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    You Are Here: Home → Side Dishes

    Slow Cooker Mashed Sweet Potatoes

    November 24, 2022 | Updated January 7, 2023 by Ryan 1 Comment

    201 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    overhead shot of slow cooker mashed sweet potatoes in bowl
    overhead shot of mashed sweet potatoes in bowl

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.

    With brown butter, garlic, maple syrup, bacon and fresh sage, this slow cooker mashed sweet potatoes recipe is the perfect side dish for the holidays. They are so easy and so good!

    overhead shot of mashed sweet potatoes in bowl

    When it comes to the holidays, everyone has their go-to sides and I'm no different. From sweet corn pudding to old fashioned bread stuffing to baked cheddar mac and cheese.

    While the traditional sweet potato side is sweet potato casserole, it is a little on the sweet end. That's where these slow cooker mashed sweet potatoes come into play as it leans more savory.

    Why This Recipe Works

    • Flavorful - they have slightly sweet flavor, offset by the saltiness from the bacon and nuttiness from the brown butter.
    • Make ahead - being made in the slow cooker, you can prepare ahead of time or just keep warm while preparing all of the other dishes.
    • Holiday friendly - these mashed sweet potatoes of course can be used for a standard meal, but they're great for the holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you want a smoked version, try these smoked sweet potatoes.
    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Step-by-Step Photos
    • FAQs
    • Benefits of Sweet Potatoes
    • Oven Option
    • Equipment
    • Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
    • Other Side Dish Recipes
    • Slow Cooker Mashed Sweet Potatoes
    overhead shot of ingredients for mashed sweet potatoes

    Ingredient Notes

    • Sweet potatoes - the star of the show.
    • Bacon - added texture and flavor.
    • Unsalted butter - browning the butter gives great flavor.
    • Garlic and sage - adds flavor.
    • Maple syrup - adds sweetness.
    • Salt and black pepper - enhances the flavor.

    Step-by-Step Photos

    Please note full ingredient list and instructions can be found in recipe card below.

    process shots of adding sweet potatoes to slow cooker and mashing once done

    Add the sweet potatoes to the slow cooker and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 5-6 hours. Once cooked, mash until you get to your desired consistency.

    process shots of cooking bacon, butter and sage before adding to mashed sweet potatoes

    Cook the bacon until crispy and drain the excess fat. Melt butter in the same skillet until it's starting to brown. Add the garlic and sage, cooking for 30 seconds.

    Stir in the browned butter, maple syrup, salt, pepper and bacon.

    FAQs

    Can I Replace with Russet Potatoes?

    Yes the rest of the flavors will work just as well with russet potatoes. Half Baked Harvest has a great recipe that is similar with her butter herbed mashed potatoes.

    Can I Use Dried Herbs?

    I always go with fresh herbs if possible however you can use 1 teaspoon dried sage if you can't get fresh.

    What If I Don't Have Maple Syrup?

    Honey works as well or dark brown sugar. You can use the same amount for either - 3 tbsp.

    Benefits of Sweet Potatoes

    Sweet potatoes are super popular these days and there is good reason for it. Some of the health benefits of sweet potatoes include:

    • Great source of fiber, vitamins and minerals.
    • Promotes gut health.
    • Regulates blood pressure and sugar levels.
    • Helps with keeping healthy vision.
    • May improve brain function.

    Oven Option

    This mashed sweet potatoes recipe works just as well in the oven. I just like to make these in the slow cooker as most of my other recipes during Thanksgiving are using the oven and stove top. If you want to use the oven, preheat to 400°F. Cut the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise and place cut side down on sheet pan.

    Roast for 35-40 minutes or until you can easy squeeze the sweet potato so it would fall out of skin. Once cooked, remove skin and place in large mixing bowl before adding the rest of the ingredients.

    Equipment

    The equipment you use is important to how the mashed sweet potatoes turn out. What is needed is the following:

    • Slow cooker - make sure it is large enough to cook the potatoes.
    • Potato masher - used to mash the potatoes.
    • Skillet - you need something to cook the bacon and then brown the butter.

    Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

    • You know the sweet potatoes are done when you can easily stick a fork or knife through the center of the potatoes.
    • If you don't want to use a pan, you can place bacon on parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 20 minutes.
    • You will know the brown butter is ready when there is a nutty aroma and there are lightly browned specks on the bottom of the pan.
    close-up of mashed sweet potatoes in bowl

    Other Side Dish Recipes

    • wooden spoon dipped in sweet potato casserole in oval dish
      Savory Sweet Potato Casserole
    • overhead shot of spatula lifting out Brussels sprouts and carrots from pan
      Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Carrots
    • overhead shot of mashed potatoes made with brown butter in bowl
      Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes
    • spoon dipped in white baking dish with white cheddar mac and cheese
      White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

    If you’ve tried this slow cooker mashed sweet potatoes recipe or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.

    overhead shot of mashed sweet potatoes in bowl
    Print Recipe
    5 from 3 votes

    Slow Cooker Mashed Sweet Potatoes

    With brown butter, garlic, maple syrup, bacon and fresh sage, these mashed sweet potatoes made in a slow cooker are a perfect side for the holidays.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time5 hours hrs
    Total Time5 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 365kcal
    Author: Ryan Beck

    Ingredients

    • 5 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2" chunks
    • ½ lb bacon, chopped
    • 1 ½ sticks unsalted butter (¾ cup)
    • 6 cloves garlic, minced
    • 3 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
    • 3 tablespoon maple syrup
    • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
    • 1 ½ teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions

    • Add chopped sweet potatoes to slow cooker and cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
    • With 30 minutes left, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook until crispy, about 5-6 minutes. Drain the excess fat and transfer bacon to paper towel-lined plate.
    • Melt butter in same skillet and cook until starting to brown, about 2-3 minutes. Add garlic and sage and cook for 30 seconds. Remove from heat and set aside.
    • Using potato masher, mash sweet potatoes until desired consistency. Stir in browned butter, maple syrup, salt, pepper and bacon. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    • You know the sweet potatoes are done when you can easily stick a fork or knife through the center of the potatoes.
    • If you don't want to use a pan, you can place bacon on parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 20 minutes.
    • You will know the brown butter is ready when there is a nutty aroma and there are lightly browned specks on the bottom of the pan.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup | Calories: 365kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 754mg | Potassium: 665mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 27150IU | Vitamin C: 6.6mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 1.6mg
    Did You Try This Recipe?I love seeing what you make so mention @ChiselandFork or tag #chiselandfork on Instagram and please give a star rating below!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Chris says

      November 03, 2019 at 5:01 pm

      5 stars
      Big fan of brown butter!

      Reply

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