Mashed potatoes are a classic side dish that can be found accompanying many meals. While plain mashed potatoes are delicious in their own right, adding spices and herbs is an easy way to bring an extra layer of flavor. Choosing the right spice to mix in can enhance the natural creamy and buttery flavors of the potatoes. The possibilities are endless when it comes to seasoning mashed potatoes, but some smart options can take the flavor to the next level.
Quick Answer
Some of the best spices to add to mashed potatoes include:
– Garlic – Adds richness, aroma and depth of flavor. Use fresh garlic or garlic powder.
– Rosemary – Earthy herb that complements the potatoes nicely. Pairs well with garlic.
– Paprika – Adds a pop of color and a touch of smokiness. Sweet or smoked paprika both work well.
– Nutmeg – Warming spice that enhances the subtle sweetness of potatoes. Grated fresh nutmeg is best.
– White pepper – Adds a layer of peppery spice without distracting flecks of black pepper.
– Truffle oil or truffle salt – Luxurious option that makes mashed potatoes taste decadent.
Popular Spice Options for Mashed Potatoes
Garlic
Garlic is one of the most popular spices used to flavor mashed potatoes. The potent aroma and bold flavor of garlic pair extremely well with creamy, buttery potatoes. Garlic adds a savory, robust quality that enhances the natural starchiness of potatoes.
Ways to add garlic:
– Fresh garlic, minced – For the best flavor, use fresh garlic cloves that have been finely minced. Allow it to cook briefly in the hot milk or cream before mixing into the potatoes.
– Garlic powder – For convenience, garlic powder can be whisked directly into the potatoes. Use approximately 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per pound of potatoes.
– Roasted garlic – For a sweeter, more mellow garlic flavor, try adding a few cloves of roasted garlic. Squeeze out the softened cloves and mash them into the potatoes.
No matter which type you use, garlic is sure to give your mashed potatoes an extra punch of flavor. A little goes a long way.
Rosemary
The woodsy, pine-like taste of rosemary makes it another excellent herb for spicing up mashed potatoes. Rosemary has an assertive herbal quality that stands up well to flavorful foods like mashed potatoes. The evergreen scent of rosemary pairs nicely with creamy potatoes.
Try adding 1-2 teaspoons of dried rosemary per pound of mashed potatoes. For a more intense rosemary presence, use 2-3 teaspoons of chopped fresh rosemary per pound. Combining rosemary with garlic and a splash of lemon juice can really make the flavors sing.
Paprika
Paprika is made from ground dried chile peppers and adds vibrant color and a touch of spicy flavor to mashed potatoes. The sweet, earthy taste of paprika enhances buttery, starchy potatoes beautifully.
Regular paprika will provide a subtle heat, while smoked paprika adds a more intense smokiness and deeper flavor profile. Use about 1 teaspoon of paprika per pound of mashed potatoes and whisk it in along with any milk, cream or butter. The color contrast of bright orange paprika against the creamy white potatoes is very appetizing.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg is a warming spice that subtly enhances the natural sweetness of mashed potatoes. It adds complexity and vibrance without overpowering the potatoes’ flavor. Freshly grated nutmeg has a robust, almost fruity aroma that translates beautifully to the flavor.
For best results, grate a small amount of whole nutmeg directly into the hot mashed potatoes. Start with 1/4 teaspoon per pound of potatoes and adjust according to taste. A light hand is best, as nutmeg can become overpowering. Combining nutmeg with a pinch of cinnamon can also be delicious.
White Pepper
For those who want just a touch of peppery spice without little black flecks throughout the potatoes, white pepper is an ideal choice. White pepper brings all the flavor of black peppercorns, but in a visually appealing pale form that blends into creamy potatoes.
Use about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of white pepper per pound of mashed potatoes. Add it along with the milk or cream to allow the flavors to integrate. The subtle heat and bite of white pepper contrasts nicely with the starchiness of the potatoes.
Truffle Oil or Truffle Salt
Made from olive oil infused with truffle aroma, truffle oil is an ultra-luxurious way to take mashed potatoes to the next level. Just a few drops of truffle oil lend an earthy, musky flavor to potatoes that makes them taste decadent and special.
