Whipped Bourbon Bacon Sweet Potatoes.
I present to you… the trashiest of the sweet potatoes.
It’s like every single thing I love just threw up all over my whipped sweet potatoes. I mean, seriously. I don’t think we are missing A THING! Exclamation points.
Last weekend I kind of made the Thanksgiving meal of my dreams. I say dreams because here’s the thing: I really, really love the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. I mean, LOVE it. I am all for adding new things but don’t you dare swap something from my table. I pretty much have a heart attack. My mom, on the other hand, doesn’t really feel the same way I do and would prefer no new additions. Just our good old-fashioned meal.
A few years ago I took butternut squash lasagna and she practically made me sit under the table. She also didn’t even take a bite.
It’s cool though. She makes the best turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy ever. It actually scares me because when the day comes that I have to make Thanksgiving dinner, everyone will probably hate my guts because I’ll force new twists (!) and modern dishes (!) upon them.
SO that’s why I did this.
I smoked a turkey and made us a bunch of crazy side dishes that sounded completely incredible on their own with no intentions of combining the whole shebang as a meal.
And THEN! I realized that we had to eat dinner and that I practically had every Thanksgiving dish in my kitchen and we were going to eat them together. I was nervous.
It totally worked though. Somehow everything just flowed together and complimented each other. I’m not sure if I just got lucky or if I use so many of the same ingredients in my simple world that the undertones of every dish weren’t entirely different.
OR maybe I just kind of know what I’m doing by now but I’m not banking on that option. I still have no idea what I’m doing. I mean I had to call my mom and ask her how to buy a turkey. I am a child.
The catch is that while everything was delightful… I am glad it won’t be the actual meal on Thanksgiving. Does that make sense? On that day, I just like everything to taste like… home. Like nostalgia. Like childhood. Like my non-cynical, naïve days.
In other words, not like bourbon and brown butter and sage. The bacon can stay.
Oh and in case your eyes are deceiving you, this is one heck of an indulgent side dish. If you’re looking for a healthier alternate, try this lightened up sweet potato casserole I made a few years ago. It’s what I will make a few Thursdays from now and it is so flipping good.
If you’re looking to vary your flavors a bit, make this version. Or heck, make this version tonight for dinner tonight. It’s a perfect side dish for grilled chicken and steak. We have been eating it alllllllll week and actually… I’m not sure if there is anything it DOESN’T go with. It’s sorta heaven in a bowl. If bourbon isn’t your thing, simply leave it out. If you’re making this for children, don’t ask my opinion because not only do I not have kids, my mom let us all eat that old-school fruit dip made with rum back in the day and I’m sure that sometimes I used a spoon when she wasn’t looking.
Pretty sure I turned out okay. But that’s debatable… I guess.
Bourbon Bacon Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Brown Butter and Crispy Sage
Ingredients
- 4 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 15 to 20 sage leaves
- 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup milk
- 4 tablespoons brown butter
- 2 tablespoons bourbon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Add the potato chunks to a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring the potatoes to a boil and cook until they are fork tender, about 20 to 30 minutes. While the potatoes are boiling, heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and add the chopped bacon. You have 2 options here: you can cook the bacon until it is totally crispy or you can cook it about 3/4 of the way, so the fat has rendered, and then pop the dish in the oven and let the bacon finish crisping up there. Either way, you want all of the fat to be cooked out.
- Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel to drain. Remove about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat from the skillet and set it aside in a bowl. To the same skillet, add the butter and heat it over medium heat. Add the sage leaves and cook until they are crispy, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel to drain.
- At this point, the potatoes are most likely finished, so drain the thoroughly and add them back to the pot. Mash them with a fork or potato masher, then use a whisk or electric hand mixer to whip them. Once whipped, add in the reserved bacon fat, the milk, the bourbon and the brown butter. Whip the potatoes again until everything is combined. Taste the potatoes and add the salt and pepper, seasoning more or less if desired.
- If serving the potatoes immediately, spread them in a dish and top them with the crispy bacon. Crumble the sage on top. If you’re waiting a bit to serve them, heat the oven to 325 degrees F and top the potatoes with the bacon. Bake them for 25 to 30 minutes, then remove them from the oven and crumble the sage over top.
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Sweet potato face smash.
152 Comments on “Whipped Bourbon Bacon Sweet Potatoes.”
Calling your mom to ask how to buy a turkey? I totally get it. I call my mom FREQUENTLY from the grocery store to ask things like 1) Where is the sweetened condensed milk? 2) Is it ok to buy the generic brand of ______? 3) If I make a full batch of _____, do you think I could freeze half of it? 4) Should I buy the shoulder or the butt if I’m using the crockpot?
So that begs the question… how did OUR mom’s do it. They didn’t have cell phones to call THEIR mom’s from the grocery store. How did they figure it out?? I’m assuming that they, unlike me, just read the recipe ahead of time and asked a store employee when in doubt. Which seems reasonable. But I think my mom is secretly flattered by the phone calls, so I’ll stick with that.
THIS.
Gosh you work so hard for thanksgiving. I can not imagine the work you must pout into all your dishes for the big day. We do not have thanksgiving in Australia but this would look great on for the weekly Sunday roast at my place!
LOL about calling your mom about the turkey – I do the same! Even though she hates cooking and puts me in charge of the Thanksgiving meal, I always get her to prep the turkey because I never trust myself enough to find and pull out all of the giblets (they really should tell you what you’re looking for!)
Let me get this straight…sweet potatoes. sage. brown butter. and BOURBON….in one dish?! Will you marry me? Sounds incredible. I love traditional Thanksgiving as well…but I’m hosting it for the first time this year, and I’m nervous/excited to introduce some new dishes to the fam. Hopefully it turns out! I don’t think anyone would turn their noses up at this dish! Fo real.
These looks so good. Bourbon, bacon and sweet potatoes? Nothing say’s Thanksgiving more!
I vote you bring this version to thanksgiving dinner
Mmmmmmmmm……trashed up sweet potatoes…….. Yum :)
I’m also guilty of phoning a friend (aka my mom) from the grocery store. True story – last year, I was attempting to make my own Thanksgiving feast and I could not find Bell’s Poultry Seasoning to save my life. Neither could the grocery store employee…but my mom could. “Oh, it’s right in aisle one – above the freezers – right next to the aluminum baking trays.”
Sure enough – she was right :)
haha this is amazing.
Wow – this looks fantastic. My family is pretty adventurous with adding ‘new dishes’ to the Holiday table – I’m pretty sure this one is as good as there. I love your stories and how you ‘trash things up’, keep up the good work Jess!
I’m the same way when it comes to holiday foods–I have a slight meltdown if we don’t have the “staples” present every year. For example, Christmas Day, I must have extremely crispy roasted potatoes–not mashed potatoes. Ever.
I want to try this dish right now!
If by “trashiest” you meant “most awesome” I totally agree with you. Our traditional sweet potato recipe is loaded with whiskey, which I remember any time I am tempted to think that my family is not awesome. Clearly we do some things right. Now all we need to do is add bacon!
i just found my savory contribution to t-day dinner this year. i think i love you. that’s not weird. trust me.
WOW! I’ve never seen sweet potatoes that looks this delicious. Amazing!
Love the picture of it all heaped onto the wooden spoon!
Holy. Cow. Delicious.
I’m putting this on the MUST MAKE LIST for Thanksgiving!
bourbon sweet potatoes for life.
you’re an animal, anddd I love it. this is amaze!
I wouldn’t kick this out of my mouth.
Party in my mouth!
I would totally welcome a sweet face smash any day! Bring it on! This looks freaking amaze balls and I will be a hero for Thanksgiving when I make this dish! Love love love it!
Oh wow. I either have to hope that I get nominated for brining potatoes for dinner, or I’m going to have to cook a mini thanksgiving dinner for myself to have these. Heck I’ll just eat the entire thing as an entree by myself.
