Yukon Gold Buttermilk Thyme Mashed Potatoes ~ Buttermilk and fresh thyme are paired with the naturally silky texture of Yukon Gold potatoes.
Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Mash potatoes are an American staple. They offer a buttery and creamy goodness that intensely satisfies appetites everywhere.
Whether you are smothering them in a savory gravy or loading them up with melted butter, they carry the promise of fulfillment for every potato lover.
Potatoes in any form are a great option for a side dish because they pair well with so many meats and fish dishes.
I think they are probably the most versatile side. You can mash them, bake them, make them in to fries or tots, saute them or grill them… the possibilities are just about endless.
My recipe for Yukon Gold Buttermilk Thyme Mashed Potatoes is a home run for anyone looking to provide a decadent side to their meal.
What are Yukon Gold Potatoes?
Many types of potatoes are available at your local grocer. Each offer a slightly different taste and texture, making the different options optimal for different dishes.
The most common types include the ever popular russet, considered a high “starch” potato and low in moisture. There’s also the red potato (also referred to as the “new potato”), which is considered a “waxy” potato that is lower in starch and higher in moisture.
Each style offers its own pros and cons. Russet potatoes don’t hold their shape very well when cooked, making them a fine choice for a baked potato, but a poor option for soups and casseroles.
Red potatoes hold their shape much better so they are the better bet for soups and casseroles. They are also a great choice for potato salads.
The Yukon Gold potato is a nice compromise between those other two types.
The flavor can be described as mild, nutty, buttery, even earthy. It is an all purpose potato with a medium starch level and is versatile enough to work in just about any potato recipe.
Where Do Yukon Gold Potatoes Get Their Name?
Fun fact, the Yukon Gold got their name in part from the Yukon River that was a part of the gold rush and in part from their golden hue.
These potatoes are medium to large in size and have a round to oblong shape. Yukon Gold potatoes are also available year round, making them a convenient as well as flavorful choice.
When you are selecting your Yukon Gold potatoes, stay away from wrinkled or soft ones. You want you selections to be firm and as unblemished as possible.
The golden flesh of the Yukon Gold Potatoes offers a fluffy and silky textured mash, making them my preference for this Yukon Gold Buttermilk Thyme Mashed Potatoes dish. They are naturally rich and buttery in flavor making them perfect for this creamy indulgence.
Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Buttermilk
Buttermilk is a wonderful alternative or addition to regular milk when it comes to mashing potatoes. It helps create a silky texture and tangy taste to the dish.
In the past, buttermilk has traditionally been made from the leftover liquid produced churning butter. This yielded a product low in fat and high in protein.
Today the product you buy in stores has been manufactured from low fat milk in a process similar to making yogurt.
Fresh milk that has gone through the pasteurization process is infused with cultures containing lactic acid bacteria. It’s the presence of this special bacteria that gives the buttermilk its “sour” taste.
Buttermilk is low fat and thicker than regular milk, so when combined with the naturally creamy Yukons, you get a rich tasting mashed tater with less fat than other recipes.
Of course then we ruin it with butter. But what are mashed potatoes without butter? I do list the butter as OPTIONAL in this recipe, so it can be lessened or even omitted if you wish.
I use a 2:1 ratio of buttermilk to regular milk in this recipe to get the best of both worlds.
The decadently full flavor in this recipe provided by the combination of the buttermilk, the thyme and the naturally delicious Yukon Golds makes these potatoes perfect on their own. There is no need to add gravy to these Yukon Gold Buttermilk Thyme Mashed Potatoes.
Easy Potato Recipes
- Loaded Bacon Cheddar Baked Potato Salad
- Spice Roasted Potatoes
- Bacon Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes
- Betty’s Potato Salad
- Creamy Pasilla Potatoes
- Basic Potato Salad
- Rustic Italian Potato Salad
- Colcannon
- Roasted Baby Dutch Golden Potatoes
Yukon Gold Buttermilk Thyme Mashed Potatoes
Buttermilk and fresh thyme are paired with the naturally silky texture of Yukon Gold potatoes.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes; peeled, cubed
- 1/4 tsp salt; +/- to taste
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 stick butter; OPTIONAL
- 1/2 tbsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper; +/- to taste
- 1/8 tsp salt; +/- to taste
Instructions
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Peel and cube potatoes.
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Bring the buttermilk, milk, and butter to room temperature before using.
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Place in a large pot, cover with cold water; add the salt.
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Bring the potatoes to a boil and cook until fork tender. Could be 15 minutes, could be 25, depending on how large the potatoes are cut.
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Drain the water.
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Pass the potatoes through a ricer or mash by hand. It is not recommended to use an electric mixer).
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Once mashed/riced, incorporate the buttermilk, milk, thyme, salt, and pepper
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Serve immediately and enjoy.
12 Comments
Allison
April 26, 2019 at 3:26 pmYukon golds are my fave! Such a delicious side dish.
Michelle De La Cerda
April 26, 2019 at 3:42 pmThey’re my favorite too, so buttery and silky.
Dorothy Reinhold
April 26, 2019 at 7:40 pmLoved learning more about this potato! I love that you used tangy buttermilk. Can’t wait to whip up a batch.
Michelle De La Cerda
April 30, 2019 at 2:49 pmI find food fascinating all on it’s own, so thought I’d share my findings. I am happy you enjoyed learning about it.
Catalina
April 27, 2019 at 5:21 amMashed potatoes is my favorite side dish! It’s a great idea the addition of thyme!
Chrissie Baker
April 27, 2019 at 5:45 amThese mashed potatoes are amazing and absolutely addictive! Thanks for developing and sharing this recipe!
Shannon Graham
April 27, 2019 at 11:06 amWhat a delicious way to make mashed potatoes! I can just smell and taste the thyme now!
Michelle De La Cerda
April 30, 2019 at 2:49 pmThank you so much.
Krista
April 29, 2019 at 7:46 amThe flavors of this sound so good! I have to make them!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
April 29, 2019 at 8:49 amI know for sure this would be a huge hit in my house!
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