The Trader Joe’s Way to Make Sweet Potatoes 10x Better

Sweet potatoes are a Southern staple, beloved for their naturally sweet flavor and incredible versatility. Whether baked, mashed, roasted or turned into a pie, they bring comfort and nourishment to any meal.

Being from the South, I know lots of great sweet potato recipes, but I'm always looking for new ways to enjoy them. I love a creative twist that blends sweet and savory flavors and Cook's Illustrated (@cooksillustrated) recently shared a sweet potato recipe that I have to try right away!

Cook’s Illustrated is a respected culinary magazine and online resource known for its rigorously tested recipes. Their team of expert chefs and food scientists is dedicated to perfecting recipes, ensuring they deliver the best flavor, texture and technique. If they say to try something, I will!

When I spied their Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Thyme-Everything Topping I knew it was a must-try and I also instantly knew how I'd streamline the recipe to help me get it on the table faster.

Related: Patti LaBelle's Easy Candied Sweet Potatoes Capture the Essence of Soul Food

😋😋 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter 🍳🍔

Why You Should Add Everything Bagel Seasoning to Sweet Potatoes

Mashed sweet potatoes on their own have a creamy, smooth texture and natural sweetness, making them a fantastic side dish. But when you add everything bagel seasoning—like my favorite Everything But the Bagel Seasoning from Trader Joe's—you introduce a whole new dimension of flavor with just one shake. This seasoning blend, which is a mix of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and sea salt, brings a savory, nutty crunch that perfectly contrasts the smooth sweetness of the potatoes.

Cook's Illustrated also added fresh thyme to the potatoes, which adds a fresh hit of herbal, slightly citrusy flavor.

The natural caramelized notes of the sweet potatoes pair really well with the garlicky, oniony and slightly salty crunch of the seasoning. The sesame seeds add an extra layer of nuttiness, making the dish feel more complex and satisfying, and the thyme gives it a fresh taste. The topping also adds a bit of texture, keeping the mashed sweet potatoes from feeling too one-dimensional.

Related: 30+ Ways to Use Trader Joe’s Iconic Everything But the Bagel Seasoning, According to Super Fans

How To Make Everything Bagel Sweet Potatoes

You can click here to see the full Cook's Illustrated recipe, but they suggest boiling the sweet potatoes, draining them, then putting them back in the pot and cooking them for a few more minutes to dry them out and concentrate their flavor a bit more.

That sounds like a great method, but you can also bake them, boil them using a method you prefer—or even microwave them (we won't tell!).

Once you have your mashed sweet potatoes, mix in some butter or a drizzle of olive oil for extra richness and season with salt. You could also add a splash of cream or a bit of Greek yogurt for added creaminess.

And now, it's time for the topping. the Cook's Illustrated recipe includes a recipe for DIY everything bagel seasoning, which includes some chopped fresh thyme, but I'll be keeping things easy by stirring the thyme into the mashed sweet potatoes and sprinkling TJ's Everything But the Bagel Seasoning on top. For an extra special touch, I might also drizzle the dish with a bit of hot honey to enhance the sweet-savory contrast even more.

This dish works wonderfully as a side for grilled chicken or even as a fun addition to a brunch spread. You could also use the potatoes as a base for a grain bowl, topping them with sautéed greens, roasted chickpeas and/or a fried egg.

Trying new variations of sweet potatoes keeps things exciting, and this simple twist is a great way to shake up a classic dish. Whether you’re already a sweet potato lover or looking for new ways to enjoy them, this recipe is definitely worth a try!

Up Next: 

Related: The Easy Way to Get Perfectly Boiled Sweet Potatoes Every Time