Mashed potatoes–who doesn’t love them? Whether you use Yukon gold, Peruvian purple, Idaho or russet, red potatoes, or sweet potatoes and boil, roast, bake or grill and then mash or smash them, one thing is for sure–you can’t go wrong by making taters. We’ve included 12 of our absolute favorites for Christmas Dinner ideas, and included a how-to on making the best mashed potatoes, which potatoes are best to mash, and a test for doneness. While these recipes make great leftover mashed potatoes you can also freeze them…but we’ve never met anyone who couldn’t eat mounds of these.
For more holiday suggestions, check out our other round-ups such as festive vegetable sides such as green beans, other holiday potatoes, five-ingredient hors d’oeuvres, roasted meats like standing rib roasts and Beef Wellington, plus bar cookies, fudge and showstopper holiday desserts. And be sure to tell us about your favorites on our Facebook page.
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RecipeSmashed Red Potatoes with Basil & Parmesan
Just six simple ingredients provides a simply sensational side dish that does perfectly with everything from prime rib to roast turkey to poached salmon. -
RecipeCinnamon Mashed Sweet Potatoes
These sweet, rich potatoes go well with Honey-Chipotle Glazed Flank Steak. -
RecipeRustic Mashed Potatoes
These are the real deal—creamy, buttery potatoes that get great texture from leaving the skins on. If you use a ricer or food mill to mash the potatoes there will be small bits of skin in the finished dish. If you use a stand mixer, the skin will be in larger pieces. -
RecipeSmashed Potatoes and Peas with Lemon and Dill
This easy, summery riff on mashed potatoes is terrific with Crisp-Skinned Arctic Char. -
RecipeMashed Potatoes with Caramelized Shallots
Crème fraîche lends a tangy creaminess to this traditional holiday favorite, and the sweetness of the caramelized shallots adds additional depth. -
RecipeSmashed Potatoes with Horseradish Crème Fraîche
For a twist on classic mashed potatoes, borrow this technique from Chef Goin’s restaurant AOC: Boil tiny fingerling potatoes, crush them slightly, enrich them with butter, and top them with crème fraîche. Here, a little horseradish heats things up, a perfect complement to the slow-roasted prime rib. -
RecipeGarlic-Infused Mashed Potatoes and Celery Root
Don’t be afraid of all the garlic that goes into this creamy mash; the garlic simmers with the milk, infusing it with a mellow, sweet flavor. -
RecipeMashed Potato Gratin with Manchego & Horseradish
This has all the comfort-food joy of traditional mashed potatoes, but with a more sophisticated feel. -
RecipeMashed Potatoes with Olive Oil & Parsley
The parsley and olive oil make these mashed potatoes feel fresh, light, and lovely. When I’m serving more hearty fare, such as lamb, I’ll add 1/3 cup chopped oil-cured olives, and a little fresh thyme and garlic heated in the olive oil to the mix. To keep the parsley fresh-tasting and green, add it just before serving. If adding olives, do the same or they’ll color the potatoes. -
RecipeCreamy Mashed Potatoes with Warm Spices
These potatoes from famed chef Floyd Cardoz are the perfect accompaniment to Six-Spice Braised Short Ribs. -
RecipeMashed Potatoes with Onions and Herbs
These butterless potatoes get their flavor from sautéed onions and fresh herbs. -
RecipeClassic Potato Mash
A pinch of nutmeg adds a subtle savory flavor to traditional mashed potatoes.
