15 Seasonings You Should Be Adding To Your Mashed Potatoes

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The fact that mashed potatoes never really go out of style is no surprise. Along with being one of the classic comfort foods, they pair well with all kinds of dishes, from grilled salmon to a classic roast chicken, or smothered in gravy as a barbecue side. While there's plenty to love about a simple bowl of buttery mash, potatoes are also wonderfully versatile when it comes to experimenting with different flavors.

A few extra ingredients can completely change the feel of the meal, whether you want a more subtle way to elevate the mash, or a side dish that brings a completely new flavor to the table. You don't need to overhaul your usual recipe, either. Sometimes, it's simply a case of using an ingredient you already have in the kitchen in a slightly different way.

Then there's the leftovers. A little extra seasoning can give yesterday's mash a whole new direction, whether you're reheating it for lunch, shaping it into crispy potato cakes, or using it as the topping for a comforting pie. If you're looking for inspiration beyond your usual salt, pepper, and butter, these seasoning ideas are a good place to start.

You're probably already adding butter to your mash, but taking the extra time to make brown butter creates a luxurious side that's more impressive than the sum of its parts. Browning butter brings out rich, nutty notes and caramelized flecks that add visual interest. It's a simple enough process, but the butter can burn easily. Tasting Table recommends using a light-colored pan to make brown butter so you can monitor the color changes, and never taking your hand off the whisk.

Just a couple of pinches of smoked salt can deliver the taste and aroma of a barbecue to your table, without the need to turn on the grill. The flavor can be very smoke-forward depending on the brand, so start with a little and taste as you go, or serve the mash with extra salt on the side for people to adjust to their taste. While you can make smoked salt at home, something like the cherrywood smoked salt from Bettergoods makes a great shortcut.

Garlic and potatoes are a classic combination, but using raw garlic can easily overpower a plate of mash. Roasting a bulb of garlic first mellows the heat and gives it a soft sweetness, and creates a spreadable texture that's more easily incorporated into the potato. If you don't want to turn on the oven just for the garlic, roast the potatoes at the same time for a richer potato flavor. Alternatively, you can skip the oven entirely and roast garlic in the air fryer.

Miso paste is one of the simplest ways to transform the taste of mashed potatoes, with the single ingredient doing the work of multiple seasonings. White miso is both sweet and nutty, with a mild tang from the fermentation process. It's also packed with glutamates — the same umami taste you'll find in parmesan and mushrooms. Miso is a great option for vegan mashed potatoes that don't lack flavor, or you can make an extra-rich side by turning it into two-ingredient miso butter.

This is one of the more labor-intensive add-ins, but if you have the time, it's absolutely worth it. Slowly cooking down the onions brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetable, while maintaining the slight earthiness that pairs so well with the potato. Onions also add texture and bulk for a more satisfying side. This twist on the classic goes well in a dish of British bangers and mash with gravy.

While there are plenty of spices that would be right at home on a plate of mash, nutmeg is the key to a three-ingredient Italian mashed potato. Using just potato, cream, nutmeg, and salt, you have a side dish with subtle warmth and fragrance that isn't overly spiced. Both pre-ground nutmeg and freshly grated nutmeg will work for this, but be aware that the fresh spice is much stronger. For the true Italian experience, serve this spiced mash alongside dishes like creamy crockpot chicken marsala.

If you're blessed with an abundance of fresh herbs, go beyond the standard chive garnish and consider an herb-forward mashed potato. Sticking with a single herb can help you match the side to your main. For example, chopped dill is a perfect pairing for fish, while sage is a good pick for roast pork, and parsley mash will go with just about anything. Alternatively, use a bouquet of mixed herbs to make "The Bear"-inspired herb mashed potatoes.

It might seem like an indulgence to add a full wheel of cheese to your mashed potatoes, but it's a great shortcut for replacing cream or butter while adding extra seasonings. The classic herb and garlic Boursin has all you need for a well-rounded mash, but you can mix things up with their other flavors like rosemary and black garlic. Crumbling the cheese and letting it come to room temperature will make it easier to blend the potatoes without cooling them down.

For a bowl of mash that's more star than side dish, all you need is a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. The finely chopped peppers will add both heat and a touch of smokiness to the dish, and you can stir in some of the sauce for extra tang. The bold taste of the spicy and smoky mashed potatoes would pair well with grilled meat and a corn and fresh tomatillo salad to freshen up the meal.

That tin of Old Bay Seasoning in your pantry is probably kept aside for seafood, but there are many unexpected ways to use it. Its mix of 18 herbs and spices, including celery, paprika, and mustard, adds both savoriness and complexity to any dish. Adding Old Bay to plain mash transforms the leftovers into delicious crispy pancakes or fish cakes, but make sure you're working with unseasoned potato so that you're not doubling up on the salt.

Even if you can't pronounce it, it's worth having Worcestershire sauce in the pantry for a quick way to add depth to savory dishes. It's tangy, sweet, and rich in umami, and a little will go a long way against the backdrop of plain potato. It's an especially useful trick when leftovers need reviving — stir a little into reheated mash before using it to top a cottage pie. Just keep in mind that Worcestershire sauce isn't always vegetarian or gluten-free.

This might not seem like an obvious choice for seasoning, but when you consider the moreish taste of salt and vinegar chips, it makes more sense. You'll only need 1 to 2 teaspoons of vinegar to get the taste right through the potatoes, and adding plenty of butter will stop the acidity from becoming overpowering. The most natural pairing for salt and vinegar mashed potatoes is battered fish, but it would go just as well with slow-cooked brisket.

Dried herbs can be a convenient alternative to fresh herbs, but used correctly for the best flavor. Just like dried spices, dried herbs should be bloomed first to enliven them. When making fresh mashed potatoes, add dried oregano or tarragon to the milk or cream as you warm it up. To add extra flavors to leftover mash, sauté dried herbs like thyme in a little butter before folding them through the potato.

You could really add any type of mustard to a bowl of mashed potatoes for a flavor upgrade, but Dijon is a good middle ground between sweet yellow mustard and hot English mustard. Adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard to mashed potatoes adds warmth without being overly spicy, along with tang to balance out the butter. If you want a little textural contrast, reach for the whole-grain Dijon.

A simple plate of grilled meat and mashed potato can be completely transformed by the addition of za'atar. This blend of herbs, spices, and seeds offers a taste that's all at once earthy, nutty, and a little bit tangy, and totally unique. Making za'atar at home is simple enough, but the Lebanese za'atar from The Spice Way is a good shortcut. Stir through cooked mashed potato and don't forget a little extra to finish.