Sweet potatoes are one of our favorite starchy vegetables so this bourbon sweet potato casserole is a must at Thanksgiving for us. There are many variations for this holiday side dish. Those that use canned yams (or sweet potatoes) and those that layer on marshmallows for a gooey creamy topping. Our recipe adds bourbon, which makes this the perfect side to Thanksgiving dinner.
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Serve it with other holiday dishes like Southern green bean casserole, old-fashioned dressing, garlic rosemary mashed potatoes, orange cranberry sauce, and, of course, the Thanksgiving turkey. Our dry-brined spatchcocked turkey is a family favorite.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
There is no need for canned sweet potatoes in our easy sweet potato casserole.
The complete ingredient list and measurements are listed in the printable recipe below.
- Sweet Potatoes: Depending on the size, you will need about four pounds of sweet potatoes, which is 5-6 sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are starchy vegetables, and baking them allows enzymes to break down the starch, making them sweet. So our preferred method is baking or roasting them but you can boil them if you are in a time crunch.
- Bourbon: Any bourbon (or another whiskey) you enjoy drinking will work for this recipe, but if it doesn’t taste good, then you don’t want to use it in this casserole.
- Brown Sugar: While the sweet potatoes will be sweeter after baking, the casserole still needs a little sweet boost. We prefer the flavor of brown sugar, but you can substitute it with maple syrup. Brown sugar is also added to the pecans to help caramelize the topping. You can increase or decrease the amount of brown sugar in the recipe based on your sweetness preference.
- Pecans: Sweet potato casserole has a smooth, creamy texture, and the pecans add a much-needed crunch. Walnuts are a good substitute for pecans or substitute with a layer of mini marshmallows.
How to Cook Sweet Potatoes
We prefer the taste and texture of baked sweet potatoes, but they can also be boiled.
Baking: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Wash and scrub the sweet potatoes, then pierce them with a fork several times. Place sweet potatoes on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake for 45-60 minutes or until tender and easily pierced with a fork or knife. Once sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut them in half and scoop out the flesh, placing it in a large bowl.
Boil: Wash and scrub the sweet potatoes, then peel and chop them into large 1-2 inch chunks. Add the potatoes to a large pot of boiling water and cook for about 15 minutes or until they are fork-tender.
How to Make Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole
Here are the quick, step-by-step instructions with visuals; you can find the full instructions, including the exact ingredients, in the recipe card below.
Pro-tip: Bake or Boil? We prefer to bake sweet potatoes to get the best flavor. This step can be done a day or two in advance.
1. Prepare Casserole: To the cooked sweet potatoes, add softened butter, bourbon, brown sugar, and salt. Mix the ingredients using a potato masher until everything is well combined and the sweet potatoes have a slightly smooth consistency. Transfer the sweet potato mixture into a buttered 9 by 13 baking dish.
2. Make the Pecan Topping: For the pecan topping, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and pecans in a medium bowl. Spoon the mixture evenly over the top of the casserole. You can also sprinkle some marshmallows on top if you like.
3. Bake the Casserole: In a preheated 350°F oven, bake the casserole for 25-30 minutes. Allow the casserole to cool for several minutes before serving.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead: Make the sweet potato casserole through step 4 in the recipe instructions below, then cover and refrigerate. It can be made up to 2 days in advance. When you are ready to bake, remove the casserole from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature while the oven preheats. Prepare the pecan topping and add it to the top of the casserole just before baking.
How to Store: Leftovers can be refrigerated for 3 to 4 days in an air-tight container or stored in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. If you made the casserole with a layer of marshmallows, remove them before freezing and add a new layer when you’re ready to reheat.
How to Reheat: Allow frozen sweet potato casserole to thaw in the refrigerator, then transfer it to an oven-safe dish. Cover with foil and reheat at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until heated. To reheat in a microwave, transfer to a microwave-safe dish, cover it, and heat it in one-minute increments until thoroughly heated.
Recipe Tips and Notes
- The sweet potatoes can be roasted up to 2 days in advance and then refrigerated until ready to use.
- Add a pinch of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon to the sweet potato mixture for a little fall flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
More Thanksgiving Recipes to Try
Looking for more Thanksgiving-inspired recipes? Try these other favorites:
- Orange Cranberry Sauce – Skip the can of jellied cranberry sauce. This recipe for homemade cranberry sauce is ready in 15 minutes. Flavored with orange juice and zest, this cranberry sauce must be on your Thanksgiving table.
- Southern Cornbread Dressing – Made with homemade cornbread, celery, onions, and sage, it is a favorite Thanksgiving but also delicious with chicken or pork. This cornbread casserole is the classic comfort food side.
- Mom’s Old Fashioned Thanksgiving Dressing Recipe – This family favorite recipe is moist and perfectly seasoned with sautéd onions, celery, and poultry seasoning. It can easily be made ahead and is perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.
- Whipped Sweet Potatoes – These sweet potatoes are rich, creamy, and finished with brown butter and sage. A savory holiday side dish ready in just over an hour.
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Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole
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Equipment
- Cookie or Baking Sheet
- Large Bowl
- Potato Masher
- 9×13 Casserole Dish
- Medium Bowl
Ingredients
- 4 pounds sweet potatoes, cleaned
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup bourbon
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
Pecan Topping
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 ½ cups chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. With a fork, pierce sweet potatoes several times. Place sweet potatoes on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake for 45-60 minutes. Remove from oven and reduce oven temp to 375°F.
- Once sweet potatoes are cool to handle, cut them in half. Scoop out the flesh and place in a large bowl.
- To the sweet potatoes add the softened butter, bourbon, brown sugar, and salt. Mash ingredients using a potato masher until well combined and sweet potatoes have a slightly smooth consistency.
- Pour the sweet potatoes into a buttered 9×13 casserole dish.
- For the pecan topping, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and pecans in a medium bowl. Stir well to combine then spoon the mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes. Allow the casserole to cool for several minutes before serving.
This looks delicious and easy to make! I will definitely make this soon!
Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!