MSG Free Lemon & Olive Oil White Sweet Potato Mash
White sweet potatoes have a creamier, more delicate flavor than their orange cousins, and mashing them with good olive oil and bright lemon turns them into something genuinely special. The garlic is gently bloomed in olive oil with turmeric and ginger before it ever meets the potatoes, which layers in warmth and depth without relying on any packaged seasoning blends or flavor enhancers. That matters a lot when you're cooking without monosodium glutamate, because it means every bit of savory, aromatic flavor here comes straight from real ingredients you can see and smell. The lemon juice and zest cut through the richness of the olive oil and keep the whole dish tasting fresh and vibrant rather than heavy. A final drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a scatter of fresh parsley make it look as good as it tastes. This is the kind of side dish that quietly steals the show at the dinner table.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 2 lb white sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 ½-inch chunks
- 1 tsp fine sea salt, plus more for the cooking water
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 lemon)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Place the white sweet potato chunks in a large pot and cover with cold water by at least 1 inch. Add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a steady simmer and cook until the potatoes are completely tender and a fork slides through without resistance, 18–22 minutes.
- 2
While the 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. Stir in the turmeric and ginger and cook for 30 seconds more, until the spices are fragrant. Remove from heat.
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