When you think about Thanksgiving, what comes to mind? For me, it’s the wonderful aroma that fills the whole house. It’s the sound of laughter and family catching up. And of course, it’s the food. We all have our favorite Thanksgiving recipes that are non negotiable parts of the celebration.
Today, I want to share a recipe that takes a classic side dish and makes it truly special. We are talking about roasted garlic mashed potatoes. This is one of those Easy Thanksgiving Recipes that tastes like it took all day to make. It is creamy, rich, and full of a deep, sweet garlic flavor that is just incredible.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Let’s be honest, mashed potatoes are already pretty great. They are a staple of comfort food for a reason. But adding roasted garlic to the mix? It changes everything. It adds a layer of flavor that is both subtle and profound. You get a sweet, caramelized taste instead of the sharp bite of raw garlic.
This recipe is also wonderfully simple. While the garlic roasts, you can prepare the potatoes. The steps are straightforward, making it one of the best Thanksgiving Food Ideas for a busy cooking day. You do not need any fancy equipment, just a masher and a pot.
The texture is another huge plus. We use Yukon Gold potatoes for their naturally buttery and creamy consistency. When combined with heavy cream and butter, they become velvety smooth. It’s the kind of side dish that will have everyone reaching for a second spoonful, I promise you.
This is a standout among Thanksgiving Recipes Side Dishes because it feels elevated without any extra fuss. It is a simple way to make your holiday meal feel a little more gourmet. Your guests will be so impressed, and you will know just how easy it was to put together.
Ingredients
The ingredient list for these potatoes is short and sweet. Each component plays a key role in creating the final, delicious dish. It is a fantastic example of how simple ingredients can produce amazing results in your Thanksgiving recipes.
- 1 head garlic, whole and unpeeled
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 pounds potatoes, preferably Yukon Gold or another yellow, waxy potato
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons butter
Yukon Gold potatoes are my top choice here. Their waxy texture and lower starch content help them stay creamy and not get gummy. Heavy cream and real butter are essential for that rich, luxurious feel that makes these potatoes so special. They are a core part of so many classic Thanksgiving Food Sides.
Step By Step Instructions
Following these steps will give you fluffy, creamy mashed potatoes every single time. It is one of my favorite Easy Thanksgiving Recipes to share with people. Let’s walk through it together.
Step 1: Preheat The Oven
First things first, get your oven ready. You will want to preheat it to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the ideal temperature for roasting the garlic until it is soft, sweet, and perfectly caramelized. Getting this done first sets you up for success.
Step 2: Roast The Garlic
Now for the star of the show, the garlic. Take a whole head of garlic and peel away the loose, papery outer layers. Be sure to leave the head itself intact. You want all the cloves to stay together.
Using a small, sharp knife, carefully slice off the top part of the cloves, about one quarter to one half inch. This exposes the tops of all the individual cloves inside. Place your prepared garlic head on a piece of aluminum foil.
Drizzle the exposed cloves generously with olive oil. Sprinkle a little salt over the top. Then, wrap the foil loosely around the garlic head. This little packet will trap the heat and steam, helping the garlic cook evenly.
Bake it at 400 degrees for about thirty to forty minutes. You will know it is ready when the cloves feel very soft to the touch and are starting to turn a beautiful golden brown. The smell will be absolutely amazing. Once it’s done, take it out and let it cool down a bit.
Step 3: Boil The Potatoes
While that gorgeous garlic is roasting away, you can work on the potatoes. Peel them and chop them into uniform chunks, about one inch in size. This helps them cook at the same rate.
Place the potato chunks in a medium saucepan. Add half a teaspoon of salt and cover them with cold water. Starting with cold water is a great trick. It allows the potatoes to heat up gradually, ensuring the insides and outsides cook evenly.
Bring the pot to a boil on the stove. Once it is boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the potatoes cook until they are tender. You can test this by piercing one with a fork. It should slide in and out easily. This usually takes about fifteen minutes.
Step 4: Warm The Cream And Melt The Butter
This is a small step but it makes a big difference. Combine your heavy cream and butter in a small pan on the stovetop over low heat. Or, you can just pop them in a microwave safe bowl and heat them that way. You just want the butter to melt completely and the cream to be warm.
Adding warm liquid to hot potatoes keeps everything at the right temperature. It also helps the potatoes absorb the fat and cream more easily, leading to a smoother final product. It is a pro tip for many Thanksgiving recipes.
Step 5: Mash The Potatoes With Garlic
Once the potatoes are tender, drain all the water out. You can return the empty pot to the stovetop over low heat for a minute. Put the drained potatoes back in the pot. This helps cook off any remaining moisture, which is key to avoiding watery mashed potatoes.
Now for the fun part. Your roasted garlic should be cool enough to handle. Squeeze the entire head of garlic over the potatoes. The soft, golden cloves should slide right out of their skins. It is so satisfying to watch. Begin mashing everything together with a potato masher or a large fork.
Step 6: Add The Cream And Butter, Then Season
Pour the warm cream and butter mixture into the pot with the potatoes and garlic. Continue to mash until the potatoes reach your desired consistency. Some people like them super smooth, others like a few lumps. Both are delicious.
A word of caution. Do not overmix your potatoes. If you work them too much, they can release too much starch and become gummy. Just mash until everything is combined and looks good to you. This is one of the most important Thanksgiving Food Ideas to remember.
