Here at Jow, we love to make mashed potatoes year-round as a filling, crowd-pleasing, and affordable side dish. They’re especially popular around the holidays — after all, what’s Thanksgiving without a bed of mash to soak up that gravy? Whether you’re making mashed potatoes for a casual weeknight or a festive holiday feast, it’s always a good time to up your game. We’ve gathered our 7 best tips to upgrade this classic, creamy dish to transform it from a dependable standby to a true showstopper.
1. Sprinkle with Fresh Chives
A sprinkle of fresh chives does wonders for mashed potatoes, adding color, brightness, and a mild onion-y flavor. Simply chop them finely and stir them in right before serving, or sprinkle them on top as a garnish.
2. Incorporate Brown Butter
If you haven’t tried brown butter in your mashed potatoes, you’re missing out! Brown butter has a rich, nutty flavor that adds depth and sophistication. To make it, melt butter over medium heat until it turns golden brown and develops a rich, toasty aroma, about 5-7 minutes. Stir into your mashed potatoes to incorporate the buttery goodness.
3. Roast Some Garlic
Roasted garlic has a sweet, caramelized flavor and velvety texture that blends perfectly with creamy mashed potatoes. To roast garlic, slice off about ½ inch off the top of a head of garlic so that the cloves are exposed, then set it cut-side up on a piece of aluminum foil that’s big enough to wrap around the garlic. Drizzle the garlic with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and fold over the foil to enclose the whole head. Place the packet directly on a rack in your oven and roast at 400℉ for about an hour and a half, until the cloves are very tender and your kitchen smells amazing. Let the garlic cool slightly, then squeeze out the cloves directly into the mashed potatoes and mix.
4. Add Pesto for a Fresh, Herby Twist
Pesto might not be an obvious addition to mashed potatoes, but it’s a delicious flavor combination, giving the spuds a fresh, herby twist. A swirl of pesto adds a pop of color and a bold flavor that pairs beautifully with roasted meats like chicken or pork.
5. Fold in Sour Cream
For an extra creamy, velvety mash, fold in a scoop of sour cream. This not only improves the texture but the sour cream’s naturally tangy flavor also cuts through the richness of the mashed potatoes. .
6. Add Freshly Cracked Black Pepper
Black pepper might seem like a simple seasoning, but when used generously and freshly cracked, it can add a wonderful depth to your mashed potatoes. Black pepper has subtle heat and an earthy, spicy aroma that complements the rich, creamy mashed potatoes.
7. Make Them Cheesy
Adding cheese is an easy way to transform your mashed potatoes into something ultra-satisfying. Stir in shredded cheddar, Parmesan, or Gruyère for a cheesy twist. To mix and match, try combining cheddar and fresh chives, Parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper, and Gruyère and roasted garlic.
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