- Forget the gravy! These mashed potatoes pack plenty of flavor on their own thanks to tender caramelized onions.
- These mashed potatoes contain fiber-rich vegetables that not only support gut health but also heart health.
- These mashed potatoes are make-ahead friendly and can be prepared up to two days in advance.
These French Onion Mashed Potatoes are the cozy holiday side you didn’t know you needed. Instead of relying on loads of gravy for flavor, these creamy Yukon Golds are infused with caramelized onions—cooked low and slow until jammy, sweet and savory. It’s a fiber-rich dish that plays just as well alongside a variety of mains. And the best part? The make-ahead factor means you can caramelize the onions the day before, freeing up precious stovetop space when the holiday chaos begins. Ready to see for yourself? Read on for our best tips and tricks including how to achieve the creamiest mashed potatoes ever.
Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen
These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!
- Mashing the potatoes with butter before adding milk helps to prevent a gluey texture.
- Placing the drained potatoes back in the hot pan helps fully dry them before mashing to achieve a creamy texture
- Warm milk mixes in more evenly, ensuring creamier mashed potatoes. Cold dairy shocks the starch and can cause the fat to seize, leading to a grainy or uneven mash. If the milk is not warmed through, at least have it at room temperature.
Nutrition Notes
- Yellow onions have a prebiotic fiber called inulin that helps fuel gut-healthy bacteria. The sulfur and antioxidants found in onions may help improve heart health and lower inflammation. Onions also contain a compound called allicin that helps support immunity.
- Potatoes have more nutrition than they get credit for, thanks to their high fiber, potassium and vitamin C content. The fiber found in potatoes supports healthy digestion, gut health and satiety, while potassium can help improve blood pressure. Combining carb-rich potatoes with a fat source, like the butter, olive oil and whole milk used in this recipe, can help promote more stable blood sugar levels.
- Whole milk, which contains 3.25% milkfat, serves as both a protein and fat source. Whole milk provides all nine essential amino acids, calcium and vitamin D for bone health, and vitamin B12 to support red blood cells and nerve function. The fat content of whole milk helps the body better absorb fat-soluble nutrients, including vitamins A and D that are naturally found in milk.
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower.
