What’s the Best Sweet Potato Substitute?

2. Pumpkin

Pumpkin can also take the place of sweet potatoes. It’s slightly less sweet, but the soft texture makes it perfect for baking and purees. If convenience is a priority, canned pumpkin is a great choice, but fresh pumpkin works too if you’re up for prepping it.

Best Uses: Baking (pies, muffins), soups, or purees.

3. Carrots

Carrots bring a nice sweetness and bright color to dishes. They’re firmer than sweet potatoes but still versatile enough for roasting or mashing. Grated carrots also work well in baked goods, adding a bit of moisture and natural sweetness.

Best Uses: Stews, roasted sides, or baked goods like muffins or cakes.

4. Parsnips

Parsnips are a great choice if you want something slightly nutty and earthy with a hint of sweetness. They mash well and can also be roasted or blended into soups. Their unique flavor works especially well in savory dishes.

Best Uses: Roasted sides, mashes, or savory soups.

5. Regular Potatoes with Added Sweetener

If you’re working with regular potatoes, don’t worry—they can still work. Since they aren’t naturally sweet, adding a little maple syrup or brown sugar can help mimic the flavor of sweet potatoes.

Best Uses: Soups, casseroles, or mashes.

How to Pick the Right Alternative

Think about the texture your recipe needs. Are you going for something creamy, like mashed sweet potatoes? Or do you need a firmer ingredient for roasting? If sweetness is key, options like butternut squash or carrots are great choices. For something more neutral, regular potatoes with a touch of added sweetener can work.

Ideas for Common Recipes

Here’s how to use these alternatives in a variety of dishes:

• Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Butternut squash or parsnips caramelize beautifully in the oven.

• Sweet Potato Mash: Pumpkin or regular potatoes (with a little added sweetness) create a smooth and satisfying mash.

• Baked Goods: Pumpkin or grated carrots bring moisture and sweetness to recipes like muffins, pies, and cakes.

• Soups and Stews: Butternut squash, parsnips, or carrots blend well and add a touch of sweetness to hearty soups.

Tips for Substituting Sweet Potatoes

• Keep an Eye on Cooking Times: Substitutes like carrots or parsnips may cook faster or slower than sweet potatoes, so check as you go.

• Adjust the Flavor: Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or smoked paprika can help recreate the flavor of dishes that normally call for sweet potatoes.

• Start with Equal Amounts: Use the same quantity of your substitute as the recipe calls for sweet potatoes, then adjust for taste or texture.

Wrapping Up: Alternatives to Sweet Potatoes

If you need a sweet potato substitute, there are plenty of options to choose from. Butternut squash, pumpkin, carrots, parsnips, and even regular potatoes (with a little added sweetness) can all work in your recipes. Each one brings something unique to the table, so with a few small adjustments, you’ll still end up with a dish that tastes just as good.