Tara Teaspoon

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • Newsletter
  • Shop
  • About
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Cookbooks
    • Newsletter
    • Shop
    • About
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    TaraTeaspoon » Recipes » Christmas Side Dishes

    4 Amazing Mashed Potato Mix Ins

    Published: Nov 22, 2016 · Updated: Oct 6, 2022 by Tara Teaspoon · This page contains affiliate and sponsored links. See my full disclosure

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
    4 spoons of mashed potatoes with different mix in ingredients

    Four amazing mashed potato mix ins that will blow your mind! Start with the basic recipe and create flavorful side dishes with just a few ingredients.


    A dish of smooth, fluffy mashed potatoes on the table usually means there is a feast to be had. It's one of those sides that hints at gravy or delicious pan sauces waiting to be drizzled.

    Mashed potato mix ins in spoons on gray

    Why wait for turkey, ham or roast beef to enjoy a flavorful side? These variations are so good, you might just forget the other dishes on the table!

    From top to bottom I've made these potato mix ins:
    • Olive-Thyme Potatoes
    • Bacon and Smashed Carrot Potatoes
    • Smoked Gouda and Scallion Potatoes
    • Chipotle and Cilantro Potatoes

    I started with my basic Fluffy Mashed Potatoes recipe for each amazing variation. The olive and thyme version has the rich flavor of kalamata olives and herby goodness.

    It's tasty with beef roasts, lamb, and grilled or roasted chicken. Don't limit yourself to these ideas. Pair these variations with whatever sounds good to you - get creative!

    Mashed potato variations in spoons

    I just love bacon! Bacon and potatoes is a combination pretty stellar on it's own. I added sweetness with some cooked carrots.

    They smash up just perfectly with the potatoes, and the kick of salty bacon makes them great paired with chicken or pork chops.

    Try the smoky goodness of the Gouda and scallion potatoes with roast turkey, or beef tenderloin.

    The combo tastes like your favorite stuffed, baked potato; so cheesy and flavorful. The chipotle-cilantro combination is a spicy, smoky mix that hits the mark served alongside grilled chicken, or even a fish fillet.

    Make any meal special with these potato mix ins. I have more holiday dinner party ideas, sides and mains that you'll love.

    📖 Recipe

    4 spoons of mashed potatoes with different mix in ingredients

    4 Mashed Potato Mix Ins

    Tara Teaspoon
    4 Amazing mashed potato mix ins that will blow your mind! Start with the basic recipe and create flavorful side dishes with just a few ingredients.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Work Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 50 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Servings 6 servings

    Ingredients
      

    • Fluffy Mashed Potatoes

    1. OLIVE-THYME POTATOES

    • 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
    • ¼ cup chopped kalamata olives
    • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

    2. BACON AND SMASHED CARROT POTATOES

    • 1 pound carrots
    • 6 slices bacon
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 4 tablespoons bacon fat

    3. SMOKED GOUDA AND SCALLION POTATOES

    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • ¾ cup grated smoked Gouda (3 ounces)
    • 2 scallions (thinly sliced)

    4. CHIPOTLE AND CILANTRO POTATOES

    • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
    • 2 chipotle chiles (canned in adobo sauce)
    • 1 teaspoons adobo sauce from canned chipotle

    Instructions
     

    • Make Fluffy Mashed Potatoes, substituting 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil for the butter. Stir in ¼ cup chopped kalamata olives and 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme.
    • Peel 1 pound carrots and cut into 1-inch pieces. Steam until just tender: drain and set aside. Cook 6 slices bacon until just crisp; drain on paper towels (reserve fat), crumble and set aside. Make Fluffy Mashed Potatoes, reducing salt to 1 teaspoon and substituting 4 tablespoons bacon fat for butter. Add carrots and bacon; beat until carrots are slightly mashed.
    • Make Fluffy Mashed Potatoes, reducing butter to 2 tablespoons. Stir in ¾ cup (3 ounces) grated smoked Gouda and 2 thinly sliced scallions.
    • Make Fluffy Mashed Potatoes. Stir in ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro, 2 finely chopped chipotle chiles (canned in adobo sauce, seeds removed) and 1 teaspoon adobo sauce.

    Notes

    • Nutrition notes are not applicable since there are multiple recipes here!
    See nutrition for Fluffy Mashed Potatoes for reference.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 441kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 11gFat: 41gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 1187mgPotassium: 353mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 13130IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 244mgIron: 1mg
    Get exclusive recipes sent to your inbox!Sign up for Tara's newsletter for more.

    Side Dish Recipes

    • A bowl of 4 cheese mac and cheese with ground pepper on top.
      4 Cheese Mac and Cheese
    • Close up of a partially unwrapped honey cornbread muffin with honey dripping off the top.
      Honey Cornbread Muffins
    • Close up of slice of sweet potato cornbread with honey drizzle.
      Sweet Potato Cornbread
    • Cranberry sauce from craisins in a bowl with turkey.
      Cranberry Sauce Using Dried Cranberries
    • Feature image of a square of cheesy cornbread on a plate.
      Cheesy Cornbread
    • close up of cashew crunch salad feature
      Asian Crunch Salad
    • Bowl of mashed potatoes with butter and scallions on a Thanksgiving table.
      Fluffy Mashed Potatoes
    • Close up spoon full of mashed potatoes with melty cheese on top.
      Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Recipe
    Tara in kitchen making salad

    Tara Teaspoon

    I’ve been in food publishing for over 25 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television, food brands, & advertising. With two cookbooks under my belt and thousands of my recipes at your fingertips, I hope you'll be inspired to spend more time in the kitchen!

    More about Tara

    Recipes Tara Teaspoon & Vanessa Seder, Photographs Quentin Bacon. Food Stylist Susan Vajaranant, Prop Stylist Pamela Duncan Silver. Originally published LHJ11/08

    Comments

      5 from 1 vote

      Review Or Ask A Question! Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating





      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Mary says

      July 19, 2018 at 6:49 pm

      Love mashed potatoes and these certainly are some great new flavors to add interest!

      Reply
    2. Melissa Storms says

      November 09, 2023 at 10:04 pm

      I am going to try the carrot bacon mashed for Thanksgiving.

      Reply
      • Tara Teaspoon says

        November 17, 2023 at 9:41 am

        Excellent choice Melissa! Please let me know how it goes or if you have any questions.
        Tara

        Reply

    Hi, I'm Tara Teaspoon!

    I’ve been sharing my original ideas for years. What began as a passion, turned into a publishing career as Food Editor at Martha Stewart Living and Ladies’ Home Journal magazines.

    Now I write cookbooks, and share delicious recipes and expert cooking tips with you here! Thanks for stopping by Tara Teaspoon!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • square feature image of turkey pot pie with biscuits on top in a cast iron skillet.
      Turkey Pot Pie with Biscuits
    • featured image of the perfect slice of lemon lush icebox dessert.
      Lemon Lush
    • feature square of swiss meringue buttercream from Live Life Deliciously cookbook.
      Swiss Meringue Buttercream Recipe
    • Three stacked Easter blondies on a small white plate.
      Mini Egg Cookie Bars

    Cookbooks

    Tara Teaspoon Cookbooks

    Footer

    Subscribe for emails and exclusive updates!

    Sign me up!
    Tara Teaspoon horizontal logo

    ↑back to top

    Explore

    • Recipe Index
    • Cookbooks
    • New Posts
    • Newsletter Subscribe

    About

    • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Refund Policy
    • Disclaimer & Terms

    Copyright © 2025 Tara Teaspoon, Inc • Powered by Feast+

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.