These garlic mashed red potatoes are creamy, buttery and a family favorite comfort food! Serve this easy side dish for the holidays or alongside any weeknight dinner.
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Why You’ll Love Red Skinned Mashed Potatoes
- Ready in 30 minutes: These easy garlic mashed red potatoes are made in only one-pot and there is no peeling involved unlike these russet potatoes in creamy mashed potatoes.
- Restaurant quality: Homemade mashed red potatoes are an impressive side dish that goes with just about any main meal! Using thin-skinned red potatoes adds flavor, color and texture.
Ingredient Notes
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Red potatoes: Make sure to wash the thin delicate skins of the red skin potatoes before using. I like the texture that the red skin adds to the dish but you can peel them if you like.
- Butter: Melt the salted butter before using. If using unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt to taste. I also like to add a slice of butter on top before serving.
- Sour cream: This gives them that super creamy texture, with a hint of tang.
- Milk: This also adds to the creaminess. For an even richer flavor, you can use heavy cream instead.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves add the best flavor. The whole cloves cook in the same pot as the potatoes, making them super easy to mash.
How to Make Mashed Red Potatoes
- Boil. Add the diced potatoes and garlic cloves into a pot of boiling water and cook until they are fork-tender. Drain and then place back into the pan.
- Mash. Pour in the melted butter, milk, and sour cream. Mash everything together using a potato masher or hand mixer in a large bowl.
- Extra creamy. For an even creamier consistency, mix in one to two spoonfuls of heavy cream. Mix until desired consistency.
- Serve. Enjoy plain with fresh parsley, top with homemade gravy or your favorite cheese melted on top.
Cooking Tips
- Salt in water. Add a Tablespoon of salt to the pot of water. It will add a nice depth of flavor to the red potatoes while they cook.
- More garlic. Add the garlic cloves to the water as well so they can cook and mash very easily. You could also roast the garlic in the oven if you prefer a more caramelized flavor.
- Extra creamy. To take them up a notch, try using heavy cream and mixing in freshly grated parmesan cheese.
- Don’t over mash the red potatoes! Red potatoes are waxy, meaning they have more moisture and less starch than other potatoes. Lightly mashing them ensures that they won’t turn into a gluey pasty mess.
Serving Suggestions
- Turkey: Roasted turkey is a great Sunday or holiday dinner that sits next to the garlic red mashed potatoes perfectly.
- Beef: Oven-baked steak, meatloaf, and pot roast are all great dinners that need a boost of potatoes on the side.
- Ham: Add a side of red mashed potatoes to this roasted pork tenderloin or baked ham recipe.
- Chicken: This garlic mashed red potatoes recipe is delicious side to or on top of the chicken marsala.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Make ahead: Assemble red mashed potatoes then place in a large microwave-safe bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat by poking lots of holes in the plastic wrap and microwave at medium-high power for about 14 minutes. You can also reheat on the stovetop with a splash of milk.
- Store: Let the garlic mashed red potatoes cool before storing the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. You can also freeze them for up to one month. Thaw in the refrigerator then reheat.
Love potato side dish recipes? Add hasselback potatoes recipe, crock pot mashed potatoes or roasted red potatoes to your menu!
More Potato Side Dish Recipes
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Mashed Red Potatoes
These garlic mashed red potatoes are creamy, buttery and a family favorite comfort food! Serve this easy side dish for the holidays or alongside any weeknight dinner.
Video
Ingredients
- 2 ½ pounds red potatoes , quartered
- ¼ cup salted butter , melted
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup warm milk , or heavy cream
- 2-3 garlic cloves , peeled, more or less as desired
- Kosher salt , to taste
- Ground black pepper , to taste
Instructions
- Boil potatoes. In a large pot of water, stir in 1 Tablespoon salt and bring to a boil over medium heat. Place 2 1/2 pounds quartered red potatoes and 2-3 garlic cloves in the pot and cook 20 to 30 minutes, or until a fork inserts easily. Drain and place back in pot. Let steam evaporate.
- Mash. Add 1/4 cup melted butter, 1/4 cup sour cream, and 1/4 cup milk. Mash with a potato masher. If you want them extra creamy, use an electric mixer. Add 1 to 2 Tablespoons of heavy creamy if you would like them even creamier.
- Serve. Season with salt and pepper. Serve while warm. Enjoy plain, or with gravy or melted cheese on top.
Notes
Peels: You can leave the skins on the potatoes, if preferred.
Optional toppings:
- Cheddar cheese
- Green onions
- Melted butter
- Homemade gravy, of course
Nutrition
Calories: 170kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 76mg | Potassium: 670mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 244IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
If I could survive on potatoes, I would! Love all kinds, and this recipe does not disappoint. Served it at our Friendsgiving last year and will make it again this year.
These were so delicious and went perfect with our fried chicken dinner last night! Thanks!
I am so glad that you loved these mashed potatoes!
These are so perfect! Everyone at my house loved it!
Simply delicious! Whole family enjoyed!
Love these mashed potatoes!
You may have to make more than one potato dish for your holiday meal ;) Thanks for sharing!
Can I make this in the instant pot?
Yes, I would follow this recipe for instructions: https://www.iheartnaptime.net/instant-pot-mashed-potatoes/
Do you think these would work out doing them in the instant pot?
An absolute must make! My daughter loves anything mashed potatoes, she’ll be in for a delicious surprise! I might add just a bit of feta, she loves that too!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for leaving a comment and review!
These potatoes are amazing! Love pairing them with so many of my favorite dishes!