This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

These buttery, light and fluffy, and ultra creamy garlic mashed potatoes will be making its round at the dinner table! Everyone will be asking you to “pass the potatoes” when you make this from scratch!

a large bowl of mashed potatoes topped with 3 pads of butter and fresh chives
Email Yourself This Recipe!
Get the recipe link sent to your inbox! PLUS, we’ll send you fresh recipes weekly!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Creamy, Buttery, Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Potatoes are the staple American side dish and with recipes like parmesan garlic potatoes and roasted potatoes, who can hate on a tater? Mashed potatoes, like these garlic mashed potatoes, are a staple at the holiday table, but they’re also for any night of the week when you need a filling side dish.

These garlic mashed potatoes are made with russet potatoes whipped together with sour cream, milk, and garlic powder. They’re so light and fluffy and have the creamiest consistency! You really don’t need the boxed powder kind. Garlic mashed potatoes take very little effort to make and makes such a huge difference in taste and texture.

Serve garlic mashed potatoes alongside Instant Pot Turkey Breast, air fryer rotisserie chicken, red wine short ribs, or cozy beer braised pot roast. If you want an extra dense meal, chicken and dumplings will send you to your bed for a nap right after!

an up close image of garlic mashed potatoes with 3 pads of butter and fresh chives on top with a metal spoon off to the side

Mashed Potato Tips and Variations

  • These garlic mashed potatoes use garlic powder. If you prefer to use fresh cloves of minced garlic, feel free to substitute it for garlic powder.
  • You may use any variety of potatoes you like. I would suggest sticking to either russet potatoes or butter potatoes. Red potatoes are a bit too waxy for mashed potatoes. Sweet potato fan? Try my mashed sweet potatoes instead!
  • Peeling the skin of potatoes for mashed potatoes is based on preference. I like to keep them on because I like the texture and the color it gives throughout.
  • The “chunkiness” of mashed potatoes is also preference-based. I like to keep some chunks in it for texture but generally, it is all mashed up fairly smoothly!

Using a potato masher or potato ricer will help you easily create lighter, fluffier, and lump-free mashed potatoes!

3 pads of butter on top of garlic mashed potatoes and pooling in the ridges

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. To reheat, you can reheat in a pot on the stovetop with a few splashes of milk or water to help keep the potatoes from drying out. Alternatively, you can do this in the microwave as well in a microwave-safe bowl or container. Add liquid to help keep the potatoes from drying out.

4.75 from 4 votes

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

These buttery, light and fluffy, and ultra creamy garlic mashed potatoes will be making its round at the dinner table! Everyone will be asking you to "pass the potatoes" when you make this from scratch!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6

Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 6 cups (1420 ml) water
  • 3 large russet potatoes, cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 6 tablespoons (112 g) salted butter
  • ¼ cup (58 g) sour cream, more if desired
  • 1 cup (237 ml) whole milk, plus more if too dry

Instructions 

  • In large pot, bring water to boil then place potatoes chunks in water. Allow the potatoes to cook in water for 10 minutes until fork tender. Carefully drain the potatoes and place in a large bowl.
    cooked russet potatoes in a colander with a fork piercing one potato wedge
  • Using a potato masher or the back of a fork, mash the potatoes until desired consistency.
    boiled potatoes mashed in a white bowl with a potato masher
  • Add in garlic powder, salt, pepper, butter, and sour cream.
    butter, sour cream, and seasonings are added to the potatoes in the white bowl
  • Slowly add the milk making sure it won't make the mashed potatoes too runny. If you need more milk, add a little at a time.
    milk is being poured into the bowl of mashed potatoes
  • Stir and fold to incorporate until creamy and fluffy, not dry. Season to taste.
    creamy mashed potato mixture in a white bowl
  • Serve warm!
Email Yourself This Recipe!
Get the recipe link sent to your inbox! PLUS, we’ll send you fresh recipes weekly!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 232kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.5g, Cholesterol: 41mg, Sodium: 813mg, Potassium: 537mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 3g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator based on the actual ingredients you used in the recipe.

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.

Photographs by Jess Gaertner Creative

You May Also Like...

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




26 Comments

  1. Justine says:

    This will be my go to recipe! I did double the garlic but I loved it and so did my partner. Very tasty!

  2. Angelica says:

    Thank you so much!!! This is my go to recipe! These are a hit when I make them which I have multiple times in the last 2 weeks.

    1. Julie Wampler says:

      Awesome!!