Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe

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Fluffy, creamy, and indescribably cozy, my herb and Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe is one that you’re sure to love. This easy recipe can be made in one pan or pot under 30 minutes, making it the perfect way to add a little starchy goodness to any weeknight meal.

mashed potatoes served in an oval ceramic bowl kept on a slate grey wooden board. garnished with some finely chopped parsley and rosemary.

About Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Potatoes are one of my favorite veggies – they’re starchy, filling, and oh so versatile. You can add them to rice, curries, sandwiches, or even raita. As much as I love the humble spud in all its many forms, I hold a special place in my heart for mashed potatoes.

Basic mashed potatoes are simply made with potatoes, milk, butter, salt and pepper. The potatoes are cooked till tender. The cooked potatoes are then strained and mashed with warm milk, butter, salt and pepper.

Once you know the basic formula for making what I affectionately call “mashies,” there are tons of ways for you to spice them up to your own liking. Here’s what I like to add to mine:

  • Garlic – Garlic adds a lovely mildly nutty flavor to these mashed potatoes to take their flavor over the top. Feel free to swap in other alliums of your choice – chives are another excellent option, as are caramelized onions.
  • Herbs – Personally I prefer to use fresh herbs, but you can certainly use dried if you don’t have any fresh on hand. The herbs can change depending on your mood and what you are serving with your mashed potatoes. Try anything from cilantro or parsley to tarragon or rosemary.
  • Black pepper – When it comes to black pepper, freshly crushed is the name of the game; it just has so much more flavor than ground black pepper powder!
  • Fat – You can use either or both butter and extra virgin olive oil (evoo). I have made mashed potatoes with both on various occasions and both work fine.
  • Milk – For a rich, creamy version, I suggest using whole milk. For vegan mashed potatoes, coconut milk or almond milk works well. Please note that with coconut milk, you will get a slight coconut taste in the mashed potatoes.

I generally make enough quantity of mashed potatoes so that there are no leftovers. Yet, one can easily half or double or triple this recipe and make it for small parties or gatherings.

a portion of garlic mashed potatoes scooped with a fork from the bowl.
Step-by-Step Guide

How To Make Mashed Potatoes

Making flavored mashed potatoes is quite easy. Here’s how it’s done:

Prep Potatoes

1. Rinse 500 grams of potatoes in water using a colander. Brush off any mud if needed. Rinse well. Drain the water and then peel the potatoes.

rinsed and peeled potatoes on a wooden surface.

2. Chop them in 1.5 to 2 inches cubes.

chopped potatoes.

3. Place chopped potatoes in a pan (3 litres or 3 quarts size). Add ½ teaspoon salt.

chopped potatoes and salt placed in a pan.

4. Pour in 2 cups of water and stir to combine. The water should just about cover the potatoes. Add water more or less depending on the size of the pan.

water added in the pan containing potatoes.

Cook Potatoes

5. Cover the pan. Keep the pan on a stovetop on a medium-low to medium heat for the potatoes to cook.

pan covered with a glass lid and kept on stove top for cooking potatoes.

6. While the potatoes are cooking, check at intervals to ensure they don’t overcook. Meanwhile, you can chop garlic and fresh herbs, if using.

boiling and checking potatoes at intervals.

7. The potatoes have to be softened, but they should not fall apart.

The potatoes will take about 20 to 25 minutes to cook depending on the size of the pan, the thickness of pan and the intensity of the heat.

cooked potatoes in a spoon.

8. Check by piercing a knife or a fork; it should smoothly pass through the cooked potatoes without any resistance.

checking a few cooked potatoes by piercing fork through them.

9. Pour the contents of the pan in a colander and drain the water very well.

using a colander to strain the cooked potatoes.

Cook Milk and Butter

10. In the same pan in which the potatoes were cooked (no need to clean it first), add ½ cup + 2 tablespoons milk.

milk poured in the same pan in which potatoes were cooked.

12. Add 2 tablespoons butter.

butter added to milk in the pan.


13. Add ½ teaspoon finely chopped or minced garlic. Please note that you can also add garlic to the boiling potatoes instead.

finely chopped garlic added to milk+butter mixture in the pan.

14. Heat on low or medium-low, stirring occasionally. The butter will begin to melt.

heating milk mixture on medium flame.


15. Let the milk+butter+garlic mixture become hot or come to a gentle boil.

milk, butter and garlic mixture coming to a boil.

16. Now turn off the heat and add the potatoes to the pan with the milk, butter and garlic.

adding cooked potatoes to the milk, butter and garlic in the pan.

Make Garlic Mashed Potatoes

17. Remove the pan from the stovetop and place it on your kitchen countertop.

Begin to mash the potatoes with a potato masher, vegetable masher, or use a potato ricer if you have it instead of the masher.

Preferably the masher should have ricer like holes in it as this mimics the ricer while mashing.

mashing potatoes with a hand masher.

18. Mash till you get a smooth, fluffy and light consistency. Do not mash too much as this will break down the starches more and make for a gummy texture.

You can always add more butter and some warm milk to get your desired consistency.

potatoes have been mashed in pan.

