Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners should be centered around the Best Mashed Potatoes. It’s not only one of my favorite side dish but easily my favorite food EVER!
These are the Best Creamy Mashed Potatoes you’ll ever make and super easy too! They’re loaded with butter, milk, and cream then flavored with garlic, thyme, and a touch of salt and pepper!
This Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe is an easy and flavorful side dish that’s perfect for holidays and weeknight dinners alike!
They’re made with potatoes, garlic, thyme, cream, butter, and whole milk with a bit of salt and pepper, no cream cheese or anything like that, just simple and delicious.
How To Make Mashed Potatoes:
Step 1: Begin by peeling and chopping 4 pounds of potatoes into 1-inch pieces.
Step 2: Then place the chopped potatoes in a large pot with the garlic cloves and bundle of thyme.
Step 3: Next, add the cream and milk and bring to a boil. Then add the salt and reduce the heat to a simmer and stir occasionally until the potatoes are fork-tender and falling apart.
Of course the “best” mashed potatoes vary from person to person depending on personal preferences, but this recipe is a simple creation based on my favorite recipes and techniques. This mashed potatoes recipe is anything but bland it’s smooth, creamy, and packed with flavor! Remove from the heat and discard the thyme stems, use a potato masher to mash the potatoes until smooth.
Step 4: Add in the butter and pepper and stir just until melted and combined.
Step 5: Top with more butter, salt, and pepper, and fresh herbs as desired for serving.
What potatoes to use for mashed potatoes
While any potato would work for mashed potatoes and can easily be substituted I love using russet potatoes for this recipe.
HOW TO MAKE THESE POTATOES AHEAD OF TIME.
These mashed potatoes are perfect to make the day before. I do it each holiday. One less thing to worry about the day off. After cooking place them in a casserole dish and allow to cool. Cover with foil and place in the fridge. The next day add your butter to the top and bake low until warmed through.
There you go the Best Mashed Potatoes recipe and the perfect traditional side dish!
Happy Holidays!
Best Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
4 lbs Yukon Potatoes
6 to 8 cloves garlic peeled and smashed
8 springs thyme
3 cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
½ cup butter, unsalted room temperature
2 tsp salt, kosher
½ tsp ground pepper
Additional salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Peel and chop the potatoes into 1-inch pieces and place a large pot with the garlic cloves. Tie the fresh time sprigs together with thread or bakers twine and add to the pot with the potatoes and garlic.
- Add the cream and milk and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the salt and reduce the heat to a simmer and stir occasionally until the potatoes are tender and falling apart.
- Remove from the heat and discard the thyme stems, use a potato masher to mash the potatoes until smooth. Add in the butter and pepper and stir just until melted and combine.
- Top with more butter, salt, and pepper, and fresh herbs as desired for serving.
Notes
- Potatoes will have some lumps. If you decide to add additional cream at the end, make sure it is room temperature so it doesn’t cool the potatoes down. For super smooth potatoes, run the potatoes through a ricer. For Whipped potatoes, transfer lightly mashed potato mixture to a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment and beat on high for 4 to 5 minutes until whipped and smooth.
