Transform your side dish game with the irresistible flavor of Smoked Mashed Potatoes! Ultra-creamy, incredibly fluffy, and infused with a delightful hint of smoke, these potatoes are a culinary revelation. Forget every other mashed potato recipe you’ve tried; this smoky version will quickly become your new favorite.
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Discover the Unforgettable Taste of Smoked Mashed Potatoes
Embark on a culinary adventure where everything gets a smoky touch, and discover that some foods are simply destined for the smoker. Our journey led to a monumental success with Smoked Mashed Potatoes – a dish so profoundly delicious, it has redefined what mashed potatoes can be. Imagine light, fluffy, and buttery mashed potatoes, elevated by an ethereal wisp of smoke. This isn’t just a side dish; it’s a flavor experience that will make every other potato recipe pale in comparison.
The beauty of this recipe lies not only in its extraordinary taste but also in its incredible convenience. You can effortlessly integrate the smoking of these mashed potatoes into the last 30 to 45 minutes of another smoking session. Are you already slow-cooking a succulent pork roast, tender ribs, or even delicate smoked seafood? Simply shift your main dish slightly, make room for a pan of prepared mashed potatoes, and let them absorb that “kiss of smoke” as your meal finishes cooking. It’s an ingenious way to maximize your smoker’s use and infuse an unexpected layer of flavor into a classic comfort food.
Once you try these smoked potatoes, you’ll wonder why it took you so long to introduce this incredible technique into your kitchen. This method doesn’t just make amazing mashed potatoes – it makes *the* most amazing mashed potatoes!
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Smoked Mashed Potato Recipe
- Unrivaled Flavor Profile: The subtle smoky essence adds a sophisticated, savory depth that elevates traditional mashed potatoes to gourmet status. It’s a game-changer that will impress even the most discerning palates.
- Remarkably Convenient: This recipe is designed to be flexible. You can prepare your mashed potatoes ahead of time, then simply pop them onto the smoker during the final stages of cooking your main dish. It’s perfect for meal prepping and takes minimal active smoking time.
- Space-Efficient for Any Smoker: Whether you have a large smoker or a compact model, a shallow pan of mashed potatoes fits easily alongside other items. No need for extensive planning or dedicated smoking sessions just for your side dish.
- Simple and Adaptable: Use your favorite mashed potato base! This technique seamlessly integrates with any recipe, allowing you to personalize the flavors to your liking while adding that unique smoky twist.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Smoked Mashed Potatoes
Crafting the best smoked mashed potatoes starts with quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create this incredibly flavorful side dish:
- Yukon Gold Potatoes: These are the undisputed champions for mashing. Their naturally buttery flavor, creamy texture, and moderate starch content result in mashed potatoes that are rich, smooth, and soak up all the delicious additions beautifully.
- Fresh Garlic: A few cloves boiled with the potatoes infuse them with a mellow, aromatic garlic flavor that complements the smoke perfectly.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning the boiling water and for bringing out the best flavors in the finished dish.
- Butter: Whether salted or unsalted, generous amounts of butter are key to achieving that rich, indulgent creaminess.
- Milk: Use any milk you have on hand to achieve the desired consistency.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: For truly decadent and ultra-creamy mashed potatoes, heavy cream is a must. It contributes to the luxurious mouthfeel that makes this recipe so special.
- Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: To season to taste, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
Recommended Equipment for Smoking Mashed Potatoes
To successfully achieve that beautiful kiss of smoke, you’ll need a few key pieces of equipment:
- Pellet Grill or Smoker: A Traeger pellet grill, or any other type of smoker (like an electric smoker or charcoal smoker with wood chips/chunks), will work wonderfully. The goal is to impart smoke flavor, so precise temperature control is less critical than for other smoked meats.
- Wood Pellets or Chips: Since this is a quick smoke, stronger smoke flavors tend to work well without overpowering the potatoes. Consider hickory, mesquite, or a robust blend for a distinct smoky character. Apple or cherry wood can also offer a milder, sweeter smoke if preferred.
- Smoker-Safe Shallow Dish: A large cast-iron skillet, a wide ceramic baking dish, or any shallow metal pan is ideal. The wider the surface area, the more smoke your potatoes will absorb. Be aware that smoke can leave a residue on dishes, which might require a bit of scrubbing with steel wool or an abrasive cleaner.
- Potato Masher, Ricer, or Electric Mixer: Depending on your preference for texture, any of these tools will help you achieve perfectly mashed potatoes.
Elevate Your Potato Sides with These Recipes:
Choosing the Best Potatoes for Smoked Mashed Potatoes
The type of potato you select plays a crucial role in the final texture and flavor of your mashed potatoes. For the ultimate Smoked Mashed Potatoes, you’ll want a variety that becomes light and fluffy when mashed, creating a perfect canvas for the smoky flavor.
My absolute top recommendation for mashing is the Yukon Gold potato. These versatile potatoes boast a naturally buttery flavor and a creamy, yellow flesh. When cooked and mashed, they achieve an incredibly fluffy texture without becoming gummy or dense. Their moderate starch content means they absorb butter and cream beautifully, yielding an oh-so-creamy result that stands out. The slight sweetness and rich flavor of Yukon Golds also harmonize wonderfully with the smoky notes.
If Yukon Golds are unavailable, Russet potatoes (also known as Idaho potatoes) are an excellent second choice. Russets are characterized by their high starch content and fluffy, dry texture when cooked. They are often referred to as “floury” potatoes, which makes them ideal for light and airy mashed potatoes. Just be careful not to overmash them, as their high starch can sometimes lead to a slightly gluey texture if overworked.
While you can mash red potatoes or other waxy varieties, they are generally less ideal for this recipe. Waxy potatoes have a lower starch content and a higher moisture content, which causes them to hold their shape better during cooking. While this is great for potato salads or roasting, it means they won’t achieve the same light and fluffy consistency as Yukon Golds or Russets when mashed. They tend to be denser and less absorbent, resulting in mashed potatoes that aren’t quite as creamy or able to fully embrace the smoky flavor.
For the truly best Smoked Mashed Potatoes, stick with Yukon Golds or Russets to ensure a tender, cloud-like texture that truly shines with that smoky essence.
How to Make Smoked Mashed Potatoes: A Step-by-Step Guide
For a full list of ingredients and precise measurements, please refer to the detailed recipe card at the bottom of this page.
- Prepare the Potatoes: Begin by peeling your chosen potatoes (Yukon Golds are recommended!) and cutting them into uniform 2-inch chunks. This ensures even cooking. Place the potato chunks in a large pot and cover them with cold, salted water. The salt in the water will season the potatoes from the inside out.
- Infuse with Garlic: Add 2-3 peeled cloves of fresh garlic to the pot with the potatoes. The garlic will soften and mellow as it boils, lending a subtle aromatic depth to the potatoes. Bring the pot to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Boil to Perfection: Continue boiling the potatoes and garlic for approximately 15-20 minutes. You’re looking for them to be very fork-tender, meaning a fork should easily slide through a potato chunk, but they shouldn’t be falling apart or mushy. Overcooking can lead to watery mashed potatoes.
- Drain Thoroughly: Once tender, carefully drain the potatoes and garlic cloves using a colander. Return the drained potatoes and garlic immediately to the hot, empty pot. The residual heat in the pot will help evaporate any remaining surface moisture, which is crucial for fluffy mashed potatoes.
- Warm the Dairy and Add Butter: While the potatoes are still hot, add the butter directly to the pot. The heat from the potatoes will quickly melt it. In a separate microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan on the stove, gently warm the milk and heavy cream. Warming the dairy prevents it from cooling down the potatoes, ensuring a smooth, creamy texture and better absorption.
- Mash and Combine: Using a sturdy potato masher, begin mashing the potatoes and melted butter until mostly smooth. Then, gradually add the warmed milk and cream mixture, mixing with a fork until the potatoes reach your desired creamy and fluffy consistency. Avoid overmixing, especially if using a mixer, as this can activate starches and make the potatoes gummy.
- Season and Transfer: Season your mashed potatoes generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Transfer the seasoned mashed potatoes into a shallow, wide, smoker-safe dish. A large cast-iron skillet is an excellent choice, as its broad surface area will maximize smoke absorption.
- Smoke to Perfection: Place the dish of mashed potatoes into your preheated smoker. Any temperature up to about 300°F (150°C) is fine, but for the most pronounced smoke flavor, aim for lower temperatures like 180-225°F (82-107°C), or utilize a “Super Smoke” setting if your smoker has one. Smoke the potatoes for approximately 30-45 minutes.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the pan from the smoker, give the potatoes a final gentle stir, and serve immediately. Prepare for rave reviews!
