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    Home > Meal Type > Sides

    Thai Sweet Potato Mash

    Last Updated: Jun 28, 2025 · First Published: Jan 15, 2020
    Author: Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts · Comment: Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe SaveSaved! Pin Recipe
    4 from 10 votes
    close up of sweet potato mash with shredded coconut on top with text at the top
    a wooden spoon in a bowl of Thai sweet potato mash with text at the top and bottom
    two pictures of Thai sweet potato mash with text in the middle
    close up of sweet potato mash with shredded coconut on top with text at the top
    close up of sweet potato mash with shredded coconut on top with text at the top
    a wooden spoon in a bowl of Thai sweet potato mash with text at the top
    close up of sweet potato mash with shredded coconut on top with text at the top
    a wooden spoon in a bowl of Thai sweet potato mash with text at the top
    close up of sweet potato mash with shredded coconut on top with text at the top
    a wooden spoon in a bowl of Thai sweet potato mash with text at the bottom
    close up of sweet potato mash with shredded coconut on top with text at the bottom
    close up of sweet potato mash with shredded coconut on top with text at the top and bottom
    a wooden spoon in a bowl of Thai sweet potato mash with text at the top and bottom

    This Thai Sweet Potato Mash is one of the best side dishes ever. The natural sweetness of the potato mixed with the wonderful Thai spices means your mashed sweet potato is a delicious mix of sweet and savory.

    Sweet Potato Mash make a great healthy, low carb option, perfect as a side dish for your midweek meal; a delicious accompaniment to your favorite protein. 

    The boiled sweet potatoes are mashed until smooth and then mixed with red Thai curry paste and coconut milk. This is finished with a little red chili, shredded coconut, and fresh cilantro.

    a wooden spoon in a black bowl of Thai sweet potato mash with a blue napkin

    Mashed sweet potatoes without dairy

    I love sweet potato mash! I make a delicious savory sweet potato mash that has butter and sour cream in it. It is on regular rotation in our house.

    But I needed to make a dairy-free option for a friend. The obvious creamy choice was coconut milk, which led me down the Thai route.

    Man, am I glad I started on that recipe development! This Thai Spicy Sweet Potato Mash is naturally sweet from the potatoes, but the Thai flavors make it deeply savory and packed full of flavor! 

    Can I use storebought curry paste?

    You sure can!!! If I have homemade in the refrigerator, then I use it, but I always have a tin or jar of storebought Thai red curry paste in my pantry!

    Get my homemade Red Thai Curry Paste Recipe here. Or grab your favorite brand.

    close up of sweet potato mash with shredded coconut and cilantro on top

    How to Mash Sweet Potatoes 

    Because sweet potatoes are less starchy than a regular potato, they are easier to mash, and there is less chance of them turning gluey.

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    My preferred method is with a potato masher. It gives you a smooth mash and will not end up gummy or gluey. 

    If you like a coarser mashed sweet potato, then you can use a fork to shred/mash your cooked potatoes.

    If you are a die-hard food processor or mixer lover, then you can mash your sweet potatoes in the mixer, do it on pulse and stop as soon as they have broken up. Too long, and they will turn out gluey.

    chunks of sweet potato in a black cast iron pan on a marble table

    Can you make mashed sweet potatoes ahead of time

    Yes! You can make this Thai sweet potato mash in advance, plus leftovers will reheat wonderfully! 

    Prepare the Thai Mashed Sweet Potatoes the day before or earlier in the day. Once cooled, keep them covered in the refrigerator until needed.

    Mashed sweet potatoes will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

    To reheat mashed sweet potato

    To reheat these Thai Mashed Sweet Potatoes: 

    1. Place the sweet potato mash in a microwave-safe dish.
    2. Cover and cook on 50% power for 2-3 minutes. 
    3. Uncover and stir the mash. 
    4. Return the mash to the microwave for 1-minute bursts until heated through. 

    Don't overheat your sweet potato mash, or you will find the oil in the coconut milk separate from the mash. If this happens, take a wooden spoon and mix the mash as vigorously as possible.

    a clack bowl on a white mat with sweet potato mash with shredded coconut and cilanto on top

    Enjoy x

    For other delicious Mashed Sweet Potato Recipes why not try:

    • Savory Mashed Sweet Potato (my every day recipe!)
    • Mashed Sweet Potato with Lemon and Sage Brown Butter
    • Whipped Sweet Potato Mash with Maple, Pecan and Rosemary
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    Get the Recipe

    a black bowl of mashed sweet potato with Thai garnishes

    Thai Sweet Potato Mash Recipe

    Claire | Sprinkle and Sprouts
    This Thai Sweet Potato Mash is one of the best side dishes EVER. The natural sweetness of the potato mixed with the wonderful Thai spices gives you the most delicious sweet and savory mashed sweet potatoes recipe. The boiled sweet potatoes are mashed until smooth and then mixed with red Thai curry paste and coconut milk. This is finished with a little red chili, shredded coconut, and fresh cilantro.
    4 from 10 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Side
    Cuisine Thai
    Servings 6
    Calories 190 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 6 medium sweet potatoes - see note 1
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
    • ⅔ cup coconut milk - see note 2
    • 1 ½ tablespoon Thai red curry paste
    • 1 red chili - finely chopped
    • 3 tablespoon shredded coconut
    • fresh cilantro

    Instructions
     

    Prevent your screen from going dark
    • Peel and cut the 6 sweet potatoes into 1″ (2.5cm) cubes.
    • Then place in a large saucepan and cover with boiling water.
    • Bring back to a boil, add 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of brown sugar. Then simmer for 15 minutes until tender.
    • While the sweet potatoes are cooking pour ⅔ cup of coconut milk into a small pan and bring to a simmer, add the red Thai curry paste and stir to dissolve.
    • Drain well and then return potatoes to saucepan.
    • Mash the potatoes to your preferred consistency (See note 3)
    • Pour the hot coconut milk mixture through your mashed potatoes and stir to combine.
    • Serve garnished with the chopped red chili, 3 tablespoons of shredded coconut, and fresh cilantro.

    Notes

    1. Six sweet potatoes will be around 3.5lb-4lb (1.5kg-1.8kg)
    2. You can replace this with coconut cream for a richer dish.
    3. Ways to mash your sweet potatoes:
      • Use a Fork: This will give you a coarser mashed sweet potato.
      • Use a Potato Masher: (preferred method) This gives excellent results and a beautiful smooth mash.
      • Use a Food Processor/mixer: Unlike standard potatoes, you can get a smooth mash from sweet potatoes in the food processor, but be careful, just like standard potatoes they can turn gluey if you mix them for too long.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 190kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 3gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 473mgPotassium: 530mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 19105IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 49mgIron: 2mg

    Nutrition is per serving

    For more great recipes follow me on PinterestFollow @sprinklessprout

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    4 from 10 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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    I'm Claire and I love food!!


    I dream about food and I am happiest when I am in the kitchen cooking. Whether that is dinner for my family, snacks for drinks with my girlfriends or testing new recipes for my site, the kitchen is my happy place. Sprinkles and Sprouts is where I share it all and I am so happy you are here.

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