Butter & Thyme Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe (video)

butter and thyme mashed sweet potatoes in blue bowl with butter

If you’re looking to replace traditional mashed potatoes, you must try my butter and thyme mashed sweet potatoes! This side dish recipe is so aromatic and delicious, thanks to the thyme, bay leaves and chicken broth that the sweet potatoes are cooked with. I finish them with lots of high-quality butter and cream. These mashed sweet potatoes are not only super easy to make, but also very creamy, fluffy, aromatic and delicious! Enjoy them for Thanksgiving alongside my ‘Garlic Butter Turkey’ and try smoking your turkey using my ‘Smoked Turkey Tutorial’!

My Mashed Sweet Potatoes Video Tutorial

Watch my YouTube video tutorial for my step-by-step instructions and tips for making the best mashed sweet potatoes! Want to receive new recipe emails in your inbox? Make sure to subscribe to my website emailing list and my YouTube channel and turn on notifications!

Ingredients for Recipe

You’ll need just a few simple ingredients to prepare this side dish recipe! It’s such a quick and easy dish! Here are the main ingredients you’ll need for these butter and thyme mashed sweet potatoes!

  • Sweet Potatoes: classic, orange or red sweet potatoes will work best. Peel and cube the potatoes before cooking them.
  • Butter: I recommend using a good quality salted butter for the most flavor! Unsalted butter will also work just fine.
  • Thyme: fresh thyme is the best option but dried thyme will work in a pinch.
  • Chicken Broth: you can also use vegetable broth! Cooking the potatoes in broth will make them extra flavorful! Don’t skip this step!
  • Cream: for making the sweet potatoes extra creamy and rich. You can use heavy cream, whipping cream or even half-and-half for a less rich version.

Preparing the Sweet Potatoes

This easy side dish recipe starts with sweet potatoes, lots of them! This recipe will yield enough sweet potatoes to feed a crowd; if you need less, just cut the recipe in half. Peel the sweet potatoes down to the bright orange flesh; if you see white or dark spots, peel those off. Cut the potatoes into large chunks. Because sweet potatoes are slightly different from regular potatoes, larger chunks work better. Place the potatoes into a large pot filled with water but leave extra room for the chicken broth! For more flavor, I recommend adding some broth to the pot – chicken, beef or even vegetable broth will all work well.

A close up of mashed sweet potatoes in a bowl, with thyme

How to Make Mashed Sweet Potatoes

To the potatoes, I also add a bundle of fresh thyme and bay leaves. The thyme adds so much incredible flavor and it perfectly complements the sweet potatoes!

  1. Cook the potatoes until they’re fork tender, about 20 minutes – larger pieces will take longer to cook.
  2. To make the sweet potatoes extra creamy and delicious, I add an entire cup of salted European butter to the drained potatoes. Once you add the butter, cover the pot and let the butter melt. I love to use a good quality butter here because it really does make a difference!
  3. Then add cream and mash the potatoes for a few minutes to get creamy and fluffy mashed sweet potatoes!
  4. To finish off the potatoes, I like to add a little secret ingredient – freshly grated nutmeg. Nutmeg adds a special nutty flavor to the potatoes that will have your guests complimenting you! You need just a little touch of nutmeg, don’t go overboard!
a bowl of mashed sweet potatoes on a wooden table, with a large spoon

Serving Ideas for Sweet Potatoes

These mashed sweet potatoes will go great with just about any main course! Replace regular mashed potatoes with this recipe for a new flavor twist!

Best Turkey Recipe with garlic butter

More Recipes

Enjoyed this easy and delicious sweet potato side dish recipe? Check out some more of my side dish recipes you’re sure to enjoy!

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Butter & Thyme Mashed Sweet Potatoes video

Butter & Thyme Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe (video)

10 minutes prep + 25 minutes cook
8 servings
Easy and flavorful mashed sweet potatoes with butter and thyme!

Ingredients 

  • 5 to 6 large sweet potatoes
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • small bundle of fresh thyme
  • 4 to 5 bay leaves
  • 1 cup high-quality salted butter
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • Ground black pepper
  • 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • Fill a large pot with cold water about half way and add the chicken broth. Peel the potatoes and then cut into large cubes, about 1 1/2-inches in size. Place the potatoes into the pot, then season the pot with salt and add the thyme and bay leaves. Cover the pot and bring the potatoes to a boil. Simmer over medium-high heat for about 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork tender. Larger pieces will need more time; smaller ones will need less time.
  • Drain the potatoes and remove the thyme bundle and the bay leaves. Cube the butter and add to the potatoes. Cover the pot for a few minutes and allow the butter to melt.
  • Next, add in 1/2 cup cream, nutmeg and a bit of ground black pepper. Use a potato mash and mash the potatoes for a few minutes, until a smooth and creamy puree forms. Add more cream if necessary, puree should be smooth but not too runny or too dry. For even fluffier potatoes, whisk the puree with a large whisk for 1 minute. Taste the sweet potatoes and season to taste with salt.

Nutrition

Calories: 444kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 1627mg | Potassium: 829mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 31081IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 2mg