If you are craving the ultimate comfort food with a savory twist, this French Onion Mashed Potatoes Recipe is an absolute must-try. Imagine creamy, buttery mashed potatoes elevated by deeply caramelized sweet onions and the nutty richness of Gruyere cheese, creating a dish that feels both familiar and irresistibly gourmet. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this recipe marries simple ingredients with thoughtful technique that results in a side dish so flavorful it could easily steal the spotlight on your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this French Onion Mashed Potatoes Recipe plays a vital role in creating that perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and cheesy flavors. These simple essentials come together to build layers of texture, richness, and color that transform humble potatoes into something extraordinary.
- Simply Nature Organic Unsalted Butter: Used in two stages for both caramelizing onions and enriching the potatoes, it brings creamy smoothness and depth.
- Sweet Onions: Thinly sliced and slowly caramelized for that signature sweet and savory complexity that defines French onion flavor.
- Kosher Salt: Essential for seasoning throughout, enhancing natural flavors without overpowering them.
- Russet or Yukon Gold Potatoes: The base of the dish, chosen for their ideal starch content to yield the perfect fluffy texture.
- Friendly Farms Heavy Whipping Cream: Adds luxurious creaminess and a silky mouthfeel to the mashed potatoes.
- Emporium Selection Le Gruyere Cheese: Freshly grated to melt into the potatoes, bringing a subtle nuttiness that compliments the onions beautifully.
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Just the right touch of heat and complexity during final seasoning.
How to Make French Onion Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Caramelize the Onions
Start by warming 6 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Toss in your thinly sliced sweet onions with a good pinch of kosher salt. Stir frequently as the onions soften for about 10 minutes. Lower the heat to keep the onions gently cooking, stirring occasionally, for up to an hour. This slow caramelization is crucial for developing their beautiful golden color and deep-sweet flavor that defines the French onion character in this mashed potatoes recipe.
Step 2: Cook the Potatoes
While the onions are working their magic, prepare your potatoes by washing, peeling, and chopping them into uniform pieces. This ensures consistent cooking. For those who like prepping ahead, soaking the cut potatoes in cold water for up to 18 hours keeps them fresh and removes excess starch. Boil the potatoes in salted water until they are fork-tender, usually about 12 to 15 minutes, depending on the size. Perfectly cooked potatoes are the key to smooth and fluffy mash.
Step 3: Warm Butter and Cream
Meanwhile, gently heat 12 tablespoons of butter with 1 ½ cups of heavy cream over medium-low heat. Warming this mixture ahead of time helps it blend seamlessly into the potatoes, making your mash beautifully creamy and luscious.
Step 4: Mash the Potatoes
Drain your potatoes thoroughly and return them to the pot. Use a masher or ricer to break the potatoes down. Add half of your butter and cream mixture along with one teaspoon of salt. If you prefer ultra-smooth mashed potatoes, you can use a hand mixer on low speed for a couple of minutes—just be careful not to overwork them because that can make the texture gluey.
Step 5: Add Cheese and Caramelized Onions
Incorporate the rest of the butter and cream, stirring well to make the mash silky. Slowly fold in the freshly grated Gruyere cheese so it melts evenly, infusing the mash with a nutty savory punch. Then gently mix in half of your caramelized onions, seasoning further with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Tasting as you go here is essential to find your perfect seasoning balance.
Step 6: Final Assembly
Spoon your irresistible French Onion Mashed Potatoes into a serving dish and finish by layering the remaining caramelized onions on top. This adds a lovely visual contrast and bursts of flavor with each bite. Whether serving 8 or adjusting the recipe for fewer or more people, the flavors remain delightfully foolproof.
How to Serve French Onion Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped thyme or chives adds a fresh herbal note and vibrant color that contrasts beautifully with the rich mashed potatoes. For a touch of indulgence, a drizzle of browned butter over the top intensifies the buttery flavor and adds a nutty aroma.
Side Dishes
This French Onion Mashed Potatoes Recipe pairs wonderfully with roast beef, grilled chicken, or even hearty vegetable dishes like roasted Brussels sprouts or garlic green beans. It’s the perfect complement to any meal where you want to add comfort and sophistication in one dish.
Creative Ways to Present
For a show-stopping presentation, consider baking the mashed potatoes under a cheese crust or in individual ramekins that get broiled until bubbly and golden. You can also serve them as a base for a rich stew or gravy, creating a vibrant plate that invites sharing and lingering over dinner conversation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover French Onion Mashed Potatoes should be transferred to an airtight container and refrigerated promptly. They will stay fresh and flavorful for 3 to 4 days. When reheating, add a splash of cream or milk to revive the creamy texture.
