Name: Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Ingredients: 3 medium sweet potatoes (peeled and diced into 2-inch chunks); 1/4 cup almond milk; 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup; 1/2 teaspoon sea salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; Dash of nutmeg; Raw pecans (roughly chopped)

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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.

Bowl of vegan mashed sweet potatoes on a towel

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

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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:

Layout of ingredients used in mashed sweet potatoes.

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.

Big pot with diced sweet potatoes sitting on a steamer basket

2. Mash the potatoes: In a medium-sized bowl, add the steamed sweet potatoes. Mash the mixture until the desired texture is achieved.

Hand mashing sweet potatoes with a potato masher

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.

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.

Bowl filled with final dish and a spoon.

More Thanksgiving dishes

For more holiday side dishes, check out these recipes:

Other sweet potato recipes

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 on Real + Vibrant’s Instagram to 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.