Horseradish Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are one of the best-loved side dishes, and not just for the holidays. Comforting, creamy potatoes go with everything from a Sunday roast to grilled steak, and they’re always a classic side for meatloaf. As delicious as they are, we found a way to make them even more delectable! Horseradish mashed potatoes have a zippy flavor and an especially smooth and creamy texture.

Never had horseradish in mashed potatoes? It’s a classic steakhouse side dish you can make at home, and it’s just as easy to make as regular mash. Prepared horseradish has a spicy and vinegary flavor that can be pungent on its own, but its harsh bite mellows when it’s blended with creamy ingredients, making potatoes extra-savory with just a whisper of heat.

Ingredients for Horseradish Mashed Potatoes

• Potatoes: Look for firm potatoes without any signs of shriveling or green skins. You’ll want to peel and slice them into large cubes.
• Melted butter: You can use salted or unsalted butter for this recipe.
• Sour cream: This is one of the ingredients found in recipes that take mashed potatoes to a whole new level. Sour cream gives the potatoes a rich, creamy texture and a tangy flavor.
• Horseradish: Prepared horseradish gives this potato recipe a kick of spicy flavor. Look for jarred horseradish in the condiment aisle or refrigerated cases near cheeses and meats. You could also make your own homemade horseradish.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the potatoes

Place the cubed potatoes in a large saucepan and fill it with enough cold water to cover the potatoes. Bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook the potatoes for 10 minutes or until they’re tender. Drain off the water, keeping the potatoes in the pan.

Editor’s Tip: For lighter, fluffier mashed potatoes, cook the drained potatoes over medium heat for 30 seconds to one minute. This dries the potatoes and improves their texture once mashed.

Step 2: Mash the potatoes

Add the melted butter, salt and pepper to the potatoes, then mash the potatoes.

Editor’s Tip: We like to use a potato masher to break down the potatoes. It mashes without overmashing, keeping the potatoes from getting gummy or gluey.

Step 3: Add the final ingredients

Beat in the sour cream and horseradish.

Editor’s Tip: A wooden spoon is good for beating these ingredients into the potatoes. Beat until the potatoes are smooth and creamy.

Taste Recipes

Horseradish Mashed Potato Variations

• Add cheese: To complement the horseradish, stir shredded cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack cheese into the potatoes.
• Mash them with cream: Instead of sour cream, make traditional mashed potatoes with heavy cream. For a lighter option, you can use half-and-half cream or whole milk. Avoid low-fat milk, as the potatoes won’t be as creamy.
• Make it bacony: Add cooked, diced bacon to the mashed potatoes. The bacon’s smoky, salty flavor tastes fantastic with the horseradish.
• Try cream cheese: Mix in softened cream cheese instead of sour cream. It’s our secret to make-ahead mashed potatoes that taste extra creamy and stay moist even when reheated.

How to Store Horseradish Mashed Potatoes

Spoon leftover mashed potatoes into an airtight container. Store the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Can you make horseradish mashed potatoes ahead of time?

To save time on big cooking days like Thanksgiving, you can prepare this horseradish mashed potato recipe the day before you want to serve it. To reheat, transfer the potatoes to a greased baking dish and top them with a few pats of butter. Cover the pan tightly with foil. Bake the potatoes in a 350°F oven for 20 to 30 minutes. Once heated through, stir well before serving.

Horseradish Mashed Potato Tips

What type of potatoes are best for mashed potatoes?

The best type of potatoes for mashed potatoes are starchy potatoes, like russets or Idaho potatoes. Once cooked, these potatoes break down easily and mash into a smooth, creamy texture. All-purpose potatoes, like Yukon Gold, are also good for mashing. Avoid waxy potatoes, which hold their shape when cooked and can become gummy or gluey when mashed.

Should you cook whole or cut potatoes for mashed potatoes?

While both methods work, it’s faster and more foolproof to cut potatoes before boiling them. Cubed potatoes cook through in only 10 minutes, and it’s easy to test them for doneness with a fork. That means there’s less of a chance of overcooking or unevenly cooking the spuds.

What can you serve with horseradish mashed potatoes?

Our readers tell us they like to serve horseradish mashed potatoes with one of these super steak recipes. A generous portion of mashed potatoes tastes fantastic next to grilled ribeye, filet mignon or top sirloin steak. Mashed potatoes are also delicious with other beef dishes like roast beef and burgers or alongside poultry like Thanksgiving turkey recipes, and they’re a classic side dish for fried chicken.

For a fun twist on a traditional pairing, try layering the potatoes in a bowl with panko chicken tenders, sweet corn and gravy to make an elevated copycat KFC bowl. You can also use horseradish mashed potatoes in family favorite recipes like shepherd’s pie, mashed potato pancakes or bacon-cheddar potato croquettes.