Artificial Food Coloring Free Lemon & Olive Oil Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes already bring a gorgeous natural color to the table, so there's zero need for synthetic dyes or artificial additives here — everything in this dish earns its place through real flavor. The base is silky mashed sweet potato brightened with fresh lemon juice and zest, then layered with a quick bloom of turmeric and ginger cooked in fragrant olive oil. That little step of softening the garlic and toasting the spices in the pan before adding them to the mash is what takes this from simple side dish to something genuinely special. The result is creamy, warmly spiced, and just tangy enough to keep every bite interesting. It comes together with pantry staples and fresh produce, so you never have to squint at a label wondering what "color added" actually means. A scatter of fresh parsley on top adds a pop of green that's entirely the real deal. This is the kind of wholesome, vibrant side that earns a permanent spot on your weeknight rotation.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 tsp salt, plus more for the cooking water
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Place the sweet potato chunks in a large pot and cover with cold water by at least 1 inch. Add a generous pinch of salt and bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a steady simmer. Cook until the sweet potatoes are completely tender and a fork slides through without resistance, about 18–22 minutes.
- 2
While the sweet potatoes cook, heat 1 tbsp of the olive oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and fragrant but not browned, about 1–2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the turmeric and ginger, letting the residual heat bloom the spices for 30 seconds.
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