Transform Mashed Sweet Potatoes By Adding This Popular Spicy Condiment

Sweet potatoes make a delicious addition to your plate — and they're versatile enough to be cooked in many forms. Mashing your sweet potatoes leads to a smooth and satisfying side dish that can be further enhanced with other ingredients. One popular option that can really help transform the simple root vegetable is hot honey.

Why choose hot honey for your mashed sweet potatoes? The trendy condiment is simple but potent, made with spicy chili flakes and syrupy sweet honey. Sweet potatoes, on the other hand, have an earthy, subtly sweet flavor profile, which actually makes them a perfect canvas for the additional warmth that comes from the hot honey. A drizzle of the sweet and spicy syrup also builds on the natural sugars in the potatoes, making the sweet flavor deeper and more intense. Because the honey isn't too thin or thick in texture, it won't alter the overall consistency of the dish. And you have the ability to experiment with different amounts of the syrup, so add more or less depending on your preferred spice level. Start with about 2 tablespoons for every 4 pounds of potatoes, and adjust after tasting.

Incorporating hot honey in your mashed sweet potatoes can be done in several ways. If your sweet potatoes are already prepared, you can simply top them off with a generous garnish of honey before serving to add a touch of spice. If you're prepping the dish from the beginning, you can stir in the hot honey right after mashing your potatoes to get more of the flavors incorporated throughout. Or try heating hot honey with butter and milk or cream before combining the mix with the potatoes for a creamier and richer dish.

For those looking to build off the delicious flavors of hot honey, you can play around with different ingredients and combinations. Try making your hot honey from scratch and experiment with spicier peppers to add more heat to the dish. Or incorporate other herbs and spices like sage, garlic, cinnamon, and nutmeg. You can even use the hot honey sweet potatoes to top off shepherd's pie for a sweet and spicy twist on the savory meal. Using hot honey will make mashed sweet potatoes your go-to option for a simple and comforting side dish.