Ginger and Garlic Mashed Sweet Potatoes
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Ginger and garlic mashed sweet potatoes are smooth and flavorful with a creamy texture! They are an easy side dish that’s perfect for the holidays or any day.
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Unlike a lot of sweet potato side dish recipes, which have brown sugar, this is a savory sweet potato recipe. Instead of adding sugar to an already sweet vegetable, this sweet potato mash is made with garlic, cinnamon, and ginger which enhances the naturally sweet flavor of sweet potatoes.
If you prefer something a little sweeter, try our 5 ingredients sweet potato casserole which is lightly sweetened with maple syrup.
Why you will love this recipe
- Simple! It’s an easy recipe made with a few simple ingredients
- Healthy! Sweet potatoes are filled with vitamins, minerals, fiber and there is no added sugar in this recipe.
Here is what you will need
This is a brief summary of the ingredients needed to make this Ginger and Garlic Mashed Sweet Potatoes recipe and a convenient shopping list from my Instacart affiliate link. For a printable recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions, scroll down to the recipe card section.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- Sweet potatoes any variety such as yellow, red, purple, brown or white
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Milk – Plant based or regular
- Coconut oil or butter
- Cinnamon
Note: Coconut oil and coconut milk add hints of coconut flavor which is pairs nicely with the ginger and garlic.
How to make ginger garlic mashed sweet potatoes
Prepare: preheat the oven to 425 degrees f. Rinse, pat dry and poke holes in the sweet potatoes.
Once the oven is hot, place the sweet potatoes into the oven and bake until they are soft inside which should be about 50 minutes. Chop the garlic and grate the ginger with a Microplane grater.
STEP 1: While the sweet potatoes are baking, add the coconut oil to a saucepan with the garlic and ginger. Cook over medium heat for about a minute or two until the butter begins to soften. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the coconut milk and cinnamon. Cook for 30 minutes over low heat occasionally serving.
STEP 2: Once the sweet potatoes are cooked, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool off. Slice the cooled sweet potatoes in half. Remove the pulp and place it into a bowl. Gradually add the milk mixture while mashing the sweet potatoes.
Roasted sweet potato mash
Enhance the sweetness in this recipe by roasting the sweet potatoes. Cut the sweet potatoes into chunks that are similar in size and toss them in a little bit of olive or coconut oil. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast at 425 degrees f for 20 to 30 minutes. Remove them from the oven and proceed with the instructions for masing.
How to store leftover ginger and garlic sweet potato mash
Leftover ginger and garlic sweet potato mash will last in the refrigerator for up to three days stored in an airtight container.
Reheat leftover sweet potato mash in the microwave, oven or on top of the stove over low heat.
Make ahead instructions
This is a great recipe to make ahead of time. Follow the instructions on the recipe card to make the sweet potato mash. Cover and refrigerate for up to two days.
About an hour before serving, remove the sweet potatoes from the refrigerator. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and place the room-temperature sweet potatoes in a covered dish and into a preheated oven until they are heated through.
What to serve with ginger garlic sweet potato mash
Savory mashed sweet potatoes are not just for holiday dinners. They are the perfect side dish for roast chicken, pork chops, turkey meatloaf, orange cranberry chicken or cranberry turkey meatballs.
For extra flavor, garnish your sweet potato mash with a sprinkle of black pepper green onion, chopped walnuts or pecans.
Recipe variations
Spicy – Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon to taste to the sweet potato mash for spicy sweet potatoes.
Tropical – Add a splash of fresh lime juice or pineapple juice to the sweet mash for a tropical flare.
Fresh herbs – Add a few teaspoons of chopped herbs such as fresh rosemary, or fresh thyme.
Tips
- Use a food processor, stand mixer or hand mixer to mash the sweet potatoes instead of a potato masher for a smooth consistency.
- Make sure the milk mixture cooks low and slow to prevent burning and for the best flavor.
Recipe FAQs
You can easily make mashed sweet potatoes by boiling them. Rinse, peel and chop the sweet potatoes and place them into a large pot of water, making sure there is enough water to cover them. Cover and cook the sweet potatoes over medium heat until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender. Drain the water from the sweet potatoes and follow the instructions in the recipe card.
Yes, sweet potatoes are extremely healthy. They are rich in nutrients, and fiber and considered low glycemic.
Even though you can use any variety, the two best for mashing are red or orange sweet potatoes which are sweeter and creamier than purple or tan varieties.
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Find process photos and variations in the blog post:
Ginger Sweet Potato MashIngredients
- 3 sweet potatoes medium sized
- 3 cloves garlic roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon ginger chopped
- 1/2 cup coconut milk plant based milk or regular milk
- 1 tablespoon of unrefined coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees f
- Chop the 3 cloves of garlic and the ginger; set aside
- Clean the potatoes, and pierce them with a fork
- Place the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes. They should be soft when you pierce them with a fork.
- While the sweet potatoes are baking, add the coconut oil to a sauce pan with garlic and ginger; cook about a minute until they begin to soften.
- Add the coconut milk and cinnamon and reduce the heat to low and cook for 30 minutes while stirring occasionally.
- Once the sweet potatoes cooked remove them from the oven and allow them to cool off. Once they are cool enough to handle slice them open and use a spoon to scoop out the pulp and place it in a mixing bowl.
- Pour half of the milk mixture over the sweet potatoes and mash them using a potato masher. Gradually contineu dd the milk mixture to the potatoes as you blend them until they reach a texture that you like.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used
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I love how simple this is and that you use coconut milk and ginger! This is a dish I am going to try during the holidays this year!
Love the ingredients going on here, just put this on my list to make. I will report back!
Love sweet potatoes! And not just for Thanksgiving!
Thank you, a nice change from minted potatoes. My husband loves this recipe so we’ll have it often.
thanks for your comment, I’m glad you enjoyed them, Colleen!