50 Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Easy Mashed Potatoes

By Emmy
April 15, 2025
These Easy Mashed Potatoes with roasted garlic are creamy, flavorful, and the perfect side for your Thanksgiving table. With just a few simple ingredients, you'll have a dish that everyone will rave about. You've got to try this one!
50 Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Easy Mashed Potatoes
Servings 4 People
Calories 250 Kcal
Prep Time 10 M
Cook time 60 M
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Get ready for the creamiest, most flavorful mashed potatoes that will be the highlight of your Thanksgiving feast! These Easy Mashed Potatoes are infused with roasted garlic and finished with a drizzle of olive oil, making them a delightful side dish.

Tips for Perfection

Remember to use a ricer for the fluffiest texture! And don’t be shy with the olive oil; it adds a lovely richness.

Why You’ll Love It

This part’s so satisfying — mashing those potatoes with roasted garlic will elevate your dish to a whole new level. Trust me, you’ll love it!

Ingredients

  • Mashed Potatoes Base:

Instructions

  • Prepare the Garlic:
  • Step 1
    - Mash the Garlic: Use the back of a chef's knife or a small masher to mash the roasted garlic into a paste before incorporating into the mashed potatoes. Set aside.
  • Step 2
    - Cook the Potatoes: Place the potatoes and 1 teaspoon of the salt in a large pot and fill with enough water to cover the potatoes by 1 inch. Bring to a boil and cook until fork tender, about 20 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
  • Step 3
    - Mash and Combine: Use a ricer or a potato masher to mash the potatoes in a large bowl. Use a rubber spatula to fold in the roasted garlic, olive oil, ½ cup of the reserved cooking liquid, the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and several grinds of pepper. Continue folding until creamy, adding up to ½ cup more cooking liquid if desired for creamier potatoes. Serve hot with butter, chives, and/or rosemary, if desired.

Nutrition

  • Calories: 250, Fat: 12g, Carbs: 35g, Protein: 3g

Cooking techniques

Boiling the potatoes until fork tender ensures they are easy to mash. Using a ricer or masher will help achieve that perfect creamy texture.

Variations or substitutions

Feel free to substitute the Yukon gold potatoes with russets for a different flavor. You can also add cream instead of olive oil for an extra indulgent version!

Storage tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk or reserved cooking liquid to restore creaminess.

Notes

For a dairy-free option, simply skip the butter and use olive oil or a plant-based spread instead.

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"Well hey there, sugar! I’m Emmy, but most folks just call me Memaw. I’ve been cookin’ since I was tall enough to reach the stovetop — and let me tell you, there’s nothin’ that makes me happier than feedin’ folks good food made with love. Around here, we keep it simple, soulful, and downright delicious. So grab a plate, pull up a chair, and let’s get to cookin’!"