Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe Perfect for Thanksgiving
Velvety, buttery, and slightly garlicky mashed potatoes that are perfect for Thanksgiving and guaranteed to impress your family and guests.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 pounds Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup heavy cream, warmed
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced (optional)
- 2 teaspoons salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chives, finely chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Peel the Russet potatoes and cut them into evenly-sized chunks (about 2 inches).
- Place the potato chunks into a large pot and cover them with cold water. Add 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and let the potatoes simmer for 15-20 minutes or until fork-tender.
- While the potatoes cook, gently warm the heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the minced garlic to the cream and let it infuse for about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and set aside.
- Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them using a colander. Return the potatoes to the pot and let them sit for a minute to steam off excess moisture.
- Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes until they are broken down and fluffy. If you prefer a silky texture, use a ricer to press the potatoes into a mixing bowl.
- Add the softened unsalted butter to the potatoes and mix until fully melted and incorporated.
- Gradually add the warm cream and garlic mixture to the potatoes, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon. Adjust the consistency by adding more cream if needed.
- Season with the remaining salt and black pepper to taste. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
- Transfer the mashed potatoes to a serving dish and garnish with chopped chives or a pat of butter for extra flair.
- Serve immediately or keep warm in a covered dish until ready to eat.
Notes
[‘Russet potatoes are ideal for their fluffy texture.’, ‘Start boiling potatoes in cold water to ensure even cooking.’, ‘Avoid overmixing to prevent gluey texture.’, ‘Warm the cream before adding to ensure a velvety texture.’, ‘Mashed potatoes can be made ahead of time and reheated with a splash of cream or milk.’]
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 4
Keywords: mashed potatoes, Thanksgiving, creamy mashed potatoes, holiday side dish, comfort food