Candied Sweet Potato and Pecan Mash

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Creamy mashed sweet potatoes sweetened with brown sugar and studded with toasted pecans, offering a comforting and sweet side dish for your holiday table. This american-inspired thanksgiving (vegetarian) ready in about 45 minutes pairs peeled and cubed sweet potatoes, unsalted butter, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Serves 8 American cuisine 250 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place the cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.
  2. Step 2: Drain the sweet potatoes and return them to the pot. Add 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 3 tbsp brown sugar, 1/4 cup heavy cream, and 1/4 tsp salt. Mash until smooth, adding more cream if needed for a creamy texture.
  3. Step 3: In a small skillet over medium heat, toast 1/2 cup chopped pecans for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant, stirring constantly.
  4. Step 4: Fold the toasted pecans into the mashed sweet potatoes until evenly distributed. Taste and adjust seasoning with a pinch of salt if needed.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Candied Sweet Potato and Pecan Mash take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Candied Sweet Potato and Pecan Mash?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Candied Sweet Potato and Pecan Mash?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Candied Sweet Potato and Pecan Mash for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Candied Sweet Potato and Pecan Mash vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes