The Best Creamy Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic

Prepare to truly elevate your side dish repertoire with these extraordinary Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic. This recipe takes the classic comfort food staple and transforms it into a gourmet experience, perfect for any occasion. Imagine perfectly boiled potatoes, mashed to a cloud-like consistency, then generously infused with the deep, nutty essence of browned butter and the sweet, mellow warmth of slow-roasted garlic. The result is an unbelievably rich, creamy, and flavorful side dish that is guaranteed to become a new favorite in your household, especially during the holidays.

While these decadent mashed potatoes might just steal the show, they also pair beautifully with other festive culinary delights. Consider serving them alongside classic holiday favorites such as honey-roasted carrots for a touch of sweetness or a comforting portion of 4 cheese mac and cheese for an ultimate indulgence. Get ready to impress your family and friends with a side dish that’s not only rich in flavor and wonderfully creamy but also surprisingly simple to prepare, making it accessible for home cooks of all skill levels.

A visually stunning and irresistibly creamy pot of browned butter mashed potatoes, ready to be served.

Why You’ll Love This Unforgettable Mashed Potato Recipe

Once you experience the depth of flavor and luxurious texture of these browned butter and roasted garlic mashed potatoes, you’ll understand why they’re destined to become a staple. Here are just a few reasons why this recipe stands out:

Unmatched Flavor Profile: The magic truly happens with the combination of nutty, caramelized browned butter and the sweet, mellow, almost jam-like flavor of slow-roasted garlic. This dynamic duo transforms ordinary mashed potatoes into something extraordinary, offering a complex and incredibly satisfying taste that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Perfectly Creamy & Fluffy Texture: Say goodbye to bland, lumpy, or gluey mashed potatoes. Our method, combined with the right choice of potatoes and mashing tools, ensures a consistently smooth, light, and airy texture that melts in your mouth.
Versatile for Any Occasion: While these potatoes are fancy enough to grace your Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter dinner table, the minimal prep and straightforward steps also make them a fantastic choice for a comforting weeknight meal or any casual gathering. They truly elevate any meal.
Simple Ingredients, Gourmet Results: You don’t need exotic ingredients to create a show-stopping dish. This recipe relies on common pantry staples, proving that simple components, when treated correctly, can yield incredibly sophisticated flavors.
A Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: Mashed potatoes are almost universally loved, but these take that affection to a whole new level. Expect rave reviews, compliments, and eager requests for the recipe from all your guests.
Make-Ahead Friendly: For those busy times, especially during the holidays, this recipe offers excellent make-ahead options, allowing you to prepare them in advance and simply reheat when needed, without sacrificing quality.

Key Ingredients for Achieving Mashed Potato Perfection

The secret to truly spectacular browned butter mashed potatoes lies in the quality of your ingredients and how they are handled. Let’s break down each essential component:

