Perfectly creamy and mashed with a rich garlic butter and fresh chives, these garlic mashed potatoes are an easy side dish and go well with so many dishes!
Everyone needs a killer go-to mashed potatoes recipe up their sleeve! And we happen to have that staring ya in the face today.
It doesn’t take complicated ingredients to make the best-ever mashed potatoes and I’m here to tell you that you will never go back to boxed again after one taste of these fluffy spuds!
Honestly, you’ll be diving straight into that pot.
It takes less than an hour to pull off these potatoes and you even have the option to stick them in the slow cooker afterwards to keep warm and forget about them until you’re ready to stuff your face with them.
These Mashed Potatoes feature…
- A perfectly fluffy and creamy texture
- Lots of flavorful garlic butter folded inside
- Minutes to make and goes well with so many meals
Making the Mashed Potatoes
(scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe)
Ingredients You Will Need
- Yukon gold potatoes
- Unsalted butter
- Garlic
- Heavy whipping cream
- 2% or skim milk
- Chives
Choosing Your Potatoes
We recommend using Yukon gold potatoes for this recipe. We found that this type of potato is best suited for mashed potatoes because they always yields a fluffy, creamy texture.
Feel free to experiment with other potatoes such as russets or red potatoes with this recipe, but be aware that the texture will be different.
Tips for Perfect Mashed Potatoes
- Cut potatoes in uniform size – we recommend uniform 1-inch cubes so the potatoes cook evenly.
- Cook garlic in butter – be careful to cook only until the garlic is fragrant so it doesn’t overcook and become bitter.
- Warm heavy cream and milk – this will help keep the potatoes warm.
- Add milk until creamy – fold in just enough milk to achieve your preferred level of creaminess.
Recipe Variations
Try these ideas for a different twist on this recipe.
- Brown butter – for an added element of flavor, allow the butter to cook until a golden brown, then add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add cheese – try adding 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, asiago, or cheddar.
- Try a different fresh herb – try fresh thyme, sage, or parsley in place of the chives.
How to Keep Potatoes Warm for Serving
Once these mashed potatoes are made up they may be kept on the ‘warm’ setting in a slow cooker for up to 4 hours. This is especially handy if you’re serving them for holiday dinners!
Trust me, this is the only mashed potatoes recipe you will ever need! The rich garlicky flavors go so well with the creamy, buttery potatoes and make them absolutely addictive.
Definitely one of those recipes you’ll end up eating straight from the pot with a spoon!
Save this recipe using the ‘save to recipe box’ button below. If you make it, please let us know! Leave a comment + star rating below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram with #wholeandheavenlyoven.
Watch these potatoes made step-by-step on Google web stories.
Try these other killer side dishes!
- Instant Pot Wild Rice Pilaf
- Butternut Squash Wild Rice Casserole
- Caramelized Onion Apple Cider Risotto
Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
This recipe may included paid links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 medium cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream, warmed
- 1/2-1 cup 2% or skim milk, warmed
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh minced chives for garnish
Instructions
- Place potatoes in a medium pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover pot, and allow potatoes to simmer 10-15 minutes until tender. Drain potatoes and cover pot with lid to keep warm.
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Mash potatoes well with a potato masher then fold in garlic butter, heavy cream, and enough milk to achieve a creamy texture. Season potatoes with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve mashed potatoes warm with fresh chives on top. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This post was updated with new recipe adjustments and photos on 10/23/23.
Joanne says
Can you pass some of your list lovin’ onto me?! I need to DESPERATELY be more organized. It’s serious. Also, you can pass these taters along as well! Luscious.
Sarah says
Haha! Done and DONE. Thanks so much Joanne! 😉
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
These garlic mashed potatoes look amazing, Sarah! I agree, turkey and potatoes are like best friends, so it’s a necessity to have these on Thanksgiving. I love anything and everything with garlic, so these potatoes are right up my alley! Looks wonderful!
Sarah says
Haha! They’re total BFF’s with eachother right?! I hope you get around to trying these mashed potatoes, Gayle! You’ll totally love them. 🙂
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says
SO creamy! Honestly, these mashed garlic potatoes look divine! And I can’t wait to hear about your Thanksgiving feast! Hope you can find your to-do lists back 😀 Pinned!
