Mashed Sweet Potatoes (Instant Pot, Stove Top)
These Mashed Sweet Potatoes are creamy and delicious with the flavors of orange and rosemary. It’s an easy side dish that’s perfect for any occasion, and the recipe includes both Instant Pot and stove top instructions!
Mashed potatoes are my family’s all time favorite side dish, which is why I have such a variety of recipes of them here.
My yukon gold mashed potatoes have been a tried and true favorite for years, and my crock pot mashed potatoes have tangy buttermilk flavor and are a more hands off way to prepare them.
I decided to give our favorite side dish a colorful twist with these Mashed Sweet Potatoes, and they instantly became a family favorite.
My family has always loved roasted sweet potatoes and sweet potato fries, so I knew it wasn’t going to be a stretch.
That said, I was a bit surprised when my family actually started requesting this recipe over classic mashed potatoes.
I can’t say I blame them. The flavors in this mashed sweet potato recipe are simply irresistible, and they make any meal incredibly festive!
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- These mashed sweet potatoes are creamy and velvety with the flavors of orange and rosemary.
- Instructions include both Instant Pot and stove top instructions.
- It’s a quick and easy side dish that’s gluten-free and vegetarian.
- It’s a versatile side dish that can be changed up with your favorite herbs and seasonings.
Recipe ingredients
- Sweet potatoes. You’ll need 3 lbs. of sweet potatoes. Use your favorite variety, just be aware that the texture may vary slightly depending on which one(s) you use.
- Half and half. The half and half may be substituted with whole milk, heavy cream or your favorite non dairy milk. Heavy cream will make extra rich and creamy mashed sweet potatoes. Sub with your favorite non dairy milk to make this recipe dairy free.
- Butter. Adds flavor to the dish. Sub with dairy-free butter or even olive oil to make this recipe dairy-free.
- Orange zest. The zest adds a delicious orange flavor that compliments the flavor of the sweet potatoes. It may be omitted if you don’t have any on hand.
- Rosemary. Sub with your favorite herbs, parsley or chives if desired.
How to make this mashed sweet potato recipe
This mashed sweet potato recipe can be prepared using (2) different cooking methods — the Instant Pot and stove top.
The instructions are virtually the same, but mashed sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot requires less water and is a more hands off way to prepare them.
Pro tip: Be sure not to overcook the sweet potatoes as they will become watery, and drain them well in a colander before mashing.
See the recipe card below for full instructions.
Instant Pot mashed sweet potatoes instructions
Instant Pot mashed sweet potatoes are extremely easy to make, and they come out perfectly creamy and velvety every single time.
- Place the sweet potatoes into the Instant Pot followed by 1 cup of water and secure the lid. Press the Pressure Cook button and set to cook at High Pressure for 8 minutes.
- Quick release the pressure when they’ve finished cooking and remove the lid when it’s safe to do so.
- Drain the sweet potatoes well in a colander.
- Add back to the Instant Pot and mash well with a potato masher.
- Add the half and half and butter, orange zest, rosemary, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir well to combine.
Stove top mashed sweet potato recipe instructions
If you don’t have an Instant Pot, cooking the sweet potatoes the old fashioned way on the stove top works perfectly as well.
- Place the sweet potatoes in a large pot and fill with enough water to cover by 1″. Cover and cook over high heat until boiling, then remove the lid and reduce the temperature to medium. Simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are tender.
- Drain completely in a colander.
- Place the sweet potatoes back in the pot and mash well.
- Add the half and half, butter, orange zest, rosemary and salt and pepper to taste and stir until well combined.
FAQs
The sweet potatoes must be peeled before boiling for this recipe.
It was a revelation the first time I made Instant Pot mashed potatoes, and I rarely make them any other way.
Below are the advantages to making Instant Pot mashed sweet potatoes:
– eliminates the need to boil an entire pot of water.
– reduces the cooking time and the amount of water used.
– results in perfectly tender sweet potatoes every single time.
– mashed sweet potatoes can be kept warm right in the Instant Pot.
Mashed sweet potatoes are made exactly the same way as classic mashed potatoes.
Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into 2″ chunks, then place in a large pot. Add enough water to cover them by 1″ and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and cook 10-15 minutes until tender.
From there, drain the sweet potatoes well and add them back to the pot with the half and half, butter, orange zest, rosemary and salt and pepper to taste. Stir until combined and enjoy!
See instructions to prepare them in the Instant Pot in the recipe card below!
Store mashed sweet potatoes in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
This recipe is for savory mashed potatoes includes includes rosemary and just a bit of orange zest. Garlic would be a great addition — 2-3 cloves can be cooked right in the pot with the sweet potatoes.