Truffle salt is another upscale option. It combines salt with bits of real black or white truffle for concentrated flavor. Use a light hand, about 1/4 teaspoon truffle oil or salt per pound of potatoes. A little goes a long way towards adding sophistication.
More Creative Spice Ideas
Beyond the usual suspects, there are many more creative spice ideas that can transform basic mashed potatoes into something special:
| Spice | Flavor Notes |
|---|---|
| Curry powder | Warm, exotic aroma with a touch of heat |
| Dill | Fresh, grassy flavor |
| Cilantro | Bright, citrusy herbal flavor |
| Turmeric | Mildly peppery with a vivid golden color |
| Cumin | Earthy, nutty, and a little spicy |
| Cardamom | Sweet and lightly floral |
| Cinnamon | Warming with subtle sweetness |
| Chili powder | Moderate heat and bold flavor |
| Horseradish | Zesty kick and mustard-like bite |
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and experiment with whatever spices intrigue you. Adjusting the proportions and combining spices can lead to discoveries of new favorite flavors.
Spice Combination Ideas
You can take mashed potatoes from bland to brilliant by using complementary spice combinations. Here are some tasty ideas for spicing up your spuds:
Garlic, Rosemary, and Lemon
The boldness of garlic and rosemary is perfectly balanced by the bright acidity of fresh lemon juice. Use minced garlic, chopped fresh rosemary, and lemon zest for the best flavor.
Smoked Paprika and Sour Cream
Smoky paprika gives great color contrast to the white potatoes. Tangy sour cream cools off any heat.
Curry Powder and Garam Masala
This blend of savory Indian spices adds an exotic flair. Turmeric and cumin add earthiness while cardamom provides sweetness.
White Pepper and Nutmeg
The subtle heat of white pepper is softened beautifully by warm, slightly sweet nutmeg. A refined combination.
Cinnamon and Allspice
These sweet, aromatic spices add warmth and complexity. A touch of brown sugar enhances the sweet tones.
Cilantro and Lime
Fresh cilantro and zesty lime juice make an ultra-bright, flavor-packed duo. Great for a lighter take on mashed potatoes.
Choosing Complementary Flavors
The possibilities are endless when it comes to mixing and matching herbs, spices and other flavorings in your mashed potatoes. Keeping a few guidelines in mind can help you choose combinations that work harmoniously:
– Match intensities – Pair strong spices with bold herbs, and subtle seasonings with delicate ones.
– Complement natural flavors – Enhance the creamy, starchy aspects instead of overwhelming them.
– Include an acid – Lemon juice, vinegar or buttermilk work well to provide brightness.
– Use a light hand with new spices – It’s easy to add more but impossible to remove.
– Taste as you go and adjust – Proper seasoning is key for balanced flavor.
How to Add Spices to Mashed Potatoes
To allow the spices to properly infuse the potatoes with their flavor, there are some simple techniques to follow:
– Bloom dried spices – Briefly cook them in the hot milk or cream before mixing into the potatoes.
– Mince fresh herbs – Cutting into tiny pieces helps them incorporate evenly throughout the potatoes.
– Season multiple times – Salt and pepper early on, then add more spices after milk and butter have been mixed in.
– Mix thoroughly – Use a fork or whisk to distribute spices evenly.
– Adjust before serving – Taste and add more seasoning right before serving, once flavors have developed.
Taking these steps will help you end up with smooth, creamy mashed potatoes bursting with well-integrated spice flavor.
Conclusion
Mashed potatoes provide the perfect canvas for creative combinations of herbs, spices, and other flavor additions. Garlic, rosemary, paprika and nutmeg are excellent basic options that complement the natural flavor of potatoes beautifully. More unusual spices like curry, cumin, cinnamon or horseradish can also work wonderfully when used in the proper proportions. Mix and match spices based on complementary intensities and flavors to take your mashed potatoes from plain to extraordinary. A world of possibilities exists when seasoning is done thoughtfully. So get creative with spice, and those mashed potatoes will be anything but bland.