one of the best and most classic thanksgiving side dishes is of course sweet potato casserole. this vegan sweet potato casserole has all the classic flavors and of course vegan marshmallows!
the inspiration
If you asked a bunch of people what they love to have as a side dish on Thanksgiving you will get a million different answers. However, I think a very popular one would be sweet potato casserole.
Now, there are a few ways to make sweet potato casserole. Some people will do a pecan streusel-like topping, others do marshmallows, and others combine. My mom always did the marshmallows on top and it was our favorite.
So, of course I had to do my own vegan sweet potato casserole. I did share a vegan sweet potato casserole years ago, but I wanted to give it a little update and write a formal blog post for it.
the ingredients
- Sweet Potatoes: of course for vegan sweet potato casserole we need sweet potatoes! You will need about 3-4 depending on how big the sweet potatoes are. For very large sweet potatoes you can do 2.
- Vegan Butter: vegan butter helps to add creaminess and flavor to the vegan sweet potato casserole. You can use any vegan butter you like, I prefer either Miyoko’s or Country Crock Plant Butter.
- Organic Brown Sugar: the brown sugar adds in a little extra sweetness which pairs perfectly with the natural sweetness in the sweet potatoes.
- Non-Dairy Milk: you may or may not need this. Use any non-dairy milk you like I just say to stay away from coconut milk as it can add flavor you may or may not like. I like Ripple Pea Protein milk, you can use almond, oat, cashew, or soy milk. Any one that you like.
- Vegan Yogurt or Vegan Sour Cream: I love adding in some vegan sour cream or vegan yogurt it adds in a nice tang and acidity that cuts through some of the sweetness.
- Ground Cinnamon: the cinnamon adds nice warmth and flavor.
- Vegan Marshmallows: finally, the true star of our show, are vegan marshmallows. The Dandies brand are definitely the best option out there. I know for a while Trader Joe’s had vegan marshmallows as well.
Sweet Potato Casserole History
Sweet potato casserole has its roots in early American cooking, where sweet potatoes were a staple crop in the South. The dish as we know it today was made popular in the early 1900s after a marshmallow company published a recipe to promote its product. Over time, it became a beloved and staple holiday side dish!
how to make vegan sweet potato casserole
This is definitely one of the easiest side dishes to make, in my opinion, and it is also very easy to get your kids involved in. Now, if you have a different way of doing things, go for it, this is just how my mom taught me how to make it.
- Peel the sweet potatoes.
- Cut the sweet potatoes into quarters.
- Cook the sweet potatoes for 30 to 40 minutes over medium high heat until fork tender. Slightly less than a full on boil. Then, drain the sweet potatoes leaving about ¼ cup (60ml) of water still in the pot.
- Mash the potatoes with the back of fork or a potato masher if you have one. The sweet potatoes will be very soft. Then, add in the organic brown sugar, vegan yogurt, vegan butter, non-dairy milk, and cinnamon.
- Mash and mix together until it is smooth and creamy.
- Transfer the sweet potatoes into a baking or casserole dish. I used a smaller one that is a bit deep. So, if you want there to be a thinner layer of sweet potatoes then use a larger dish.
- Add the vegan marshmallows on top. Feel free to add as many you like! Some people like the whole thing to be covered completely. It is your choice.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the marshmallows are gooey and a little golden brown.
serving the vegan sweet potato casserole
Now, this side dish is best served fresh and hot from the oven. The marshmallows are still gooey and everything is warm. So, definitely leave this for one of the last things to come out of the oven.
variations and substitutions
I do really believe simple is better when it comes to most things. It definitely is better here. However, I understand some people like different things and like to make changes.
So, you can have fun and add some nuts. I think pecans or walnuts are great. You can also make more of a streusel topping like I did with these Vegan Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes.
You may also want to add in more spices like some nutmeg or even a bit of ground ginger. Another thing that would add nice flavor is a little bit of vanilla extract.
Instead of using organic brown sugar you can swap in maple syrup or agave for a bit of a different flavor as well.
more thanksgiving recipes
why you’ll love this recipe
If you have never had any sort of sweet potato casserole, vegan or not, you are in for a real treat. The flavor is so delicious and to be honest it really is more like a dessert than anything. However, the sweetness pairs so well with all the savory side dishes.
This is a great recipe to get your family involved in because if they are old enough they can help with peeling and mashing! You can also make this ahead of time by making the mashed sweet potatoes and chilling them in the fridge. Then, right before you serve add the vegan marshmallows and bake in the oven.
vegan sweet potato casserole faq
Yes! It is gluten and soy free. Depending on the vegan butter you use it is also nut free.
Just place them in a container and they will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Use them on a Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich, yum!
I personally like this dish to be sweet. I find the salt in the vegan butter is enough for me. However, if you like things to be a bit salty you can always add it into taste.
No. You can always use a food processor or even a stand mixer.
over 75 amazing vegan recipes
Get My Cookbook, Plantiful!
“A fantastic cookbook that stands by itself outside a specific vegan genre. Inspirational and well thought out. I especially liked the early sections which have a great deal of explanation, clearly a lot of thought has gone into every page. If you are a vegan, vegetarian or just looking at adding in different ideas you should be this book! Essential for any kitchen library.”
Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole
Ingredients
- 3-4 small sweet potatoes peeled and quartered (around 1.3 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons organic brown sugar
- ½ cup vegan yogurt or vegan sour cream
- 1 ½ tablespoons vegan butter
- 2 tablespoons non-dairy milk, unsweetened and unflavored
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ cups vegan marshmallows
Instructions
- Cook the sweet potatoes in water for 30 to 40 minutes over medium high heat until fork tender. Slightly less than a full on boil.
- Then, drain the sweet potatoes leaving about ¼ cup (60ml) of water still in the pot.
- Preheat the oven too 400°F (204°C).
- Mash the potatoes with the back of fork or a potato masher if you have one. The sweet potatoes will be very soft.
- Then, add in the organic brown sugar, vegan yogurt, vegan butter, non-dairy milk, and cinnamon. Mash and mix together until it is smooth and creamy.
- Transfer the sweet potatoes into a baking or casserole dish. I used a smaller one that is a bit deep. So, if you want there to be a thinner layer of sweet potatoes then use a larger dish.
- Add the vegan marshmallows on top. Feel free to add as many you like! Some people like the whole thing to be covered completely. It is your choice.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the marshmallows are gooey and a little golden brown.
Video
Notes
- Nutrition facts are based on my gram measurements put into Cronometer. Yours may vary, they are to help you get an idea.
- Please do not repost recipes without my permission. Sharing a direct link is always highly encouraged and appreciated.
- For any questions you may have please refer to the FAQ above the recipe card.
Nutrition
Did you try this recipe? Tag me on Instagram @plantifullybased to let me know how it went. If you enjoyed this recipe please be sure to leave a comment or review, it is so helpful for the blog. Thank you!
Plantifully Based® is part of the Amazon Affiliate Partner Program. Links on here may be from Amazon or other affiliate programs. If you decide to purchase through a link I will receive a small commission. This helps to run the blog and make more recipes.
hey there!
Hey, I’m Francesca!
Thank you for checking out my recipe! I am happy to have you here and hope you explore more delicious vegan recipes.
Leave a Reply