Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes – The Perfect Side Dish for Thanksgiving and Beyond
Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes – A rich and velvety side dish made with butter, heavy cream, and a hint of garlic. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any occasion!
Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes – The Perfect Side Dish for Thanksgiving and Beyond
There’s nothing quite as comforting as a warm, velvety serving of Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes. This dish is a game-changer for any occasion, especially during the holidays. With the perfect balance of buttery richness and garlic flavor, these mashed potatoes are an easy yet impressive side dish that will elevate any meal. Whether you’re serving them for Thanksgiving or a casual weeknight dinner, they’re bound to be a crowd-pleaser!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes are not your ordinary side dish. The addition of whole garlic cloves adds depth and richness, while the chive and onion cream cheese spread offers a subtle tanginess that takes these potatoes to the next level. The best part? They’re incredibly easy to make! No fancy ingredients, no complicated steps—just pure, delicious comfort food.
Ingredients Breakdown:
4-5 Russet Potatoes, Peeled and Cut into Large Pieces: Russet potatoes are ideal for mashed potatoes because of their high starch content, which results in a fluffy, creamy texture.
10-12 Whole Garlic Cloves, Peeled: Roasting whole garlic cloves with the potatoes gives the dish a mellow, slightly sweet garlic flavor that doesn’t overpower the other ingredients.
4 Tbsp Butter, Room Temperature: Butter is essential for richness and that signature creamy texture.
½ Cup Heavy Cream, Room Temperature: Heavy cream adds a velvety smoothness, making the mashed potatoes extra indulgent.
¼ Cup Chive and Onion Cream Cheese Spread: This adds a flavorful twist with a hint of tanginess and herbiness from the chives, giving the mashed potatoes a delicious depth of flavor.
Salt & Pepper to Taste: These are must-haves for seasoning. Make sure to salt the water for boiling the potatoes so they’re seasoned from the inside out.
Directions:
Boil the Potatoes and Garlic: Place the potato pieces and whole garlic cloves into a large pot. Cover them with enough water so that the water is about an inch above the potatoes. Add enough salt to the water to mimic the salinity of seawater. Place the pot over medium-high heat and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender (about 15-20 minutes).
Drain the Potatoes: Once the potatoes are done, drain them using a colander. Return the drained potatoes to the pot and cook on low heat for 2-3 minutes to evaporate any remaining moisture.
Rice the Potatoes: Using a potato ricer, rice the potatoes and garlic back into the empty pot or a large mixing bowl.
Mix in the Creamy Ingredients: Add the butter, heavy cream, chive and onion cream cheese spread, and salt and pepper to the riced potatoes. Using a handheld or stand mixer, blend everything together until smooth and creamy.
Serve: Garnish with parsley for a pop of color and serve immediately. These mashed potatoes are the perfect side dish to any main course, but they really shine at a holiday table!
Tips for Success:
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Be sure that your butter and cream are at room temperature for easy mixing and a smoother consistency.
Salt the Water: Salting the water while boiling the potatoes ensures that the potatoes are well-seasoned from the start.
Don’t Over-Mix: Over-mixing can make the potatoes gluey. Mix just until everything is well incorporated for the best texture.
Try a Potato Ricer: Using a ricer gives the mashed potatoes an extra smooth texture without the risk of overworking them.
Why These Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes Are Perfect for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving calls for indulgence, and these mashed potatoes fit the bill perfectly. The creamy texture combined with the mellow garlic flavor and the subtle tang from the cream cheese make this dish stand out on any holiday table. It pairs beautifully with roasted turkey, gravy, or even as a bed for some savory stuffing. But don’t limit these mashed potatoes to just the holidays—they make a fantastic side dish for any occasion, whether it’s a dinner party or a cozy family meal.

Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4-5 Russet Potatoes, Peeled and Cut into Large Pieces
- 10-12 Whole Garlic Cloves, Peeled
- 4 Tbsp Butter, Room Temperature
- ½ Cup Heavy Cream, Room Temperature
- ¼ Cup Chive and Onion Cream Cheese Spread
- Salt & Pepper to Taste
Instructions
- Boil the Potatoes and Garlic: Place the potato pieces and whole garlic cloves into a large pot. Cover them with enough water so that the water is about an inch above the potatoes. Add enough salt to the water to mimic the salinity of seawater. Place the pot over medium-high heat and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender (about 15-20 minutes).
- Drain the Potatoes: Once the potatoes are done, drain them using a colander. Return the drained potatoes to the pot and cook on low heat for 2-3 minutes to evaporate any remaining moisture.
- Rice the Potatoes: Using a potato ricer, rice the potatoes and garlic back into the empty pot or a large mixing bowl.
- Mix in the Creamy Ingredients: Add the butter, heavy cream, chive and onion cream cheese spread, and salt and pepper to the riced potatoes. Using a handheld or stand mixer, blend everything together until smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley for a pop of color and serve immediately. These mashed potatoes are the perfect side dish to any main course, but they really shine at a holiday table!
Notes
Tips for Success:
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Be sure that your butter and cream are at room temperature for easy mixing and a smoother consistency.
- Salt the Water: Salting the water while boiling the potatoes ensures that the potatoes are well-seasoned from the start.
- Don’t Over-Mix: Over-mixing can make the potatoes gluey. Mix just until everything is well incorporated for the best texture.
- Try a Potato Ricer: Using a ricer gives the mashed potatoes an extra smooth texture without the risk of overworking them.
Make These Mashed Potatoes for Your Next Dinner!
If you’re looking for the ultimate comfort food side dish, look no further than these Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Whether you're preparing for a big holiday feast or just a cozy dinner at home, this recipe is sure to impress. The combination of garlic, creamy butter, and chive-flavored cream cheese makes for the perfect flavor-packed side that your family and friends will ask for again and again.
Try this recipe out and let me know how it turned out! Don’t forget to share your pictures and tag me on social media!
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