Savory Maple Bacon Sweet Potato Mash
This delightful Savory Maple Bacon Sweet Potato Mash is the perfect holiday side dish that will leave your guests raving. A unique twist on traditional mashed sweet potatoes, this recipe incorporates crispy bacon, rich maple syrup, and fresh chives to create a harmonious blend of sweet and savory flavors. The creamy texture from the half-and-half and butter enhances the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes, making it a crowd-pleaser at any festive gathering. Whether served at Christmas, Thanksgiving, or a family dinner, this dish is sure to steal the spotlight!
8
Servings
375
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
4 lbs (peeled, cut into 1-1/2-inch chunks)
Bacon
6 slices (cooked until crisp, crumbled)
Half-and-Half
1/2 cup (heated)
Maple Syrup
1/3 cup (heated with half-and-half)
Butter
1/3 cup (at room temperature)
Salt
1 1/4 teaspoons (to taste)
Ground Cumin
3/4 teaspoon (ground)
Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
Chopped Fresh Chives
1/3 cup (for mixing and garnish)
Instructions
1
Place the sweet potato chunks in a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook until tender, approximately 10 minutes. Drain well and return the potatoes to the pot.
2
While the sweet potatoes are cooking, heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bacon slices and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon from skillet and drain on paper towels. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces.
3
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the half-and-half and maple syrup. Microwave on High until warm, about 1-2 minutes. Stir to combine.
4
Using a potato masher or electric mixer, mash the sweet potatoes until smooth and creamy. Gradually fold in the butter until fully incorporated.
5
Slowly mix in the heated maple mixture until well combined. Add salt, cumin, and pepper, adjusting to your taste preferences.
6
Reserve 1/4 cup of the crumbled bacon and 1 teaspoon of the fresh chives for garnish. Stir the remaining bacon and chives into the sweet potato mash until evenly distributed.
7
Transfer the sweet potato mash to a serving dish, and top with the reserved bacon and chives for an elegant finish. Serve warm.
Nutrition Information
45g
Carbs
5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Maple Bacon Sweet Potato Mash?
It is a festive side dish that combines creamy sweet potatoes with crispy bacon, maple syrup, and fresh chives for a sweet and savory flavor profile.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes approximately 8 servings.
How long do the sweet potatoes need to boil?
Boil the sweet potato chunks for approximately 10 minutes or until they are tender.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are 375 calories in each serving of this dish.
What are the primary ingredients needed?
The main ingredients include 4 lbs of sweet potatoes, 6 slices of bacon, half-and-half, maple syrup, butter, salt, cumin, pepper, and fresh chives.
How should the bacon be prepared?
Cook 6 slices of bacon in a skillet until crispy, which takes about 6-8 minutes, then crumble it into small pieces.
What is the purpose of half-and-half in this recipe?
Half-and-half is used to provide a creamy and rich texture to the mashed sweet potatoes.
Can this recipe be made vegetarian?
Yes, you can make it vegetarian by omitting the bacon or using a plant-based bacon substitute.
Is this sweet potato mash gluten-free?
Based on the ingredients listed, this recipe is naturally gluten-free.
How much maple syrup is used?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of maple syrup.
What spices are included for seasoning?
The dish is seasoned with 1 1/4 teaspoons of salt, 3/4 teaspoon of ground cumin, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground pepper.
Can I use dried chives instead of fresh?
While fresh chives are recommended for flavor and garnish, dried chives can be used in a smaller quantity if fresh are unavailable.
How should I prep the sweet potatoes before cooking?
The sweet potatoes should be peeled and cut into 1-1/2-inch chunks.
How do I heat the liquid mixture?
Combine the half-and-half and maple syrup in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on High for 1-2 minutes until warm.
Should I use a mixer or a masher?
You can use either a manual potato masher or an electric mixer until the potatoes are smooth and creamy.
How much butter is required for the mash?
The recipe requires 1/3 cup of butter at room temperature.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
There are 45 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What should be used for the final garnish?
Reserve 1/4 cup of the crumbled bacon and 1 teaspoon of fresh chives to top the dish before serving.
How many slices of bacon should I buy?
You will need at least 6 slices of bacon for this recipe.
Is there a substitute for half-and-half?
You can substitute half-and-half with whole milk for a lighter version or heavy cream for a richer version.
What is the category of this recipe?
This recipe is categorized as a Yam or Sweet Potato side dish.
How much protein does this dish provide?
Each serving contains approximately 5 grams of protein.
How much cumin is added to the potatoes?
The recipe uses 3/4 teaspoon of ground cumin.
What size chunks should the potatoes be cut into?
The sweet potatoes should be cut into 1-1/2-inch chunks to ensure even cooking.
What temperature should the butter be when adding it?
The butter should be at room temperature so it incorporates smoothly into the hot potatoes.
For which holidays is this dish recommended?
This dish is highly recommended for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any festive family dinner.
How much salt is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1 1/4 teaspoons of salt, which can be adjusted to your taste.
How much pepper is included?
The recipe includes 1/4 teaspoon of ground pepper.
How many total ingredients are used?
There are 9 ingredients in this recipe including seasonings.
What is the texture of the finished mash?
The mash has a creamy and smooth texture punctuated by crispy bits of bacon.