cool, dark, dry space. They can stay good for 2 - 4 weeks. If the potato becomes soft or begins to wrinkle it is time to cook immediately or discard it.
WANT TO STORE THIS RECIPE FOR LATER? HERE'S HOW:
Fridge: Leftover Mashed Sweet Potatoes can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Freezer: You can freeze the potatoes for up to 3 months.
INGREDIENTS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
- Whole Sweet Potatoes
- Half and Half - Heavy cream can be used as a substitution.
- Brown Sugar - Maple Syrup would be a good substitute for brown sugar.
- Salt
- Cinnamon
- Chopped Pecans
- Fresh Herbs like Fresh Thyme would be an excellent addition.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING EASY MASHED SWEET POTATOE RECIPE
Wash and peel 2 lbs of sweet potatoes. About three large sweet potatoes.
Next, cut the potatoes into 1-inch pieces.
Add 2 Tbsp. butter and sweet potatoes to a large pot.
Cook over medium heat until the potatoes begin to soften, 3-5 minutes. Stirring often.
Add the half and half and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and continue a slow simmer.
Cook the potatoes until they become super tender. Cooking time is between 15-25 minutes depending on how big the potatoes were diced.
TIP - Stir frequently to keep potatoes from sticking or burning on the bottom of the pan. The cream may curdle, but don't worry, it will smooth out when you mash the potatoes.
Remove potatoes from the heat and add the brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Using either a potato masher or a hand mixer, mash the potatoes until they become smooth. To me, it's ok if there is some texture to the potatoes, but if you want super smooth, silky potatoes, you could use a food processor or a food mill.
Mix in the pecans and the remaining tablespoon of butter.
Transfer to a serving dish and serve warm. To drive home the fact that there are pecans in this dish, I like to garnish the potatoes with a few chopped pecans.
FACTS AND COMMON QUESTIONS
Yes, this recipe can be easily made ahead of time. Store potatoes in an oven-safe casserole dish and rewarm at 350 degrees for about 20 - 30 minutes.
Instead of brown sugar and cinnamon, add sour cream to the potatoes. This will give the potatoes a rich, creamy texture and tangy flavor.
When baking or roasting sweet potatoes, it is not necessary to peel sweet potatoes, but for this recipe, I always peel the potatoes.
MORE MEMORABLE SIDE DISH RECIPES
The Best Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Pecans
Ingredients
- 2 lb Sweet Potatoes
- 1 c Half and Half
- 3 Tbsp Butter (Reserve 1 Tbsp)
- 3 Tbsp Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Cinnamon
- ½ c Chopped Pecans
Instructions
- Peel sweet potatoes.
- Cut into 1-inch pieces.
- Add 2 Tbsp. butter and sweet potatoes to a saucepan.
- Cook over medium heat until the potatoes begin to soften, 3-5 minutes.
- Add half and half and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover and continue a slow simmer.
- Cook until potatoes become super tender. Approximately 20 - 25 minutes. Stir frequently to keep potatoes from sticking or burning on the bottom.
- Remove potatoes from heat. Add cinnamon, brown sugar and salt. Using either a potato masher or a hand mixer, mash the potatoes until they become smooth.
- Mix in pecans and remaining 1 Tbsp of butter. Transfer to a serving dish and serve warm.
Notes
- Stir frequently to keep potatoes from sticking or burning on the bottom of the pan.
- The cream may curdle, but don't worry, it will smooth out when you mash the potatoes.
If you make this recipe, please let me know! I'd love to hear how it turned out in the comments below.
Beth Shields
Love this. And frankly would like a big bowl right now. Looks delicious. Have pinned the recipe! Thanks for sharing.
Jill
Thank you Beth!
Rosario Arecco
These are really the best!
Jill
Thank you Rosario!
Jill
This looks so good! sweet potatoes are the perfect side dish! so much flavor and so easy to make!
Jill
Thank you! I love sweet potatoes so many different ways!!
FOODHEAL
I love sweet potato but I haven't tried the mashed version. This recipe with nuts sound extra, I like chewing and crunchy food... I'll give this a try
Jill
I'm always searching for ways to add nuts! I hope you get a chance to try them!
Ramona
Love the way you thought of combining sweet potato and pecans. A delish combo, we loved it ! 😊
Jill
Thank you!
Jill
Thank you! Everything is better with nuts!!
Judi
These are great! Not sickening sweet and gooey like we had when I was a kid.
I would serve these with any pork dish, but they will certainly be on my holiday table both Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Ben
Would like to make with canned sweet potatoes and not half and half
Jill
I've never made this recipe with canned sweet potatoes. You could certainly substitute with milk for the half and half. I'd love to know how it turns out. Happy Thanksgiving!
Judy
I don’t see in your directions when to add the salt, cinnamon and brown sugar. I am guessing you would add them when you actually mash the potatoes. Please clarify.
Thanks!
Jill
Judy, you are correct. You'll add all three when you get ready to mash the potatoes. I updated the recipe. Thanks so much for letting me know! Happy Thanksgiving!