This recipe for Mashed White and Sweet Potato Swirl is a mixture of half white potatoes and half sweet potatoes. They come together to make a beautiful and tasty side dish. Cook the potatoes together but mash them separately. A quick swirl makes this recipe special.
Updated January 2020.
Nothing beats a bowl of hot and buttery mashed potatoes, especially with good gravy. But what if your menu doesn’t include gravy?
Why is mixing these potatoes a good idea?
In this situation, I will often choose sweet potatoes. But so often, a dish of 100% sweet potatoes can be cloying. Have you noticed how they seem to end up mixed with lots of butter, sugar, and spices?
Adding white potatoes seems to mellow out the sweet potatoes. They also complement each other texture and taste-wise.
If you have a lonely potato or two sitting on your kitchen counter, add it to potatoes of the other color. For example, if you only have one or two sweet potatoes, make up the difference with more white potatoes. It doesn’t matter.
FAQ about the potatoes
#1
Can I substitute yams for sweet potatoes?
I don’t recommend it. Real yams are entirely different root vegetables that are more like yucca in texture and flavor. They are not even in the same family as sweet potatoes. In the United States, yams are not seen very often in grocery stores unless you go to a specialty market.
#2
Can I use white sweet potatoes or purple sweet potatoes for the orange ones?
White sweet potatoes and purple sweet potatoes (if you can find them) are generally interchangeable. Both varieties tend to be denser and starchier.
The novelty of the orange and white colors will be for naught if you use the white sweet potatoes. The purple potatoes may bleed into the white potatoes when you make the swirl since they are boiled first.
How do you prevent the colors from bleeding if you use purple potatoes? Mary-Frances Heck, author of Sweet Potatoes suggests roasting, sautéeing, or frying. As you can imagine, purple bleeding would blur the swirl effect in a bad way.
#3
What variety of white potatoes are best?
Yukon Gold or russets are best, in that order. The variety and age of your potatoes affect how much milk you need to add. Start with less and add more milk only as need it to get the best texture.
#4
Do I have to peel the potatoes?
No, you can leave them unpeeled if you prefer. Scrub them well and cut into chunks. Leaving the skins on will give some texture and extra fiber.
Suit yourself on this one. You can peel both types of potatoes (specified in the recipe), or just the sweet potatoes, or don’t peel (but do scrub) at all.
What do I serve with this side dish?
Whenever you would serve mashed potatoes is a good time to serve this casserole. Try a little gravy over the top.
If you’re trying to cut back on gravy, this recipe is also a good way to go. The sweet potatoes add flavor.
Don’t save this dish for the fall and winter holidays alone. It’s perfect with grilled meats–especially something spicy like sausage.
How to make Mashed White and Sweet Potato Swirl
More recipes for potato lovers
Jalapeño Mashed Potatoes with Cheese
Cheesy Jalapeno Mashed Potatoes (No Gravy Needed) are similar to the Papas con Chile at Abuelo's. They can be made a day ahead of time.
Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls with Honey Butter Glaze
Light and fluffy dinner rolls made with sweet potatoes and baked with a honey-butter glaze. Great slider buns without glaze.
Spicy Pecan-Crusted Sweet Potato Balls
These mashed sweet potatoes are formed into balls, rolled in a spicy egg white mixture, and then rolled in chopped pecans. They are a delicious make-ahead alternative to marshmallow, butter, and sugar-laden sweet potato casseroles.
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Paula
Mashed Sweet and White Potatoes
White potatoes and sweet potatoes are cooked together, mashed separately, then swirled together to make an interesting and tasty side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds white potatoes, peeled and diced into 2-inch pieces
- 1 1/2 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into 2-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 Tablespoons butter (divided)
- 2/3 cup warmed milk (divided)
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- Place white potatoes into the bottom of a saucepan, then sweet potatoes on top. Add 1 teaspoon salt. Barely cover potatoes with cold water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer until potatoes are fork-tender but not falling apart.
- Drain potatoes. Remove sweet potatoes from the pan and place them into another bowl. Place white potatoes back into your original pan and let them dry while you mash the sweet potatoes. For this step, I put on exam gloves (which I always have in my kitchen) to remove the hot sweet potatoes.
- Mash the sweet potatoes your favorite way. (I use a ricer, but a potato masher or portable mixer is also good.)
- Start with about 2 tablespoons of warm milk. Add more, if needed, to make potatoes creamy and smooth but not runny. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4 with the white potatoes. Again, start with about 2 tablespoons of milk. Add more milk, as needed, until the consistency matches your sweet potatoes.
- Plop mashed sweet potatoes back into the pan with mashed white potatoes. Make a couple of folds with a spoon to barely mix. Move to a serving dish being careful not to mix too much.
Recommended Products
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MedPride Powder-Free Nitrile Exam Gloves, Medium, Box/100 -
RSVP International (SPUD) Potato Ricer, White/Green | Mash Potatoes, Fruits, Vegetables & More | Includes Medium & Coarse Plates | Pot Resting Extension | Dishwasher Safe -
KitchenAid KHM7210CU 7-Speed Digital Hand Mixer with Turbo Beater II Accessories and Pro Whisk - Contour Silver -
OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Potato Masher with Cushioned Handle
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 servings Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 271Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 210mgCarbohydrates: 45gFiber: 5gSugar: 8gProtein: 5g
nan
Monday 11th of April 2016
I had the same idea. Somebody gave me a couple cans of sweet potatoes/yams (I know they aren't the same thing but people want to MASH the two, heh, so let's let them) and I had before just ate them by themselves and didn't like them. I was going to either regift the cans to a foodbank or someone else, or use them in a recipe. Mixing them in with mashed regular potatoes, which I love, was my easier idea, since I am NOT a cook/chef. I figured it would be a nice color addition and would get rid of them easiest, lol! Will try!
Paula
Tuesday 12th of April 2016
Hi Nan, Another delicious thing to do with sweet potatoes is to use them in breadmaking. See this recipe.
Stevie
Sunday 21st of November 2010
I had this same idea. So I searched it to see who else had the same idea. I'm not alone! Thank you!
Chaya
Tuesday 20th of July 2010
I mixchunks together but I have never mixed mashed. I must try this. I bet it is terrific.
Romaine
Wednesday 21st of July 2010
Chunks would be good too--and one less step.
Michelle
Sunday 18th of July 2010
What a great idea. And also a great way to sneak in some great vitamins!
Sandy
Thursday 15th of July 2010
Fantastic! I really like the idea of mixing the two. I love sweet potatoes but the rest of the family not so much. I think this would be a great option for us all and just maybe they will love the two mixed together. Your pictures are beautiful.