There’s so much flavor in this recipe for easy smoked mashed potatoes with garlic on the Traeger. My version of smoking mashed potatoes can be made creamy or smooth, and finished with a heaping handful of melty, smoked cheese. Let’s cook ‘em…
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See the video
See this recipe for smoked baked potatoes…
What type of potato should you use to make smoked mash potatoes?
I recommend using yellow gold potatoes because, like seen in the Sip Bite Go video demonstration, they contain less starch than red potatoes or russet potatoes. And that makes them smoother and better for mashing.
Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this easy smoked potato recipe.
- Yukon gold potatoes
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Cream cheese
- Butter
- Heavy cream
For topping smoked mashed potatoes
- Cheddar cheese
- Chives
- Smoked bacon (optional)
Can you boil potatoes whole for this recipe?
This recipe calls for diced potatoes because they’ll cook in about half the time. If you’re using whole potatoes, they’ll cook for about 15-20 minutes.
Which pellets do you use for smoked potato dishes?
Something lighter light Traeger signature blend or Traeger Apple Pellets, which are lighter in flavor are a good idea. But I’ve also used stronger smoke flavor pellets like Traeger Hickory Pellets and loved the results.
What kind of toppings can you put on smoked mashed potatoes?
I used shredded cheddar cheese with chopped scallions. Feel free to be very creative with your toppings. For example, another variation could be smoked gouda mashed potatoes. Or smoked brats or smoked sausage mashed potatoes. That sounds delicious, so I’ll be doing that next time!
Check out these popular toppings for baked potatoes…
How to make smoked mashed potatoes
Now I’ll walk you through it…
Detailed recipe steps
- Boil potatoes before smoking them. Bring a large pot of water, filled with diced potatoes and a heaping tablespoon of salt, to a boil. Boil potatoes until fork-tender, about 10 minutes. Strain potatoes and set aside.
- Roast garlic while potatoes boil. To do this, add garlic and olive oil to a small pan on the stove on medium heat. Stir regularly, until garlic becomes fragrant and translucent. Add in a stick of butter (½ cup) and turn off the heat, before the garlic begins to brown. Transfer to a large bowl for mixing.
- Preheat Traeger Grills or Pitt Boss or whatever pellet grill you’re using to 225 degrees F for 15 minutes..
- Mash potatoes. Add potatoes to the large mixing boil with garlic olive oil. For chunky smoked potatoes, use the back of a large fork or a potato masher to smash them. For very smooth smoked mashed potatoes, use an electric beater.
- Fold in cream cheese and heavy cream with a spatula or spoon until combined. You don’t need to overmix. At this point you can add some salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer prepared mashed potatoes to a large cast iron skillet or smoker-safe casserole dish. Top with diced butter.
- Smoke mashed potatoes at 225 degrees F for 1-2 hours. The longer you smoke, the more smokey they become. (I usually smoke them for about 1 hour.)
- Garnish smoker mashed potatoes with freshly grated cheddar cheese and chives. Serve when cooled and enjoy.
See which recipes to smoke with turkey blend Traeger pellets….
What can you smoke with mashed potatoes?
Another recipe to smoke on the Traeger at 225 degrees F is this side dish for smoked asparagus. It cooks in about an hour.
Traeger smoker mashed potatoes and smoked flank steak go really well together, too. Both cook at the same temp on the pellet grill, 225 degrees F, for about 1.5 hrs. 
Other ways to make smoked mashed potatoes
- Change up the cheese with others that melt easily, like smoked gouda (which is in this tasty smoked mac and cheese), or fontina cheese.
- Add some heat by folding in diced jalapenos before smoking the potatoes.
- Make loaded mashed potatoes by adding in bacon, caramelized onions, and plenty of cheese.
- For a simple flavor enhancement, sprinkle in some seasonings like BBQ rub or a little paprika.
See the best way to reheat mashed potatoes…
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Pro tip: One of my go-to tricks for perfectly cooked food every time is using the right BBQ meat thermometers.
Get better at smoked BBQ…
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– Jenna
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Garlic Smoked Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 6 pounds Yukon gold potatoes blemishes removed, peeled if desired, diced in 2-3” chunks
- 2 tbsp garlic chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- ½ cup butter salted
- 8 tbsp cream cheese
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter salted, diced in large chunks
For topping smoked mashed potatoes
- ½ cup cheddar cheese freshly grated
- 1 tbsp chives fresh chopped (substitute green onions)
Instructions
- Boil potatoes before smoking them. Bring a large pot of water, filled with diced potatoes and a heaping tablespoon of salt, to a boil. Boil potatoes until fork-tender, about 10 minutes. Strain potatoes and set aside.
- Roast garlic while potatoes boil. To do this, add garlic and olive oil to a small pan on the stove on medium heat. Stir regularly, until garlic becomes fragrant and translucent. Add in a stick of butter (½ cup) and turn off the heat, before the garlic begins to brown. Transfer to a large bowl for mixing.
- Preheat Traeger Grills or Pitt Boss or whatever pellet grill you’re using to 225 degrees F for 15 minutes..
- Mash potatoes. Add potatoes to the large mixing boil with garlic olive oil. For chunky smoked potatoes, use the back of a large fork or a potato masher to smash them. For very smooth smoked mashed potatoes, use an electric beater.
- Fold in cream cheese and heavy cream with a spatula or spoon until combined. You don’t need to over-mix. At this point you can add some salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer prepared mashed potatoes to a large cast iron skillet or smoker-safe casserole dish. Top with diced butter.
- Smoke mashed potatoes at 225 degrees F for 1-2 hours. The longer you smoke, the more smokey they become. (I usually smoke them for about 1 hour.)
- Garnish smoker mashed potatoes with freshly grated cheddar cheese and chives. Serve when cooled and enjoy.
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