Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic & Fresh Thyme
/There's something about a big bowl of creamy mashed potatoes on the holiday table that just feels like home. It's one of those dishes everyone reaches for, and no matter how beautiful the rest of the menu is, the mashed potatoes always seem to disappear first.
These Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic & Fresh Thyme take a classic holiday side dish and make it just a little more special. Yukon Gold potatoes are whipped until creamy with warm heavy cream, sweet roasted garlic, and rich, nutty brown butter. A little fresh thyme and flaky sea salt finish everything beautifully.
The brown butter is really what makes this recipe. As the butter cooks, the milk solids turn golden and develop the most wonderful toasted, almost caramel-like aroma. Paired with mellow roasted garlic, it gives these potatoes so much flavor without making them complicated.
I'm serving these alongside my Peppercorn-Crusted Beef Tenderloin with Blackberry Cabernet Sauce for our holiday dinner with JUSTIN Winery, and I love how the creamy potatoes complement the rich beef and blackberry sauce.
Whether you're hosting Christmas dinner, planning a cozy holiday gathering, or simply looking for a delicious new mashed potato recipe, I think this one deserves a place on your table.
Why You'll Love These Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are always a favorite, but a few simple additions make this version especially delicious.
Rich, nutty brown butter: Adds a toasted, almost caramelized flavor that makes these potatoes taste extra special.
Sweet roasted garlic: Roasting transforms fresh garlic into something soft, mellow, and delicious.
Perfectly creamy texture: Yukon Gold potatoes and warm heavy cream create a smooth, buttery consistency.
Fresh thyme: Adds an earthy, savory finish that pairs beautifully with holiday main dishes.
Perfect for entertaining: You can prepare several components ahead of time, making holiday cooking a little easier.
Ingredients You'll Need
The ingredients are simple, but each one helps create that rich, creamy texture and delicious flavor.
Yukon Gold Potatoes
Yukon Gold potatoes are my favorite for this recipe because they have a naturally buttery flavor and creamy texture. They mash beautifully without needing as much added fat as some other varieties.
Unsalted Butter
We're browning the butter to develop its rich, nutty flavor. Unsalted butter allows you to control the seasoning while still getting all that delicious toasted flavor.
Fresh Garlic
Roasting a whole head of garlic softens the cloves and brings out their natural sweetness. The roasted garlic blends beautifully into the mashed potatoes without the sharp bite of raw garlic.
Heavy Cream
Warm heavy cream gives the potatoes their smooth, luxurious texture. Warming it before adding also helps keep the potatoes hot.
Fresh Thyme
Fresh thyme brings a subtle herbal flavor that balances the richness of the brown butter and roasted garlic.
Sea Salt & Black Pepper
Simple seasoning is all you need to bring everything together. I also love finishing the potatoes with a little flaky sea salt.
How to Make Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic & Fresh Thyme
These mashed potatoes come together in a few simple steps. Roasting the garlic and browning the butter add a little extra time, but both are incredibly easy and make such a difference in flavor.
Ingredients
For the Mashed Potatoes
3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into evenly sized chunks
1 whole head garlic
1 teaspoon olive oil
¾ cup unsalted butter (1½ sticks), divided
¾ cup heavy cream, warmed, plus more as needed
1½ teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for boiling water
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, divided
Flaky sea salt, for finishing
Step 1: Roast the Garlic
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Slice approximately ¼ inch off the top of the garlic head to expose the cloves. Place it on a small piece of aluminum foil and drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil.
Wrap loosely in the foil and place on a baking sheet or in a small baking dish.
Roast for 35–45 minutes, until the cloves are soft, golden, and fragrant.
Allow the garlic to cool slightly, then squeeze the softened cloves from their skins into a small bowl. Mash with a fork until smooth.
Step 2: Prepare the Potatoes
While the garlic roasts, peel the Yukon Gold potatoes and cut them into evenly sized chunks, approximately 1½–2 inches.
Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water by about 1 inch.
Add a generous pinch of salt.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a steady simmer.
Cook for approximately 15–20 minutes, or until the potatoes are completely fork-tender.
Drain thoroughly and return the potatoes to the warm pot for 1–2 minutes over low heat, gently shaking occasionally, to allow excess moisture to evaporate.
This helps keep the finished mashed potatoes creamy rather than watery.
Step 3: Brown the Butter
While the potatoes cook, place ¾ cup unsalted butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat.
Allow the butter to melt, stirring or swirling the pan occasionally.
The butter will begin to foam, and the milk solids at the bottom will slowly turn golden brown.
