This Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe is a creamy and velvety recipe, which is made with rich pure maple syrup and bright orange zest. It’s the perfect Thanksgiving side dish, ready in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Jump to RecipeMaple Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe Ingredients
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
How To Make Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
- Roast the potatoes: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Scrub the sweet potatoes clean and pierce them 2 or 3 times with a fork to allow steam to escape. Place them on a baking sheet (lining with foil helps with cleanup) and roast until they are very tender and a knife easily pierces through the center. This typically takes 45 to 60 minutes depending on the size of the potatoes.
- Scoop and rice: Let the potatoes cool slightly until they can be handled with a towel. Cut them in half lengthwise. Scoop out the bright orange insides and discard the skins. Pass the potato flesh through a food mill or potato ricer into a large bowl. This step removes the stringy fibers and ensures a silky smooth texture.
- Infuse the butter: In a small skillet over medium heat, combine the unsalted butter, pure maple syrup, and grated orange zest. Heat until the butter is completely melted and the mixture is bubbling slightly.
- Combine and season: Pour the warm maple-butter mixture over the riced sweet potatoes. Stir gently to combine evenly. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve warm.
Recipe Tips
- Why Roast instead of Boil? Roasting the sweet potatoes concentrates their natural sugars and prevents them from becoming waterlogged. Boiled sweet potatoes can result in a runny mash, while roasted ones yield a fluffy, intense flavor.
- The Food Mill/Ricer Advantage: Sweet potatoes often have fibrous strings. Using a hand masher leaves these strings in the dish. A food mill or ricer catches the fibers and forces only the smooth flesh through, creating a restaurant-quality texture.
- Maple Syrup Choice: Use Grade A or Grade B pure maple syrup. Do not use pancake syrup (corn syrup), as it lacks the depth of flavor needed to complement the earthiness of the potatoes.
- Orange Zest: The zest is the secret ingredient. It adds a floral, citrus note that cuts through the heaviness of the starch and butter, brightening the entire dish.
What To Serve With Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes
This dish is a holiday staple but fits any cozy dinner.
- Roast Turkey: The classic Thanksgiving pairing.
- Pork Roast: Sweet potatoes and pork are a natural match.
- Glazed Ham: Complements the salty ham.
- Green Bean Casserole: A texture contrast to the smooth potatoes.
How To Store Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 5 days.
- Reheat: Reheat in the microwave, or place in a baking dish covered with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 20 minutes. Add a pat of butter before serving to refresh the sheen.
- Freeze: Mashed sweet potatoes freeze very well. Place in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 220
- Total Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 150mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 40g
- Dietary Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 12g
- Protein: 3g
Nutrition information is estimated per serving based on 6 servings.
FAQs
Yes. You can roast the potatoes a day in advance. Scoop the flesh and store it in the fridge. When ready to serve, heat the butter/syrup mixture, add the cold potatoes to a pot, pour the liquid over, and reheat gently on the stove until hot.
Yes. If you prefer a molasses flavor, substitute the maple syrup with 3 tablespoons of packed brown sugar. You may need to add a splash of milk or cream to help it dissolve into the butter.
Absolutely. For a crunch, top with candied pecans or walnuts just before serving. For a classic sweet topping, add mini marshmallows and broil for 2 minutes.
Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Course: Side DishCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy6
servings10
minutes1
hour220
kcalA smooth, roasted sweet potato mash enriched with a warm butter-maple glaze and a hint of orange zest for a sophisticated holiday side.
Ingredients
3 lbs sweet potatoes
3 tbsp unsalted butter
3 tbsp pure maple syrup
1/2 tsp orange zest
Salt and pepper
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Prick sweet potatoes and roast on a baking sheet for 45-60 minutes until tender.
- Cool slightly, halve, and scoop out flesh.
- Pass flesh through a ricer or food mill into a bowl.
- Melt butter with maple syrup and zest in a skillet.
- Pour butter mixture over potatoes and stir.
- Season with salt and pepper.
Notes
- Texture: If you don’t have a ricer, you can use a hand mixer, but be careful not to overmix or they may become gluey.
- Safety: Use a kitchen towel when holding the hot potatoes to scoop them out.
