Description

This indulgent recipe for Bourbon Bacon Whipped Sweet Potatoes features tender sweet potatoes whipped to perfection with rich brown butter, a splash of bourbon, and creamy milk, all topped with crispy sage leaves and flavorful bacon. The combination of sweet, savory, and aromatic elements creates a comforting side dish perfect for holiday dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Sweet Potatoes

4 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks

Bacon and Sage

4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
15 to 20 sage leaves
1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter

Whipped Potato Mixture

1/3 cup milk
4 tablespoons brown butter
2 tablespoons bourbon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

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Instructions

Boil Potatoes: Add the sweet potato chunks to a large pot and cover them with cold water. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are fork tender, approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
Cook Bacon: While the potatoes are boiling, heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and add the chopped bacon. You can either cook the bacon until it is crispy or cook it about three-quarters of the way through to render the fat, then finish crisping it in the oven. Make sure all the fat is rendered and the bacon is cooked thoroughly.
Drain Bacon Fat and Crisp Sage: Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Remove about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet over medium heat, add the butter and then the sage leaves. Cook the sage leaves until crispy, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove and drain on paper towels.
Mash and Whip Potatoes: Drain the cooked potatoes thoroughly and return them to the pot. Mash with a fork or potato masher, then whip using a whisk or electric hand mixer until smooth and fluffy.
Add Flavorings: Incorporate the reserved bacon fat, milk, bourbon, and brown butter into the whipped potatoes. Whip again until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve or Bake: If serving immediately, spread the whipped potatoes in a serving dish, top with crispy bacon and crumble the fried sage over the top. If serving later, preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C), top the potatoes with bacon, bake for 25 to 30 minutes, then remove and crumble sage over before serving.

Notes

For a stronger bourbon flavor, you can add an extra tablespoon of bourbon carefully to the potatoes.
Cooking the bacon completely in the skillet will save oven time, but finishing in the oven can give extra crispiness.
The sage leaves must be cooked in butter until crispy for the best texture and flavor contrast.
Whipping the potatoes until smooth will give a lighter, fluffier texture compared to just mashing.
This recipe can easily be doubled for larger gatherings.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 320
Sugar: 10g
Sodium: 450mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 6g
Cholesterol: 35mg