By Becky Hardin
Updated Nov 19, 2025
Instant Pot mashed sweet potatoes are the easiest and most delicious side dish for any occasion. I like serving these creamy, sweet mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter. Depending on what else I’m serving, I’ll make them sweet or savory with different flavor variations. I find it’s the quickest mashed potatoes recipe out there.
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Easy Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
These Instant Pot mashed sweet potatoes are the ideal side dish. They’re creamy, delicious, and so easy to make. I find they pair perfectly with chicken, beef, turkey, or pork. And they make a great addition to my holiday table.
Making mashed sweet potatoes in a pressure cooker is a no-brainer. It’s one of the quickest methods for mashed potatoes, and they come out just perfectly. Which is great if I’ve got a load of other recipes to tackle. If you don’t have an Instant Pot, these savory mashed sweet potatoes are delicious too, though they take a few more minutes to prepare.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 lbs. sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- ▢ 1 cup water
- ▢ ½ tsp kosher salt
- ▢ ¼ cup half and half for extra richness, use heavy cream
- ▢ 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- ▢ add-ins of choice see notes
Instructions
- Add the sweet potatoes, water, and salt to the Instant Pot. 2 lbs. sweet potatoes, 1 cup water, ½ tsp kosher salt
- Attach the lid and ensure the valve is in the “sealing” position. Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook – Manual for 12 minutes.
- Once the Instant Pot has finished cooking, release the pressure manually by switching the valve to the “venting” position—but be careful, it may splatter.
- Drain the potatoes and return them to the Instant Pot. Add the half and half and butter. ¼ cup half and half, 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- Use a potato masher or immersion blender to process the potatoes to your desired consistency.
- Add your desired add-ins and mix to combine. add-ins of choice
- Serve warm. Mashed potatoes can be kept warm using the “keep warm” function on the Instant Pot for up to 1 hour. Just make sure to stir them occasionally and thin with half and half as needed.
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Becky’s Tips
- Sweet Mashed Sweet Potatoes: Add ¼ cup light brown sugar, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and ¼ cup toasted pecans.
- Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes: Add ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp fresh minced thyme.
- To make in a slow cooker. Cook on High for 2-3 hours, or until potatoes are tender enough to mash. Then mash to the desired consistency. Or, try this slow cooker mashed potatoes recipe .
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes Step by Step
Gather the ingredients.
Get the potatoes ready : Place 2 lbs. of cubed sweet potatoes, 1 cup of water, and ½ tsp salt in the bowl of the Instant Pot.
Cook : Put the lid on the Instant Pot, seal, and cook for 12 minutes. Once the Instant Pot has finished cooking, release the pressure manually by switching the valve to the “venting” position. Be careful, it may splatter.
Drain and season : Drain the sweet potatoes, put them back in the pressure cooker, and add ¼ cup half and half along with 4 tbsp of unsalted butter.
Mash : Mash or blend the potatoes to your desired consistency. Add ingredients to make them sweet or savory, optional.
Serve: Serve warm and enjoy!
How to Store
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, stir in a small amount of half and half as needed to rehydrate and thin out.
Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave or over the stove.
Serving Suggestions
These Instant Pot mashed sweet potatoes make the perfect side dish for just about anything. I think they are especially good with turkey or chicken , but I’d even serve them with garlic butter prime rib or pork chops .
more thanksgiving side dishes
Chantilly Potatoes
Butternut Squash Stuffing
Crockpot Green Bean Casserole
Honey Balsamic Roasted Carrots
Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup water
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ cup half and half for extra richness, use heavy cream
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- add-ins of choice see notes
Instructions
- Add the sweet potatoes, water, and salt to the Instant Pot. 2 lbs. sweet potatoes, 1 cup water, ½ tsp kosher salt
- Attach the lid and ensure the valve is in the “sealing” position. Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook - Manual for 12 minutes.
- Once the Instant Pot has finished cooking, release the pressure manually by switching the valve to the “venting” position—but be careful, it may splatter.
- Drain the potatoes and return them to the Instant Pot. Add the half and half and butter. ¼ cup half and half, 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- Use a potato masher or immersion blender to process the potatoes to your desired consistency.
- Add your desired add-ins and mix to combine. add-ins of choice
- Serve warm. Mashed potatoes can be kept warm using the “keep warm” function on the Instant Pot for up to 1 hour. Just make sure to stir them occasionally and thin with half and half as needed.
Notes
- Sweet Mashed Sweet Potatoes: Add ¼ cup light brown sugar, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and ¼ cup toasted pecans.
- Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes: Add ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp fresh minced thyme.
- To make in a slow cooker. Cook on High for 2-3 hours, or until potatoes are tender enough to mash. Then mash to the desired consistency. Or, try this slow cooker mashed potatoes recipe .
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
