Curried Savory Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes

By Taylor Kiser Jump to Recipe

This gluten-free, low-sodium side dish brings garlicky flavor and vibrant color to any meal in under an hour!

Mashed potatoes might be the ultimate comfort food. But they can start to feel a bit bland after a while. I had never tried mashing their sweeter orange cousins until I stumbled upon this curried savory vegan mashed sweet potatoes recipe. Now I may never go back to those regular spuds!

This dish delivers a lush texture and garlicky flavor profile that elevates any meal. Plus, it brings some vibrant color to the table! I was worried that the curry might make the potatoes crazy hot, so I only used one teaspoon the first time around. I have since moved up to a full three teaspoons without lighting my taste buds on fire. In fact, that amount deepens the earthy sweet potato and savory garlic flavors with a warm nuttiness that’s quite pleasant, yet not overpowering.

Now that I’ve seen how easy and tasty this recipe is, I might try a different variety of sweet potato for an even more colorful culinary adventure. The dish is table-ready in less than an hour, so I can manage it most weeknights. But I particularly love making it for a Saturday night dinner with my partner or a big family get-together on a Sunday. Even my super-picky teenage nephew likes these yummy mashed sweet potatoes!

Are Curried Savory Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes Healthy?

This mashed sweet potatoes recipe makes a flavorful and relatively healthy side dish that’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Sweet potatoes are loaded with vitamin A, potassium, and iron. That said, coconut oil and coconut cream are mostly saturated fat. You can use olive oil and soy cream instead. This dish is low in sodium, vegan, gluten-free, and Paleo-friendly.

Picking Your Perfect Sweet Potato Variety

I used good old orange sweet potatoes—often called jewel or garnet—in this recipe. I chose them because they’re commonly stocked in most grocery stores, and their flavor and texture are familiar to most people. But you can mix it up by trying other varieties of sweet potato! Three of my faves are Japanese, purple, and Hannah.

With reddish-purple skin and pale, creamy flesh, Japanese sweet potatoes are denser and drier than the orange kind. Their flavor is notably sweeter, with nutty, chestnut-like notes and a subtle earthiness. When mashed, they create a fluffier, firmer texture and a rich, caramel-like depth that pairs beautifully with curry and coconut. Expect a mash that’s less creamy but more structured and robust in flavor.

Purple sweet potatoes stand out for their bold color and nutritional punch. Their flesh is dense, dry, and mildly sweet with floral undertones. When used in mashed dishes, they yield a thicker, heartier texture and a unique, slightly earthy flavor. The vibrant purple hue also adds visual appeal and a boost of antioxidants to your plate. They tend to be drier, so you may want to add a bit more coconut cream for smoothness.

Cream-colored Hannah sweet potatoes have a lightly sweet flavor and a dry, fluffy texture when cooked. They’re less sweet than orange varieties and create a lighter, subtler mash—ideal if you prefer a less sugary dish.

Serving Suggestions

Serve curried savory vegan mashed sweet potatoes alongside meaty mains, like Grilled London Broil, Turmeric Chicken, and these kid-friendly Meatloaf Muffins. Or pair them with lighter options, like Honey-Glazed Salmon or Air-Fryer Falafel. Add a side of Sautéed Vegetables and a light dessert, like homemade Sugar-Free Frozen Yogurt, for a satisfying experience.