Potatoes: The Foundation
- Recommended Varieties: For the ultimate fluffy and creamy mashed potatoes, I highly recommend using Russet potatoes or Yukon Gold (golden) potatoes. Russets are high in starch and low in moisture, which allows them to break down easily and absorb butter and cream beautifully, resulting in a light, airy mash. Yukon Golds offer a naturally buttery flavor and a wonderfully smooth, creamy texture without becoming gluey, thanks to their medium-starch content.
- Preparation is Key: Always peel your potatoes thoroughly and chop them into uniform chunks, roughly 1.5 to 2 inches in size. This ensures that all pieces cook evenly at the same rate, preventing some from becoming mushy while others are still firm.
Butter: The Golden Star
- Salted vs. Unsalted: I prefer using salted butter as it naturally enhances the overall savory notes of the dish. If you opt for unsalted butter, simply be a bit more generous with your salt seasoning later on. The most crucial aspect here is the browning process, which develops a rich, nutty, and subtly sweet flavor that is irreplaceable.
Garlic: The Aromatic Heart
- Fresh is Non-Negotiable: For the best results, using fresh garlic is absolutely essential. Roasting an entire head of garlic transforms its pungent, sharp bite into a delightfully sweet, caramelized, and mellow paste. This deeply flavorful roasted garlic blends seamlessly into the potatoes, adding an incredible aromatic dimension.
- Why to Avoid Jarred Garlic: Pre-chopped garlic in a jar often contains preservatives and lacks the robust, nuanced flavor of fresh garlic. It simply won’t yield the same sweet, earthy notes that come from roasting whole cloves.
Heavy Cream: For Supreme Creaminess
- The Richness Factor: Heavy cream provides unparalleled richness and a silky-smooth consistency. Its high fat content contributes significantly to the luxurious mouthfeel of the mashed potatoes.
- Substitutions: If heavy cream isn’t on hand or you prefer a slightly lighter option, whole milk can be used as a substitute. For an extra layer of tang and richness, consider stirring in a dollop of sour cream, cream cheese, or even crème fraîche.
Olive Oil: For Roasting
- A tablespoon of good quality olive oil helps the garlic caramelize beautifully in the oven, ensuring a tender and flavorful result. Any neutral cooking oil can also be used.
Salt & Pepper: The Essential Finishers
- Season at Every Stage: Don’t forget to generously salt the water when boiling your potatoes – this is the first step in building flavor from within. Then, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste at the mashing stage. Proper seasoning elevates all the other wonderful flavors.

The simple yet powerful ingredients that come together to create these divine mashed potatoes.

Expert Tips for Fluffy, Creamy, and Flavorful Mashed Potatoes

Achieving restaurant-quality mashed potatoes at home is entirely possible with a few key techniques. Follow these expert tips for the best results every time:

Mastering the Browned Butter: Browning butter is an art, but an easy one to master! Cook the butter over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. It will melt, then foam, and then begin to form golden-brown specks at the bottom of the pan. Keep a close eye, as it can go from perfectly nutty to burnt very quickly. Once it reaches a deep amber color and emits a fragrant, nutty aroma, immediately remove it from the heat and transfer it to a separate bowl to stop the cooking process.
The Garnish Trick: For an extra layer of visual appeal and flavor, always set aside about 2 tablespoons of the browned butter. Drizzle this rich, nutty butter over the finished mashed potatoes just before serving. It adds a beautiful sheen and intensifies the browned butter essence.
The Secret to Fluffiness – The Potato Ricer: For the absolute smoothest, fluffiest, and lump-free mashed potatoes, a potato ricer is an invaluable tool. It presses the cooked potatoes into fine, airy strands, preventing them from becoming gluey (which can happen with over-mashing or using a food processor). If you don’t have a ricer, a sturdy hand potato masher or even an electric whisk on a low setting can work, just be gentle and avoid overworking the potatoes.
Warm Your Dairy: Always warm your heavy cream (or milk) before incorporating it into the mashed potatoes. Adding cold liquid can drastically drop the temperature of your potatoes, making them stiffer, harder to mash, and can affect the overall creamy texture. Gently heating the cream ensures it blends seamlessly and maintains the warmth of the dish.
Don’t Skimp on Seasoning: Potatoes are notoriously bland without proper seasoning. It’s crucial to season the boiling water generously with salt; this infuses flavor into the potatoes from the inside out. Then, taste and adjust the salt and freshly ground black pepper at the mashing stage. Don’t be afraid to add enough to make the flavors truly pop.
Avoid Overcooking the Potatoes: Cook the potato chunks until they are just fork-tender, meaning a fork slides into them easily with very little resistance. Overcooked potatoes absorb too much water, leading to a watery or grainy texture once mashed.
Thorough Draining is Crucial: After boiling, drain your potatoes exceptionally well in a colander. For an even drier result, you can return the drained potatoes to the empty, hot pot over very low heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow any residual moisture to evaporate. This step is key to preventing soggy mashed potatoes.

The golden secret ingredient: perfectly browned butter, ready to infuse your mashed potatoes with flavor.

