Thanksgiving Mashed Potato Recipes

Ray KachatorianAnother Thanksgiving, another boring mash of spuds to complement your turkey and trimmings? We think not. No side dish is as comforting as a heaping bowl of mashed potatoes -- but we said comforting, not sleepy. Think of that basic mashed potato recipe (milk, butter, salt) as your canvas, and then experiment wildly with add-ins -- savory, spicy, sharp and sweet. The recipes below incorporate some expected ingredients -- herbs, spices, vegetables, cheese -- and some outside-the-box (one hint: maple syrup). Whip up a new mashed potato recipe for Thanksgiving this year -- just don't be surprised if your taters take some of the spotlight away from the turkey.

Mashed Potato Recipes

Mashed Potatoes with Creamy Mushroom Gravy
Mushrooms, beef gravy and sour cream are a dream when they're ladled over warm, whipped potatoes.

Smashed Spiced Sweet Potatoes
Cumin, chili powder and ginger meld with maple syrup for a side dish with some satisfyingly sweet heat.

Creamy Horseradish Mashed Potatoes
These spuds have a bitter bite thanks to the addition of horseradish, the condiment extracted by grating the root of the same-named plant.

Garlic and Herb Mashed Potatoes
Three whole garlic cloves would be enough of a flavoring agent for this dish (shown above), but Curtis Stone also adds thyme, parsley and black pepper.

Mashed Potatoes with Cheddar and Chives
Extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, sour cream and cream cheese make these tubers ultra rich. Not enough for you? This recipe tops them off with crumbled cooked bacon and even more Cheddar.

Skinny Mashed Potatoes
Cream-free mashed potatoes stay smooth and svelte with the help of hearty chicken broth.

Cheesy Broccoli-Potato Mash
Wish you could trick your kids (or yourself) to eat more veggies? Mashed broccoli add rich nutrients and make these potatoes much more filling.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Coconut Milk
A splash of coconut milk and a pinch of fresh ginger bring a dash of island deliciousness to these sweet 'taters.

Mashed Roots with Buttermilk & Chives
Celery root and rutabaga add texture to these mashed potatoes, which have a rich, tangy flavor thanks to the addition of buttermilk.

Chive Mashed Potatoes
Chopped chives were all this recipe needed to transform plain potatoes into a flavorful side.

Best-Ever Mashed Potatoes
Not to be confused with the aforementioned "best mashed potatoes," this recipe has savory, surprising ingredients like juniper berries, Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves.

Mashed Potatoes with Butternut Squash
This mash is made ultra-fluffy with a combination of riced Yukon Gold potatoes and a naturally airy butternut squash purée.

Mashed Potatoes with Herbed Mushrooms
Top plain mashed potatoes in a fragrant mushroom mixture -- they're sauteed with thyme and garlic, and then boiled in a chicken broth.

Potato Parsnip Mash Recipe
Parsnips lend sweetness and crunch to usual mashed potatoes -- and these spuds are dairy-free too.

Crushed Red Potatoes with Buttermilk
Want to make mashed potatoes that require a little less...work? These potatoes are only mildly "crushed" -- retaining their thick, dense texture, but but still packing plenty of flavor.

Related Video

Chef Brannon Soileau of The Culinary Institute of America demonstrates a fool-proof method for making smooth, velvety homemade mashed potatoes.