Whether you are new to the kitchen, or already comfortable, mashed potatoes are a perfect food to learn how to make. Making smooth and creamy mashed potatoes is a process of love and patience. If you follow the steps of this recipe, it is pretty hard to mess them up! Read on to find out how to make the best and creamiest garlic mashed potatoes ever. 

Step one to making creamy and delicious mashed potatoes is to cut your raw potatoes into small, bite-sized pieces. This ensures that the potatoes they will cook evenly throughout.

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The Best Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Recipe by Recipe Helper

Course: SidesDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

25

minutes

Ingredients

• 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and rinsed

• 2 to 3 teaspoons salt

• 3 tablespoons butter, softened or melted

• 1 cup warm milk

• 2 tablespoons garlic powder

• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

• Cut potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Place in a large pot with cold water (water should just cover the potatoes), 3 teaspoons salt, and boil for 15-20 minutes until tender.
• Next, drain potatoes and transfer them to a bowl. Add softened butter, warm milk, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and ground black pepper.
• Use a potato masher to mash everything together until smooth and creamy to your liking. Add more milk and salt as needed.
• Serve and enjoy! 

Notes

• Cutting potatoes in bite-sized pieces ensures even cooking. 
• Salting the water flavors the potatoes.
• Placing potatoes in cold water and then boiling ensures even cooking throughout.

Step two is to place them in a large pot of salted, cold water and then bring everything to a rapid boil. Starting with cold water also ensures even cooking throughout each potato. When raw potatoes are placed in hot, boiling water, the outside cooks much faster than the inside. This yields chunky mashed potatoes. Chunky mashed potatoes are no fun to eat. The goal here is to get creamy mashed potatoes. 

The third step to making creamy garlic mashed potatoes is to use warm ingredients. Make sure the butter is softened (room temperature) or melted. Make sure the milk is warm or hot. Some people store their seasonings in their refrigerator, so if you do, then make sure the seasonings such as garlic powder, salt, ground black pepper, and Italian seasoning are at room temperature. 

After boiling the potatoes for 15 to 20 minutes, drain them and transfer them to a large bowl. Give your freshly boiled potatoes a taste. You should be able to taste that they are seasoned with salt. Tasting it before adding the other ingredients helps you gauge how much more salt you will need to add. You might not need to add any more. It all depends entirely on your palate.

Now is the time to add the rest of the ingredients. Using a potato masher, mash together the softened or melted butter, warm or hot milk, garlic powder, more salt (if needed), black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Please note that in place of dried Italian seasoning, you may also use your selection of fresh, chopped Italian herbs. Keep mashing the potatoes with the other ingredients until they are creamy to your liking. Add another splash of milk, if needed to reach your desired consistency. 

It’s as easy as that, folks! The Best, Easiest, and Creamiest Garlic Mashed Potatoes are brought to your kitchen in just minutes! Once you make these one time, you can truly make this recipe by heart. These Garlic mashed potatoes are perfect for any season, but especially for the cooler months that we are in now.

Hopefully, you enjoy this recipe and find it fairly easy to make! Keep in mind that if you follow the steps, you can certainly perfect the art of making creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes! Keep this recipe on your menu for the upcoming holidays and years to come. And, pair these mashed potatoes with any other sides or main dishes that you see fit. Happy Cooking to you!