Family Favorite: Rich and Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
When it comes to comfort food, nothing quite beats perfectly rich and creamy garlic mashed potatoes. This creamy mashed potatoes recipe is a family favorite in our household, and with its simple ingredients, rich flavor, and straightforward instructions, is sure to become one in your home as well! Whether you’re serving it with a holiday roast or a weeknight chicken dinner, these mashed potatoes will always be a hit at your dinner table.
This beloved classic graces many Thanksgiving tables, and special occasions, but can also be the perfect simple side dish to any regular weeknight dinner.
You’ll love these creamy mashed potatoes atop our Simple Homemade Shepherd’s Pie, or paired with our Easy Dutch Oven Roast Chicken recipe.
Why You’ll Love These Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
You’ll love these garlic mashed potatoes for their rich and creamy texture, the delicious garlic flavor, and the versatility to pair with almost any meal. This is a great dish to keep in your recipe collection because it uses simple ingredients and delivers the best mashed potatoes every time. The secret ingredient, parsley, adds a fresh, vibrant touch that elevates the dish. Plus, the high starch content of the russet potatoes, and perfect buttery flavor from the generous portion of butter, and just the right amount of sea salt, make these fluffy mashed potatoes hard to resist.
Ingredients You Need and Why
- Russet Potatoes – Their high starch content makes russets ideal for fluffy mashed potatoes because it helps create a light, airy texture that absorbs butter and milk beautifully. When cooked, the starch in russet potatoes gelatinizes, allowing them to break down easily and mash into a smooth consistency.
- Butter – Butter provides a rich texture, enhancing the overall flavor of the mashed potatoes. Butter’s fat content is essential for creating that indulgent, velvety texture that makes mashed potatoes a beloved comfort food. It also helps balance the seasoning and amplifies the savory notes of the garlic and salt.
- Whole Milk – Like butter, milk also helps bind everything together, for a rich and creamy consistency.
- Dried or Fresh Parsley – The secret ingredient that brightens up the dish, adding a fresh, vibrant flavor that complements the rich and creamy mashed potatoes. Parsley introduces a subtle hint of earthiness and a slight peppery note that enhances the overall taste profile without overpowering the other ingredients. The bright green color of fresh parsley also adds a visually appealing contrast to the creamy, pale mashed potatoes,
- salt
- garlic powder
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Peel and chop 2 lbs. russet potatoes
Place potatoes in a large pot of salted water and bring to a boil over high heat
Reduce to medium heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes
- Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot
Begin mashing the potatoes using a regular potato masher, or an electric hand mixer
- Add the melted butter, whole milk, sea salt, dried parsley, and garlic powder. Mix until everything is well combined and the potatoes have a creamy texture
- Adjust seasoning to taste.
Serve immediately for the best flavor
Hint: For the creamiest garlic mashed potatoes, ensure the butter and milk are at room temperature before mixing them with the hot potatoes. This helps to maintain the creamy texture without cooling down the potatoes.
Substitutions
- Milk – Substitute with heavy cream or a mix of cream and sour cream for richer potatoes.
- Butter – I don’t recommend skipping the butter in this recipe, but if you don’t have butter on hand, simply add more milk or sour cream.
- Russet Potatoes – Use Yukon Gold potatoes for smooth buttery texture, or red potatoes for a denser, more rustic vibe.
- Garlic Powder – Mince two fresh garlic cloves for a more intense garlic flavor.
Variations
- Cheesy Garlic Mashed Potatoes – Add 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the potatoes while mixing, then stir until the cheese is fully melted and incorporated for a rich, cheesy flavor that pairs perfectly with the garlic.
Equipment
- Knife and cutting board
- Potato peeler
- Large pot
- Wooden spoon, electric hand mixer, or a regular potato masher
- Measuring cups and spoons
Storage
Store leftover mashed potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat on low heat on the stove, adding a splash of milk to restore the creamy texture.
Top tip
For the fluffiest mashed potatoes, avoid over-mixing. Overworking the potatoes can result in a gummy texture. Mix just until combined and smooth.
FAQ
Yes, you can use sweet potatoes instead of russet potatoes for a different twist on mashed potatoes. I personally prefer sweet potatoes with a sweet flavor profile rather than savory. For a delicious variation, try adding cinnamon and maple syrup to the mashed sweet potatoes. This combination enhances the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes and creates a wonderfully warm and comforting dish.
Keep them warm in a slow cooker on the low setting. Stir occasionally to maintain the creamy texture.
Over-mixing can cause mashed potatoes to become gummy. Mix just until the ingredients are combined for the best texture.
Yes, mashed potatoes are naturally gluten-free. Just check any additional seasonings, to ensure they are also gluten-free.
If your mashed potatoes are too dry, you can easily remedy this by adding more liquid. Gradually add milk, cream, or butter until you achieve the desired consistency.
Yes, you can leave the potato skins on when making mashed potatoes. This method is often used for a more rustic and hearty texture. Leaving the skins on also adds extra fiber and nutrients to the dish. It’s best to use thin-skinned potatoes like red potatoes or Yukon Golds if you plan to leave the skins on, as their skins are tender and less noticeable. Just be sure to wash and scrub the potatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt before cooking.
More Holistic House Recipes
Looking for more wholesome recipes like this? Try these:
Family Favorite: Rich and Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Equipment
- Large pot
- Regular potato masher, wooden spoon, or electric hand mixer
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Knife & cutting board
- Airtight container for storage
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. russet potatoes
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2/3 cup whole milk
- 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp dried parsley or 1/4 cup fresh – finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloved, minced optional, for extra garlic flavor
- 1/4 cup heavy cream optional, for even creamier mashed potatoes
- 1/4 cup sour cream optional. Adds tanginess and creaminess
Instructions
- Peel and chop 2 lbs. russet potatoes
- Place potatoes in a large pot of salted water and bring to a boil over high heat
- Reduce to medium heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes
- Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot
- Begin mashing the potatoes using a regular potato masher, or an electric hand mixer
- Add the melted butter, whole milk, sea salt, dried parsley, and garlic powder
- Optional: For extra creaminess, stir in heavy cream and/or sour cream
- Mix until everything is well combined and the potatoes have a creamy texture
- If using fresh parsley rather than dried, stir that in now.
- Adjust seasoning to taste
- Serve immediately for the best flavor
Notes
- For the creamiest garlic mashed potatoes, ensure the butter and milk are at room temperature before mixing them with the hot potatoes. This helps to maintain the creamy texture without cooling down the potatoes.
