I’ve never hosted Thanksgiving dinner at my house – my mom has been doing it for many, many years and I think that’ll probably be the case for a while to come. As much as I’d like to do it, my dining room is nowhere near big enough to seat the whole family. The layout of our house just isn’t very conducive for entertaining in general. It’s one of those things I didn’t really give too much thought when we were house shopping, but so wish I had. I can guarantee you that (and about 20 other things we didn’t consider as first time home buyers) will be much higher up on the priority list when we’re ready to start looking for our next house!
So, anyway, in lieu of having the whole family over, Shane and I usually do a little mini Thanksgiving dinner of our own sometime in the week or two before the actual holiday. It usually coincides with my desire to test out new recipes to share with you guys π Yesterday was that day, and wow, what a meal! We stuffed ourselves silly and still have leftovers to last for days and days. It’s going to feel like Thanksgiving every night this week, and I’m positive neither of us will mind a bit.
I have so many new recipes I can’t wait to tell you about – for the next two weeks there’s going to be a lot of talk about side dishes and desserts. I hope you find something that you’re excited to add to your menu!
I had to start with these Brown Butter and Bacon Mashed Potatoes today because they kind of blew my mind. Regular ole mashed potatoes are one of my favorite foods period and sometimes it’s best not to mess with a good thing, but this is not one of those times. Adding bacon was kind of a given, it just makes everything better, including potatoes. But the brown butter was something I’d never considered before. I’ve used it a ton in my baking, but never in a savory application. Sometimes the richness of the brown butter gets lost in baking, but it’s front and center here, giving these potatoes the most amazing flavor – complex and slightly nutty. Combine that with the salty bacon and the smooth, creamy texture and these were honestly my favorite mashed potatoes ever.
Sides like these Brown Butter and Bacon Mashed Potatoes are one of the reasons stretchy pants are a necessity on Thanksgiving π
Brown Butter and Bacon Mashed Potatoes
adapted from Gourmet, November 2005 (via Epicurious)
5 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon salt, divided
4 slices thick-cut bacon
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup sour cream (light is fine)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
minced fresh chives, to garnish (optional)
Add the chopped potatoes to a large pot and cover with cold water. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of the salt. Set the pot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Continue cooking until the potatoes are fork tender, about 15 minutes.
While the potatoes cook, add the bacon to a large skillet and set over medium heat. Cook until browned and crisp, flipping a few times so the bacon cooks evenly. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease, then chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces.
Drain the potatoes in a colander, then return them to the pot. Set the pot over low heat and cook the potatoes for a minute or two, shaking the pot a few times, just until the potatoes are dry. Turn off the heat under the pot then add the bacon, milk, sour cream, pepper, and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. With a hand mixer, beat the potatoes on medium speed until smooth and fluffy – do not overmix. Cover to keep warm.
Add the butter to a large skillet and set over medium heat. The butter will melt then begin to bubble and foam. Continue cooking, whisking frequently, until the butter becomes golden brown and smells nutty (be patient and watch carefully, it can go from brown to burnt quickly). Add the browned butter to the potatoes and beat with the mixer again just until incorporated (you can also stir it in with a spoon if you’d rather). Taste and season with additional salt and/or pepper if desired. Garnish with chives and serve warm.
I WANT! This looks so fluffy and yummy. I’ll have to try this.
Hi Tracey,
Was curious, do you think you could keep these warm in a slow cooker for awhile?
–Kendra S
These potatoes were a huge hit with me, especially loved the bacon addition! Thanks for making them!
I’ve only cooked that dinner once, but it wasn’t at my home which was good because it’s a 1-bedroom 800 square foot apartment with a tiny kitchen, but it was also frustrating to cook such a huge meal in a kitchen I was unfamiliar with! I really want to do it all in my own realm sometime. Love these mashed potatoes! Maybe I will make myself a mini Thanksgiving meal in order to get some π
I really like the Cooking Light mashed potato recipe that I usually make, but I know these would be better!!
