Rustic smashed potatoes are the perfect side dish. They are quick to make, super easy and fantastically tasty. Need another reason to make these smashed potatoes? Here's one: they're perfect to make with a satisfying weeknight dinner or for any holiday gathering. Keep in mind that these mashed potatoes are dairy free. Let's take a look at how to whip up these spuds.
These garlic smashed potatoes are gluten free, vegetarian, vegan and smashingly good.
PERFECT SMASHED POTATOES ARE 15 MINUTES AWAY!
Although mashed potatoes aren't a weekly occurrence in our household (they're not paleo and really do a number on the body) these potatoes make it to our table more frequently than just about any others. Why? A couple reasons. First, they are really light and tasty. It just seems like olive oil and potatoes were meant to be with one another. These smashed potatoes are also ridiculously easy to make. Boiling water, potatoes, aromatics and olive oil. So simple and also very quick to make with very little preparation. Rinse the potatoes, roughly chop them and add to boiling water. It's the trifecta for a side dish: delicious, quick and easy.
I started making this recipe about ten years ago when potatoes showed up on our table almost every day. At the time, I was trying to figure out how to make a bunch of my favorite recipes without dairy (doesn't everyone do this after work?). One night I was tinkering in the kitchen with a couple stocks, working on reducing them for 40 hours when I came upon the secret for making the most delicious boiled potatoes. It is so simple. On the cutting board sat some onion, garlic and herbs. None were going to be used. Rather than wasting them, into the boiling potato water they went. The result was incredibly flavorful potatoes, with subtle notes of the herbs and garlic right in the potato.
Over the years the experimentation continued. Overall, most people seem to prefer the flavor of shallots, thyme, rosemary and garlic in the potato dishes we serve. In this recipe, we're going to keep it simple with shallots, garlic and thyme. It is a classic combination. If you don't have shallots, substitute onion. No thyme? No worries. Use rosemary, parsley or chives. Keep in mind that fresh is best!
SMASHED POTATOES VS. MASHED POTATOES
At my cooking school, I was asked on many occasions the difference between smashed potatoes and mashed potatoes. I'm not sure if there is a definition for the difference, but this is my interpretation: smashed potatoes have skins and mashed potatoes have had the skins removed. There might be a more culinarily sound definition out there somewhere, but this just makes sense. Now, since smashed potatoes have skins on them you will find that the traditional hand potato masher (the link takes you to the one I use, which will actually last in the kitchen) will get clogged up after the first mash. You can scrape out the skins, but it becomes tedious and frustrating quickly. I have found that using a high quality wooden spoon quickly smashes the potatoes to the right consistency. I've broken more than my share of cheap wooden spoons. I love wooden spoons made from beechwood because they take a beating in the kitchen and still work great.
Please don't even try to make smashed potatoes with a potato ricer. You will damage the unit. The skins just don't play nicely with ricer. Trust me.
QUICK COOKING TIP: Want even more flavorful potatoes? That's awesome. Here's the tip: substitute homemade stock for the water to boil the potatoes. I like to pair my stock with the protein the potatoes will be accompanying. Chicken stock for chicken dishes and beef stock for beef. If you are making pork, you can use a pork stock (if you have one) or a vegetable stock works perfectly. Use the vegetable stock for fish as well. Make sure to add in the aromatics to the stock just as if it was water. Oh it is so damn good.
QUICK STOCK TIP: If you are using stock from a box, please make sure that it has no or low salt!
Ok. Let's get to this homemade smashed potatoes recipe.[
SINFUL SMASHED POTATOES
These smashed potatoes are perfect for weeknight meals or holiday gatherings. They have a delicate flavor profile with thyme, garlic and shallots. Delightful.
Ingredients
- 2.5 LBS Potatoes, (waxy, new potatoes)
- 3 Cloves Garlic,, peeled and roughly chopped
- ¼ Cup Shallot,, roughly chopped
- 3 Sprigs Fresh Thyme
- ⅓ Cup Olive Oil
- 3 teaspoon Kosher Salt, plus 1 teaspoon set aside
- Fresh Cracked Pepper
Instructions
- Heat a pot of water over high heat (approximately 12 cups). Add the 3 teaspoon salt (be careful as the water will expand when you add the salt).
- Add the garlic, shallots and 2 sprigs of thyme. When the water boils, add in the potatoes carefully so the boiling water doesn’t splash.
- Cook the potatoes for 15 minutes or until fork tender. Reserve 1 cup of cooking liquid before draining the potatoes. Drain and put back into the pan over medium heat. Cook off any excess water for 1-2 minutes.
- Roughly smash the potatoes with a wooden spoon. Add the olive oil, salt and cracked pepper. Mix well. Add some of the reserved cooking liquid until the desired consistency is reached. Adjust seasonings.
- Serve hot, topped with some fresh thyme. Happy eating!
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Amount Per Serving Calories 260
I think I'm going to add these smashed potatoes to my Thanksgiving menu!
Hi Amy:
Glad to inspire you.
Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful day today!
Scott
These looks SO good! I took a cooking class in France and the two mottos that stuck with me were "nothing goes to waste in the kitchen" and "everything is better than water". Since then, I use leftover veggies to make stock and try to use it as much as I can instead of water. I love the idea of adding aromatics to the liquid, especially if I only have water to work with! Thanks for sharing!
Hey Rachel:
Haha, that's so funny "everything is better than water." But it's so true- adding flavors to the water makes all the difference in the world!
I appreciate you taking the time to write and happy cooking!
Scott
Wow! These sound great, I would much rather have olive oil in my mashed potatoes than butter! Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Lauren:
Olive oil gives it a different flavor, but butter is good too.
Thank you for visiting the recipe.
Have a fantastic day in the kitchen!
Scott
Great recipe! Can't wait to try it 🙂 Check out my website, you can find some really delicious recipes 🙂 http://payastyle.net/
Hey there:
Thank you so much for your appreciation. Love your website, lots of cool recipes to use for inspiration.
Hope you have a wonderful day and happy eating!
Scott
NEED. ALL. THE. POTATOES!!! These look SO darn creamy and yummy and delicious and wow, I just need to go make them before I start drooling uncontrollably.
Hi Karly:
Haha, this is the perfect reaction to a good recipe. Did you get a chance to try them?
Thank you for posting and have a delicious day in the kitchen!
Scott
[…] GET THE RECIPE […]
My little one loves mashed potatoes. This is a keeper! Definitely save this for Thanksgiving menu!
Hi Amy:
Thanks for writing and for putting this in your list of dishes for your Thanksgiving line-up. That's awesome. I'm putting together a fantastic fingerling potato recipe soon that our kids love! Should be in about a week or so...
Hope that you have an awesome day-
Take care-
Scott
They look and the recipe seems to be delish. I need to get my man to try it. He is my potatoe smasher and he takes pride in them. Honey it is my turn for doing potatoes tonight. I eill see if he will go for it .
Hi Debbie:
Thanks for writing- I really appreciate it! Did you get a chance to make the recipe? I hope that your husband loved it!
Take care-
Scott
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Wonderful with your sauteed chicken recipe. Two perfectly simple recipes make one very happy cook!
Hey Cal:
It seems like you found your winners. How did they come out?
I appreciate you took the time to write your thoughts.
Take care and happy cooking!
Scott
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