Slow Cooker Creamy Garlic Mashed Sweet Potatoes

A savory slow cooker garlic mashed sweet potatoes recipe that makes an excellent side for turkey dinner. Let your slow cooker take some of the work this Thanksgiving so you can focus on the rest of the meal.

Slow Cooker Garlic Mashed Sweet Potatoes

If you enjoy this side, other Thanksgiving and holiday favorites to consider are Mashed Cauliflower, Scalloped Potato Gratin, and Cranberry Pear Sauce. These pair beautifully with mashed sweet potatoes and help create a balanced holiday plate.

I adapted my stovetop garlic mashed sweet potato recipe for the slow cooker to offer a hands-off option for busy holiday days. The slow cooker frees up stove space and allows you to set the dish and tend to other tasks while the potatoes cook slowly to tender perfection. This version keeps the savory garlic flavor while delivering creamy, smooth texture with minimal fuss.

If you prefer a sweeter profile, try swapping the garlic and butter for pure maple syrup—about 1 1/2 teaspoons adds a gentle sweetness that complements the natural flavor of the sweet potatoes.

For a slow cooker, choose a model with a reliable low setting and a warm function so dishes can stay at serving temperature without overcooking. A programmable slow cooker with an automatic warm setting is handy for holiday cooking because it will switch to warm when the cook time finishes.

More Sweet Potato Recipes:

Sweet Potato Casserole
Mashed Sweet Potatoes Brulee
Sweet Potato Pie
Maple Soy Glazed Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash with Bacon
Parmesan Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with Balsamic Glaze

Slow Cooker Garlic Sweet Potato Mash

Summary: These savory slow cooker garlic sweet potatoes are a simple, flavorful side dish that complements roast turkey and other holiday mains. The slow cooker does most of the work—just finish with garlic butter, milk, and a touch of sour cream for a creamy finish.

Rating: 4.50 from 2 votes

Yield: 5 servings — Serving size: 3/4 cup

Prep time: 15 mins — Cook time: 4 hrs — Total: 4 hrs 15 mins

Ingredients

2 lbs (about 4 medium) sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed into 1-inch pieces
1 tbsp butter
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 cup 1% milk (or your preferred milk)
2 tbsp light sour cream
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Water, enough to just cover the potatoes in the slow cooker

Instructions

Place the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in the slow cooker and add just enough water to cover them. Add a pinch of salt to the water.
Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours, or until the potatoes are very tender when pierced with a fork.
About 5 minutes before the potatoes are done, melt the butter in a small sauté pan and cook the crushed garlic over medium heat until lightly golden and fragrant—be careful not to burn the garlic.
Drain the cooked sweet potatoes in a colander and return them to the slow cooker insert or a large bowl.
Pour the garlic butter over the potatoes, add the milk and sour cream, then mash until smooth and creamy. Adjust texture by adding a little more milk if needed.
Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Keep the mashed sweet potatoes on the slow cooker’s warm setting until ready to serve, up to about 2 hours.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 151 kcal — Carbohydrates: 27 g — Protein: 3 g — Fat: 3.5 g — Fiber: 3 g — Sugar: 1 g — Sodium: 27 mg

Tips, Variations, and Storage

For a dairy-free version, use a butter substitute and a plant-based milk or coconut cream for richness.
To add depth of flavor, stir in a pinch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm twist, or mix in chopped fresh herbs like chives or parsley for a savory finish.
If you prefer a sweeter side, replace the garlic butter with 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons of pure maple syrup and skip the crushed garlic.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in a warm slow cooker, adding a splash of milk if needed to restore creaminess.
To prepare in advance, cook the potatoes in the slow cooker, cool, then refrigerate. Finish with hot garlic butter, milk, and sour cream just before serving to retain the fresh garlic flavor.

Last Step: If you try this recipe, consider leaving a rating and a short comment about how it worked for your holiday meal. Feedback helps improve recipes and helps others decide if this dish is right for them.