Buttery Carrot and Swede Mash is smooth, creamy, and absolutely delicious. It’s a healthy side dish that’s a fantastic alternative to potato-based options.
Carrot and swede mash makes a great alternative to mashed potato, or an extra serving of veggies to go with your potatoes.
It’s tasty, colourful, and super easy to make. It’s something that I wish I had more often every time I make it!
*This post may contain affiliate links to products I find useful when making this recipe. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.*
Why I Love Carrot and Swede Mash
This delicious side is popular in our house because:
- Carrot and swede are both excellent sources of fibre and lower carb than potatoes.
- It’s an easy way to add extra veggies, especially if you are having it instead of mashed potato.
- It adds some colour to your plate.
- It’s great if you are on a low-carb diet and looking for new flavours on your meal plan.
- The slightly sweet flavour makes it perfect for kids. It’s also fantastic for younger and weaning children.
- You can easily add other flavours to an easy carrot and swede mash recipe. I like buttery mash, but there are plenty of alternatives.
- It’s a warming, comforting winter dish.
Skip To
Ingredients For Carrot and Swede Mash
All you need for this recipe for carrot and Swede mash is:
Carrots
Swede
Butter
Milk
Salt and Black Pepper
You can add other flavours, but this is a great start. To be honest, it’s probably my favourite.
You’ll Also Need
As well as the ingredients you’ll need:
- Potato peeler
- Sharp knife
- Chopping board
- Large saucepan
- Colander or sieve
- Potato masher or a stick blender. While I mash potatoes by hand, I prefer the smoother texture you get when you whizz mashed swede with a blender. Using a stick means that you can do it directly in the pan.
That’s it!
How to Make Carrot and Swede Mash – Step-by-Step Instructions
Swede and carrot mash is super simple, like most classic sides.
Full, easy-to-follow instructions and quantities are available in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step One
Peel and chop the swede. I actually think this is the hardest part.
I find that chopping the top and bottom off the swede and then cutting it into four makes it easier to peel.
Then dice it into 1-2 cm chunks.
Peel and slice the same weight of carrots.
Step Two
Place the carrot and swede in a large saucepan and cover with water. Add a pinch of salt.
Step Three
Place the pan on the hob over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat if necessary.
Step Four
Simmer for 20-30 minutes until the swede is soft.
Stab a chunk with a knife to check. I tend to take a bit out with a fork and eat it, after a good cooling blow!
Step Five
Drain thoroughly and return to the pan.
Step Six
Return the pan to the hob over a very low heat. Toss thoroughly for 2-3 minutes to cook off any water.
Step Seven
Return the veg to the colander and set to one side.
Step Eight
Add the butter to the same, now empty, pan and add a pinch of salt and pepper and a small splash of milk (you can always add more later if needed). Melt the butter over low heat, stirring often.
Step Nine
Remove from the heat and tip the swede and carrots into the pan with the melted butter.
Step Ten
Mash thoroughly or whizz with a stick blender until smooth, adding a little more milk if needed.
Serve straight away.
What to Serve with Carrot and Swede Mash
As a Side
Mashed carrot and swede makes a fantastic side dish with things like a Sunday roast dinner, or something simpler like sausages or pork chops.
It can be a healthy alternative to mashed potatoes but can also be served with potatoes. We’ll often have roast potatoes and carrot swede mash with our roast.
Carrot and Swede Mash Potato Topping
Another option is using it as a topping for things like cottage pie. This is an easy way to make your favourite comfort food a little healthier.
If I’m using it as a topping, I’ll often add less butter, so it’s thicker and chunkier.
Variations
Vegan Carrot and Swede Mash
If you want a vegan carrot and sweet mash, swap the butter for either olive oil or a vegan spread. You might need a little less, as these are liquid-based.
Add Thyme
A teaspoon of ground thyme or fresh, chopped time is a great addition, and thyme works really well with swede.
Add Spices to Mashed Carrot and Swede
A little ground nutmeg is a popular addition to swede carrot mash. Other spices like paprika can be lovely, too. Just add a little at a time and taste before adding more.
Carrot and Swede Mash with Garlic Butter
Add a crushed clove of garlic or 1/2 teaspoon of garlic puree to the butter when you melt it for a garlic butter.
Another option is to add a teaspoon of dark brown sugar, which can really highlight the mash’s sweetness.
Leftovers
Leftover carrot and swede mash can be reheated in the microwave for a few minutes or in a pan over medium heat.
If you are reheating in a pan, stir often, and add a splash of milk if it’s too thick.
Another option is using the air fryer. If your machine has a reheat setting, use this and stir every now and then to stop the top from crisping. If not, warm at 150 degrees C. How long it takes will depend on how much mash you’ve got, so start at 5 minutes.
Storage
Store leftovers in a covered bowl or tub in the fridge for up to three days.
Does Carrot and Swede Mash Freeze Well?
You can freeze carrots and swede mash. Keep in an airtight tub and freeze for up to two months.
Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
FAQ
Your carrot and swede mash might be watery because you didn’t drain the veg thoroughly.
Return to the pan and toss over a low heat to remove excess water before mashing.
You may also have added too much milk. Start with only a tiny splash and add a little more if necessary later.
Yes, swede mash is lower in calories and higher in fibre than potato. It also counts as one of your five a day.
Yes, it is high in fibre and nutrients.
Thyme, garlic, salt and pepper, carrots, butternut squash, and sweet potato all work well with swede.
Yes, you can make carrots and swede mash to reheat later.
Carrot and swede mash is sometimes called rutabaga mash. This is just another name for Swede.
Other Recipes
Other recipes you might like include:
- Leftover Vegetable Curry
- Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Curry
- Pork and Apple Casserole
- Leftover Lamb Shepherd’s Pie
- Lamb Traybake with Swede
- Haggis Cottage Pie
Recipe Card
Carrot and Swede Mash
Ingredients
- 400 g Carrots (Peeled and roughly sliced)
- 400 g Swede (Peeled and diced into 1-2cm chunks)
- 50 g Butter
- Splash Semi-Skimmed Milk
- Pinch Salt and Black Pepper
Instructions
- Place the carrot and swede in a large saucepan and cover with water.
- Add a pinch of salt.
- Place the pan on the hob over medium heat and bring to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat if necessary.
- Simmer for 20-30 minutes until the swede is soft.
- Drain thoroughly and return to the saucepan.
- Return the saucepan to the hob over very low heat.
- Toss thoroughly for 2-3 minutes to remove any water.
- Remove the veg from the pan and set to one side.
- Add the butter to the same pan with a pinch of salt and pepper and a small splash of milk.
- Melt the butter over low heat, stirring often.
- Remove from the heat.
- Carefully tip the drained swede and carrots into the pan with the melted butter.
- Mash thoroughly or whizz with a stick blender until smooth, adding a little more milk if needed.
Notes
- I’ve listed 400g of carrot and swede, but as long as they are even, it doesn’t really matter. Weigh your peeled swede and match it with carrots. If you have more or less, remember to adjust the butter and milk, too.
Any nutritional information is given as a general guide only and may not be accurate. The information is provided using an online calculator and is specific to my ingredients. Please make your own calculations if you want precise information.