19. Sprinkle some freshly crushed black pepper and a bit of salt. Go easy on the salt as some saltiness will be there in the potatoes – remember we added salt while cooking potatoes.

You can always add more salt later after doing a taste test, but you can’t take it away.

salt and black pepper sprinkled on mashed potatoes in the pan.

20. Add 2 to 3 teaspoons of fresh mixed herbs or ½ to 1 teaspoon of dried mixed herbs. I have used a mix of fresh rosemary and parsley here.

finely chopped fresh herbs add to the mashed potatoes.

21. Fold in the herbs, pepper, and salt. Taste and season as needed, then serve.

These fluffy mashed potatoes should hold their shape, as shown in the photo below.

mashed potatoes after folding in seasonings.

22. With a spatula, place the garlic mashed potatoes in your serving bowl while still hot or warm.

Garnish with some chopped parsley or chives. You can also add some cubes of butter as a garnish.

mashed potatoes served in an oval ceramic bowl with a fork in it. bowl is kept on a slate grey wooden board. garnished with some finely chopped parsley and rosemary.

Serving Suggestions

I always serve mashed potatoes with some roasted vegetables and a bowl of soup like Corn Soup, Tomato Soup, or Carrot Soup, but it makes a pretty fabulous side for all kinds of tasty things. Here are some vegetarian options to consider:

  • Roasted, grilled or steamed vegetables
  • Creamed Spinach or creamed corn
  • Vegetarian or vegan stroganoff
  • A delish vegetarian meatballs and sauce
  • Marinated & grilled tofu or paneer (Indian cottage cheese)
  • You can even use this recipe of garlic mashed potatoes for making dishes where mashed potatoes are required, like shepherd’s pie, pot pies, potato patties etc.

What do you like to serve with your mashed potatoes? Let us know in the comments below, or tag me on your social posts so I can cheer you on!

Expert Tips

  1. Use the right type of potatoes – To get the best mashed potatoes, you should use potatoes with medium to high starch levels like russets.

    (For Indian readers, most varieties of Indian potatoes have good amount of starch in them.) Avoid using wax potatoes like new potatoes or fingerlings, as they can end up with a gluey consistency.
  2. Boil potatoes till tender – Boil the potatoes till fork tender, but do not overcook them. If they are cooked till crumbly and water-logged, the mashed potatoes will have a watery taste and grainy consistency.
  3. Mash potatoes by hand – avoid using a stand mixer while mashing, as you’ll be more likely to overmix them, which will break down the starches and lead to a gluey and sticky consistency. It is better to use a potato masher.
  4. Texture of mashed potatoes – The final texture of mashed potatoes should be light and fluffy or creamy depending on the type of potato you have used. For a fluffy texture, use potatoes that have high starch in them (e.g. russet or Idaho potatoes).

    For creamy and slightly dense texture, use potatoes with medium starch (e.g. yukon gold). You can also mix and match if you prefer.
  5. Drain potatoes well – The starchy cooking water from boiling potatoes is neither tasty, nor good to add to the mashies. Be sure to drain them well.

More Tips

  1. Role of fats – Fats like butter or evoo need to be added to make the mashed potatoes light and smooth. Other options include sour cream or full-fat curd, cream cheese, or cream.
  2. Adding cheese or cream – I usually do not add grated cheese or cream, but you certainly can. If using cream, heat it gently with butter but do not bring it to a boil.

    If using cheese, sprinkle it on the garlic mashed potatoes and bake in the oven till the cheese melts or gets golden. Adding either cream or cheese will give you a rich-tasting mashed potato.
  3. Cooking potatoes in a pressure cooker – most of the times, I cook the potatoes in a stovetop pressure cooker or instant pot. For this recipe post, I have used a pan to make it accessible to folks who do not have a pressure cooker. If pressure cooking, then cook for 2 whistles on medium heat.
  4. To peel or not to peel – I always suggest peeling the potatoes. Keeping the peels might give an unpleasant taste and texture in the mashed potatoes, but it is a personal preference. Do what suits you best!

FAQs

Can I make garlic mashed potatoes ahead of time?

Leftover mashed potatoes can be refrigerated for up to 1 to 2 days and warmed in the oven just before serving. Feel free to add more milk or butter as needed to get them to the right consistency.

Why are my mashed potatoes runny?

Oops, sounds like you added a bit too much liquid. Don’t worry though, you can still salvage them.

Place them in a pan over low heat and warm them slowly, stirring occasionally to ensure they don’t stick to the bottom.

Over time, the excess moisture should evaporate, leaving you with perfect mashies!

What is the best kind of potato masher?

I prefer to use the type that has a vertical handle and that has small holes in the bottom, like a potato ricer.

If you like your mashed potatoes to be a little chunky, opt for a masher with a swirled, S-shaped bottom.

More Potato Recipes To Try!

