Experience the simplicity of Easy Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, featuring red bliss potatoes, garlic, milk, and butter, all in just 30 minutes. Elevate the classic side dish to a new level of delight.
Rediscover Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Garlic Mashed Potatoes hold a cherished place as a go-to side dish for holiday gatherings. Crafted from unpeeled red potatoes, garlic, butter, and milk, these potatoes offer a sublime blend of smooth creaminess with a delightful hint of skin’s crunch. What makes this recipe truly special is how effortlessly and quickly it comes together – in just half an hour! This timeless crowd-pleaser can comfortably feed a large gathering, captivating both adults and kids alike.
We’ve picked up a clever trick from the legendary Ina Garten that guarantees the most tender and creamy potato side dish infused with rich garlic flavor. The secret lies in ensuring the garlic is cooked before incorporating it into the potatoes. You’ll save time by merely smashing the garlic cloves and adding them to the boiling potato water. Can you boil potatoes with garlic? Absolutely! Boiling garlic alongside the potatoes allows both to become tender simultaneously. This eliminates the need for separate chopping or cooking. This single trick will transform you into the star of your dinner party. Your guests will savor a creamy, subtle garlic essence without encountering any chunks of garlic or the grainy texture of powdered varieties.
How to Craft Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Scrub the potatoes clean (no need to peel) and cut them into quarters.
- Crush the garlic by placing it on a cutting board and using either a heavy plate or the flat side of your knife to crush it with your palm.
- Combine the potatoes and crushed garlic in a large stockpot, ensuring they are covered with water by approximately two inches.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Drain the water thoroughly, then add the butter, milk, salt, and pepper.
- Mash the mixture well using a potato masher until creamy, which typically takes 3-5 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I boil water before adding potatoes?
No. An essential tip about mashed potatoes: always start with cold water. No need to be meticulous – fill the pot with water above the level of the potatoes, bring it to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. This method ensures even cooking and prevents the outer potato layers from overcooking and becoming mealy before the interiors are done.
Why should I boil garlic with the potatoes for Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes?
By simmering smashed garlic cloves alongside the potatoes, you achieve three objectives. Firstly, you infuse the potato chunks with garlic’s flavor. Secondly, you mellow the garlic’s taste. Finally, you soften the garlic cloves, making them easy to smash and blend.
How do I make Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes?
If boiled garlic isn’t your preference, and you desire the toasty, caramelized flavor of roasted garlic, simply use roasted garlic cloves instead. When preparing roasted garlic mashed potatoes, remember not to boil the garlic, as its flavors have already been mellowed through roasting. Boiling garlic would dilute its flavor and texture. Skip that step and transform the roasted garlic cloves into a paste as best you can before adding them to the drained and cooked potato chunks, along with the butter, milk, salt, and pepper.
How many potatoes should I use per person for mashed potatoes?
Potatoes weigh more than they appear, so consider half a pound of raw potatoes per serving when calculating the quantity for mashed potatoes. Red potatoes are generally sold in 3lb. packages, while russet potatoes come in 5 and 10-pound bags. Remember that red potatoes aren’t peeled, so their weight remains intact, whereas russet potatoes may lose 5-10% of their weight during preparation.
Key Ingredients in Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Potatoes: Red potatoes, with their tender skin and creamy flesh, are the ideal choice for this Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe. Look for firm, waxy potatoes without blemishes or shriveled skin. Store them in a cool, dark place until ready for use.
- Garlic: For the best flavor, opt for fresh garlic cloves. Avoid jarred garlic or garlic powder in mashed potatoes. If you desire a stronger garlic essence, increase the number of cloves to your preference.
- Butter: Always use unsalted butter for cooking, allowing you to control the recipe’s salt content. Chopping the butter into chunks ensures it incorporates seamlessly into the hot potatoes.
- Milk: Whole milk imparts a creamy texture to the buttery potatoes.
Can Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes be Prepared in Advance?
Certainly! To save time on a hectic holiday, you can prepare your mashed potatoes a day ahead. Store them tightly covered in the refrigerator overnight. When ready to serve, reheat them gently on the stovetop, adding a bit more butter or milk if needed. If you desire a golden top, spread the mashed potatoes in a baking dish, add a pat of butter on top, and bake in a 325-degree oven for 20-30 minutes.
Variations on Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Potatoes: If red potatoes aren’t your preference, feel free to substitute them with other varieties like Yukon gold potatoes, russet potatoes (you may want to peel these), or even sweet potatoes.
- Cheese: Enhance your Garlic Mashed Potatoes by adding Parmesan cheese, creating Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes. Freshly grated cheese is recommended, as pre-shredded varieties can impart a gritty texture. Experiment with different cheese types such as cheddar, gruyere, fontina, gouda, blue cheese, or goat cheese.
- Dairy: For an even richer and more luxurious side dish, replace milk with heavy cream. Alternatively, incorporate cream cheese or sour cream for added tanginess and creaminess.
- Seasonings: Beyond salt and pepper, elevate your simple side dish with red pepper flakes, paprika, or a touch of Dijon mustard. Sprinkle in chopped fresh chives, thyme, rosemary, or dill for a fresh, herby twist on Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes. For an indulgent touch, drizzle with truffle oil.
- Add-ins: Consider mixing in cooked, chopped bacon for the perfect accompaniment to a holiday brunch.
How to Store Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Serve: Avoid leaving Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
- Store: Garlic Mashed Potatoes can be refrigerated for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a bit of butter or milk if necessary.
- Freeze: If you need to store them for an extended period, allow the mashed potatoes to cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe plastic bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator before reheating.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds red potatoes
- 3 cloves garlic
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
Instructions
- Scrub the red potatoes clean (no need to peel them) and cut them into quarters.
- Crush the garlic cloves by placing them on a cutting board and using either a heavy plate or the flat side of your knife, crush them with your palm.
- Place the potatoes and crushed garlic into a large stockpot, ensuring they are covered with water by about two inches.
- Bring the water to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Drain the water very thoroughly, then add in the butter, milk, salt, and pepper.
- Mash the mixture well with a potato masher until it becomes creamy, which typically takes 3-5 minutes.
Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, a classic side dish with a twist, allows you to savor the rich flavors of red bliss potatoes, garlic, milk, and butter in just 30 minutes. Elevate your culinary creations with this delightful recipe, perfect for any occasion. Whether you prepare it for a holiday feast or a casual gathering, these Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes will always impress your guests with their irresistible taste and texture. Enjoy the simplicity of this classic dish, reinvented with a touch of elegance.
