Want a stunning side dish that tastes great too? These creamy purple mashed potatoes are it! The recipe is easy to make and the dish is certain to add a splash of color to the table!
Note: that links to products you find in this post are Amazon affiliate links which means I do make a small amount of money when you click and make purchases.
I love color and discovering new ingredients! When I saw these purple sweet potatoes in the market I just knew I needed to create a recipe around them.
Not only are they a stunning color but they're also sweet and buttery making them perfect to serve with so many meals.
We love them with crockpot chicken legs for easy weeknight dinners! They also go great with grilled turkey for special occasions and holidays!
If you're wondering how to cook purple potatoes keep reading as I show you my favorite way to make them!
Jump to:
Ingredients
All you need to make this recipe are a handful of simple ingredients. Here's a closer look at what you need:
- Potatoes: We're using purple sweet potatoes!
- Butter: Use unsalted butter so you can have more control over salting your purple mashed spuds!
- Milk: Any variety of milk works but for a richer flavor, use whole milk.
- Salt and pepper: A simple seasoning for mashed sweet potatoes that enhances the flavor of the purple sweet potatoes.
- Parsley: I find a sprinkling of parsley over the top adds a nice contrast of color to elevate this dish! It's totally optional though!
See the recipe card for the complete list and exact quantities of each!
What are Purple Sweet Potatoes?
Two different varieties of purple sweet potatoes are commonly available in the US. The Stokes sweet potato and the Japanese sweet potato.
The Stokes sweet potato is a bit more starchy and less sweet than orange sweet potatoes, while the Japanese variety is more similar in texture to the traditional variety of sweet potato.
You're unlikely to find these sweet potatoes in your regular grocery store but are often carried in Asian markets or large specialty grocery store chains such as Whole Foods.
Substitutions
Are you looking to make a few swaps? Here are some we discovered during recipe testing that we recommend.
- Butter: You can swap the butter and use ghee instead for a similar flavor. Other options include olive oil or coconut oil. These oils are great for adding some fat to the mixture but do affect the flavor since they lack the rich dairy flavor of butter.
- Milk: You can use a dairy-free alternative such as coconut milk or another plant milk. Just be sure to opt for milk that is unsweetened and doesn't contain other flavors.
- Purple sweet potatoes: If you can't find them this recipe also works with orange sweet potatoes. The results will taste similar but you won't end up with the same brilliant color.
Variations
If you're looking to change things up completely, mashed sweet potatoes can be prepared in a variety of tasty and unique ways.
- Dairy-free or vegan: Swap the butter for coconut oil or oil and use coconut milk in place of the dairy milk.
- Add some roasted garlic. Mash roasted garlic cloves into the for delicious, mellow garlic flavor.
- Make them spicy. Add some chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper for flavorful and unique sweet potatoes.
- Cinnamon and nutmeg: A classic combination that's perfect for the holidays!
- Purple potatoes: This same recipe works with regular purple potatoes. Their color is a bit different and they taste more similar to regular potatoes.
How to Make Mashed Purple Sweet Potatoes
Making creamy purple mashed sweet potatoes doesn't require a lot of work! Here's an overview of the steps.
- First, start with rinsing, peeling, and cutting the sweet potatoes into cubes. Place them in a large pot.
PRO TIP: Aim for evenly sized cubes so that the potatoes cook in the same amount of time.
- Add enough cold water to cover the potatoes and add salt to the pot. The key to flavorful mashed potatoes is cooking the potatoes in salted water so that it infused the potatoes with flavor as they cook.
- Place the pot on the stove and heat until boiling. Cook the potatoes for about minutes or until they feel tender when pricked with a fork.
- Drain the potatoes very well and return them to the pan or place them in a mixing bowl.
- Add the butter, salt, and pepper to the pot with the potatoes.
- Mash the purple sweet potatoes using a potato masher, fork, or electric mixer on low speed until the potatoes are mashed to your desired consistency.
- Mix in a quarter cup of milk to the potatoes. Add more until you are happy with the consistency of the mashed sweet potatoes.
- Transfer the purple mashed potatoes to a serving dish and top with additional butter, salt, pepper, and chopped parsley.
Hint: I find using an electric hand mixer the easiest way to mash potatoes. It's both quicker and requires less effort!
Storage
Store leftover purple mash in the fridge for up to five days. To reheat, return them to a saucepan and heat over low until they are warmed through. You can also add a bit of liquid if they seem too thick after sitting.
I do not recommend freezing leftovers.
How to Serve Purple Mashed Potatoes
Mashed purple potatoes are easy enough for weeknight dinners but also great for holidays and special occasions.
Add them to the table along with this creamy skillet chicken recipe, smoked chicken legs, and crockpot pork chops.
Compliment them with other delicious side dishes such as skillet corn and easy green beans.
Expert Tips and FAQS
Now that you've got the recipe and are ready to get started, remember these tips to ensure you get excellent results!
- Boil the potatoes in salted water to infuse them with more flavor.
- Peel the potatoes for a smoother mash!
- Cut the potatoes into similar-sized chunks so they all cook in the same amount of time.
Yes and no! Japanese sweet potatoes are very similar to the orange sweet potatoes commonly found in the US. They cook up creamy with a delicate sweet flavor. Another variety called the Stokes sweet potato is also purple but is a bit more starchy and less sweet.
Both are healthy options but purple sweet potatoes contain more anthocyanins, the plant compound that gives them their unique color! These are a healthy source of antioxidants that may lower the risk of chronic disease!
More Side Dish Recipes
Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card right below! You can also write a review in the comment section further down the page I always appreciate your feedback. And don’t forget to tag me @freshcoasteats in your photos on social media, I'd love to see your results!
Creamy Purple Mashed Potatoes
Equipment
- Large pot
- Hand mixer potato masher
Ingredients
- 1 lb purple sweet potatoes
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ - ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- Parsley for garnish optional
Instructions
- Prepare the sweet potatoes by rinsing, peeling and slicing into small pieces.
- Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold, salted water. Bring the potatoes to a boil and cook for 15 minutes or until fork tender.
- Drain the potatoes and return to the pan.
- Add the butter, salt and pepper and use a potato masher, fork or electric mixer on low speed to mix potatoes until potatoes are mashed.
- Add the milk, starting with ¼ cup and increasing as needed until desired consistency is reached.
- Transfer to serving dish and top with additional butter, salt and pepper and parsley. Serve.
Elizabeth says
I’m always struggling for recipes to use purple sweet potatoes in and these were so delicious. I especially appreciated the vegan modification!
Stef says
What a beautiful-looking dish! 🤩 Definitely going to try it. 🙂
Swathi says
Creamy purple mashed potatoes looks delicious perfect treat.
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
Not only are these potatoes delicious - they are beautiful, and fun!! Purple potatoes at our barbecue was a big hit!
Tina says
I love how vibrantly purple this side dish turned out! Definitely making it again.
Debra says
So tasty, easy to make and the color just stunning!
Elsa says
These purple mashed potatoes were not only gorgeous but so delicious! You introduced me to something new! Thanks so much for all your delicious fresh and seasonal recipes!
Margaret says
This color is incredible! What a brilliant twist on mashed potatoes. I can't wait to make this.
Kelly Kardos says
Holy purple Bat man!! These look amazing! Love your fresh and airy styling too
Greta says
I was so excited to come across this recipe - my friends and I like to hold pot luck dinner parties with a theme, and this months was colour - I ended up with purple, and had no idea what to bring - enter your brilliant recipe! The colour is vibrant and they were so delicious. So happy to have come across your blog, and thrilled to check out more of your great recipes - thanks!