Creative Ways to Enhance Your Smoked Mashed Potatoes
While the standard method yields incredibly delicious results, there are a couple of alternative approaches and tips to consider for customizing your smoked mashed potatoes:
- Smoking Potatoes Before Mashing: Some prefer to boil or even bake potatoes whole or in large chunks, then smoke them before mashing. While this can impart some smoke, be cautious: if left on the smoker for too long, the potatoes can dry out significantly, making them difficult to mash into a light and fluffy consistency. The traditional method of mashing first then smoking tends to yield a more consistently creamy and tender result. Don’t hesitate to ask me about my own “smoked potato mishaps” in the comments if you want to learn from my trials!
- Choosing Your Mashing Tool: The tool you use for mashing influences the texture:
- A hand masher will give you a slightly chunkier, more rustic mashed potato, perfect for those who enjoy a bit of texture.
- A potato ricer produces exceptionally smooth, lump-free mashed potatoes, as it pushes the potatoes through small holes, separating the starch granules for an airy result.
- A stand mixer or electric hand mixer can achieve very smooth potatoes quickly, but be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the starch and lead to a gummy texture. Use the paddle attachment on low speed and mix only until combined.
Chef Jenn’s Expert Tips for the Ultimate Smoked Mashed Potatoes
- Maximize Smoke Absorption: The key to deeply flavorful smoked mashed potatoes is maximizing the surface area exposed to the smoke. Always use a wide, shallow vessel like a large cast-iron skillet, a shallow baking dish, or a broad casserole pan. This allows more of the potato surface to interact with the smoke, infusing every bite with that irresistible aroma.
- Garnish for Freshness and Color: A simple garnish can elevate both the presentation and flavor. Consider adding finely sliced green onions, fresh chopped chives, or vibrant parsley just before serving. These not only add a pop of color but also a burst of fresh flavor that beautifully complements the richness of the potatoes.
- Adjust Fat Content: While heavy cream contributes to an incredibly indulgent experience, you can easily adjust the richness to suit your preference. If you’re looking for a lighter option, feel free to substitute some or all of the heavy cream with additional milk. The potatoes will still be creamy and delicious, just with less fat.
- Optimal Smoking Temperature: For the best smoke flavor, aim for lower smoking temperatures, ideally between 180°F to 225°F (82°C to 107°C). If your pellet grill has a “Super Smoke” or similar low-temperature smoke setting, now is the time to use it! While you can smoke at higher temperatures (up to 300°F/150°C), the smoke adherence is generally better at lower settings, resulting in a more profound smoky essence without drying out the potatoes.
- Don’t Overmix: This bears repeating! Overmixing mashed potatoes, especially with an electric mixer, can break down the starch cells too much, releasing excess starch and leading to a gummy, gluey texture. Mash or mix only until the desired consistency is achieved, then stop.
- Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Always taste your mashed potatoes before and after smoking. The smoke can subtly alter the perception of saltiness, so a final seasoning adjustment just before serving is often necessary to ensure perfect balance.
Looking for more amazing smoker recipes? Check out our 50 Smoker Recipes Ebook!
Make It a Meal: Perfect Pairings for Smoked Mashed Potatoes
Smoked Mashed Potatoes are far more than just a side dish; they are a versatile accompaniment that can elevate nearly any meal. Their unique smoky flavor makes them an ideal partner for a wide range of main courses. Here are some of my favorite pairings:
- Smoked Meatloaf with Bacon: The classic comfort food duo gets a smoky upgrade! The rich, savory flavors of smoked meatloaf are perfectly complemented by the creamy, smoky potatoes, creating an incredibly satisfying meal. The potatoes are also excellent for soaking up any delicious meatloaf gravy.
- Garlic Braised Short Ribs: Imagine tender, fall-off-the-bone short ribs bathed in a savory, aromatic gravy. Smoked mashed potatoes are the ideal vehicle to soak up every last drop of that incredible sauce, adding another layer of complex flavor to an already luxurious dish.
- Seafood Stuffed Salmon: For a lighter yet equally flavorful option, pair your smoked mashed potatoes with elegant seafood-stuffed salmon. The delicate smokiness of the potatoes provides a wonderful earthy counterpoint to the fresh flavors of the salmon and seafood stuffing.
- Hearty Roast Beef: Whether it’s a traditional pot roast or a beautifully seared prime rib, roast beef and mashed potatoes are an iconic combination. The smoky notes in the potatoes add an unexpected twist, making this familiar pairing feel fresh and exciting.
- Smoked Chicken or Turkey: The subtle smokiness of the potatoes harmonizes effortlessly with any smoked poultry, making them an excellent choice for holiday meals or weekend cookouts.