Make-Ahead and Reheating Guide

These browned butter mashed potatoes are an excellent make-ahead dish, making them perfect for reducing stress during busy holiday preparations or for simple meal planning. Here’s how you can prepare and store them:

Making Ahead: You can prepare this dish up to 1-2 days in advance, allowing you more time to focus on other aspects of your meal.
1. Follow the recipe instructions completely, mashing the potatoes with the roasted garlic and browned butter.
2. Allow the mashed potatoes to cool completely to room temperature. This is important to prevent condensation and maintain texture.
3. Transfer the cooled mashed potatoes into an airtight container. Alternatively, you can place them directly into an oven-safe casserole dish, cover tightly with aluminum foil, and refrigerate.
Reheating for Optimal Creaminess:
- Oven Method (Recommended for larger batches or holiday meals): If stored in an oven-safe dish, add a generous splash of extra heavy cream (or milk) and a pat of butter over the top of the cold mashed potatoes. Cover the dish tightly with foil to prevent drying out and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-30 minutes, or until thoroughly heated through. Stir gently halfway through to ensure even heating. For a slightly golden, crispy top, you can remove the foil for the last 5-10 minutes of baking.
- Stovetop Method (Great for smaller portions or quick reheating): Transfer the refrigerated mashed potatoes to a large saucepan. Add a splash of heavy cream or milk (about 1/4 to 1/2 cup, depending on quantity) and a tablespoon of butter. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring frequently and gently, until the potatoes are warmed through and have regained their creamy consistency. Add more liquid as needed to reach your desired texture.
- Microwave Method (Fastest for individual servings): For single servings, place the mashed potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl. Add a tablespoon of heavy cream or milk and a small pat of butter. Cover loosely and microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring well after each, until hot and creamy.
Freezing Considerations: While it is technically possible to freeze mashed potatoes, it’s generally not recommended for recipes with a high dairy content like this one. The texture can change significantly upon thawing, often becoming grainy or watery. For the best quality and texture, plan to enjoy these within a couple of days of refrigeration.

Indulge in the rich and creamy texture of these irresistible mashed potatoes.

What to Serve with Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

These decadently rich and savory browned butter mashed potatoes are incredibly versatile and make a perfect complement to a wide range of main courses. Their robust flavor profile and creamy texture allow them to enhance almost any meal. Here are some ideal pairings:

Classic Holiday Roasts: This dish is a quintessential pairing for holiday centerpieces. Serve them alongside a perfectly roasted turkey, a succulent prime rib with au jus, a glazed ham, or a juicy leg of lamb. The creamy potatoes wonderfully soak up any pan drippings or rich gravies.
Poultry Dishes: From a simple weeknight roast to an elaborate feast, these potatoes complement poultry beautifully. Enjoy them with an air fryer whole chicken, roasted chicken thighs, crispy duck, or Cornish game hens. The subtle flavor of the chicken allows the browned butter and garlic to truly shine.
Hearty Beef & Pork: Don’t limit these to just holidays! They are an excellent accompaniment to pan-seared steaks, tender pork chops, comforting meatloaf, slow-cooked pot roast, or even hearty beef stew.
Fish & Seafood: For a delightful contrast, pair these creamy potatoes with pan-seared salmon, baked cod, or even roasted scallops. The richness of the potatoes can balance lighter proteins.
Vegetarian Main Courses: For a satisfying vegetarian meal, serve these alongside a mushroom Wellington, a hearty lentil loaf, roasted root vegetables, or a rich vegetable gratin.
Elevated Everyday Meals: Turn simple weeknight dinners into something special. These mashed potatoes can elevate dishes like gourmet sausages, seared chicken breasts, or even serve as a luxurious topping for Shepherd’s Pie.

