Whip Up Dreamy Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes Recipe Tonight

Comfort food reaches new heights with these garlic herb mashed potatoes that blend rich, velvety textures with bold flavors.

Soft potatoes whipped to creamy perfection carry an aromatic melody of herbs and garlic.

Each spoonful promises a decadent experience that melts in your mouth.

The classic side dish gets a luxurious upgrade with carefully selected ingredients.

Crisp herbs and roasted garlic create layers of depth and complexity.

Butter and cream transform simple potatoes into a culinary masterpiece.

This recipe delivers a crowd-pleasing dish that elevates any meal from ordinary to extraordinary.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of potatoes for this recipe?

Yes, you can use Yukon Gold, Russet, or red potatoes. Each type will give a slightly different texture and flavor to the mashed potatoes.

• Is a potato ricer necessary for this recipe?

No, a potato masher works perfectly fine. A potato ricer creates smoother, fluffier potatoes, but a masher is a great alternative if you don’t have one.

• Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

You can substitute heavy cream and milk with non-dairy alternatives like coconut cream or almond milk. Use dairy-free butter and cheese alternatives to keep the recipe completely dairy-free.

Why Garlic Herb Potatoes Wow

• Master three cooking methods (slow cooker, instant pot, stove-top) with the same delicious recipe, making it super adaptable for any kitchen setup.
• Rich heavy cream, milk, and butter create an ultra-smooth texture that melts in your mouth, delivering pure potato paradise.
• Infused with fresh herbs like sage and thyme, plus roasted garlic and parmesan, these potatoes pack a seriously delicious punch that elevates any meal.
• Keep warm for hours without losing quality, perfect for holiday gatherings, weeknight dinners, or feeding a hungry crowd with minimal last-minute effort.

Mashed Potato Ingredient Checklist

• Potatoes: Starchy base that provides the creamy and hearty foundation of the dish.
• Heavy Cream: Adds rich, luxurious texture and depth of flavor to the mashed potatoes.
• Milk: Helps create a smooth and creamy consistency for the potatoes.

• Butter: Enhances richness and provides a smooth, velvety mouthfeel.
• Parmesan Cheese: Brings a sharp, salty, and complex flavor to the mashed potatoes.
• Parmesan Rind (Optional): Adds depth and extra umami flavor during cooking.

• Garlic, Sage, Thyme: Aromatic herbs that provide a savory and earthy flavor profile.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste of the dish.

Tools for Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

• Slow cooker: Essential for creating creamy, tender potatoes with minimal effort.
• Potato ricer: Helps achieve ultra-smooth, lump-free mashed potatoes.
• Potato masher: Alternative tool for mashing potatoes if ricer is unavailable.
• Large mixing spoon: Perfect for stirring and combining ingredients.
• Measuring cups: Ensures accurate cream and milk measurements.
• Sharp knife: Needed for preparing potatoes and herbs.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for chopping ingredients.

Steps for Garlic Herb Potatoes

Step 1: Prep Potato Goodness

Wash and peel your potatoes, cutting them into evenly sized chunks.

This helps them cook uniformly and ensures every bite is perfectly creamy.

Step 2: Flavor Building

• Potatoes
• Heavy cream
• Whole milk
• Fresh garlic
• Thyme
• Sage
• Parmesan rind (optional)
• Butter
• Shredded cheese
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 3: Slow Cooker Magic

Place potatoes and herbs into the slow cooker.

Pour in cream and milk, adding crushed garlic for extra punch.

Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-8 hours until potatoes are super tender.

Step 4: Mashing Technique

Drain potatoes, keeping the flavorful cooking liquid.

Remove herb sprigs and parmesan rind.

Use a potato ricer for silky smooth texture or a masher for rustic feel.

Return potatoes to the slow cooker.

Step 5: Creamy Transformation

Stir in reserved cream and butter gradually.

Season with salt and pepper.

Add shredded cheese and let it melt completely.

Stir until wonderfully smooth and luxurious.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Transfer potatoes to a serving dish.

Top with extra fresh herbs, a pat of butter, and a sprinkle of black pepper.

Enjoy your dreamy, comforting side dish!

Cheesy Potato Pro Tips

• Select Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes for the creamiest, most luxurious texture that absorbs cream and butter perfectly.
• Gradually add reserved cream to achieve your ideal mashed potato thickness, preventing watery or overly dense results.
• Include a parmesan rind during cooking to infuse rich, complex umami notes into the entire dish.
• Avoid over-mashing potatoes, which can break down starches and create a paste-like consistency; use a ricer or gentle mashing technique.
• Maintain potatoes on warm setting for up to 4 hours without compromising texture, making them ideal for meal prep or buffet-style serving.

Garlic Herb Mashed Potato Variants

• Vegan Creamy Herb Potatoes: Replace heavy cream and milk with coconut milk, use nutritional yeast instead of cheese, and swap butter with vegan margarine for a plant-based version.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Mash: Substitute potatoes with cauliflower florets, maintaining the same herb and cheese seasoning for a lighter, keto-friendly alternative.
• Greek-Inspired Potato Blend: Add crumbled feta cheese, replace sage with oregano, and mix in roasted garlic for a Mediterranean-style herb mashed potato.
• Roasted Garlic and Truffle Upgrade: Incorporate roasted garlic cloves and drizzle truffle oil on top for an elevated, gourmet version of the classic mashed potatoes.

How to Serve Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes

• Festive Feast Companion: Pair these creamy mashed potatoes with roasted turkey, honey-glazed ham, or prime rib for a show-stopping holiday meal.
• Rustic Comfort Plating: Serve in a large ceramic bowl, garnish with fresh thyme sprigs, and create a butter well in the center for an inviting, homestyle presentation.
• Gourmet Side Twist: Top with crispy bacon bits, chopped chives, or caramelized onions to add extra texture and elevate the classic potato experience.
• Leftover Magic: Transform remaining potatoes into crispy potato cakes by mixing with eggs, forming patties, and pan-frying until golden brown and crunchy.

Garlic Herb Mashed PotatoesStorage Tips

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to prevent moisture loss.
• Transfer cooled mashed potatoes to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal, and freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Place potatoes in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of milk or cream to restore moisture. Cover and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated through. Stir well to maintain creamy texture.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread potatoes in a baking dish, add a bit of milk or cream.

Creamy and Cheesy Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes Recipe

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4.8 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Garlic herb mashed potatoes blend classic comfort with gourmet elegance, promising a crowd-pleasing side dish. Smooth potato clouds infused with herbs and rich cream will make diners swoon at your culinary skills.

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Ingredients

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Dairy Components:

• 3 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 6 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
• 1 parmesan rind (optional)

Potato and Herb Base:

• 4 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 8 fresh sage leaves, plus more for serving
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme, plus more for serving
• 4 cloves garlic, smashed

Seasoning:

• Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare the cooking apparatus (slow cooker, instant pot, or Dutch oven) and gather all ingredients for creamy garlic herb mashed potatoes.
2. Place potatoes, parmesan rind, heavy cream, milk, sage, thyme, and minced garlic into the cooking vessel.
3. For slow cooker: Cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-8 hours until potatoes become fork-tender. For instant pot: Pressure cook for 15 minutes. For stove-top: Simmer for 20-25 minutes over medium heat.
4. Carefully drain potatoes, reserving the aromatic cooking cream. Remove herb sprigs and parmesan rind.
5. Mash potatoes using a potato ricer for ultra-smooth texture or a traditional potato masher for rustic consistency.
6. Return mashed potatoes to the cooking vessel and incorporate reserved cream and butter gradually.
7. Adjust liquid until reaching desired creamy consistency, seasoning with salt and pepper.
8. Fold in cheese until completely melted and integrated into the potato mixture.
9. Allow potatoes to remain warm, covering to prevent moisture loss.
10. Garnish with fresh chopped herbs and a pat of butter before serving hot.

Notes

• Choose waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold for the creamiest, most luxurious texture that holds together perfectly when mashed.
• Always reserve the cooking cream to maintain rich flavor and control the final consistency of your mashed potatoes.
• Use a potato ricer for silky-smooth potatoes without lumps, creating an ultra-creamy restaurant-quality side dish.
• Keep potatoes warm by covering and setting slow cooker or instant pot to warm setting, preventing cooling and maintaining ideal serving temperature.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes (instant pot) or 25 minutes (stove-top)
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 388
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 393 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 61 mg