Mashed Purple Sweet Potatoes with Brown Butter
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These mashed purple sweet potatoes are a simple side dish with serious wow factor, thanks to their deep violet color and rich, buttery flavor. Finished with nutty browned butter and a splash of cream, they’re silky, cozy, and always a conversation starter at the table.
These mashed purple sweet potatoes are one of my favorite ways to dress up a simple side dish. Their deep violet color always turns heads at the table, but it’s the flavor that really seals the deal. Rich, earthy sweet potatoes mashed smooth and finished with browned butter feel special without being fussy.
Browning the butter is what makes these unforgettable. As it cooks, it takes on a toasty, caramel-like aroma that pairs beautifully with the naturally sweet, dense purple potatoes. A splash of cream (or milk) softens the texture just enough, creating mash that’s silky and spoonable without losing its body.
I love serving these when I want something familiar with a twist—especially for holiday meals or dinner parties where they spark a little curiosity. They’re simple, striking, and packed with cozy, buttery flavor that keeps people coming back for another scoop.
Another purple sweet potato recipe you might enjoy is my purple sweet potato pie.
Variations to try
These purple mashed sweet potatoes are flavored with brown butter; however, there are so many directions you can take this dish. Here are some other variations I’ve tried and loved:
- Butter and herbs: Combine 2-4 tablespoons of melted butter with fresh, minced herbs like chives and thyme. This will give your sweet potatoes a savory, herbaceous flavor.
- Maple: If you’re digging the natural sweetness of the purple sweet potatoes, try adding equal parts butter and maple syrup to the mashers.
- Spicy: Add some spices to your mashed potatoes, like a little Cajun seasoning, or some chili powder and cayenne pepper.
- Honey & Cinnamon: Add some honey and cinnamon for a warm and festive take on mashed purple sweet potatoes.
Recipe FAQs
How to store mashed purple sweet potatoes
Store them in a covered container in the fridge, and they will last 3-4 days.
Can I freeze mashed purple sweet potatoes?
Mashed potatoes freeze very well! Simply store them in a freezer-proof container and keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Mashed Purple Sweet Potatoes with Brown Butter
Ingredients
Instructions
- Peel the purple sweet potatoes and cut them into large cubes. Place the purple sweet potatoes into a medium-sized pot and cover them with 1-inch of cold water. Bring the pot to a boil then reduce the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until they are very tender.1 ½ lb purple sweet potatoes
- Melt the butter in a small frying pan over medium heat. Swirl the pan a few times while the butter browns. When the foam subsides, remove the pan from the heat.2 tablespoons butter
- Reserve a scoop of the potato cooking water, then drain the pot. Pour most of the brown butter into the pot – save a little to garnish. Add the milk and salt, and mash the purple sweet potatoes with a potato masher. Taste and add extra salt, if wanted. Stir in the reserved cooking water, a little at a time, until the potatoes are super creamy.½ teaspoon sea salt, ¼ cup cream
- Serve the mashed purple sweet potatoes with the reserved brown butter drizzled over the top.
Nutrition
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More sweet potato recipes
For more inspiration, check out all of our side dish recipes!
Amazing recipe, great flavour for minimal effort. We added it to a tuna poke bowl after we had it served as part of a tuna poke bowl in Hawaii while on vacation.
That’s a great serving idea!
I loved the browned butter. My friend is vegan so I am going to try coconut milk next time which I think may be really nice.
I love them, too!!
It’s not everyday we discover a vegetable we haven’t cooked with before. Can’t wait to try this fantastic looking recipe!
How beautiful is this?? I am obsessing over purple sweet potatoes lately, but I have never seen a purple yam. Must look out for them!
They’re really amazing … so much sweeter than regular sweet potatoes. I wonder if the ones your getting are the same? The term sweet potatoes and yams are used interchangeably so often in grocery stores. You might also see them labeled as ube yams. 🙂