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Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe

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Make creamy garlic mashed potatoes with red potatoes, butter, sour cream, and a whole head of garlic! Ready in 40 minutes.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 pounds red potatoes, cut into quarters
  • 1 whole head of garlic, peeled and separated
  • 8 tablespoons butter, sliced
  • ¾ cup sour cream
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or substitute with half-and-half for a lighter option)
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preparing the Potatoes and Garlic

Begin by cutting the red potatoes into quarters, leaving the skin on for added texture and nutrients. Peel the entire head of garlic, separating the cloves but leaving them whole.

2. Cooking the Potatoes and Garlic Together

In a large Dutch oven or stockpot, combine the potatoes and garlic. Cover with water, ensuring the potatoes are fully submerged. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.

3. Draining and Mashing

Once the potatoes are tender, drain the water from the pot. Return the drained potatoes and garlic to the warm pot. This keeps them heated while you mash. Using a potato masher, begin to mash the potatoes and garlic together. Don’t worry if they seem a bit chunky at first—you’ll continue mashing as you add the other ingredients.

4. Mixing in Butter, Sour Cream, and Cream

While mashing, add the butter one tablespoon at a time, allowing it to melt into the potatoes. After the butter is fully incorporated, stir in the sour cream and heavy cream. Keep mashing until you reach your desired level of creaminess. For chunkier potatoes, mash less, but for smoother potatoes, continue mashing and stirring until completely combined.

5. Season to Taste

Finally, season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Feel free to adjust based on your preference—some people like their mashed potatoes with a bit more kick from the pepper.

Notes

Serving Ideas and Presentation Tips

Garlic Mashed Potatoes are versatile and can be paired with nearly any main dish. To elevate your presentation:

  • Top with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley or chives over the top for a pop of color and fresh flavor.
  • Drizzle with Extra Butter: For a restaurant-style finish, drizzle melted butter over the mashed potatoes right before serving.
  • Garnish with Roasted Garlic Cloves: Roast a few extra garlic cloves separately and place them on top of the mashed potatoes for a dramatic, flavorful presentation.
  • Author: Jessica
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner