Truffle Mashed Potatoes

Transform any dinner into a fine dining experience by making creamy, decadent truffle mashed potatoes. This luxurious side dish takes the classic mashed potatoes recipe and infuses it with funky truffle oil, tangy sour cream, butter and milk. While fancy, it’s still a quick and easy side dish that will elevate any easy weeknight dinner—or whenever the situation calls for something special.

What are truffles?

Let’s talk truffles for a minute. Like mushrooms, truffles are members of the fungi family. But these intensely aromatic, uniquely flavored delicacies are so much more than a humble mushroom. When you taste a truffle, your senses are greeted with earthy, nutty aromas and flavors unlike anything else.

Truffles command a hefty price tag—especially the highly sought-after white Alba truffles and French Perigord black truffles. The Burgundian truffle is slightly easier on the wallet, but still boasts phenomenal flavor when added to dishes.

Since fresh truffles are hard to come by (or are, at the very least, lamentably expensive), the easiest way to add truffles to your cooking is by using one of the many brilliant truffle-infused products on the market. From truffle salts and truffle oils to condiments like truffle-infused mayo, ketchup and even honey, this gourmet ingredient has never been more accessible.

However, when picking truffle products, reading the label is essential: Many products use synthetic compounds to mimic the flavor of these delightful fungi, and you will be able to taste the difference. Look for truffles in the ingredients list to guarantee you’re getting real truffle flavor.

Ingredients for Truffle Mashed Potatoes

• Potatoes: Floury, starchy russets make the best mashed potatoes. Folks living in the United Kingdom can pick up a bag of Maris Pipers or King Edwards.
• Milk, butter and sour cream: This dairy trio lends a luxuriously creamy texture to the mashed potatoes. Sour cream adds a little tang, which pairs gorgeously with the earthy truffle flavor. Use whole milk for the creamiest mashed potatoes.
• Cheese: Bold and savory Parmesan cheese has the intensity needed to go toe-to-toe with the truffle flavor.
• Truffle oil: Genuine truffle oil is the only acceptable choice for truffle mash—or any recipe that calls for truffle oil—because there’s a stark difference between the taste of authentic and synthetic truffle oils. Again, check the label when you’re at the store; true truffle oils will list truffles in the ingredients list.
• Salt and pepper: Pepper’s earthy, warming spice and salt’s flavor-enhancing properties make them ubiquitous seasonings for most savory recipes.
• Truffle salt: This one is optional, but a sprinkling of truffle salt amplifies the truffle flavor in irresistible ways. If you’re finishing with truffle salt, reduce the amount of salt used when mashing the potatoes.

Directions

Step 1: Boil the potatoes

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Put the potatoes into a large stock pot. Pour in enough water to cover the potatoes. Season with 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook the potatoes, uncovered, until they’re tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.

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Drain the water and return the potatoes to the pot.

Step 2: Heat the milk

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While the potatoes are cooking, heat the milk and butter in a small saucepan until the butter melts and the milk is just warmed. Set the pan aside.

Step 3: Mash the potatoes

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Gently mash the potatoes while gradually adding the milk and butter mixture, sour cream, grated Parmesan cheese and truffle oil. Continue mashing until the potatoes reach your desired consistency.

Stir in the remaining teaspoon of salt and pepper. If desired, sprinkle the potatoes with truffle salt and additional pepper before serving.

Editor’s Tip: Use a potato ricer for velvety, smooth and lump-free mashed potatoes.

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Truffle Mashed Potatoes Variations

• Swap the dairy: For sumptuously creamy and indulgent mashed potatoes, use heavy cream instead of whole milk.
• Experiment with a little extra flavor: You don’t want too many strong flavor profiles competing with the truffles in this recipe, but a sprinkling of fresh herbs, a crumble of crispy bacon or some mellow roasted garlic would all make solid additions.
• Add more truffles: Swap the Parmesan for a truffle cheese, or get your hands on fresh truffles, which are typically available from specialty retailers and websites. Simply shave them into your mash.

How to Store Truffle Mashed Potatoes

Leave your mashed potatoes to cool, then transfer them to an airtight container. Store the container in your refrigerator.

How long do truffle mashed potatoes last?

Refrigerated truffle mash lasts for three to four days. When stored in the freezer, they’ll last up to one month. If you keep frozen mashed potatoes any longer than that, their texture will change in a rather undesirable way because of the dairy.

How do you reheat truffle mashed potatoes?

When it’s time to reheat your mashed potatoes, you’ve got options: the microwave, the stovetop or the oven. The microwave is the fastest, but there’s an art to reheating mashed potatoes this way. Reheat them in 30-second intervals, adding a little warm milk and melted butter when the potatoes are just warm. Continue in intervals until they’re warm.

To reheat truffle mashed potatoes on the stovetop, put them in a saucepan with milk and a tablespoon of butter. Cook them over low heat, stirring regularly until they’re warm.

If the oven is more your speed, preheat it to 350°F. While you’re waiting for it to heat up, put the mashed potatoes on the counter to come up to room temperature. Transfer them to an oven-safe dish or Dutch oven, cover them, then bake them for 15 to 20 minutes or until they’re warm.

Truffle Mashed Potatoes Tips

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How do you avoid lumpy mashed potatoes?

A velvety mash is simpler to achieve than you might think. Rule number one when it comes to silky-smooth mashed potatoes is cutting the potatoes so the chunks are roughly the same size. This promotes even cooking as they boil. Next, be sure not to undercook the potatoes. Lastly, let a potato ricer do the work for you when it’s time to mash. No ricer? A grater will work in a pinch.

How else can you use truffle mashed potatoes?

There are many ways to use leftover mashed potatoes. Sure, you can reheat and eat your truffle mash as is, but leftovers are the perfect opportunity to make deliciously fluffy potato croquettes. Or work your magic and transform those creamy spuds into truffle mashed potato pancakes. Make mashed potato cakes, spread the mash onto a Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich or use it as a topping for a truffle-spiked cottage pie. If you’re a gnocchi lover, follow this easy homemade potato gnocchi to transport yourself to truffle heaven.

What can you serve with truffle mashed potatoes?

Herb-crusted roast beef, a tender beef Wellington or a beautifully seared cast-iron steak are classic pairings for truffle mashed potatoes. Try any of your favorite recipes for roast chicken or grilled fish. A personal favorite main dish to serve with truffle mash is a hearty venison stew, especially once sweater weather settles in.

If you want another side dish alongside the truffle mash, try stuffed mushrooms, savory green beans or a spinach and beet salad.