Grilled Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Updated March 26, 2025

My sister Rachel is quite the mashed potatoes connoisseur, so her pronouncement that my Thanksgiving mashers were the best she's ever had put me on a tater high. When my CSA left me with an abundance of sweet potatoes, they were just calling to be mashed too.

My favorite sweet potatoes are the soft, silky ones that have been roasted on hot coals—I thought that was a good place to start with these. After an hour nestled in the embers, the potatoes were so soft, they could be easily scooped out with a spoon, requiring no further mashing. I only added butter, half and half, a little brown sugar, salt, and pepper. They were ready to go.

Not quite the achievement of my Thanksgiving mashed potatoes, these were still mighty fine—soft and creamy, with a sweetness that wasn't sickening, but enough to feel like a holiday indulgence.

Recipe Details

Grilled Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Prep 10 mins

Cook 60 mins

Active 15 mins

Cooling Time 15 mins

Total 85 mins

Serves 4 servings

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Ingredients

4 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed
6 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 cup half and half, warmed
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and spread coals evenly over entire surface of coal grate. Wrap each sweet potato in aluminum foil and set in coals. Using tongs, move any loose coals around or on top of potatoes. Roast sweet potatoes until they are completely soft and a paring knife can be inserted with no resistance, 40-60 minutes, turning four times during cooking to ensure even roasting. Remove potatoes from coals and let sit until cool enough to handle, 10 to 15 minutes.
Unwrap potatoes and split in half. Using spoon, scoop out flesh into small sauce pan. Mix in melted butter and brown sugar. Add half-and-half 1/4 cup at a time until potatoes are at a desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
278	Calories
17g	Fat
29g	Carbs
3g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	278
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 17g	22%
Saturated Fat 11g	55%
Cholesterol 46mg	15%
Sodium 415mg	18%
Total Carbohydrate 29g	11%
Dietary Fiber 4g	14%
Total Sugars 13g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 22mg	112%
Calcium 56mg	4%
Iron 1mg	5%
Potassium 563mg	12%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.