Grilled Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

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Photographs: Joshua Bousel

My sister Rachel is quite the mashed potatoes connoisseur, so her pronouncement that my Thanksgiving mashers were the best she's ever had put me on a tater high. When my CSA left me with an abundance of sweet potatoes, they were just calling to be mashed too.

My favorite sweet potatoes are the soft, silky ones that have been roasted on hot coals—I thought that was a good place to start with these. After an hour nestled in the embers, the potatoes were so soft, they could be easily scooped out with a spoon, requiring no further mashing. I only added butter, half and half, a little brown sugar, salt, and pepper. They were ready to go.

Not quite the achievement of my Thanksgiving mashed potatoes, these were still mighty fine—soft and creamy, with a sweetness that wasn't sickening, but enough to feel like a holiday indulgence.

Recipe Details

Grilled Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Prep 10 mins
Cook 60 mins
Active 15 mins
Cooling Time 15 mins
Total 85 mins
Serves 4 servings
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Ingredients

  • 4 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed

  • 6 tablespoons butter, melted

  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar

  • 1 cup half and half, warmed

  • Kosher salt

  • Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and spread coals evenly over entire surface of coal grate. Wrap each sweet potato in aluminum foil and set in coals. Using tongs, move any loose coals around or on top of potatoes. Roast sweet potatoes until they are completely soft and a paring knife can be inserted with no resistance, 40-60 minutes, turning four times during cooking to ensure even roasting. Remove potatoes from coals and let sit until cool enough to handle, 10 to 15 minutes.

  2. Unwrap potatoes and split in half. Using spoon, scoop out flesh into small sauce pan. Mix in melted butter and brown sugar. Add half-and-half 1/4 cup at a time until potatoes are at a desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
278 Calories
17g Fat
29g Carbs
3g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 278
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 17g 22%
Saturated Fat 11g 55%
Cholesterol 46mg 15%
Sodium 415mg 18%
Total Carbohydrate 29g 11%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 13g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 22mg 112%
Calcium 56mg 4%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 563mg 12%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)