Finally, taste for seasoning. The potatoes were boiled in salt water, but they will likely need more. Add a bit more salt, taste again, and adjust until it is just right. Your amazing addition to this year’s Thanksgiving recipes is ready to serve.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, which is a big if, storing them is simple. First, allow the mashed potatoes to cool down to room temperature completely. You do not want to put hot food directly into the fridge.
Once cooled, transfer the potatoes to an airtight container. They will keep well in the refrigerator for up to four days. This makes them a great option for meal planning around the holidays. So many wonderful Thanksgiving recipes are even better the next day.
When you are ready to reheat them, you have a couple of options. You can warm them in the microwave, stirring every minute or so. Or you can reheat them gently in a saucepan on the stovetop over low heat. I like to add a splash of milk or cream to bring back their creamy texture.
Tips
Want to make these potatoes even better? I have a few extra tips for you. These little tricks can help you customize your dish and ensure it is a success every time. Good tips are what separate good Thanksgiving recipes from great ones.
For the smoothest possible potatoes, use a potato ricer or a food mill instead of a masher. These tools break down the potato without overworking the starch, giving you a very silky texture. It’s an extra step but worth it if you love velvety potatoes.
Feel free to add fresh herbs. Finely chopped chives, parsley, or rosemary can add another layer of flavor and a nice touch of color. Stir them in right at the end before serving. This is a common practice for many Thanksgiving Recipes Side Dishes.
You can also add cheese for extra richness. A handful of grated Parmesan or a spoonful of cream cheese melted in with the butter and cream would be delicious. These additions make the dish even more decadent.
If you want to prepare this dish ahead of time, you absolutely can. Make the potatoes completely, then let them cool and store them in the fridge. Reheat them in a slow cooker on low for a couple of hours before serving. This frees up stove space on Thanksgiving day, which is always a bonus. Managing your time is key with Easy Thanksgiving Recipes.
Finally, make sure your potatoes are well drained. Excess water is the enemy of fluffy, flavorful mashed potatoes. Let them sit in the colander for a minute, or even put them back in the hot pot to steam dry for a moment before you start mashing.
Conclusion
There you have it. A simple yet incredibly flavorful recipe for roasted garlic mashed potatoes. It is a dish that truly celebrates the spirit of the holidays. It takes a humble ingredient and turns it into something special. It is one of those Thanksgiving recipes that creates memories.
I hope you give this recipe a try for your next holiday gathering. It is the kind of comforting, delicious food that brings everyone together around the table. The sweet, mellow flavor of the roasted garlic really makes these potatoes shine among all the other Thanksgiving Food Sides.
Enjoy the process of making it, and more importantly, enjoy sharing it with the people you love. Happy cooking, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving. This will surely be a highlight of your Thanksgiving recipes collection.
FAQ
Can I Use Pre Minced Garlic?
I would strongly advise against it. The magic of this recipe comes from roasting a whole head of garlic. This process transforms the garlic, making it sweet, mellow, and creamy. Pre minced garlic is very sharp and pungent and will not give you the same flavor profile at all. Roasting is key for these Thanksgiving recipes.
Can I Make These Dairy Free?
Yes, you can. To make this recipe dairy free, you can use a good quality vegan butter and a creamy, unsweetened plant based milk. Full fat oat milk or a dairy free heavy cream alternative would work well. The flavor and texture will be slightly different but still very delicious.
What If My Potatoes Are Gummy?
Gummy potatoes are usually the result of overmixing. This happens easily if you use a food processor or an electric mixer. If this happens, do not throw them out. You can salvage them by turning them into potato pancakes or adding them to a soup as a thickener. It is a common challenge with potato based Thanksgiving recipes.
How Many People Does This Recipe Serve?
This recipe uses two pounds of potatoes, which will comfortably serve about six to eight people as a side dish. For a larger crowd, you can easily double the recipe. Just be sure to use a larger pot and roast two heads of garlic instead of one. It is a scalable part of your Thanksgiving Food Ideas.
Creamy Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
This recipe takes a classic side dish and makes it truly special. It is creamy, rich, and full of a deep, sweet garlic flavor that is just incredible. A standout side dish that feels elevated without any extra fuss.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Slice off the top of the garlic head, place on aluminum foil, drizzle with olive oil and salt, then wrap loosely. Roast for 30-40 minutes until soft and golden.
- While garlic roasts, peel and chop potatoes into 1-inch chunks. Place in a saucepan with salt and cold water to cover.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer for about 15 minutes until fork-tender. Drain well.
- Warm the heavy cream and butter in a small pan or in the microwave.
- Return drained potatoes to the hot pot. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into the potatoes. Begin mashing with a potato masher or large fork.
- Pour the warm cream and butter mixture into the pot. Continue mashing until the potatoes reach your desired consistency.
- Season to taste with more salt. Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
For the smoothest possible potatoes, use a potato ricer or a food mill instead of a masher.
Feel free to add fresh herbs. Finely chopped chives, parsley, or rosemary can add another layer of flavor and a nice touch of color.
You can make this dish ahead of time. Reheat in a slow cooker on low for a couple of hours before serving to free up stove space.
Make sure your potatoes are well drained. Excess water is the enemy of fluffy, flavorful mashed potatoes.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
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