I’ve been following you from a while now, but since I usually check out your blog through my iPhone it’s a bit difficult for me to comment! Today I’m from the laptop so I can leave you a comment and, trust me, this is the kind of recipe I’ll excitedly add to my holiday menu! Brown butter used for mashed potatoes?! Brilliant!
Also, lovely shots!
xo, Elisa
Brown butter gets me every time! I still don’t get to host Thanksgiving either, my grandmother and mother-in-law still have a hold on the holiday but I’m thinking about making these just because it’s Monday!
Whhaaaaaa!! Mashed potatoes + brown + bacon….it’s a total drool-a-thon over here!
Oooh, I may just steal your pre-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving idea for myself… gives me two chances then to eat my favorite meal of the year. π Of course, these mashed potatoes will be involved both times. And maybe in between, too. They sound amazing!
oh my..brown butter AND bacon! I love it so much! I wish I got to be a part of your pre-turkey day!
Hi Tracey,
My name is Kim. I found your recipe for Foolproof Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits today on Pinterest. I love biscuits and scones and I am always looking for new and better recipes. I made them tonight to have with dinner. You are right these are amazing and I have never had biscuits rise this high. They were light and fluffy and melted in my mouth. Thank you. This is my new favourite recipe; even my husband liked them and he says he does not eat biscuits.
I’ve never used brown butter in potatoes, either, but it sounds like that needs to change! Sounds amazing!!
I’ve heard of this pre-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving idea a few times around the blogosphere and I love it! Totally want to do it with me and the.boy. And if there was any way to spruce up mashed potatoes, it’s with brown butter. Whoa.
So awesome, Tracey! Love these!
I cook a mini-Thanksgiving for the man and I too the week before because his mother does Thanksgiving dinner where she owns everything. No one is allowed to bring anything but wine. But these brown butter (amazing savory decision here girl!!) will be added to my mini-Thanksgiving line up.
Yukon potatoes, cream, butter, bacon – OH MY! What is not to love about that combo? I have done small pre-Thanksgiving meals for years, your right Tracey, it’s a great way to test new recipes, but I usually invite a few close friends who we don’t get to see on Thanksgiving Day.
Like Kenra S. I would like to know if these can be kept warm in a slow cooker and for how long?
Oh my these sound amazing. I’ve only had browned butter with pasta and mizithra cheese. Might be a good combo with the potatoes, substituting the cheese for bacon so it’s not too salty. Thank you for sharing and Happy
Thanksgiving.
What a great batch of potatoes! I’ve made brown butter sweet potatoes before, but I think these potatoes with the bacon beat those out. YUM!
@Kendra S and Anonymous: I’ve never tried to keep mashed potatoes warm in a slow cooker but I think it’d be fine. I’d use the “keep warm” setting if your slow cooker has one, as opposed to low. I’d probably give them a stir every so often, and if they start to dry out add a little more milk. If you’re only trying to keep the potatoes warm for a short period of time (30-60 minutes), you can put them in a heatproof bowl and set over a pot of simmering water too. I’ve done that with success before!
I’m too afraid to host the BIG holiday dinners, my mom has always done them too. A few years ago we hosted a Christmas Eve dinner and I think that was just enough to get my feet wet. But if hosting a dinner party means I can make these, then maybe I’ll change my mind!
Gah! I’m dying! Brown butter? Bacon?? MASHED POTATOES??? Those are my 3 favorite food groups!! Pardon me while I trip over myself running to the kitchen.
Oh wow, I can tell these mashed potatoes are just perfect, yum!!
O.M.G. Tracey – I’ve been dying to tell you that I made these this week, and they were the BIGGEST hit ever. Really. My son, who won’t even touch mashed potatoes (I know, weirdo, right?), had THREE servings! Between him, myself, and my husband, we went through 5 lbs. Oops. We’ll be making these again soon – thanks so much!!!!