Garlic Mashed Potatoes

One of my favorite side dishes aside from homemade French fries is garlic mashed potato. This garlic mashed potato recipe is simple enough for a weeknight dinner but good enough for holidays too. I like to have garlic mashed potatoes with fried dishes like crispy fried chicken and grilled dishes like ribeye steak. Garlic mashed potatoes also go well with pork chops and roasted chicken. I make garlic mashed potatoes often because they are easy and everyone at home loves them.

 

I started making this dish years ago when I wanted something quick to go with the fried chicken I was cooking for dinner. The potatoes were already in the pantry and I figured adding garlic would give them more flavor. That first batch turned out so good that my family asked me to make it again the following week. Now it shows up on our table almost every time we have something grilled or fried.

The secret here is keeping the potato skins on. I do not peel them. The skins have most of the nutrients and they add a nice rustic look to the finished dish. All you need after that is milk, garlic powder, and a few seasonings. Simple ingredients, simple steps, and a satisfying side dish.

What is Garlic Mashed Potato?

Garlic mashed potato is boiled potatoes mashed together with butter or milk and seasoned with garlic. The garlic can come from fresh cloves, roasted garlic, or garlic powder. This dish is popular in American cooking, especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas when it sits next to the turkey and gravy.

Mashed potatoes have been around for a long time. The Irish and English were mashing potatoes as early as the 1700s. Adding garlic came later as cooks looked for ways to give the dish more flavor. Today you will find garlic mashed potatoes on restaurant menus and home dinner tables all over the world.

What makes this version different from regular mashed potatoes is the garlic. That savory, slightly sharp taste balances the starchy sweetness of the potato. Some people roast the garlic first to make it sweeter and more mellow. Others add fresh minced garlic for a stronger bite. I use garlic powder because it mixes evenly and gives consistent flavor in every spoonful.

Why This Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe Works

This garlic mashed potato recipe turns out well because of a few things I do a little differently.

• Keeping the skins on saves time and keeps nutrients. Potato skins have fiber, potassium, and vitamins. Leaving them on means less prep work and a more wholesome dish.
• Garlic powder mixes evenly throughout the potatoes. Fresh minced garlic can clump in one spot. Garlic powder dissolves into the milk and spreads through the whole batch so every bite tastes the same.
• Mashing while the potatoes are still hot gives the smoothest texture. Cold potatoes turn dense and resist breaking down. Working with them while they are warm makes mashing easier and faster.
• Whole milk creates creaminess without making the dish heavy. The fat in whole milk helps the potatoes feel rich but still light and fluffy.

Ingredients

• Baking potatoes – Starchy potatoes that mash into a fluffy texture
• Whole milk – Makes the potatoes creamy and helps bind everything together
• Butter – This makes our mashed potatoes rich. You can add more if you want.
• Salt – Seasons the potatoes and enhances their natural flavor
• Garlic powder – Gives even garlic flavor in every bite
• Ground black pepper – For a little warmth and depth
• Dried parsley – For color and a mild freshness

Making this garlic mashed potato is straightforward. Just follow along and you will have a tasty side dish ready in about 30 minutes.

1. Pour 4 cups of water into a cooking pot and bring to a boil.
2. Add the cleaned potatoes with skins on.
3. Boil for about 20 minutes or until fork tender.
4. Drain the water and let the potatoes cool slightly.

A fork should slide into the center without resistance. Do not let them boil so long that they fall apart.

1. Place the potatoes in a mixing bowl.
2. Mash with a potato masher or large fork until mostly smooth.
3. Add the milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and parsley.
4. Continue mashing until the ingredients are evenly mixed.

If you want a smoother texture, use a hand mixer on low speed. Just do not overmix or the potatoes will turn gluey.

What to Serve with Garlic Mashed Potato

• KFC style gravy – Drizzle this over the potatoes for extra flavor
• Deep fried breaded pork chops – The creamy potatoes balance the crispy coating
• Roasted chicken – Use the pan drippings to make gravy for the potatoes
• Grilled flank steak – A budget friendly combination I always enjoy

Storage

This garlic mashed potato keeps well if you have leftovers. In my experience it rarely lasts that long.

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The potatoes may firm up when chilled.
• Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface before sealing the container to prevent freezer burn.
• Reheating: Warm in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of milk to bring back the creamy texture. You can also reheat in the microwave in 30 second intervals.

More Potato Recipes

• Homemade Mashed Potato – The classic version with cream cheese for extra richness
• Potato Croquettes – Crispy fried bites made from leftover mashed potatoes
• Crispy Potato Wedges – Baked wedges with a crunchy coating
• Oven Baked Potatoes – Roasted potatoes with garlic salt and rosemary

• Baking potatoes – Yukon Gold or red potatoes work well. Red potatoes have thinner skins that blend in nicely when mashed.
• Whole milk – Heavy cream makes the dish richer. For dairy free, use unsweetened oat milk or vegetable broth.
• Garlic powder – Fresh minced garlic (2 cloves) or roasted garlic (4 to 6 cloves) can be used. Roasted garlic has a sweeter, more mellow flavor.
• Butter – The original recipe does not include butter, but adding 2 tablespoons makes the potatoes even richer.
• Dried parsley – Fresh chopped parsley or chives work well and look nicer on top.

Garlic mashed potato goes well with almost anything on the table. I hope you give this garlic mashed potato recipe a try. The ingredients are simple and the steps are easy. Serve it with your favorite fried chicken, top it with gravy, or enjoy it on its own.