Ultimate Creamy Vegan Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Sweet Caramelised Onions (Ready in 30 Minutes!)
These Vegan Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Caramelised Onions are incredibly creamy, packed with flavor, and surprisingly quick to make – ready in under 30 minutes! They are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser for any meal, especially your holiday spread.
This month holds a special significance for me, not just because of the heartwarming traditions of Thanksgiving, but also for a monumental personal milestone: I’m officially being called to the bar! Stepping into the role of an Attorney-at-Law after 22 years as a student feels surreal, exciting, and absolutely incredible. I can’t wait to update my email signature to “Attorney-at-Law”—it’s going to be such a proud moment!
But enough about my legal journey for now. Let’s talk about something equally delightful and far more edible: mashed potatoes!
The Quest for the Perfect Vegan Mashed Potatoes
Whether you’re curious about the long road to becoming an attorney or, more likely, you’re here to dive face-first into a bowl of these heavenly vegan garlic mashed potatoes, you’ve come to the right place. With Thanksgiving approaching, I felt compelled to create an easy, yet exceptionally delicious mashed potato recipe. This wasn’t just about crafting “any” recipe; I aimed for perfection.
My mother has always spoiled me with her amazing, soft, and unbelievably creamy mashed potatoes – truly the best I’ve ever tasted. Conversely, I’ve encountered takeout mashed potatoes that were, to put it mildly, far from impressive. My mission was clear: emulate my mom’s legendary mashed potatoes, but make them entirely vegan and infuse them with irresistible flavors. And boom – mission accomplished!
Why These Vegan Garlic Mashed Potatoes Will Be Your New Favorite
Would I describe these as the best vegan garlic mashed potatoes I’ve ever had? A resounding YES! They are the perfect addition to any Thanksgiving or holiday feast, whether you’re serving a vegetarian spread or a traditional non-vegetarian meal. We’re talking about classic fluffy mashed potatoes, but made with plant-based ingredients that deliver the same, if not better, rich flavor and luxurious texture. Imagine perfectly cooked potatoes mashed with creamy vegan butter (which, by the way, tastes exactly like regular butter!), intensely flavored with fragrant minced garlic, and elevated by the sweet, tender notes of deeply caramelized onions. Just typing this makes me want to race to the fridge for the leftovers right now!
The best part? These incredible mashed potatoes come together in 30 minutes or less! This speed is thanks to a clever technique: caramelizing the onions simultaneously while the potatoes boil. Serve them warm with an extra pat of vegan butter melting on top and a generous sprinkle of fresh black pepper just before serving for an unforgettable side dish.
Key Ingredients for Perfectly Creamy Vegan Mashed Potatoes
Achieving truly outstanding mashed potatoes, especially vegan ones, relies on a few core ingredients and techniques:
- Potatoes: For the ultimate creamy texture, Yukon Gold potatoes are your best friend. Their naturally buttery flavor and lower starch content make them ideal for mashing without becoming gummy. If you can’t find Yukon Golds, aim for other waxy or all-purpose varieties. Ensure they are peeled and cut into uniform pieces for even cooking.
- Vegan Butter: The quality of vegan butter has come a long way! Look for high-quality, plant-based butter that has a neutral flavor and melts beautifully. It provides the richness and traditional “buttery” taste we all love in mashed potatoes.
- Coconut Milk: Full-fat canned coconut milk is the secret to achieving incredible creaminess without any dairy. Don’t worry, the coconut flavor is very subtle once incorporated, especially with the garlic and onions. If you prefer, other unsweetened plant milks like oat milk or cashew milk can work, but full-fat coconut milk offers the richest texture.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is essential. It infuses the potatoes with a pungent, aromatic flavor that truly elevates the dish. Don’t be shy with the garlic – it’s a “garlic mashed potatoes” recipe after all!
- Onions: The star addition! Caramelized onions add a profound depth of sweet, savory, and umami flavor that perfectly complements the garlic and potatoes. They transform a simple side dish into something truly gourmet.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning the potatoes and bringing out all the flavors. Don’t forget to salt the boiling water too!
Mastering the Art of Caramelised Onions
Caramelized onions are a game-changer in this recipe, and while they require a little patience, the results are incredibly rewarding. Here’s how to get them just right:
- Use the Right Pan: A heavy-bottomed pan or skillet ensures even heat distribution, preventing hot spots that can burn your onions.
- Medium-Low Heat is Key: Don’t rush the process! True caramelization happens slowly. Cooking onions on medium-low heat allows their natural sugars to develop and brown, rather than just scorching them.
- Stir Occasionally: Stirring every 5-7 minutes prevents sticking and ensures all sides of the onions get a chance to caramelize evenly.
- Deglaze with Water (if needed): If your pan becomes too dry and the onions start to stick or burn, add a tablespoon or two of water. This helps to loosen any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, which are full of flavor, and provides moisture for the onions to continue softening.
- Look for Golden Brown: The onions should transform from translucent to a deep, rich golden-brown color, becoming incredibly soft and sweet. This typically takes about 15-20 minutes for a half onion, but can vary.
Tips for the Creamiest, Most Flavorful Vegan Mashed Potatoes
- Don’t Over-Boil: Cook potatoes until they are just fork-tender. Over-boiled potatoes can absorb too much water, leading to a watery mash.
- Mash While Hot: Potatoes are easiest to mash when they are hot. Drain them thoroughly, then return them to the warm pot or a large bowl to mash.
- Warm Your Liquids: Heating the coconut milk and vegan butter before adding them to the potatoes helps them incorporate more smoothly and keeps the mashed potatoes hot.
- Don’t Over-Mash: While a potato masher is great for breaking down the potatoes, be careful not to over-mash, especially if using a food processor or electric mixer. Over-mashing can release too much starch, resulting in a gummy texture. For the creamiest results without gumminess, a hand masher or a potato ricer is ideal.
- Taste and Adjust: Always taste your mashed potatoes before serving and adjust salt and pepper as needed. You can also add a touch more vegan butter or coconut milk for extra richness or creaminess.
- Let Flavors Meld: If time allows, let the finished mashed potatoes sit for a few minutes after folding in the caramelized onions. This allows the incredible sweet and savory flavors to meld beautifully.
Serving Suggestions and Make-Ahead Options
These vegan garlic mashed potatoes with caramelized onions are truly versatile. They are, of course, a showstopper for Thanksgiving and other holiday meals, pairing perfectly with roasted vegetables, plant-based roasts, or hearty stews. But don’t limit them to special occasions! They make a fantastic side for weeknight dinners, alongside grilled vegan sausages, veggie burgers, or a simple lentil loaf.
Make-Ahead: You can prepare the caramelized onions up to 2-3 days in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The mashed potatoes themselves can also be made a day in advance. To reheat, gently warm them on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of plant milk or vegan butter if they seem too thick, stirring occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, microwave in short intervals, stirring between each, until warm.
MORE VEGAN THANKSGIVING RECIPES
Skinny Sweet Potato Casserole with Maple Pecan Topping
Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Onions and Apples
Vegan Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Caramelised Onions
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Ingredients
- 1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into uniform pieces (aim for small potatoes, or cut larger ones in half)
- 1/2 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, freshly minced
- 3 tablespoons vegan butter, divided
- 3/4 cup full-fat coconut milk, or other unsweetened plant milk
- ½ – 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- Pinch freshly ground black pepper, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring generously salted water to a rolling boil. Carefully add the peeled and uniformly cut potatoes. Boil for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are completely fork-tender (a fork should easily slide in and out of the potato without resistance).
- While the potatoes are boiling, begin caramelizing the onions. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegan butter in a separate large pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
- Once the butter is hot and shimmering, add the sliced onions. The onions should sizzle gently. Immediately reduce the heat to medium-low to prevent burning and allow for slow caramelization.
- Swirl the onions around to ensure they are all coated in the butter. Let them caramelize for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally (about once every 5 minutes). The onions will gradually soften, turn golden brown, and become incredibly tender. If the pan dries out or the onions start to stick, add 1-2 tablespoons of water at a time to help them finish cooking without burning. Once perfectly caramelized, set aside.
- Once the potatoes are tender, thoroughly drain them and transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Using a potato masher, gently mash the potatoes for a few seconds until they begin to break apart.
- In a separate microwave-safe bowl, combine the coconut milk and the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegan butter. Microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute, or until the mixture is hot and the butter is melted. Pour this warm liquid over the mashed potatoes, then add the minced garlic and salt. Continue mashing all ingredients together with your potato masher until everything is well incorporated and the potatoes are smooth and creamy.
- Gently fold the reserved caramelized onions into the mashed potatoes. Stir until evenly distributed. For the best flavor, if you have a few extra minutes, allow the mashed potatoes to sit for a while so the delicious caramelized onion flavor can truly seep into the potatoes.
- Serve warm, optionally garnished with an extra pat of vegan butter and a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper for an added touch of flavor. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.