For a final flourish, a sprinkle of fresh chopped chives or finely minced parsley adds a pop of color and a touch of fresh, bright flavor that beautifully cuts through the richness of the potatoes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What’s the best way to get the butter to brown evenly?: Use a light-colored saucepan so you can easily monitor the color changes. Cut the butter into uniform pieces to ensure it melts evenly. Stir constantly with a whisk or heat-resistant spatula, especially as it starts to foam, to prevent solids from burning at the bottom.
My mashed potatoes turned out gluey. What went wrong?: Gluey mashed potatoes are usually a result of overworking them. When potatoes are mashed too much, their starches break down and become sticky. To avoid this, use a potato ricer or a hand masher, and mash only until just smooth and combined. Avoid using food processors or blenders for mashing, as they are too aggressive.
Can I use pre-minced garlic from a jar instead of roasting a whole head?: While you could, it’s strongly discouraged for this recipe. Pre-minced garlic lacks the sweet, mellow, and complex flavor that develops when a whole head of garlic is roasted. Roasting transforms the garlic, making it an integral part of the dish’s unique taste.
How can I make these mashed potatoes even richer?: For an extra indulgent dish, you can increase the amount of butter or heavy cream slightly. You could also stir in a few ounces of cream cheese, sour cream, or mascarpone cheese along with the other liquids for added tang and creaminess.
Can I prepare the roasted garlic ahead of time?: Yes, absolutely! Roasted garlic can be prepared up to 3-4 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can even store it covered in a little olive oil. This is a great way to save time on the day of cooking.
What if I don’t have a potato ricer?: No problem! A sturdy hand potato masher will work well to achieve a smooth texture. For an even creamier result, you can use an electric hand mixer on low speed, but be careful not to over-mix, as this can lead to gluey potatoes.

More Delicious Potato Recipes to Satisfy Your Cravings

If you’re a true potato aficionado, you’ll love exploring these other incredible potato recipes:

Roasted Garlic Potatoes: A simple yet incredibly flavorful side, perfect for any meal.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes: A classic, buttery, and smooth mashed potato recipe that’s always a hit.
Twice Baked Potatoes: Individual potato boats filled with cheesy, fluffy goodness, making for a hearty side or light meal.
Crockpot Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Onions: An easy, hands-off method for mashed potatoes, featuring the sweet depth of caramelized onions.

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5 from 2 votes

Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

By
Julie Maestre

These browned butter mashed potatoes are boiled to perfection, then mashed with roasted garlic and browned butter. The ultimate side dish for the holidays!

Prep:
20

Cook:
35

Servings:
8

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Equipment

Large Pot
Colander
Small Saucepan (for butter)
Oven-Safe Dish or Aluminum Foil (for garlic roasting)
Potato Ricer (highly recommended) or Potato Masher / Electric Whisk
Large Mixing Bowl

Ingredients

For the Roasted Garlic:

1 head fresh garlic
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Mashed Potatoes:

