Oh, you are going to LOVE these Best Honey Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes! Seriously, they’ve been a staple at my table for years, and for good reason. They’re just so incredibly creamy and have this perfect, subtle sweetness from the honey that just makes everything better. I’ve made countless batches for everything from casual weeknight dinners to big holiday spreads, and they always disappear in a flash. They’re the kind of side dish that makes you feel like you’ve really put in some effort, even when you haven’t!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Trust me, this recipe is a winner for so many reasons! It’s ridiculously easy to whip up, tastes absolutely divine, and goes with just about anything on your plate. Perfect for weeknights or fancy dinners!
Quick Preparation Time
You’ll be amazed at how fast these come together. Seriously, minimal fuss means more time for eating!
Incredible Flavor
Imagine super smooth, creamy sweet potatoes with a hint of honey sweetness. It’s pure comfort food perfection!
Versatile Side Dish
Whether it’s roasted chicken, a juicy steak, or even a hearty vegetarian main, these sweet potatoes are the perfect complement.
Essential Ingredients for Best Honey Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Alright, let’s talk about what you’ll need to make these dreamy mashed sweet potatoes! It’s a pretty simple list, which is part of why I love them so much. You probably have most of this stuff right in your pantry already!
Main Sweet Potato Base
You’ll need about 2 pounds of sweet potatoes. Make sure you peel them first, and then cut them into nice, even cubes. This helps them cook up evenly, which is super important!
Rich Flavor Enhancers
For that amazing creamy texture and sweetness, grab 1/2 cup of unsalted butter – make sure it’s softened so it mixes in easily. Then, we have 1/4 cup of honey for that lovely sweet kick, and 1/4 cup of milk or heavy cream. I like using heavy cream for extra richness, but milk works great too!
Seasoning Essentials
Don’t forget the seasonings! You’ll need 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. These really balance out the sweetness and bring all the flavors together.
Optional Flavor Boosters
If you’re feeling a little fancy, you can totally add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg. It gives them this cozy, warm spice note that’s just delicious, especially in the fall!
How to Make Best Honey Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes Step-by-Step
Okay, getting these amazing mashed sweet potatoes on your plate is so easy, you’ll wonder why you ever bought them pre-made! Let’s get cooking!
Preparing the Sweet Potatoes
First things first, get those peeled and cubed sweet potatoes into a big pot. Cover them all up with water – make sure there’s a good couple of inches above them. Then, crank up the heat and let them boil away for about 15 to 20 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when you can easily poke a fork right through them. Super tender is what we’re going for!
Draining and Combining Ingredients
Once they’re perfectly tender, carefully drain all that water out. It’s important to get most of the water gone. Pop the pot back onto the stove (low heat is fine now) and toss in your softened butter, that lovely honey, your milk or cream, the salt, and pepper. Having the pot still warm helps everything melt together like magic!
Achieving Creamy Mashed Texture
Now for the fun part – mashing! You can totally use a good old-fashioned potato masher if you like a little texture, or go for an electric mixer for that super-smooth, restaurant-style creaminess. Mash and mix until it’s all smooth, lump-free, and just looks utterly delicious. Don’t overmix if you’re using an electric mixer, or they can get a bit gummy.
Final Touches and Serving
Give it a quick taste and see if you want a little more honey or salt – adjust it to your heart’s content! Then, just scoop these beauties into a serving dish and serve them up while they’re nice and hot. They smell amazing at this point, don’t they?
Tips for Making Sweet Potatoes Perfect Every Time
For an extra creamy texture, try warming up your milk or cream slightly before adding it. And remember, tasting and adjusting the seasoning at the end is key – it really makes all the difference in bringing out that perfect sweet and savory balance!
Equipment Needed for Making Sweet Potatoes
You won’t need a whole fancy setup for this recipe, just a few trusty kitchen basics. Having the right tools makes the whole process so much smoother, believe me!
Cooking Vessels
Grab a large pot for boiling those sweet potatoes. Make sure it’s big enough so they have room to cook without being all crammed in there.
Mashing Tools
You’ve got options here! A good old potato masher works perfectly if you like just a little bit of texture. Or, if you’re going for ultimate smoothness, an electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer) is your best friend.
