If you’re searching for the ultimate comfort food to elevate your meals, this Garlic Confit Mashed Potatoes Recipe is it. Imagine velvety smooth potatoes infused with sweet, mellow garlic that’s been slow-cooked to perfection, combined with fresh herbs and rich butter for a side dish bursting with flavor and warmth. Whether you’re serving up a cozy dinner for two or impressing a crowd at the holidays, these mashed potatoes will quickly become a beloved staple in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Garlic Confit Mashed Potatoes Recipe is in its simple, high-quality ingredients. Each one plays a vital role in creating that luscious texture, rich creaminess, and subtle aromatic notes that make this dish unforgettable.
- 1 head Garlic, peeled: Slow-cooked until golden and buttery soft, this garlic forms the heart of the confit and infuses deep flavor.
- Olive oil, to cover garlic: Used for the gentle confit process; it also adds a silky mouthfeel and richness.
- 2 sprigs Fresh thyme: Adds a subtle herbal note that complements the garlic perfectly.
- 3 lbs Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into uniform pieces: Their naturally creamy texture is ideal for smooth mashed potatoes.
- 1 1/2 cups Heavy cream: Brings unbeatable richness and a silken finish.
- 2 cups Whole milk: Balances the cream while making the potatoes lighter and fluffy.
- 5 sprigs Fresh thyme: Infuses an herby undertone as the potatoes cook.
- 6 leaves Fresh sage: Adds an earthy depth and warmth that melds beautifully with the garlic.
- 8 oz Salted butter: Melts into the potatoes for decadent richness and flavor.
- Salt and pepper, to taste: Essential seasonings that bring all the flavors to life.
How to Make Garlic Confit Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Make the Garlic Confit
Start by peeling an entire head of garlic—it’s a labor of love that pays off! Place the peeled cloves in a small saucepan and cover them fully with olive oil. Add 2 sprigs of fresh thyme to infuse flavor into the oil. Simmer over very low heat for about 45 minutes until the garlic cloves are soft, sweet, and golden brown. This slow cooking transforms the garlic’s sharp edge into a mellow, buttery delight perfect for mashing later.
Step 2: Prep and Cook the Potatoes
While the garlic confits gently on the stovetop, peel and cut your gold potatoes into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking. Place them into a large saucepan and pour in the whole milk and heavy cream along with 5 sprigs of fresh thyme and 6 sage leaves. Bring everything to a simmer and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender enough to be pierced with a fork effortlessly. This gentle simmer infuses the potatoes with herbal goodness while creating a silky cooking liquid to preserve.
Step 3: Drain and Mash
After the potatoes are perfectly tender, drain them carefully, reserving some of the cooking liquid to adjust the texture later. Remove and discard the thyme and sage sprigs—they’ve done their job. Then, press the potatoes and the golden confit garlic cloves through a potato ricer for the smoothest, fluffiest consistency imaginable. The roasted garlic melts seamlessly into the potatoes, adding a rich, sweet depth.
Step 4: Finish with Butter and Cream
Now comes the indulgent part: stir in the salted butter and start with one cup of your reserved cream and milk mixture. Blend everything gently and gradually add more of the warm liquid until you achieve your perfect creamy, dreamy consistency. Season generously with salt and pepper, then top off with an extra spoonful of garlic confit and freshly chopped chives for a burst of color and mild oniony freshness.
How to Serve Garlic Confit Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes make a world of difference here. Fresh chives sprinkled on top add a lovely pop of green and subtle bite against the rich potatoes. For a little extra crunch, try toasted breadcrumbs or crispy fried shallots. A light drizzle of garlic-infused olive oil from the confit can deepen the flavor and shine.
Side Dishes
This Garlic Confit Mashed Potatoes Recipe pairs beautifully with hearty mains like roasted chicken, glazed ham, or a juicy steak. It’s also a fantastic complement to rich mushroom gravies, roasted vegetables, or even holiday turkey. Because the potatoes are so flavorful, they balance both simple and elaborate meals effortlessly.
Creative Ways to Present
Take your mashed potatoes from traditional to unique by piping them into elegant swirls using a large star tip or dolloping and grilling them briefly for a crispy crust. Try layering them in individual ramekins topped with extra herbs and a sprinkle of parmesan for a baked twist. Presentation, plus that dreamy flavor, guarantees smiles all around.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover garlic confit mashed potatoes keep wonderfully in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Make sure to cover them well to prevent drying out. When storing, add a tiny splash of cream or milk on top to maintain moisture.
Freezing
You can freeze this dish if you want to prepare it ahead of time. Pack the mashed potatoes in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags. Freeze for up to 2 months. To avoid icy texture changes, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently.
Reheating
Reheat your Garlic Confit Mashed Potatoes Recipe slowly over low heat on the stove or in the microwave using short bursts to keep them creamy and smooth. Stir in a little warmed cream or milk to refresh their luxurious texture. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out or curdling.
FAQs
Can I make garlic confit ahead of time?
Absolutely! Garlic confit can be prepared several days in advance and stored in the refrigerator submerged in oil. It actually tastes even better after resting, developing deeper flavors you’ll love in the mashed potatoes.
What type of potatoes work best?
Gold potatoes are ideal for this recipe because of their creamy texture and naturally buttery taste. Yukon Golds mash smoothly while holding just enough structure for that perfect fluffy mouthfeel.
Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted?
Yes, you can. Just be sure to adjust the seasoning by adding a pinch more salt to balance the flavors since salted butter brings both salt and richness to the recipe.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
Definitely! Swap out the heavy cream, milk, and butter for full-fat coconut milk, almond milk, or your favorite dairy-free cream and a plant-based butter alternative to keep that luscious texture without dairy.
What’s the best way to reheat without losing creaminess?
Gentle reheating on the stove over low heat or short microwave bursts with added cream or milk helps maintain the creamy texture. Stirring frequently prevents lumps and dryness for delicious leftovers.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about this Garlic Confit Mashed Potatoes Recipe—a comforting side that feels both decadent and effortlessly special. Once you make the rich, savory garlic confit and fold it into silky potatoes, you’ll wonder how you ever enjoyed mashed potatoes any other way. I encourage you to try this recipe soon and savor each luscious bite with friends and family. Trust me, it’s a game-changer in the best way!
Print
Garlic Confit Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
Garlic Confit Mashed Potatoes are a luscious and creamy side dish perfect for any occasion, from everyday dinners to festive holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. This recipe features slow-cooked garlic confit, tender gold potatoes, fresh herbs, rich heavy cream, and salted butter, resulting in a smooth, flavorful mash that elevates any meal.
Ingredients
Garlic Confit
- 1 head garlic, peeled
- Olive oil, enough to cover garlic
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
Mashed Potatoes
- 3 lbs gold potatoes, peeled and cut into uniform pieces
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups whole milk
- 5 sprigs fresh thyme
- 6 leaves fresh sage
- 8 oz salted butter (can substitute with unsalted butter)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare garlic confit: Peel the garlic cloves and place them in a small saucepan. Cover the garlic cloves with olive oil. Cook over low heat for about 45 minutes, or until the garlic is soft and golden brown. Remove from heat and let the garlic cool in the oil.
- Prep and cook potatoes: Peel and cut the gold potatoes into uniform chunks. Place the potatoes in a large saucepan along with the whole milk, heavy cream, fresh thyme sprigs, and fresh sage leaves.
- Simmer until tender: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and can be easily pierced with a fork.
- Drain and remove herbs: Drain the potatoes, reserving the cooking liquid. Remove and discard the fresh thyme and sage leaves from the drained liquid.
- Rice the potatoes and garlic: Press the cooked potatoes and the roasted garlic cloves from the confit through a potato ricer for a smooth texture.
- Mix in butter and cream: Stir in the salted butter and one cup of the reserved cream and milk mixture into the mashed potatoes. Gradually add more of the reserved liquid until your desired consistency is reached.
- Season and serve: Season the mashed potatoes with salt and pepper to taste. Top with additional garlic confit and fresh chives if desired for garnish and extra flavor.
Notes
- Slow cooking the garlic in olive oil mellows its sharpness and adds a rich, caramelized flavor.
- Using a potato ricer helps achieve ultra-smooth mashed potatoes without lumps.
- You can substitute unsalted butter if preferred; adjust salt accordingly.
- Reserve cooking liquid to control the creaminess and consistency of the mash.
- This dish pairs beautifully with roasted meats, poultry, or vegetarian mains.
