Garlic & Ginger Sweet Potato Mash - Easy Vegan Recipe (2024)

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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.

Garlic & Ginger Sweet Potato Mash - Easy Vegan Recipe (1)

Unlike a lot of sweet potato side dish recipes, which have brown sugar, this is a savory sweet potato recipe. Instead, this sweet potato mash is made with garlic, cinnamon, and ginger to enhance the naturally sweet flavor of sweet potatoes.

If you are looking for something a little sweeter, try our 5 ingredients sweet potato casserole which is lightly sweetened with maple syrup.

Why you will love this recipe

  • It’s an easy recipe made with a few simple ingredients
  • It’s healthy! Sweet potatoes are filled with vitamins, minerals and fiber and there is no added sugar in this recipe.
Garlic & Ginger Sweet Potato Mash - Easy Vegan Recipe (2)

Here is what you will need

This is an overview of the ingredients and steps to make this recipe; scroll down for a printable recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions.

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🛒Ingredients

  • Sweet potatoes
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Coconut milk or regular milk
  • Coconut oil or butter
  • Cinnamon

🥄Equipment

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.

Garlic & Ginger Sweet Potato Mash - Easy Vegan Recipe (3)

Step 1. Prepare the milk

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. Mash the sweet potatoes

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.

Garlic & Ginger Sweet Potato Mash - Easy Vegan Recipe (4)

Ingredient notes and substitutions

The complete list of ingredients to make this tasty side dish is above. Below are notes about some of the ingredients, along with ideas for substitutes.

Sweet potatoes – there are several varieties of sweet potatoes and they vary in color (yellow, red, purple, brown, and white sweet potatoes).

Any variety can be used, we like to use the orange sweet potatoes which are the most popular because they are softer and sweeter than other varieties.

Milk – I use coconut milk in this recipe to complement the coconut oil. Any plant-based milk or regular milk can be used to make this ginger garlic sweet potato mash.

Coconut oil – Adds creamy flavor and we love the way it compliments the ginger giving this sweet potato mash a bit of a tropical flavor. If you prefer butter, an equal amount of butter can be easily substituted for coconut oil. You can also replace coconut oil with an equal amount of olive oil.

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.

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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 ginger and garlic sweet potato mash – Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon to taste to the sweet potato mash for spicy sweet potatoes.

Tropical sweet potato mash – Add a splash of fresh lime juice and 1/2 teaspoon to the sweet mash for a tropical flare.

Sweet potato mash with garlic and milk – Use equal amounts of regular milk and unsalted butter instead of coconut milk and coconut oil.

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.

Can you make mashed sweet potatoes with boiled sweet potatoes?

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.

Are sweet potatoes healthy?

Yes, sweet potatoes are extremely healthy. They are rich in nutrients, and fiber and considered low glycemic.

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Have you tried these healthy recipes?

  • Easy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes (No Drain)
  • Green Beans with Almonds and Lemon
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Apples

Do you like this recipe?
Please comment and give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!

Garlic & Ginger Sweet Potato Mash - Easy Vegan Recipe (6)

Ginger Sweet Potato Mash

Ginger and garlic mashed sweet potatoes is savory sweet potato dish that is flavored without added sugar.

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Click on serving size to scale this recipe

Course: Side Dish Recipes

Cuisine: American

Keyword: garlic sweet potato mash, sweet potato mash

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 236kcal

Author: Anne

Scale this Recipe 4 people

Ingredients

  • 3 sweet potatoes medium sized
  • 3 cloves garlic roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon ginger chopped
  • 1/2 cup coconut 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

Store leftover mashed sweet potatoes in an airtight container for up to three days. Reheat them in the oven or microwave.

See the article above for recipe tips, variations and more.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Sodium: 98mg | Potassium: 645mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 24049IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Check out more of our Side Dish Recipes here!

Garlic & Ginger Sweet Potato Mash - Easy Vegan Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you make Ina Garten mashed sweet potatoes? ›

Place the sweet potato meat into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and add the orange juice, cream, butter, brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Mix together until combined but not smooth and transfer to a baking dish. Bake the potatoes for 20 to 30 minutes, until heated through.

Why do you soak sweet potatoes before baking? ›

The cold water bath helps rinse the starch off the sweet potatoes so they're a bit more crispy. That said, if you do not have the time, you can still get crispy baked sweet potato fries by using high heat and a little drizzle of olive oil.

