The 3-Ingredient Garlic Mashed Potatoes I Make On Repeat
The recipe has just two simple steps.
Simply Recipes / Molly Allen
If you ask me, every meal can be improved with mashed potatoes. Whether you’re fixing a perfectly cooked steak, adding them to your Thanksgiving spread, or simply need a side for Tuesday night’s dinner, mashed potatoes are the fix.
And while there are plenty of different ways to make mashed potatoes, I choose to go with the easiest method that will deliver maximum flavor—my 3-ingredient mashed potatoes.
Making mashed potatoes doesn’t have to be complicated. For this recipe, the potatoes and garlic are boiled together. I throw them both in the pot with water, with the skins left on the potatoes and the garlic peeled. Simple, rustic, no-fuss mashed potatoes are my preference, especially when it means less work.
Tips for Making My 3-Ingredient Mashed Potatoes
Go for Gold: You can make mashed potatoes with russets or your favorite red potatoes, but the best potato to use? Yukon Golds. They’re aptly named for their buttery color and flavor while their high starch helps to produce an excellent texture.
Skins On or Off: I love a more rustic bowl of mashed potatoes, so I wash the potatoes and keep the skins on. You can certainly choose to peel the potatoes if you prefer.
Adjust the Garlic: Six cloves of garlic make for nice, lightly flavored garlic mashed potatoes. You can increase or decrease that amount as needed.
Mash it Up: One of the best ways to mash your potatoes? Transfer them to a stand mixer or use a hand mixer to tackle the task. You can also mash your potatoes with a masher or a large fork.
Simply Recipes / Molly Allen
How To Make My 3-Ingredient Garlic Mashed Potatoes
For 4 to 6 servings, you’ll need:
2 pounds potatoes, preferably Yukon Gold
6 cloves garlic, whole and peeled
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
3 tablespoons butter
Cut the potatoes into 1-inch chunks and transfer to a large saucepan. Add the cloves of garlic and salt and cover about about an inch with cold water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. They are ready when you can easily pierce them with a fork.
Once the potatoes are done cooking, drain the pot, reserving 3/4 cup of the water. Add the potatoes and water back in and mash with a potato masher or a large fork.
Add the butter and mash until you’ve reached your desired consistency. Taste, adding more salt if desired.
Mix-Ins and Toppings
These 3-ingredient garlic mashed potatoes are made simply, and you can use them as a base for customizing with other ingredients. Add more butter, mix in cream, or include black pepper and other seasonings.
To dress them up, sprinkle cheddar cheese, bacon, chives, or green onions on top. You could even stir in a mixture of sautéed peppers and onions.