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mashed potatoes served in an oval ceramic bowl kept on a slate grey wooden board. garnished with some finely chopped parsley and rosemary.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Fluffy and creamy, my Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe is one that you're sure to love. This easy recipe can be made in one bowl, making it the perfect way to add a little starchy goodness to any weeknight meal.
4.91 from 10 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Cuisine American, World
Course Side Dish
Diet Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Difficulty Level Moderate
Servings 3
Units

Ingredients

For cooking potatoes

  • 500 grams potatoes or 1.1 pound or 6 to 7 medium sized potatoes (russet potatoes or potatoes with a high to medium starch content)
  • 2 cups water
  • ½ teaspoon salt

More ingredients

  • ½ cup + 2 tablespoons whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons Butter – salted or unsalted
  • ½ teaspoon garlic – finely chopped or 3 to 4 small to medium garlic cloves, minced or finely chopped
  • salt – add as required
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons fresh herbs of your choice or or ½ to 1 teaspoon of dried mixed herbs
  • black pepper (freshly crushed), add as required

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Rinse potatoes in water first using a colander. Brush off the mud if any. Drain the water and then peel the potatoes.
  • Chop them in 1.5 to 2 to inches cubes.
  • Place chopped potatoes in a pan.
  • Add ½ teaspoon salt and 2 cups water. Stir to mix.

Cooking Potatoes

  • Cover the pan. Keep pan on a stove top on a medium-low to medium heat for the potatoes to cook.
  • While the potatoes are cooking, check at intervals. Meanwhile, you can chop garlic and the fresh herbs if using them.
  • The potatoes have to be softened, but they should not fall apart.
  • Check by piercing a knife or a fork and it should pass through the cooked potatoes without any resistance and smoothly.
  • Pour the contents of the pan in a colander and drain the water very well.

Cooking milk and butter

  • In the same pan in which the potatoes were cooked, add ½ cup + 2 tablespoons milk, 2 tablespoons butter and ½ teaspoon finely chopped or minced garlic
  • Please note that you can add garlic even while boiling potatoes.
  • On a low to medium-low heat begin to heat the pan. Stir occasionally. The butter will begin to melt initially.
  • Let this mixture become hot or come to a gentle boil.
  • Now turn off the heat and add the potatoes in the pan.

Mashing potatoes

  • Remove the pan from the stovetop and place on your kitchen countertop. Begin to mash the potatoes with a potato masher or vegetable masher.
  • Note that the masher should have ricer like holes in it as this mimics the ricer while mashing. You can even use potato ricer if you have it instead of the masher. 
  • Mash till you get a smooth, fluffy and light consistency. Do not mash too much as this will break down the starches more and make for a gluey, gummy texture.
  • You can always add more butter and some warm milk to get the desired consistency – for example, to get a little more pouring consistency in the mashed potatoes add some more milk.

Making garlic mashed potatoes

  • Sprinkle some freshly crushed black pepper and a bit of salt.
    Go easy on the salt as some saltiness will be there in the potatoes – remember we added salt while cooking potatoes. You can always add more salt later.
  • Add 2 to 3 teaspoons of fresh mixed herbs or ½ to 1 teaspoon of dried mixed herbs. I have used a mix of rosemary and parsley here.
  • Fold the herbs, pepper and salt. Do check the taste and add more pepper, salt or butter if required.
  • With a spatula place the garlic mashed potatoes in your serving bowl while still hot or warm. Garnish with some chopped parsley or chives. You can add some cubes of butter also as a garnish.
  • Leftover can be refrigerated for 1 to 2 days and warmed in the oven just before serving. Add some more milk if needed while warming or reheating to adjust the consistency.

Video

Notes

  • Drain all the water from the boiled potatoes really well. 
  • Use a potato masher to mash. If you do not have a potato masher, then use a potato ricer. Alternatively, you can even grate the potatoes. If grating the potatoes, then let them become warm or cool completely before grating. 
  • Herbs and spices of your choice can be added.
  • Butter or olive oil can be replaced with sunflower oil or any neutral flavored oil.
  • Can use both salted or unsalted butter. 
  • Use potatoes with a high starch content to get the best results. 
  • If pressure cooking, then pressure cook with water covering the potatoes for 2 whistles on medium heat. 
  • Garlic can be skipped if you do not prefer. 
  • The recipe can be easily scaled to make for more servings.
 

Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)

Nutrition Facts
Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 227 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 6g38%
Trans Fat 0.3g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 26mg9%
Sodium 872mg38%
Potassium 790mg23%
Carbohydrates 32g11%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 326IU7%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 0.2mg13%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.1mg6%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 2mg10%
Vitamin B6 1mg50%
Vitamin B12 0.3µg5%
Vitamin C 33mg40%
Vitamin D 1µg7%
Vitamin E 0.3mg2%
Vitamin K 6µg6%
Calcium 92mg9%
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 27µg7%
Iron 1mg6%
Magnesium 47mg12%
Phosphorus 149mg15%
Zinc 1mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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This Mashed Potatoes recipe from the archives first published in July 2019 has been updated and republished on February 2023.

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Welcome to Dassana's Veg Recipes. I share vegetarian recipes from India & around the World. Having been cooking for decades and with a professional background in cooking & baking, I help you to make your cooking journey easier with my tried and tested recipes showcased with step by step photos & plenty of tips & suggestions.

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  1. I love your cooking, I do try your recipe cause I cook for people who is vegetarian so thank you very much..5 stars

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