You can also spice up this recipe by adding your favorite hot sauce, chipotle or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
You can also sweeten them up by adding orange juice, honey, maple syrup or brown sugar, along with some warm cinnamon. Top with chopped toasted pecans for a sweet potato casserole inspired side dish!
Serving suggestions
These savory mashed sweet potatoes can be served up the following ways:
- Serve on busy weeknights alongside air fryer pork chops or air fryer chicken breast. Oven baked pork chops are also a great option!
- They make a great Sunday dinner side dish with roasted chicken or turkey meatloaf.
- Serve them with pan seared steak or Instant Pot short ribs for a delicious date night dinner.
- Liven up your next barbecue with this colorful side. They’re the perfect accompaniment with grilled tomahawk steak, grilled bbq chicken and Instant Pot ribs.
- Add them to your holiday menu! They’re wonderful served with crock pot glazed ham and roast turkey.
Recipe notes
- Pro tip: Be sure not to overcook the sweet potatoes as they will become watery, and drain them well in a colander before mashing.
- Substitute the half and half with whole milk, heavy cream, buttermilk, skim milk, or any combination of them. Make these mashed sweet potatoes dairy free by using coconut milk or your favorite non-dairy milk and vegan butter.
- Customize this recipe to your liking! Sub the rosemary with your favorite chopped herbs, or add roasted garlic for extra savory mashed sweet potatoes. Add maple syrup and cinnamon, and top with pecans for a healthier sweet potato casserole inspired side.
- Make this mashed sweet potato recipe ahead and select the Keep Warm button on the Instant Pot. Secure the lid and stir from time to time until ready to serve.
See all of my Instant Pot recipes for more inspiration!
More side dish recipes you’ll love:
- Baked sweet potato by Cookie + Kate
- Grilled sweet potato fries
- Mashed butternut squash
- Mashed cauliflower
- Roasted root vegetables
- Twice baked mashed potatoes
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
Mashed Sweet Potatoes (Instant Pot, Stove Top)
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 2″ chunks
- 1/3 cup half and half room temperature
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped rosemary sub with your favorite fresh herbs or 1 teaspoon of dried herbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
Equipment
Instructions
Stove top instructions:
- Place the sweet potatoes in a large pot and fill with enough water to cover by 1". Cover and cook over high heat until boiling, then remove the lid and reduce the temperature to medium. Simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are tender, then drain completely in a colander.3 lbs. sweet potatoes, 1/3 cup half and half, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon orange zest, 2 tablespoons freshly chopped rosemary, Salt and pepper
- Place the sweet potatoes back in the pot and mash with a potato masher until the desired consistency is reached. Add the half and half, butter, orange zest, rosemary, salt and pepper, to taste and stir until combined. Adjust the seasoning as necessary, serve and enjoy!
Instant Pot instructions:
- Place the sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot followed by 1 cup of water. Secure the lid and close the sealing valve, and cook at High Pressure for 8 minutes. Note: the Instant Pot will take 10-15 minutes to come to pressure. When the cooking process is done, quick release the pressure and remove the lid when safe to do so.
- Drain the sweet potatoes very well in a colander, then place back in the Instant Pot. Mash them until they reach the desired consistency, then add the half and half, butter, orange zest, rosemary, salt and pepper, to taste and stir well until combined. Adjust the seasoning as necessary. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Pro tip: Be sure not to overcook the sweet potatoes as they will become watery, and drain them well in a colander before mashing.
- Substitute the half and half with whole milk, heavy cream, buttermilk, skim milk, or any combination of them. Make these mashed sweet potatoes dairy free by using coconut milk or your favorite non-dairy milk and vegan butter.
- Customize this recipe to your liking. Sub the rosemary with your favorite chopped herbs, or add roasted garlic for extra savory mashed sweet potatoes. Add maple syrup and cinnamon, and top with pecans for a healthier sweet potato casserole inspired side.
- Make this mashed sweet potato recipe ahead and select the Keep Warm button on the Instant Pot. Secure the lid and stir from time to time until ready to serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
**This recipe was originally published in September 2019. The photos have been updated, the text has been modified to include more recipe information, and stove top instructions have been added.
6 Comments on “Mashed Sweet Potatoes (Instant Pot, Stove Top)”
Looks perfect, tempting and so smooth!
Thank you so much!
I love mashed potatoes but never think to make em with sweet potatoes. Great idea!
This is a really nice change, especially with the right main dish!
I don’t use my Instant Pot enough so I’m definitely trying these mashed sweet potatoes in it for Thanksgiving! And the orange and rosemary are a nice twist!
I’ve been loving my IP, and I’ll definitely be using it for mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving! 🙂