3 lbs Russet Potatoes or Yukon Gold Potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1.5-2 inch chunks
8 tbsp salted butter (1 stick), divided for browning and finishing
1 3/4 cups heavy cream, warmed (or whole milk for a slightly lighter version)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Fresh chives, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Roast the Garlic: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare the head of garlic by slicing off about a quarter inch from the very top to expose the individual cloves. Drizzle the cut surface generously with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and season lightly with salt and pepper. Wrap the entire garlic bulb tightly in aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Roast for 35-40 minutes, or until the garlic cloves are incredibly soft and have a sweet, aromatic fragrance. Once cool enough to handle, carefully squeeze the softened garlic cloves out of their skins into a small bowl. Use a fork or a small knife to finely mash the roasted garlic into a paste. Set this aside.
Prepare and Boil Potatoes: While the garlic is roasting, wash, peel, and chop your 3 lbs of potatoes into uniform 1.5 to 2-inch chunks. This even sizing is crucial for consistent cooking. Place the chopped potatoes into a large pot and cover them with cold water, ensuring there’s about an inch of water above the potatoes. Season the water generously with salt – this is your first opportunity to infuse the potatoes with flavor! Bring the pot to a rolling boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and allow the potatoes to simmer.
Cook Potatoes to Tenderness: Continue to cook the potatoes for 18-20 minutes. Test for doneness by piercing a potato chunk with a fork; it should slide in easily with no resistance, indicating they are fork-tender. It’s important to monitor closely and avoid overcooking, as excessively soft potatoes can become watery or grainy when mashed.
Drain and Dry Thoroughly: Once tender, immediately drain the potatoes using a colander. Allow them to sit in the colander for approximately 10 minutes. This critical step allows excess steam and moisture to evaporate, which is essential for achieving light and fluffy mashed potatoes. For an even drier result, you can briefly return the drained potatoes to the empty, hot pot over very low heat for 1-2 minutes, shaking the pot occasionally.
Brown the Butter: While the potatoes are drying, place the entire stick of 8 tablespoons of butter into a small, light-colored saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently with a spatula or whisk. The butter will melt, then foam, and eventually, golden-brown specks will begin to form at the bottom of the pan. Continue cooking until the butter reaches a rich, deep amber color and emits a wonderfully nutty, almost caramel-like aroma. Immediately remove the saucepan from the heat and pour the browned butter (including all the flavorful brown solids) into a heatproof bowl to prevent it from burning. Set aside about 2 tablespoons of this delicious browned butter for garnishing the finished dish.
Warm the Heavy Cream: In the same saucepan used for the butter (no need to clean it!), gently heat the 1 3/4 cups of heavy cream over medium-low heat for 3-5 minutes, until it is warmed through but not boiling. Warm cream will incorporate more smoothly into the potatoes and help maintain their warmth.
Mash the Potatoes: Transfer the thoroughly dried potatoes into a large mixing bowl. For the best fluffy texture, pass the potatoes through a potato ricer directly into the bowl. If a ricer isn’t available, use a sturdy hand potato masher or an electric whisk on a very low speed. Mash just until smooth; avoid over-mashing to prevent a gluey texture.
Combine and Season: To the mashed potatoes, add the warmed heavy cream, the mashed roasted garlic, and the remaining 6 tablespoons of browned butter. Gently mix everything together until just combined and uniformly creamy. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Continue mixing until you achieve your desired consistency, adding an extra splash of warm cream if you prefer them even creamier.
Serve and Garnish: Transfer the luscious browned butter mashed potatoes to your favorite serving dish. Drizzle the reserved 2 tablespoons of browned butter over the top for an extra burst of flavor and a beautiful presentation. Garnish with freshly chopped chives, if desired. Serve immediately and prepare for compliments!

Notes

Elevate with Garnish: Don’t skip setting aside a couple of tablespoons of browned butter for a final drizzle. It adds a beautiful sheen and intensifies the nutty flavor upon serving.
Achieve Perfect Texture: A potato ricer is your best friend for truly fluffy, lump-free mashed potatoes. If you don’t own one, a potato masher or an electric whisk (on low speed) can achieve a great texture too, just be careful not to over-mash.
Dairy Flexibility: If heavy cream isn’t available, or if you prefer a slightly lighter option without sacrificing much creaminess, feel free to use whole milk as a direct substitute.
Personalize Your Potatoes: For an even richer, tangier flavor, experiment by stirring in a spoonful of sour cream, cream cheese, or crème fraîche along with your heavy cream and browned butter.
Crucial Seasoning: Always remember to salt the water when boiling your potatoes. This is foundational for deeply flavorful potatoes. Always taste and adjust salt and pepper at the final mixing stage.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation. Actual values may vary based on ingredients and preparation methods.

Additional Info

Author:
Julie Maestre

Prep Time:
20

Cook Time:
35

Course:
Side Dish, Holiday, Comfort Food

Cuisine:
American

Servings:
8

Calories:
435

Keyword:
brown butter mashed potatoes, browned butter mashed potatoes, Mashed Potatoes, roasted garlic, holiday side dish, creamy mashed potatoes, easy mashed potato recipe, potato recipe

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