I’m not a fan of sweet potatoes…but I think the addition of bourbon & bacon just might be enough to change my mind :)
ohhhhh these sound interesting and delicious! xo
http://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com/
sweet potatoes and bacon are two of my favorite foods! I agree, I like the classics on Thanksgiving but this looks divine.
Be still, my heart. This looks beyond words delicious. I need it in my life. Thank you so much for posting this!
i give two thumbs up to trashy sweet potatoes!! And my family is the same way whenit comes to “change” in Thanksgiving dinners. One day, change will come – and it will be at my hands in my kitchen. *insert maniacal laughter here*
Best Sweet Potatoes Ever!!
Beautiful trashy potatoes ;)
This. Yes. ALL THE THINGS. I would probably eat this for breakfast. It’s got bacon, so…totally legit right? Also, couldn’t agree with you more about Thanksgiving day. i’ll make all sorts of crazy stuff before hand, but on the day of? I want the classics. Straight up. No frills.
I am all about the traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner staples. My parents mentioned doing a beef tenderloin (which i LOVE) for Christmas this year and I threatened to boycott their house. I’m so mature.
At least I offered to make the turkey if the effort was the hang up…but I’m not sure what I got myself into – as I normally stick to a side and a dessert as my contribution! And I must say, I’m not a sweet potato fan – but this recipe may make a convert of me!
Ooh I love the bacon/sweet potato combo. Sounds like the best smoky/sweet combo ever!
The trashiest of sweet potatoes – that is too funny! But I’ll take trashy any day when they look like these – these look so delicious!!
Brown butter, sage, and bourbon. This is so you! (and the bacon part, too!) I love the brown butter, bourbon, sweet potato lineup. Sounds awesome!
Damn girl, this look AMAZING. I love sweet potatoes, I love bacon… I can deal with alcohol in food. YES.
YUM! These look amazing.
I also call my mom about things. Well, text. “If I do X, can Y happen?” and my dad.. and my sister (who is a fabulous baker).
Wow. That’s pretty mind blowing.
so this looks AMAZING! Def going to try it :) Can’t wait!
Ella | http://www.towanderandtoroam.blogspot.com
Oh my! This looks wonderful.
Holy cow! These look AMAZING!
Oh so trashy and I love it!
I think it might be missing something….
sprinkles
that rounds out the everything list.
my mouth is watering! These are a MUST make this fall :-) I love everything about them! haha!
If this is trashy, just call me the queen of the trailer park!
wholy goodness… mouth watering goodness, hot dang!! i can taste it through my computer screen. i’m so making this for dinner tonight!!! tfs!
Since my standard recipe for Cranberries already involves a healthy portion of Bourbon, I think these Sweet potatoes will feel right at home at my Thanksgiving table! Going to try this weekend.
I don’t like sweet potatoes but these I will have to try and soon.
I really enjoyed this post and the story about calling your mom. The first Thanksgiving that i ever did I called my mom because I couldn’t find that bag of gross neck pieces and liver that they shove inside the turkey. I looked and looked and couldn’t find it so I had to call her and ask for help. I was 28.
Is your cranberry recipe on the site as well? I don’t like to drink bourbon but it is great for cooking.
YES, PLEASE. We always have an annual friendsgiving/potluck that we call the Harvest Party. It’s coming up this weekend and I’ve been wondering what to make.
And now I know. It’s all of my favorite things, conveniently in one delicious looking dish. Let’s hope i don’t eat it all on the way over to the party…
Umm.. this is the best looking sweet potato dish I’ve ever seen.
These are trashed up in the BEST way. Hello, bourbon and bacon? Neither can do any wrong, and with sweet potatoes…..ugh. DYING. Need them in my life asap.
You’re back on smoking that turkey again? Thought you quit!
But for seriousness … I’ve always been a fan of sweet potatoes over regular (Cassie is so the opposite) … adding whiskey + bacon isn’t even fair.