Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe (3 Ingredients, 20 Minutes)

Name: The 3-Ingredient Garlic Mashed Potatoes I Make on Repeat
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 2 pounds potatoes, preferably Yukon Gold; 6 cloves garlic, whole and peeled; 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste; 3 tablespoons butter

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 go with the easiest method that will deliver maximum flavor—my three-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.

3-Ingredient Garlic Mashed Potatoes in a bowl topped with a pat of butter — Simply Recipes / Molly Allen

Tips for Making My 3-Ingredient Mashed Potatoes

Go for gold: You can make mashed potatoes with russets or 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 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 desired.
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.

Mix-Ins and Toppings

These three-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.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Total Time 20 mins

Servings 4 to 6 servings

Keep Screen Awake

2 pounds potatoes, preferably Yukon Gold, scrubbed
6 cloves garlic, whole and peeled
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
3 tablespoons butter

Cook the potatoes:

Cut the potatoes into 1-inch chunks and transfer to a large saucepan. Add the garlic and salt and add cold water to cover. 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.
Mash:

Once the potatoes are tender, drain them, reserving 3/4 cup of the starchy water. Add the potatoes and reserved water back to the pan and mash with a potato masher or a large fork.
Add the butter:

Add the butter and mash until you’ve reached your desired consistency. Taste, adding more salt if desired.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
198	Calories
6g	Fat
34g	Carbs
4g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories	198
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g	8%
Saturated Fat 4g	19%
Cholesterol 15mg	5%
Sodium 243mg	11%
Total Carbohydrate 34g	12%
Dietary Fiber 4g	14%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 15mg	73%
Calcium 39mg	3%
Iron 2mg	11%
Potassium 834mg	18%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.