Measuring and Draining Tools
Don’t forget your measuring cups and spoons for getting those butter, honey, and liquid amounts just right. And you’ll definitely want a colander for draining all that water off the sweet potatoes!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Honey Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Let’s dive a little deeper into some of these ingredients, because sometimes the little things make a big difference, right? And don’t worry if you’re missing something – there are usually easy fixes!
Milk vs. Heavy Cream
Okay, so the milk or heavy cream? It really comes down to how decadent you want these to be. Milk is totally fine and makes them creamy, but if you want that extra-rich, super-velvety smooth texture, go for the heavy cream. It’s like a little luxury boost!
Adjusting Sweetness Levels
Sweet potatoes can vary a lot in their natural sweetness, you know? So, my best tip is to taste as you go! Start with the 1/4 cup of honey, mash it all up, and then give it a little sample. If you like it sweeter, just add another drizzle of honey until it’s perfect for you. No biggie!
Alternative Sweeteners
While honey is my absolute favorite here because it has this wonderful floral note that just sings with sweet potatoes, you *could* use maple syrup if that’s what you have on hand. It’ll give a slightly different, but still delicious, flavor. Just use the same amount!
What to Eat with Sweet Potatoes
These Honey Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes are seriously the perfect sidekick for SO many meals. They’re just begging to be paired with some hearty proteins. Think juicy roasted chicken, savory pork chops, or even a perfectly grilled steak. They just make everything taste better!
Protein Pairings
Seriously, these sweet potatoes are amazing with almost any protein. I love them with a simple roasted chicken or some pan-seared salmon. They’re also fantastic alongside pulled pork or even a nice vegetarian lentil loaf!
Complementary Side Dishes
To make it a full, satisfying meal, I love pairing these mashed sweet potatoes with some crisp green beans or maybe some roasted Brussels sprouts. A light, fresh salad is also a great way to balance out the richness of the sweet potatoes. They really round out any plate!
Frequently Asked Questions about Best Honey Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Got questions about these dreamy sweet potatoes? I’ve got answers! Making sweet potatoes doesn’t have to be complicated, and these FAQs cover some common things people wonder about.
Can I make these ahead of time?
You sure can! To make these ahead, let them cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them gently on the stovetop with a splash more milk or cream, or pop them in the microwave.
How do I make my mashed sweet potatoes smoother?
For the smoothest texture, I always recommend using an electric mixer! It whips them up so beautifully. If you don’t have one, just keep mashing really well with a masher and add a little extra liquid until you get them just right.
What’s the difference between making sweet potatoes this way and baked?
Baked sweet potatoes are lovely and fluffy, but they have a different texture. Boiling them first, like we do here, makes them really tender and perfect for mashing into that creamy, dreamy consistency. It’s all about that smooth, buttery texture!
Are there other easy mashed sweet potato recipes?
Oh, absolutely! This honey butter version is my go-to for a reason because it’s just so simple and delicious. But there are tons of other easy mashed sweet potato recipes out there, from savory to spiced, so have fun experimenting!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Keep in mind these numbers are just estimates, and they can wiggle around depending on exactly what you use! But for a serving of these glorious Honey Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes, you’re generally looking at around 350 calories. You’ll get about 45g of carbs, 6g of fiber, and 4g of protein. The sugar content is around 25g (mostly from the sweet potatoes and honey, naturally!), and there are about 18g of fat, with 10g of that being saturated. It all adds up to a delicious and satisfying side!
I’d absolutely LOVE to hear how your Honey Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes turned out! Did you try them with a special meal? Let me know in the comments below or give the recipe a star rating. Your feedback makes my day!
PrintAmazing Honey Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Honey Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes are a delicious and easy side dish. They are creamy, slightly sweet, and perfect for any meal.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup milk or heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Place the cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover with water.
- Bring to a boil and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until fork-tender.
- Drain the sweet potatoes and return them to the pot.
- Add the softened butter, honey, milk (or cream), salt, and pepper to the pot.
- Mash the sweet potatoes with a potato masher or an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use heavy cream instead of milk.
- Adjust the amount of honey to your preference.
- You can add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boiling and Mashing
- Cuisine: American