This carrot and swede mash recipe is a lighter alternative to mashed potato and a flavour packed and vibrant winter side dish that would be perfect with any roast dinner. A comforting mash, but a great way to increase your vegetable intake.
Carrots and swede are both very budget friendly ingredients, and they make a delicious mash. If you want something a bit lighter than potatoes, then swede and carrot mash ticks that box and it's packed full of nutrients too. We have kept our mashed carrot and swede simple with just a bit of butter and salt and pepper, but we have given some other add-ins below.
If you are looking for some other mash recipes, then why not try our Root Vegetable Mash, Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes, Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes, or Mustard Mash.
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Why you will love it
- Lower carb alternative - If you find mashed potatoes a bit too heavy, then this is a light and lower carb alternative.
- One of your five a day - It's a comforting mash, but packed full of nutrients.
- Easy - This mashed carrot and swede couldn't be easier to make. Just cook them and then mash them up to your desired consistency.
- Can be prepared in advance - You could make this carrot and swede mash and then freeze it for another day, or reheat it later that day.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Carrots - This is what gives a lovely vibrant colour to the mashed swede and adds a nice sweetness. You usually get quite a few carrots in vegetable boxes, so these carrot and swede mash is a good way to use them up.
- Swede - Also known as rutabaga, a swede is a starchy and nutty root vegetable and it is used in a similar way to potatoes. You peel it and chop it into chunks.
- Butter - This helps to make a smooth mash, and also makes it nice and creamy.
- Salt and pepper - Generously season.
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
How to make carrot and swede mash - Step by step
One: Add the chopped carrot and chopped swede to a pan.
Two: Cover with boiled water. Bring back to the boil and then simmer for 20 minutes.
Three: Drain and return to the pan. Mash to your desired consistency.
Four: Add the butter, salt and pepper. Stir well until the butter has melted.
Variations
If you want to make really creamy carrot and swede mash, then we have some suggestions for you. Mash has to be creamy in my opinion. I don't like lumps in it, so I like it nice and smooth with a creamy consistency. We do this by adding a little bit of milk and herb creamy cheese after the vegetables have been mashed.
You can use grated cheddar, or a plain cream cheese, but I think a herb cream cheese adds lots of extra flavour. To add some warmth to this swede and carrot mash, add a pinch of smoked paprika and cinnamon.
If you want to add some more vegetables to this, then why not add some sweet potato and parsnip, like in our Vegetable Mash recipe? Mashing in a tin of butter beans makes it more filling and protein packed too.
How to serve swede and carrot mash
We serve it with sausages, chicken, or any kind of roast meat on a Sunday. However, this creamy vegetable mash makes a great topping for shepherd's pie, cottage pie or our Sausage and Mash Pie. A traditional comfort food dish that you can give a little vegetable boost to.
If you are looking for serve with with a roast dinner then we have some delicious suggestions for you. For the meat, try our Slow Cooker Gammon, Slow Cooker Roast Beef or Slow Cooker Lamb Shoulder.
When it comes to other side dishes, this carrot and swede mash goes really well with our Perfect Roast Potatoes, Sage and Onion Stuffing Balls, Air Fryer Pigs in Blankets, Slow Cooker Red Cabbage, Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Microwave Broccoli.
Frequently Asked Questions
The recipe below is for mash made on the hob, but we often make it in the microwave too. What is the advantage of making it in the microwave? It takes less time, and it saves space on the hob which is essential when you are cooking for a big crowd.
To make it in the microwave, just add all the vegetables to a microwavable bowl, cover and then cook for 8 minutes. Then mash and continue to follow the instructions below.
You can store leftovers in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days and it can be reheated in the microwave.
Yes, you can can freeze this side dish and it would save you even more time when you are making a roast dinner. To freeze, wait until the mash has cooled down and then add big scoops on to a lined baking tray (so you have several mounds of mash) and then put in the freezer.
Once they are frozen, you can put them in a freezer bag and back in the freezer, and then take out a lump as and when you need it.
You can reheat it on the hob, in the oven or in the microwave. We like to make a double batch and freeze it for use later.
Once you have drained the carrots and swede, leave the to steam in the drainer for 5 minutes before adding them back in to the pan to mash.
Extra tips
• Feel free to use a mixture of vegetables, and you could even add some broccoli and cauliflower too.
• You don't have to make this mash creamy, but a little bit of milk and some cream cheese make it extra creamy and comforting.
• If you are going to freeze the mash, make sure it has plenty of fat added to it otherwise it won't freeze successfully.
• Make sure you cut the carrot and swede to similar sizes so they all cook at the same rate. You don't want any undercooked chunks, as they will not mash well.
• If you want a smoother carrot and swede mash, more like a puree, then put it in a food processor and pulse it until it is the consistency that you want. We like it with some chunks in it. Swede is harder than potato, so you will never get a smooth mash like with potato.
• You could roast the carrots and swede instead of boiling them, which would intensify the flavour.
More roast dinner side dish recipes
If you’ve tried this carrot and swede mash recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Carrot and Swede Mash
Ingredients
- 600 g (1.33 lb) Swede (rutabaga) - diced
- 600 g (1.33 lb) Carrots - diced
- 2 tablespoon Butter
- 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Add the chopped carrot and chopped swede to a pan.
- Cover with boiled water. Bring back to the boil and then simmer for 20 minutes.
- Drain and return to the pan. Mash to your desired consistency.
- Add the butter, salt and pepper. Stir well until the butter has melted.
Notes
- Feel free to use a mixture of vegetables, and you could even add some broccoli and cauliflower too.
- You don't have to make this mash creamy, but a little bit of milk and some cream cheese make it extra creamy and comforting.
- If you are going to freeze the mash, make sure it has plenty of fat added to it otherwise it won't freeze successfully.
- Make sure you cut the carrot and swede to similar sizes so they all cook at the same rate. You don't want any undercooked chunks, as they will not mash well.
- If you want a smoother carrot and swede mash, more like a puree, then put it in a food processor and pulse it until it is the consistency that you want. We like it with some chunks in it. Swede is harder than potato, so you will never get a smooth mash like with potato.
- You could roast the carrots and swede instead of boiling them, which would intensify the flavour.
Nutritional Information
Stephanie
I'm excited to try this. I love mashed potatoes, but I don't love the carbs in them. These look like a delicious alternative.
Beth
The perfect side to a Sunday roast. Carrot and swede go so well together.
Beth
That looks amazing! I've never seen a mashed rutabaga recipe before. I can't wait to try it. Sounds delicious.
Tayler
I made this mash with dinner last night and it was amazing! Definitely going to make again for Thanksgiving next week!
Aimee Mars
So delicious! I did a test run and wanted to practice before Thanksgiving - so glad I did because now I'm extra excited to make this and share with family.
Dana
Love this! I always loved mashing my carrots or rutabaga into my mashed potatoes at dinner, so this blend really speaks to me.
Jen
That's definitely a great alternative to mashed potatoes!! Amazing!
Toni
This quickly became a favorite at my house! My kids loved it!
Savita
Such a comfort side dish to my winter dinner. Loved the recipe so easy and simple.
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
This is my husband's favourite way to eat swede. The flavour balance is perfect and lashings of black pepper too.