Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes: A Comfort Food Favorite

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Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes: A Comfort Food Favorite

Garlic mashed potatoes are one of those recipes that feel like home the moment you set the pot on the stove. They’re the kind of side dish that quietly steals the show. Rich, comforting, and familiar in that generational-wisdom kind of way.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: 30 minute recipe, holiday recipe, potato recipe, side dish recipe, thanksgiving recipe

Servings: Servings

Calories: 269kcal

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Equipment

Large pot

Serving Bowl

Ingredients

3 Pounds Potatoes Yukon Gold or Russet, peeled and cubed
5 Garlic Cloves minced (or more to taste!)
1/2 Cup Butter
¾ Cup Milk warmed or half-and-half
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Add potatoes to a large pot and cover with cold, salted water.
3 Pounds Potatoes
Bring to a boil and cook until fork tender, about 15–20 minutes.
In a small pan, melt butter and gently sauté minced garlic for 1–2 minutes, until fragrant but not browned.
5 Garlic Cloves, 1/2 Cup Butter
Drain potatoes and return them to the warm pot.
Mash by hand, then pour in the garlic butter and warm milk.
¾ Cup Milk
Continue mashing until smooth and creamy.
Season generously with salt and pepper.
Salt and pepper to taste
Serve warm with a pat of butter on top.

Notes

Helpful Tips for Perfect Mashed Potatoes

Choose the Right Potatoes

Russets give you fluffy mashed potatoes, while Yukon Golds create a naturally creamy texture with a buttery flavor. A mix of both is pure magic.

Don’t Skip the Salted Water

Salting the cooking water seasons the potatoes from the inside out.

Warm Your Dairy

Warm milk, cream, or half-and-half blend smoothly without cooling the potatoes down.

Mash—Don’t Overmix

A potato masher gives rustic, fluffy results. A mixer works, but too much mixing can make potatoes gummy.

How Much Mashed Potato Per Person

Planning for a crowd? Here’s a helpful guide:

Adults: 1 cup per person
Kids: ½ cup per person
Big gatherings: 1¼ cups per person
3 lbs of potatoes yields roughly 6–8 servings

Scaling the recipe up or down is easy, making it perfect for family dinners, holiday spreads, or potluck events.

Seasoning Tips for Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Getting the flavor just right makes all the difference with mashed potatoes. Here’s how to make yours perfectly seasoned and delicious every time:

Salt the Cooking Water

Add 1–2 teaspoons of kosher salt per quart (liter) of water when boiling the potatoes.
This seasons the potatoes from the inside out. Don’t worry about over-salting—potatoes absorb salt beautifully.

Butter & Dairy

Use good-quality butter—the flavor makes a huge difference.
Add warm milk, cream, or half-and-half slowly while mashing to reach your desired creaminess.
For extra richness, consider folding in sour cream or cream cheese.

Garlic Flavor

Fresh garlic cloves sautéed gently in butter give the best aroma and depth.
For a milder flavor, boil the garlic with the potatoes, then mash them together.
Roasted garlic adds a sweet, caramelized flavor that pairs beautifully with the creaminess.

Taste as You Go

After mashing, taste and adjust with additional salt, pepper, or a small pat of butter.
Freshly cracked black pepper adds a subtle kick and balances the richness.

Optional Extras

Fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or rosemary can be stirred in at the end.
A sprinkle of grated Parmesan or a drizzle of brown butter adds an extra layer of flavor.

Homestead Tip: Start simple, taste, then layer in extras. This ensures every bite is flavorful without overwhelming the creamy potato base.

Nutrition