Description
This Best Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe features creamy Yukon gold potatoes combined with sour cream, butter, and granulated garlic for a rich and flavorful side dish. Optionally enhanced with roasted garlic cloves and horseradish, these mashed potatoes are fluffy, smooth, and perfect for any meal occasion.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Potatoes
- 3 lbs Yukon gold potatoes (or other thin-skinned potatoes such as red or white potatoes)
Dairy
- 8 ounces sour cream (or crème fraîche, creamy goat cheese, or vegan sour cream)
- 4 tablespoons butter (or vegan butter)
Seasonings
- 1–2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
- 2 teaspoons granulated garlic
Optional Additions and Garnish
- 15–20 whole roasted garlic cloves
- 1–3 teaspoons prepared horseradish, or fresh grated horseradish to taste
- Chives, for garnish
- Additional melted butter, for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare Potatoes: Cut the potatoes into halves or quarters if they are larger. Smaller pieces cook faster and ensure even cooking.
- Boil Potatoes: Place the cut potatoes in a large pot and cover with about 2 inches of water. Add two teaspoons of salt to the water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then cover and reduce heat to medium-low to simmer. Cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 15 minutes depending on size.
- Drain and Save Liquid: Drain the potatoes, preserving 1 cup of the hot potato cooking water. This water helps achieve the desired creamy consistency in your mashed potatoes. If forgotten, milk can be used as an alternative.
- Mash Potatoes: Return the drained potatoes to the pot. Add the butter, sour cream, half of the reserved potato water, salt, pepper, and granulated garlic. Use a potato masher to mash and then whisk them until light and fluffy. Add more reserved potato water as needed to loosen the consistency, especially if you plan to keep the potatoes warm for a longer time.
- Adjust Flavors and Add Optional Ingredients: Taste and adjust salt and pepper as desired. Optionally add horseradish for a spicy kick. If using roasted garlic cloves, mash half of them and fold into the potatoes, reserving some whole cloves for garnish.
- Serve: Stir the mashed potatoes well before serving. Garnish with freshly ground pepper, chopped chives, a drizzle of melted butter, and whole roasted garlic cloves if desired.
Notes
- Cutting potatoes into smaller pieces shortens cooking time.
- Saving potato water is key to achieving perfect mashed potato consistency.
- Roasted garlic cloves add depth and sweetness to the flavor.
- Adjust horseradish quantity based on personal preference for heat.
- Use vegan butter and sour cream alternatives to make this recipe vegan-friendly.
- Kosher salt is recommended for seasoning because of its texture and slower dissolution, but table salt can be used, adjusting quantity.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
