Mashed potatoes are a classic comfort food that can be dressed up or kept simple. While potatoes have a lovely mild flavor on their own, herbs and spices can take this dish to new heights. Choosing the right seasonings to mix into your mashed potatoes depends on what flavors you enjoy and what you’ll be serving the mashed potatoes with. Here’s a look at some of the most popular and delicious seasonings to use in mashed potatoes.
Onion and Garlic
Onion and garlic provide a savory flavor base for mashed potatoes. Sauteeing minced onion and garlic in the butter or milk used to mash the potatoes gives a sweetness and depth of flavor. Onion and garlic complement most herbs and spices nicely. Add them along with other seasonings or use them on their own to make simple, savory mashed potatoes.
Chives
Chives are a popular herb to stir into mashed potatoes. These slender green shoots bring a mild onion-garlic flavor. Dried chives can be used but are not quite as flavorful as fresh ones. Chopped fresh chives stir nicely into finished mashed potatoes or can be folded in with the butter and milk. A touch of lemon zest enhances the flavor of chives.
Sour Cream
Sour cream is a cooling accompaniment to rich, buttery mashed potatoes. It’s delicious on its own or with chives and garlic stirred in. Sour cream has a tangy flavor that offsets the starchiness of russet potatoes beautifully. It also makes mashed potatoes extra creamy. Add some to the potatoes after mashing them or offer it as a condiment at the table.
Cheese
Cheese transforms mashed potatoes from a side dish to a decadent main course. For the best flavor and texture, shred or grate hard cheeses like cheddar, Parmesan, Romano or Asiago. Stir the cheese into hot mashed potatoes so it melts. Soft cheeses like goat cheese or blue cheese can be crumbled on top of mashed potatoes right before serving. Cheese brings a salty, umami richness.
Ranch Dressing
Creamy ranch dressing mixes well with mashed potatoes, making them the perfect pairing for air fryer chicken tenders or breaded fish fillets. For the best flavor, use homemade ranch dressing or an all-natural refrigerated variety like Hidden Valley brand. Stir ranch dressing into the potatoes once they’ve been mashed.
Horseradish
Prepared horseradish adds a spicy, gingery kick to mashed potatoes. It has bright, pungent heat and works well with richer foods like beef roasts. Be sure to taste and adjust the amount of horseradish, since brands vary greatly in hotness. Stir it in one teaspoon at a time until it suits your tastes. Grated fresh horseradish root has even more intense flavor.
Dill
Fresh or dried dill weed nicely flavors mashed potatoes, especially when salmon or another fish is on the menu. This aromatic, grassy herb has a tang that enhances buttery, starchy potatoes. Use a light hand so the dill flavor doesn’t overwhelm. Other fresh herbs like tarragon, parsley and thyme also pair well with creamy potatoes.
Bacon
Bits of crispy cooked bacon turn mashed potatoes into an easy, crowd-pleasing dish. The smoky, salty, meaty crunch balances the pillowy texture of the spuds. To keep the bacon crisp, fold it into the hot mashed potatoes right before serving. Or, use cooked bacon fat instead of butter to lend an indulgent bacon flavor.
Mustard
Yellow mustard livens up mashed potatoes with tangy zip. It’s an easy way to give them more flavor without extra fat or calories. Mix a few teaspoons of yellow mustard into the milk or cream before adding it to the potatoes. Spicy brown or Dijon mustard also work well. Stir in small amounts until you achieve the desired punch of flavor.
Sage
Earthy sage adds nice complexity to otherwise plain mashed potatoes. It has a faintly peppery quality that makes potatoes more interesting. Rub dried sage between your fingers as you sprinkle it in so the flavor fully releases. Or, saute fresh sage leaves briefly in the butter for the potatoes. A touch of nutmeg accentuates sage’s warming notes.
Roasted Garlic
Roasting whole garlic bulbs mellows out their bite and gives a sweet, almost nutty flavor. Squeezing the soft cloves into mashed potatoes imparts this mellow roasted garlic taste. You can also puree whole roasted cloves with olive oil for a quick roasted garlic oil to stir into the spuds. Potatoes enriched with roasted garlic go well with chicken or shrimp.
Scallions
Scallions add color and a light oniony flavor to mashed potatoes. Thinly slice both the white and green parts. Then sprinkle them into the potatoes after mashing or drizzle them with melted butter and use them as a tasty garnish. You can also mash the potatoes with milk infused with sauteed scallions.