Do sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index than white potatoes? ›

Sweet potatoes, however, have more fiber and are slightly lower on the glycemic index than white potatoes. For this reason, blood glucose will rise a little more gradually with sweet potatoes than with white potatoes.

What is the glycemic index of purple sweet potatoes? ›

The glycemic index (GI) is a measure of the extent to which a food raises your blood sugar. It ranges from 0 to 100, and a GI greater than 70 is considered high. A comparison study in humans found that purple potatoes have a GI of 77, yellow potatoes have a GI of 81, and white potatoes have a GI of 93 ( 5 ).

How do you make Patti Labelle sweet potatoes? ›

Boil the sweet potatoes in a large stockpot until soft, about 25 minutes; drain. When cool enough to handle, peel the potatoes and transfer them to a large bowl. While the potatoes are still warm, add the butter, cream, agave, cinnamon and salt, and mash until smooth. Sprinkle with the orange zest.

Is it better to boil sweet potatoes or bake sweet potatoes? ›

Baking can also cause an 80% drop in vitamin A levels, twice as much as boiling. Therefore, from a nutritional standpoint, boiling rather than baking should be recommended for cooking sweet potato.

Should sweet potatoes be peeled before baking? ›

Whether or not you peel the potato is completely personal preference; we leave ours on as I enjoy the texture. If you are serving children or sensitive eaters, consider peeling the sweet potatoes before roasting. Cut Uniform-ish Pieces.

Should sweet potatoes be soaked in water before baking? ›

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: The main secrets to achieving that incredible crispy texture, is to soak the cut sweet potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes. This helps remove the starch from the sweet potatoes so they´re not limp & soggy.

Why is it better to boil sweet potatoes? ›

If you're trying to make the most out of your sweet potatoes and mitigate a potential spike in blood sugar, Sapola suggests boiling this veggie rather than roasting it.

What is the healthiest way to eat sweet potato? ›

Boiling sweet potatoes retains more beta-carotene and makes the nutrient more absorbable than other cooking methods such as baking or frying. Up to 92% of the nutrient can be retained by limiting the cook time, such as boiling in a pot with a tightly covered lid for 20 minutes.

What is the difference between a yam and a sweet potato? ›

Yams and sweet potatoes differ in flavor and appearance, and they are not related. Sweet potatoes are in the morning glory family, while yams belong to the lily family. Yams aren't as sweet as sweet potatoes, and they are starchier and drier. Their texture and flavor are more similar to potatoes or yuca.

Are yams and sweet potatoes the same thing? ›

No, yams and sweet potatoes are not the same. Yams have rough, dark brown skin that is often compared to tree bark, and their flesh is dry and starchy like a regular potato. Sweet potatoes have smooth reddish skin, softer flesh (when cooked), and a sweet flavor.

What is the lowest glycemic potato? ›

The variety of potato you eat can also affect how quickly its sugar goes into your blood. Some, like the Carisma variety, have a GI as low as 53. In general, waxy potatoes like fingerling or red potatoes have a lower GI. Starchy types like the Russet and Idaho are on the high end of the scale.

What is the lowest GI sweet potato? ›

Boiled sweet potatoes have a low to medium GI value, with a greater boiling time lowering the GI. For example, when boiled for 30 minutes, sweet potatoes have a low GI value of about 46, but when boiled for just 8 minutes, they have a medium GI of 61 (7, 8).

What is the glycemic index of a banana? ›

Bananas have a GI of 42 to 62, depending on the ripeness. It is always preferable for people with diabetes to eat bananas that are slightly green because they have a lower GI compared to overripe bananas. If you have a low potassium level, your body makes less insulin, causing your blood sugar levels to spike.

Should I peel sweet potatoes before boiling? ›

There is not much difference between boiling sweet potatoes with the skins on versus peeling them, but you will get a boost of fiber and potassium if you keep the skin on. The skin also adds a subtle texture to each bite. If you're looking for a smoother mash, peel the potatoes first before boiling.

How do you make sweet potato mash less watery? ›

Forget what the mixer chick said, make your mashed sweet potatoes like you would normal mashed potato, then heat up a frying pan/skillet until it's super hot, add a bit of oil or butter as extra lubricant, and throw some mash in it, it will evaporate some moisture and make it thicker, plus give it a slight toasty ...

How do you keep sweet potato mash from getting watery? ›

How Do I Make Sure My Mashed Sweet Potatoes are Not Watery? To make sure your potatoes aren't watery, don't overcook the potatoes. It's also important to drain the potatoes completely once you're done boiling them to avoid having unwanted water lingering in your pot.

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