Continue cooking until the butter smells nutty and the milk solids are amber brown, approximately 5–8 minutes, depending on your pan and heat.
Immediately remove from the heat and transfer to a heatproof bowl to prevent burning.
Set aside approximately 3 tablespoons of brown butter for finishing the potatoes.
Step 4: Mash the Potatoes
Pass the warm potatoes through a potato ricer or mash them using a handheld potato masher. You can use an electric mixer like I did here, however, be careful not to overmix.
Add the roasted garlic, remaining brown butter (including the browned milk solids), warmed heavy cream, kosher salt, black pepper, and 1 teaspoon fresh thyme.
Gently fold everything together until smooth and creamy.
If the potatoes seem too thick, add additional warm heavy cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
Avoid overmixing, as this can make the potatoes gluey.
Step 5: Finish with Brown Butter & Fresh Thyme
Transfer the mashed potatoes to a large serving bowl.
Using the back of a spoon, create soft swirls and a small well in the center.
Drizzle the reserved warm brown butter over the potatoes, allowing it to settle into the swirls.
Finish with the remaining teaspoon of fresh thyme leaves, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, and additional freshly cracked black pepper if desired.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Amanda's Tips for Perfectly Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Start with cold water. Adding potatoes to cold water helps them cook evenly from the inside out.
Don't rush the roasted garlic. The cloves should be soft enough to squeeze easily from their skins. This creates a sweeter, mellower garlic flavor.
Use a light-colored saucepan for brown butter. It's much easier to see when the milk solids turn golden, helping prevent the butter from burning.
Warm your heavy cream. Cold cream can cool down the potatoes and make them harder to incorporate smoothly.
Avoid overmixing. A potato ricer or traditional masher creates the best texture. Too much mixing can make mashed potatoes sticky.
Save some brown butter for the top. This is my favorite finishing touch because it makes the potatoes look as beautiful as they taste.
What to Serve with Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes
These mashed potatoes are delicious with everything from roasted chicken to holiday beef tenderloin.
For our holiday dinner, I'm serving them with my Peppercorn-Crusted Beef Tenderloin with Blackberry Cabernet Sauce and Charred Broccolini.
The rich blackberry Cabernet sauce is especially delicious spooned over the creamy potatoes, while the broccolini brings a fresh, slightly charred contrast to the plate.
This combination makes such a beautiful Christmas dinner menu, especially when paired with a glass of JUSTIN Cabernet Sauvignon.
Peppercorn-Crusted Beef Tenderloin with blackberry Cabernet sauce recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best potatoes for mashed potatoes?
Yukon Gold potatoes are an excellent choice because they have a naturally creamy texture and buttery flavor. Russet potatoes also work well if you prefer a lighter, fluffier consistency.
Can I make brown butter mashed potatoes ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the mashed potatoes up to one day ahead and refrigerate in an airtight container. Reheat gently with a splash of warm cream, stirring until smooth. For the prettiest presentation, reserve some brown butter and fresh thyme to add just before serving.
Can I roast the garlic ahead of time?
Absolutely. Roast the garlic up to two days ahead and refrigerate in a covered container until ready to use.
How do I prevent mashed potatoes from becoming gluey?
Avoid overmixing the potatoes. A potato ricer or handheld masher works best. Gently fold in the warm cream and butter rather than beating the mixture vigorously.
Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?
Yes. Whole milk can be substituted for a slightly lighter mashed potato, although the finished texture won't be quite as rich.
How do I reheat leftover mashed potatoes?
Place the potatoes in a saucepan over low heat with a splash of milk or cream. Stir gently until warmed through. You can also reheat them covered in the oven at 325°F, stirring occasionally and adding more cream if needed.
How long do leftover mashed potatoes last?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Shop My Holiday Kitchen Essentials
I love serving holiday dishes in beautiful pieces that can be used year after year.
For these brown butter mashed potatoes, a pretty ceramic serving bowl, a good potato ricer, a light-colored saucepan, and simple serving spoons make both preparation and presentation easier.
I've gathered some of my favorite kitchen and entertaining essentials below.
Save This Recipe for Later
These Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic & Fresh Thyme are the kind of side dish you'll want to make again and again, especially during the holidays.
Save this recipe for your next Christmas dinner, Thanksgiving gathering, or cozy family meal.
A collection of timeless recipes for gathering around the table.
A Note From Amanda
Some of my favorite holiday memories happen around the dinner table, sharing a meal with the people I love most.
I hope these brown butter mashed potatoes become one of those recipes you look forward to making every holiday season.
If you make them, I'd love to see! Share your creations with me on Instagram @amandawarren__ or leave a comment below.
Made with love for the people you love.