Cauliflower
Adding cooked cauliflower to mashed potatoes cuts calories and carbs while packing extra nutrition into this hearty side. Cauliflower has a mild flavor similar to potatoes so it combines seamlessly when mashed together. Replace up to a quarter of the potato volume with riced cauliflower for a healthier dish.
Blue Cheese
The bold flavor of blue cheese dresses up mashed potatoes in an indulgent way. Use a milder, buttery blue cheese and add it in small crumbles so the pungent taste doesn’t overwhelm. Blue cheese and mashed potatoes complement steak or chicken wings especially well. Walnuts or bacon bits are nice garnishes with the blue cheese.
Parsley
Bright, fresh parsley leaves lend a subtle herbal flavor to mashed potatoes. Chop the parsley finely before stirring it in. Italian flat leaf parsley has the best flavor. A pinch of lemon zest enhances its vibrancy. You can also use parsley stalks when making the potato boiling liquid for extra flavor.
Leeks
In place of onion, cook chopped leeks into a soft, sweet sauté and add them to your potato mash. Leeks have an aromatic quality similar to onions but more complex sweetness. Once cooked down, they turn creamy and dissolve right into the potatoes. Potatoes flavored with leeks pair well with fish.
Cheddar Cheese
For cheesy potato perfection, you can’t go wrong with cheddar. Its tang pairs wonderfully with starchy Russets. Grate extra sharp cheddar into just-mashed potatoes while still hot so it melts. For over-the-top richness, fold in cheese, bacon and sour cream. Sharp cheddar also enhances potatoes seasoned with mustard or hot sauce.
Jalapeño
For spicy mashed potatoes with Southwestern flair, add minced jalapeño. Its crisp green pepper heat offsets creamy potatoes nicely. Start with 1⁄4 of a seeded, minced jalapeño and add more for extra kick if desired. Allowing the potatoes to cool slightly helps the jalapeño flavor come through more.
Sriracha
A few teaspoons of garlicky, tangy sriracha sauce liven up mashed potatoes impressively. Sriracha contains chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar and salt which all complement potatoes perfectly. Mix it in to taste, starting with a small amount. Sriracha mashed potatoes pair well with Asian-inspired dishes.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Diced sun-dried tomatoes add intensity and richness to creamy mashed potatoes. Their concentrated, almost smoky sweetness enhances the natural potato flavor. For the best texture, use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, not dry ones. Add them along with Parmesan or basil for Mediterranean flair.
Turmeric
Earthy, vibrant turmeric subtly seasons mashed potatoes in a warm, intriguing way. It adds both color and antioxidant power along with its gentle flavor. Add just a pinch of ground turmeric along with ingredients like garlic, coriander or ginger. Too much turmeric can make the potatoes taste bitter.
Best Herbs for Mashed Potatoes
Here is a summary of some of the best fresh and dried herbs to stir into creamy mashed potatoes:
| Herb | Flavor Notes |
|---|---|
| Chives | Onion, garlic |
| Dill | Grassy, tangy |
| Parsley | Green, herbal |
| Thyme | Woodsy, minty |
| Oregano | Warm, peppery |
| Basil | Bright, peppery |
| Rosemary | Piney, fragrant |
| Sage | Woodsy, peppery |
Best Spices for Mashed Potatoes
Here are some spices that add warmth and dimension to creamy mashed potatoes:
| Spice | Flavor Notes |
|---|---|
| Paprika | Smoky, earthy |
| Cumin | Warm, earthy |
| Curry powder | Pungent, complex |
| Chili powder | Warm, mild heat |
| Garlic powder | Savory, salty |
| Onion powder | Sulfurous, savory |
| Cayenne | Hot, fiery |
| Mustard powder | Tangy, peppery |
Conclusion
Mashed potatoes provide the perfect canvas for all kinds of fresh flavors. Herbs like chives, dill and parsley add vibrancy and color. Spices like paprika and curry powder lend exotic personality. Ingredients like cheese, bacon and ranch dressing transform potato fluff to comfort food nirvana. Whatever flavors you enjoy, there are so many options for seasoning up simple mashed potatoes.
With a little creativity and the seasoning suggestions here, you can make your mashed potatoes the star of any meal. Savory additions like garlic, onion and sage complement hearty roasts and chicken dinners. Bold cheeses and mix-ins like blue cheese or jalapeños keep things fun for kid-friendly meals. Herby, aromatic accents using dill and chives dress up potatoes for special occasions. The possibilities are endless for taking mashed potatoes from bland and boring to new taste sensations.