Looking for an alternative to mashed potatoes for your Thanksgiving dinner? Chef Michael Gilligan has got you sorted!

While the spud may be mighty, sweet potatoes offer a certain bit of color that regular potatoes can't match.

Why not brighten up your Thanksgiving dinner with this scrumptious sweet potato recipe!

Smashed sweet potatoes recipe

8 servings

Ingredients:

  • 4 pounds sweet potatoes (about 6 large)
  • ½ cup orange juice
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Method:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Scrub the potatoes, prick them several times with a knife or fork.
  • Bake them for 1 hour or until very soft when pierced with a knife. Remove from the oven and scoop out the insides as soon as they are cool enough to handle.
  • Place the sweet potato meat into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and add the orange juice, cream, butter, brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
  • Mix together until combined but not smooth and transfer to a baking dish.
  • Bake the potatoes for 20 to 30 minutes, until heated through.

Have you ever attempted this delicious Thanksgiving recipe? Let us know how you got on in the comments! 

*Originally published in 2016, last updated in November 2023.

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