Freezing
You can freeze this mashed potato dish in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. To maintain flavor and texture, cool completely before freezing and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently.
Reheating
Warm your French Onion Mashed Potatoes slowly on the stovetop over low heat or in the oven covered with foil. Stir occasionally, adding a bit of cream or butter if needed to restore the smooth, rich consistency that makes this recipe so beloved.
FAQs
Can I use other types of cheese instead of Gruyere?
Absolutely! Swiss, Fontina, or even a mild cheddar can work well, though Gruyere is classic for its nutty, melting qualities that complement caramelized onions beautifully.
What is the best potato to use for this recipe?
Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes are ideal. Russets give fluffy, light mashed potatoes, while Yukon Golds add a buttery richness and slightly creamy texture.
How long does it take to caramelize the onions?
The slow caramelization process takes between 45 to 60 minutes. Patience is key here to develop that deep golden color and sweet flavor without burning the onions.
Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?
You can substitute butter with vegan margarine and use coconut cream or plant-based heavy cream. Use a dairy-free cheese alternative or nutritional yeast for flavor, but expect some difference in texture and taste.
Is soaking the potatoes necessary?
Soaking is optional but recommended for removing excess starch and improving texture, especially if prepping ahead. If short on time, rinsing the cut potatoes well before cooking can also help.
Final Thoughts
This French Onion Mashed Potatoes Recipe is such a winner when it comes to elevating a classic comfort food with bold flavors and creamy decadence. I honestly can’t recommend making it enough — once you try it, it becomes a fast favorite that you’ll want on your family table time and again. So go ahead, gather those simple ingredients, embrace the slow-cooked caramelized onions, and enjoy every buttery, cheesy bite of this unforgettable dish!
Print
French Onion Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 to 10 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French-American
Description
This French Onion Mashed Potatoes recipe elevates traditional mashed potatoes with deeply caramelized sweet onions, rich Gruyere cheese, and creamy butter and heavy cream. Perfect as an indulgent side dish for family dinners or special occasions, these mashed potatoes combine creamy texture with savory, sweet onion flavor for a crowd-pleasing comfort food classic.
Ingredients
Caramelized Onions
- 6 tablespoons Simply Nature Organic Unsalted Butter
- 4 sweet onions, thinly sliced
- Kosher salt, to taste
Mashed Potatoes
- 5 pounds russet or Yukon gold potatoes, washed and peeled
- 12 tablespoons Simply Nature Organic Unsalted Butter
- 1 ½ cups Friendly Farms Heavy Whipping Cream
- 8 ounces Emporium Selection Le Gruyere Cheese, freshly grated
- 1 to 2 teaspoons salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: Heat 6 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and a generous pinch of kosher salt. Cook, stirring often, for 10 minutes until the onions soften. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 45 to 60 more minutes until deeply golden and caramelized. Adjust time for desired caramelization.
- Prepare the Potatoes: Wash, peel, and cut potatoes into uniform chunks for even cooking. Optionally soak in cold ice water in fridge for 12 to 18 hours. Place potatoes in a large pot with cold salted water over medium heat. Bring to boil and cook until fork tender, about 12 to 15 minutes.
- Warm Butter and Cream: While potatoes boil, warm 12 tablespoons butter and 1 ½ cups heavy cream together in a saucepan over medium-low heat until warmed through.
- Mash Potatoes: Drain potatoes and return to pot. Mash using a masher or ricer to preferred texture. Stir in half of the warm butter and cream mixture with 1 teaspoon salt. Optionally use a hand mixer on low speed briefly to break up chunks, avoiding overmixing.
- Add Cheese and Onions: Add remaining butter and cream mixture and stir well. Mix in grated Gruyere cheese slowly to melt evenly. Stir in half of the caramelized onions. Season with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper, tasting frequently for balance.
- Serve: Spoon mashed potatoes into a serving dish and top with remaining caramelized onions. Adjust serving size by halving for 4 servings or doubling for 12 to 16 servings, carefully adjusting seasoning as needed.
Notes
- Soaking potatoes in cold water overnight helps remove excess starch for fluffier mashed potatoes.
- Use russet potatoes for fluffier texture or Yukon gold for creamier taste.
- Caramelizing onions low and slow develops deep sweetness and rich flavor.
- Gruyere cheese adds a smooth, nutty complement but can be swapped with other melting cheeses like fontina or white cheddar.
- Adjust seasoning gradually, especially salt, because cheese and butter add saltiness.
- For a lighter version, reduce butter or substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
