Last Updated on February 15, 2022 by Anne-Marie

Make crock-pot vegan mashed sweet potatoes with parsnips for Thanksgiving or dinner. Slow cooker sweet potatoes are paleo, gluten and dairy-free.

Why this recipe works

This crock-pot vegan mashed sweet potatoes with parsnips recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving or an every night dinner.

What I love about this side dish recipe is that it frees up oven and stovetop space since the sweet potatoes and parsnips are cooked in a slow cooker.

This way you’re guaranteed to have warm crock pot mashed sweet potatoes right up until serving time all the way until you serve seconds and thirds to your guests!

Why use parsnips in slow cooker mashed sweet potatoes?

This heavenly mashed recipe features two of my favorite root vegetables – sweet potatoes and parsnips. Many folks find sweet potatoes a little too sweet. That’s why I’ve “cut” them with parsnips.

If you aren’t familiar with parsnips, they’re a bit sweet, like carrots, but overly so.

This sweet potato and parsnip mash ratio of 1:1. If you’re a parsnips fan, add more of them, 2 pounds parsnips to 1 pound of sweet potatoes.

That way you have the gorgeousness of the sweet potato color and not so sweet, paleo mashed sweet potatoes dish.

Vegan mashed sweet potatoes, the perfect side dish

Slow cooker sweet potatoes with tasty parsnips are

● vegan,

● gluten-free, and

● dairy-free.

Making vegan mashed sweet potatoes

You don’t need to add any milk or cream to these crockpot mashed sweet potatoes to make them rich and creamy tasting.

All you need is the use the water the vegetables are cooked in and a good non-dairy buttery spread.

Since I’m not vegan, I use I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! It does have a teeny bit of dairy in it, so it’s not vegan.

(I can tolerate ICBINB even with my whey sensitivity, as I can manage small amounts of milk products without any serious side effects.)

However, if you’re allergic to dairy or vegan, use a vegan buttery spread like Earth Balance.

You could also use coconut butter instead of a buttery spread since it would pair well with the parsnips and  sweet potatoes.

Mashed sweet potatoes recipe tips

Adding flavors to this easy mashed sweet potato recipe: I love making this easy crockpot sweet potatoes recipe, but you can jazz it up for the holiday table by:

● topping with toasted chopped pecans or sliced almonds

● sweetening with a sprinkle of brown sugar or a drizzle of maple sugar

● mixing in some vegetable broth or unsweetened coconut milk (instead of using the cooking water)

● adding some vegan tofu sour cream, chopped parsley and chives for a savory mashed sweet potatoes recipe.

● folding in freshly chopped rosemary or thyme

Mashing: While using a hand potato masher is fine, you can use a food processor or a hand blender if you want your mashed sweet potatoes to be super smooth.

Short cuts: Many grocery stores now sell sweet potatoes already peeled and diced during the holidays. Yes, a bit pricey, but a big time saver during your busy Thanksgiving or Christmas cooking.

When you’re shopping 1 pound of sweet potatoes equals about three medium whole or 3-1/2 to 4 cups chopped.

I usually can get the kids to help peel and chop the parsnips and sweet potatoes.

Maybe your kids would like to be making mashed sweet potatoes instead of cleaning their rooms? (HA!) Get those kids peeling and mashing!

Looking for other vegan Thanksgiving recipes?

● Gluten Free Cornbread Stuffing with Chorizo, Squash & Apples (comes with a vegan option)

● Vegan Cornbread with Rosemary

● Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes

● Crockpot Mashed Potatoes (look for the notes on vegan substitutions)

● Keto Pumpkin Mousse (vegan friendly)

● Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce (keto and vegan friendly)

Check out the Best Gluten Free Thanksgiving Desserts Recipes and the Best Keto Thanksgiving Recipes for more delicious recipes for your holiday table.

Originally posted on November 21, 2014. Updated with new pictures and information.