- Grilled Steaks: A perfectly grilled steak, with its seared exterior and juicy interior, finds its match in these creamy, smoky potatoes. The richness of both components creates a truly indulgent dining experience.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Should you be lucky enough to have any leftover Smoked Mashed Potatoes, storing them is simple, and they reheat wonderfully. Transfer any remaining potatoes to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
To reheat, you have a couple of options:
- Microwave: For individual servings, place potatoes in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of milk or cream, cover loosely, and microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until heated through.
- Oven: For larger quantities, transfer the potatoes to an oven-safe dish, add a tablespoon or two of milk or cream (or a pat of butter) and cover tightly with foil. Reheat in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 20-30 minutes, or until warmed through, stirring halfway.
Adding a little extra liquid (milk, cream, or broth) during reheating will help restore their creamy texture and prevent them from drying out.
Frequently Asked Questions About Smoked Mashed Potatoes
You can achieve a delicious smoky flavor in as little as 30 minutes. While you can leave them on longer, be mindful that the top layer of the mashed potatoes might start to dry out if uncovered. Covering them would largely defeat the purpose of smoking. The optimal “sweet spot” for smoking mashed potatoes is typically between 30 to 45 minutes for perfect flavor absorption and texture.
Absolutely! Pellet grills, like a Traeger, are fantastic for smoking mashed potatoes. I smoke them on my Traeger regularly. For an even more intense smoke flavor, consider using a smoke tube filled with pellets alongside your potatoes. This provides an extra boost of clean, flavorful smoke – yum!
Yes, they most certainly do! While mashed potatoes aren’t typically on the smoker for hours like a brisket, they will readily absorb enough smoke during their short time to develop a noticeable and incredibly tasty “kiss of smoke.” The creamy texture and surface area of mashed potatoes make them particularly good at picking up these delicate smoky notes.
Smoked Mashed Potatoes
Fluffy, creamy, and smoky! These Smoked Mashed Potatoes are going to rock your world! With a kiss of smoke, they’re so flavorful and the perfect addition to so many dishes!
Rating: 4.95 out of 5 stars based on 72 votes
Author: Chef Jenn
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: mashed potatoes, smoked, smoker, smoker recipes, traeger, traeger smoked mashed potatoes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 226 kcal
Equipment
- Traeger pellet smoker
- Pellets
- Potato masher (or potato ricer or electric mixer)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds gold potatoes
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or milk)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Peel and cut the potatoes into 2-inch chunks.
- Boil the potatoes and the garlic in salted water until they’re very fork tender but not falling apart. About 20 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes and garlic and return them to the hot pot.
- Meanwhile, warm the milk and cream in the microwave or in a pan on the stovetop.
- Mash the potatoes then mix in the butter and as much of the cream/milk mixture as you like to get the potatoes nice and creamy and fluffy.
- Season with salt and pepper, then transfer the mashed potatoes to a smoker-safe shallow dish.
- Smoke at 225°F (107°C) for about 30-45 minutes. You can smoke them at a higher temp but they won’t be as smoky. For the best results, smoke them at 180°F (82°C) or on super smoke for 30 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- The more surface area your mashed potatoes get, the more smoke flavor they’ll absorb. Use a skillet, shallow baking dish, or wide casserole pan when smoking the potatoes for maximum flavor.
- Sliced green onions or chopped chives or parsley add a pop of flavor, freshness and color to this Smoked Mashed Potato recipe.
- Don’t want all the fat from heavy cream? You can use all milk, instead.
Nutrition
Serving: 0.5 cup | Calories: 226 kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 49mg | Potassium: 678mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 428IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 1mg
A Note on Nutritional Information: Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.
Want More Delicious and Easy Recipes?
If you’ve enjoyed the unique flavors of our Smoked Mashed Potatoes, you’ll love exploring more of our easy and delicious recipes designed to elevate your home cooking:
- Perfect Steaks on the Blackstone: Master the art of searing steaks on a griddle for a restaurant-quality meal at home.
- Tender Smoked Lamb Chops: Discover how to infuse lamb chops with incredible smoky flavor, creating a truly impressive dish.
- Leftover Roast Beef Stroganoff: Transform your Sunday roast into a quick and comforting weeknight meal with this classic recipe.
- Flavorful Smoked Asparagus: A simple yet elegant side dish that perfectly complements any main course, bringing a fresh, smoky taste.
