Introduction
Mashed potatoes are a classic comfort food. But you can make them even better. This recipe for Roasted Garlic & Herb Mashed Potatoes will take your mashed potatoes to a new level. It’s full of flavor and very satisfying.
Why Make This Recipe?
You will love these mashed potatoes for many reasons. First, they have a lot of flavor. Roasting garlic makes it sweet and mellow. This mixes well with fresh herbs. No more bland mashed potatoes! Second, the recipe is easy to follow. Even if you don’t cook much, you can make these. Third, they are super creamy. We will show you how to get that perfect smooth texture every time. Fourth, they go with many meals. You can serve them with roast chicken or steak. Finally, everyone will love them. These mashed potatoes will be a hit at any dinner.
How to Make Roasted Garlic & Herb Mashed Potatoes
Making these mashed potatoes involves a few simple steps. You will roast garlic first. Then you will cook the potatoes. After that, you will mash them and mix in the flavors. Finally, you will season them and get them ready to serve.
Ingredients of Roasted Garlic & Herb Mashed Potatoes
For the Roasted Garlic
- Whole Garlic Heads
- Olive Oil
- Salt
- Black Pepper
For the Mashed Potatoes
- Potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet work best)
- Unsalted Dairy Butter (use good quality)
- Milk or Cream (whole milk or heavy cream for extra richness)
- Fresh Herbs (Thyme, Rosemary, Parsley, Chives – choose your favorites!)
- Salt
- Black Pepper
Directions of Roasted Garlic & Herb Mashed Potatoes
Step 1: Roast the Garlic
- Heat your oven.
- Take whole garlic heads. Cut off the very top to show the cloves.
- Put garlic on foil. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper.
- Wrap the garlic tightly in the foil.
- Roast in the oven until the garlic is golden and soft.
- Take the garlic out. Squeeze the soft cloves out of their skins. Mash them with a fork.
Step 2: Prepare the Potatoes
- Peel the potatoes. Cut them into pieces that are similar in size.
- Put the potato pieces in a pot of cold water. Add a pinch of salt.
- Boil the potatoes until they are very soft. You should be able to stick a fork through them easily.
- Drain all the water from the potatoes.
Step 3: Mash and Mix Flavors
- Put the drained potatoes back into the empty pot.
- Add the Dairy Butter and the mashed roasted garlic.
- Mash the potatoes until they are smooth.
- Slowly add warm milk or cream as you mash. Add enough to reach your desired creaminess.
- Chop your fresh herbs finely. Stir them into the mashed potatoes.
Step 4: Season and Finish
- Taste the mashed potatoes. Add more salt and pepper as you like.
- If the potatoes are too thick, add a little more warm milk or cream.
- Put the mashed potatoes into a serving dish.
- Sprinkle with some extra fresh herbs before you serve them.
How to Serve Roasted Garlic & Herb Mashed Potatoes
These mashed potatoes are great with many meals.
- Classic Roasts: They go perfectly with roast chicken, turkey, or beef.
- Hearty Dishes: Serve them with rich stews and gravies.
- Special Holiday Meals: They are a must-have for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday gathering.
- Vegetarian Meals: They pair well with roasted vegetables or a mushroom ragu.
How to Store Roasted Garlic & Herb Mashed Potatoes
You can make these mashed potatoes ahead of time. Store them in a container that seals tight. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To warm them up, put them in a pot on the stove. Add a little milk or cream. Stir often until they are hot. Or, you can warm them in the oven, covered, until hot.
Tips to Make Roasted Garlic & Herb Mashed Potatoes
- Choose Good Potatoes: Use starchy potatoes like Yukon Gold or Russet. They make the creamiest mashed potatoes.
- Don’t Overcook: Do not boil the potatoes for too long. If they get too soft, they will soak up too much water and become sticky.
- Warm Dairy: Always warm your milk or cream. Adding cold liquid can cool down the potatoes and make them lumpy.
- Don’t Over-Mash: Mashing too much will make the potatoes gummy. Mash them just until they are smooth.
- Always Taste: Before you serve, taste your mashed potatoes. Add more salt or pepper if needed.
Variation
- Add Cheese: Stir in some Parmesan, cheddar, or Gruyere for a cheesy flavor.
- Add Spice: Put in a pinch of red pepper flakes or a touch of cayenne for a little heat.
- Add Mushrooms: Cook some mushrooms and fold them into the potatoes for an earthy taste.
- For Smoked Flavor: Add crispy turkey bits as a garnish or mix them in for a smoky taste.
FAQs
Q1: Can I make Roasted Garlic & Herb Mashed Potatoes ahead of time?
Yes, you can. You can make them a day before. Keep them in a sealed container in the refrigerator. When you want to eat them, warm them on the stove with some milk or cream. Stir often. Or, heat them in the oven, covered, until they are warm.
Q2: How can I stop my Roasted Garlic & Herb Mashed Potatoes from becoming gummy?
To avoid gummy mashed potatoes, pick the right kind of potatoes (like Yukon Gold or Russet). Don’t cook them for too long. Most importantly, do not mash or mix them too much. Once they are smooth, stop!
Q3: Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh ones for these Roasted Garlic & Herb Mashed Potatoes?
Yes, you can use dried herbs. But fresh herbs give a stronger taste. If you use dried herbs, use about one-third the amount of fresh herbs. Add dried herbs earlier in the cooking process. This helps their flavors come out.
Classic Roasted Garlic & Herb Mashed Potatoes
Equipment
- Oven
- Foil
- Small Bowl
- Fork
- Large Pot
- Colander
- Potato Masher
- Serving Dish
Ingredients
For the Roasted Garlic
- 2 whole Garlic Heads
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/8 tsp Black Pepper
For the Mashed Potatoes
- 2 lbs Potatoes Yukon Gold or Russet
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Dairy Butter
- 1/2-3/4 cup Milk or Cream whole milk or heavy cream
- 2 tbsp Fresh Herbs Thyme, Rosemary, Parsley, Chives – chopped
- 1/2 tsp Salt or to taste
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper or to taste
Instructions
Roasted Garlic
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut off the top quarter of the garlic heads to expose the cloves.
- Place garlic heads on a piece of foil, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap the garlic tightly in the foil.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes until golden brown and very soft. Once cooled slightly, squeeze the soft roasted garlic cloves out of their skins into a small bowl and mash with a fork.
Mashed Potatoes
- Peel the potatoes and cut them into 1-inch pieces of similar size. Place the potato pieces in a large pot, cover with cold water, and add a pinch of salt.
- Bring to a boil and cook for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are very tender and easily pierced with a fork, then drain thoroughly.
- Return the drained potatoes to the empty pot, then add the unsalted dairy butter and the mashed roasted garlic. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher until mostly smooth.
- Gradually add the warm milk or cream, a little at a time, continuing to mash until the desired creamy consistency is reached.
- Finely chop your chosen fresh herbs and stir them into the mashed potatoes. Taste and add more salt and black pepper as needed.
- If the potatoes are too thick, stir in a little more warm milk or cream. Transfer the mashed potatoes to a serving dish and sprinkle with extra fresh herbs before serving.