Pecan and Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole

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

Sweet potatoes mashed with warm spices and bourbon, topped with a crunchy pecan and brown sugar crust for a classic holiday side dish. This american-inspired holiday ready in about 65 minutes pairs sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed, unsalted butter, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

★ 4.3 (11 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 45 min Serves 8 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Boil 4 cups peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in salted water for 15 minutes until tender. Drain and mash with 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp bourbon whiskey, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
  2. Step 2: Transfer sweet potato mash to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish and spread evenly.
  3. Step 3: In a medium bowl, mix 1 cup chopped pecans, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 3 tbsp melted unsalted butter until crumbly.
  4. Step 4: Sprinkle pecan topping evenly over the sweet potatoes. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes until topping is golden and crunchy.
  5. Step 5: Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pecan and Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (20 min prep + 45 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 Pecan and Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole?

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 Pecan and Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole?

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 Pecan and Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole 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.

What goes well with Pecan and Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole?

American holiday like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes