The 3-Ingredient Garlic Mashed Potatoes I Make On Repeat

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.

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.