Smashed Garlic Potatoes

Subscribe: Email | RSS

From Humble Spud to Star Side Dish: Smashed Garlic Potatoes

Few foods hold a place in our hearts and kitchens quite like the potato.

Humble, hearty, and endlessly adaptable, this simple tuber has traveled from hog feed in the 1850s to a modern-day staple beloved around the world.

Whether mashed smooth, roasted crisp, or fried golden, potatoes have the power to turn an ordinary meal into something deeply comforting. And when you smash them with garlic, butter, and a splash of lemon? Well, that’s when the magic happens.

Rekindle Your Love Affair With The Potato

Smashed garlic potatoes.

Americans love potatoes.

So much so, that according to the USDA, individuals consume on average, 48.3 pounds of potatoes per year.

But, it wasn’t always so. In the 1850’s, the Farmer’s Manual suggested to plant potatoes close to the hog pens for the convenience of feeding the animals.

Since then we’ve discovered that potatoes are good for humans.

One simple spud clocks-in at 110 calories, provides 1/2 of the recommended intake of Vitamin C, more potassium than a banana, and is a good source of Vitamin B6.

Potatoes Are Versatile

Mashed potatoes were often on the menu when I was growing up.  My brother used to grin like a Cheshire cat when he knew they were being served.  It was only later in life that I developed my love affair with the potato.

When I survey the vegetable landscape, the potato is unmatched in versatility.

Potatoes can be boiled, mashed, smashed, fried, grilled, baked, and roasted.  They are featured in soups, breads, pancakes, or casseroles, and one of the few vegetables served at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Yet 40% of our potato consumption is in its frozen form, mostly french fries. It’s time to step away from the freezer aisle and from the fast food french fries.

The Potato: A Global Star with Local Charm

Slowly but surely, this lowly tuber won over the hearts and stomachs of Americans.  So much so that children’s writer, A.A. Milne once said, “…if a fellow really likes potatoes, he must be a pretty decent fellow.”

Almost every cuisine and culture in the world features the potato.

It’s no wonder the potato has stood the test of time. From hearty stews in Ireland to spicy curries in India, and from creamy French gratins to crispy Latin American papas, the potato adapts to every culture and every kitchen. And while it’s a global star, it also has a special way of bringing people together at home.

A simple bowl of buttery potatoes on the dinner table can spark smiles, conversation, and memories that linger long after the meal is over.

Smashed Garlic Potatoes Cooking Tips

• Use Yukon Golds for the creamiest texture and buttery flavor.
• Don’t skip salting the water. This is your chance to season the potatoes from the inside out.
• Want to add a crispy effect? Smash the potatoes individually on a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil and pop them under the broiler for a few minutes.

This week rekindle your flame for the versatile potato and cooking at home.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.*

Smashed Garlic Potatoes

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

5 from 1 review

The transformation from lowly tuber to spectacular bowl of garlic smashed potatoes takes less than 30 minutes. Rekindle your love affair with the potato! Your tastebuds will thank you.

• Author: Chef Sandra Lewis
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, washed (cut them into quarters if they are large)
• 8 tablespoons butter
• 8 garlic cloves, minced (or as much as you like!)
• squeeze of fresh lemon juice
• kosher salt
• pepper
• parsley

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. Fill a pot large enough to hold the potatoes with an inch of water above the potatoes.
2. Add the potatoes to the cold water and bring to a boil over high heat. Once the water is at a boil, add some kosher salt to the water.
3. Reduce heat; simmer potatoes for 10 minutes or until done.
4. While the potatoes are cooking, mince the garlic.
5. Add the butter to a small saucepan.
6. Once the butter begins to melt, add the garlic and gently sauté to lightly brown the garlic. Keep the butter warm until the potatoes are cooked.
7. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot they were boiled in.
8. Lightly smash the potatoes with a potato masher or a fork.
9. Pour the butter and garlic mixture over the top of the potatoes. Stir to combine.
10. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired.
11. Give the potatoes an additional pop of flavor with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
12. Garnish with lightly chopped parsley.

Notes

1. Always start your potatoes in cold water so the potato will cook evenly all the way through.
2. Always salt the water when you boil potatoes. This ensures you get a head start on a great tasting potato.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup
• Calories: 388
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 57.6 mg
• Fat: 23.3 g
• Saturated Fat: 14.4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41.8 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 5.3 g
• Cholesterol: 61.1 mg