Creamy, buttery, and packed with bold garlic flavor, these Southern Mashed Potatoes are the perfect comfort food side dish. Made with Yukon Gold potatoes, butter, and a rich garlic-infused cream, they’re smooth with just the right amount of texture. Whether you’re serving them with meatloaf, smothered pork chops, or chicken fried steak, this mashed potato recipe delivers classic Southern flavor every time.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
These creamy Southern mashed potatoes strike the perfect balance between smooth and slightly chunky, giving you rich, buttery flavor in every bite. Yukon Gold potatoes provide a naturally creamy texture, while garlic-infused cream and Neufchâtel cheese add depth without making the potatoes heavy. They’re simple enough for a weeknight dinner but impressive enough for holidays and Sunday meals. If you’re looking for a mashed potato recipe that pairs beautifully with gravy and Southern comfort dishes, this is it.
Ingredients
Potatoes: You'll need a bag of Yellow Yukon Potatoes(see expert tips).
Liquids: All you'll need is Whole Milk and Heavy Cream.
Cheese: You'll want some Neufchâtel Cheese(see expert tips).
Herbs and Spices: Just some Kosher Salt and Black Pepper is all this recipe will need.
Extras: Make sure to have some Unsalted Butter on hand.
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Fill a large mixing bowl with ice water about halfway. This will keep your potatoes from discoloring while you peel and cube them.
Next, using a potato peeler, peel the potatoes and immediately add them to the bowl of water. Once all of your potatoes have been peeled, remove them one by one, cube them, and place the cubes back into the ice water.
Now that you have all the potatoes peeled and cubed, use a colander to remove them from the ice water and transfer them to a large stock pot. Cover the potatoes with cold tap water and put the pot on the stove over high heat.
Bring the water to a boil, then reduce to medium-low heat and simmer for twelve minutes.
Step 2: While the potatoes are boiling, add fresh minced garlic to a small saucepan over medium-low heat and allow it to steam until slightly aromatic. Add the milk, cream, salt, and pepper and combine. Bring the creamy mixture to a boil and immediately turn the heat off. The milk/cream mixture will become infused with the garlic and thicken a bit, becoming a runny, gravy-like texture.
Step 3: Once the potatoes have boiled, strain them in the same strainer as before, then transfer them back to the pot.
Add the butter and Neufchâtel cheese to the pot of potatoes. Then, using a potato masher, begin mashing the potatoes until slightly smooth with small chunks of potatoes left.
Step 4: Lastly, begin pouring the garlic-infused cream mixture into the potatoes, stirring as you go. At first, the potatoes will seem a bit too runny but will thicken up on their own before serving.
There you have it...The Best Mashed Potato Recipe!
Expert Tips
- Yellow Yukon Gold potatoes make for a more buttery, creamier texture to the potatoes than, let's say, a Russet potato. You can certainly use any potato, but I highly recommend Yukons.
- Neufchâtel cheese is very similar to cream cheese but is lower in fat. Now, that's not why I recommend using it. It also has a slightly sour taste that works perfectly in this mashed potato recipe. That said, if you can't find it or already have cream cheese on hand, that's fine as well. But I would try hard to get your hands on some Neufchâtel.
- If you're looking for other sides to pair with this mashed potato recipe, try these Oven Roasted Carrots, Easy Sautéed Spinach, or Homemade Creamed Spinach.
Recipe FAQs
Yukon Gold potatoes are ideal because they naturally have a buttery flavor and creamy texture, making them perfect for smooth Southern-style mashed potatoes.
Yes. Prepare them fully, store in an airtight container, and reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk or cream to restore texture.
Using Yukon Gold potatoes, warm dairy, and real butter ensures a smooth and creamy consistency.
Yes. Neufchâtel or cream cheese adds richness and a slight tang, enhancing flavor.
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📖 Recipe
Creamy Southern Mashed Potatoes (Yukon Gold Recipe)
Ingredients
- 2 ½ lb Yellow Yukon Potatoes
- ½ Cup Whole Milk
- ½ Cup Heavy Cream
- 2 tablespoon Minced Garlic
- ½ Cup Unsalted Butter, cubed
- 4 Oz Neufchâtel Cheese
- 2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 2 teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes and add them to a large bowl of Ice water to avoid discoloration.
- Cube the potatoes adding them back to the same bowl of water.
- In a large pot, add the potatoes and clean cold water. Bring the pot to a boil then reduce the heat to low simmering for about 10 minutes.
- In a small sauce pan over medium high heat, add the minced garlic. Allow it to cook until fragrant about 1-2 minutes. Next, add the milk and heavy cream bringing it to a boil. Immediately remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
- Drain the potatoes in a colander then add them back to the pot along with the Butter, Neufchâtel Cheese, Salt, and Pepper.
- Using a potato masher, mash and mix the ingredients together until you've reached the desired consistency. I prefer to leave mine with some little chunks but mainly smooth.
- Slowly pour the cream and garlic mixture in while stirring to combine.
- Cover and serve when ready.
Video
Notes
- Yellow Yukon Gold potatoes make for a more buttery, creamier texture to the potatoes than, let's say, a Russet potato. You can certainly use any potato, but I highly recommend Yukons.
- Neufchâtel cheese is very similar to cream cheese but is lower in fat. Now, that's not why I recommend using it. It also has a slightly sour taste that works perfectly in this mashed potato recipe. That said, if you can't find it or already have cream cheese on hand, that's fine as well. But I would try hard to get your hands on some Neufchâtel.
- If you're looking for other sides to pair with this mashed potato recipe, try these Oven Roasted Carrots, Easy Sautéed Spinach, or Homemade Creamed Spinach.
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