Ranch Mashed Potatoes Recipe [Cheesy & Garlic Potatoes]
Ranch mashed potatoes are a delicious twist on the classic comfort food, infusing the creamy, buttery mashed potatoes with the savory, tangy flavors of ranch seasoning. This dish combines the smooth, velvety texture of well-mashed potatoes with the zesty kick of ranch dressing mix, often enhanced with fresh herbs like dill, parsley, and chives for an added layer of freshness.
The result is a rich and flavorful side dish that’s perfect for complementing a variety of main courses, from grilled meats to roasted vegetables. The ranch seasoning not only adds a unique taste but also a pleasant aroma, making these mashed potatoes a crowd-pleaser at any meal or gathering.
Ranch Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Ranch Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Equipment
- Large pot
- Potato masher or electric mixer
- Cutting board and knife
- Colander
- Large mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 2 lbs (about 1 kg) potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold), peeled and quartered
- 1/2 cup milk or cream
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: chopped chives or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Boil Potatoes: Place peeled and quartered potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Mash Potatoes: Drain potatoes in a colander and return them to the pot. Add butter, milk (or cream), and ranch dressing. Mash with a potato masher until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Transfer the mashed potatoes to a serving bowl. Garnish with chopped chives or parsley if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
Here is a detailed step-by-step guide to making ranch mashed potatoes:
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds of potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet)
- 1/2 cup of unsalted butter
- 1 cup of whole milk or heavy cream (adjust for desired consistency)
- 1 packet of ranch seasoning mix (or homemade ranch seasoning)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Fresh herbs (chives, parsley, dill) for garnish
Instructions:
1.Prepare the Potatoes:
- Wash and peel the potatoes. Cut them into evenly-sized chunks (about 1-2 inches) to ensure they cook evenly.
- Place the potato chunks into a large pot and cover them with cold water by about an inch. Add a pinch of salt to the water.
2.Cook the Potatoes:
- Bring the pot to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let the potatoes simmer.
- Cook the potatoes until they are very tender and easily pierced with a fork, about 15-20 minutes.
Drain the potatoes well in a colander and let them sit for a minute to allow excess moisture to evaporate.
3.Prepare the Dairy Mixture:
- While the potatoes are cooking, melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat.
Once melted, add the milk or heavy cream to the butter. Warm the mixture gently without boiling. This helps to incorporate the dairy smoothly into the potatoes.
4.Mash the Potatoes:
- Return the drained potatoes to the warm pot. Using a potato masher or a ricer, begin mashing the potatoes to your desired consistency. For a smoother texture, use a ricer or food mill. For a chunkier texture, a masher works well.
- Gradually add the warm butter and milk mixture to the potatoes, continuing to mash until the mixture is smooth and creamy. You can adjust the amount of milk or cream based on how creamy you want your potatoes.
5.Season the Potatoes:
-
- Sprinkle the ranch seasoning mix over the mashed potatoes. Stir well to combine, ensuring the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the potatoes.
Taste the potatoes and add salt and pepper as needed. Adjust seasoning to your preference.
6.Serve:
- Transfer the ranch mashed potatoes to a serving dish.
- Garnish with fresh herbs like chives, parsley, or dill if desired. These add a fresh flavor and a pop of color to the dish.
- Serve the mashed potatoes hot as a side dish to your favorite main courses.
Tips:
- For Extra Flavor: You can add a clove of garlic to the water while boiling the potatoes for a subtle garlic flavor.
- Make-Ahead: Ranch mashed potatoes can be made ahead of time and reheated gently on the stovetop or in the oven. Add a splash of milk or cream to restore their creamy texture.
- Variations: For a richer flavor, substitute sour cream or cream cheese for part of the milk or cream. This adds a tangy note that complements the ranch seasoning.
Ranch Mashed Potatoes Nutrition
- Calories: Approximately 200-300 calories per serving
- Influenced by the amount of butter, milk, and ranch seasoning used
- Total Fat: 10-15 grams
- Saturated Fat: 6-9 grams
- Primarily from butter and cream
- Trans Fat: 0 grams (if using natural ingredients)
- Unsaturated Fat: 1-2 grams
- Cholesterol: 25-40 milligrams
- Mainly from butter and milk/cream
- Sodium: 300-600 milligrams
- Largely from the ranch seasoning mix
- Total Carbohydrates: 25-35 grams
- Dietary Fiber: 2-3 grams
- From the potatoes
- Sugars: 1-3 grams
- Naturally occurring in milk and potatoes
- Protein: 3-5 grams
- From milk and potatoes
- Vitamins and Minerals:
- Vitamin A: 6-10% of the Daily Value (DV)
- From butter and milk
- Vitamin C: 10-20% of the DV
- From potatoes
- Calcium: 4-8% of the DV
- From milk and butter
- Iron: 4-6% of the DV
- From potatoes
- Potassium: 10-15% of the DV
- From potatoes
- Vitamin D: 1-2% of the DV
- From milk
- Vitamin B6: 10-15% of the DV
- From potatoes
- Magnesium: 5-8% of the DV
- From potatoes
- Additional Nutrients:
- Phosphorus: 8-12% of the DV
- From potatoes and milk
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): 4-6% of the DV
- From milk
Garlic Ranch Mashed Potatoes
- Main Ingredients:
- Potatoes: Yukon Gold or Russet for the best texture.
- Butter: Adds richness and flavor.
- Milk or Cream: For a creamy consistency.
- Ranch Seasoning: Store-bought packet or homemade mix.
- Garlic: Fresh roasted or minced for a robust garlic flavor.
- Flavor Profile:
- Creamy: Smooth and luscious base from butter and cream.
- Buttery: Rich buttery taste.
- Tangy: Distinctive tanginess from ranch seasoning.
- Garlicky: Aromatic and flavorful garlic infusion.
- Texture:
- Smooth and Velvety: Achieved by mashing or ricing the potatoes.
- Adjustable Creaminess: Add more or less milk/cream for desired texture.
- Preparation:
- Boil Potatoes: Cut into chunks, boil until tender.
- Mash: With butter, warm milk/cream, ranch seasoning, and garlic.
- Season: Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish:
- Fresh Herbs: Chives, parsley, or dill for added freshness and color.
- Serving Suggestions:
- Main Courses: Complements meats like steak, chicken, or pork.
- Vegetables: Pairs well with roasted or grilled vegetables.
- Comfort Food: Ideal side for comfort meals and holiday dinners.
- Make-Ahead Tip:
- Preparation: Can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
- Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the oven, adding a splash of milk or cream to maintain moisture.
- Additional Tips:
- Roasted Garlic: Use roasted garlic instead of raw for a milder, sweeter garlic flavor.
- Mix-Ins: Consider adding sour cream or cream cheese for extra tang and creaminess.
- Customization: Adjust ranch seasoning and garlic levels to suit personal taste preferences.
Cheesy Ranch Mashed Potatoes
I am Ashley Doyle, Senior Specialist in Food & Policy at The Humane Society of the United States and editor at airfryermama.com. I am passionate about transforming our global food system by promoting delicious, climate-friendly, plant-based foods. After transitioning from law to food and public policy, I now work with major food service companies to develop plant-based initiatives and animal welfare policies. My goal is to drive institutional change to combat climate change and improve our food system.