Sarah says
Thanks so much Ceara! You rock, girly. 😀
Karla - The Candid Kitchen says
oh I hope you´ve already found your to-do lists. I know how desperate it can be, I´m also someone that writes down everything I need to do 😀
I love garlic, specially in basic dishes such as mashed potatoes. It makes all the difference :*
Sarah says
Haha! I did finally find them earlier today so *phew* that’s a load off of my mind! My family decided that it would be “fun” to reorganize my stuff. LOL.
Thanks Karla! And totally agree with you about garlic! I heart it. 🙂
Cheryl says
These look so creamy and delish! I love love love garlic mashed potatoes, so these are right up my alley. Except now I’M freaking out about Thanksgiving, too! I just remembered we wanted to give away leftovers this year, and that I didn’t account for that in my shopping list.. ahhh! I would usually rant on and on in this comment but I have to go take care of my to-do lists!!
Not even kidding. Sister lister right here
Sarah says
Ooh! Good luck with your Thanksgiving cooking, Cheryl! You actually just reminded me that I’m supposed to bake 20 dinner rolls tomorrow for a Feed-A-Family program in our town. LOL. Thanks for the reminder, girlfriend!
Heather @ Shards of Lavender says
I’m sure your family is really looking forward to what you have planned for Thanksgiving! I don’t have as many to cook for, but am freaking out too because I haven’t shopped at all. Love how you included an entire head of garlic in these mashed potatoes. My mom taught me years ago that the way to perfectly creamy mashed potatoes is to use an electric beater and I see that you use that method too. Thanks for sharing, Sarah!
Sarah says
Hahaha! I haven’t done my shopping yet either, Heather! Next on my to-do list. 😉
And using an electric beater is the way my mom taught me to make mashed potatoes too! My family won’t have their ‘taters any other way. 🙂
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Well don’t these mashed potatoes look PERFECT?! I love that you put roasted garlic in them. The more flavor the better! And I am going to try buttermilk in my mashed potatoes next time I make them. It really is a magic ingredient that makes everything better. Hope you find your to do list! I can’t live without mine!
Sarah says
YES to buttermilk and garlic in the ‘taters! It really just takes them over the top. Thanks Natalie! 🙂
marcie says
Mashed potatoes have to happen on Thanksgiving or there will be riots! These look so perfect, Sarah!
Sarah says
Hahaha! Same deal in this house, Marcie! 😉 Thanks so much girly!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Oh no, hope you find your lists soon. Can’t wait to see the rest of your T-day recipes, each and every one has me wishing I was having dinner with you guys! These mashed potatoes look incredibly creamy and delicious! Garlic mashed are my fave – yum!
Sarah says
Girl, you are TOTALLY invited over for T-day Dinner! By the looks of our menu, I think we’ll have enough food to feed a small army. LOL.
Thanks so much Kelly!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
these looks wonderful Sarah, so creamy! I love garlic and potatoes so this is a winning combo for me! Gorgeous pictures 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks for the sweet photography compliments, Manali! 🙂
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
I’m all about creamy and garlic when it comes to mashed potatoes so I LOVE these!! Looks so good and you can bet these will be on my Thanksgiving table!
Sarah says
Yay! Let me know how you and your family like these potatoes, Alice! Thanks so much, girlfriend! 🙂
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
You have a big crowd for Thanksgiving! That definitely takes some planning. Your mashed potatoes look perfectly creamy. You don’t want one more for Thanksgiving do you? 😉
Sarah says
Haha! In this brood of a family, there’s always room for one more mouth to feed! So that’s a YES! C’mon over, girl! 😉
Isadora says
I’m obsessed with mashed potatoes!!!! They are like my favorite food ever! Wow, 20 people that is a lot! I think we are having 4 people over and I’m already stressing about what time make, haha! Do you guys get any leftovers with so many people?!
Sarah says
Haha! Our family brood is quite large every year around the holidays so I’m used to it! Sort of. LOL. We always make so SO much food because we couldn’t live without our Thanksgiving leftovers. Traditional for us. 😀
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says
Holy creamy looking indeed! Making me hungry!
Sarah says
Creamy potatoes are a total must! 😀 Thanks Amber!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
I can’t believe you are cooking for so many people!!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
I can’t believe you are cooking for so many people!! Ahhh! I would definitely be a little overwhelmed. I LOVE buttermilk in mashed potatoes… such a great secret ingredient!!
Sarah says
Haha! I’m used to cooking for a big crowd, so I’m only stressing um, a little. LOL. Thanks Jess!!