Best Ever Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes Recipe
These Best Ever Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes combine creamy Yukon Gold potatoes with rich, sweet caramelized onions, flavorful Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs. Perfectly smooth and indulgent, they’re an elevated comfort food side dish ideal for gatherings or special meals.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Vegetables & Herbs
- 4 Yellow Onions, thinly sliced
- 2 Pounds Yukon Gold Potatoes, washed and chopped
- 1 Bunch Chives, thinly chopped
- 2 Sprigs Fresh Thyme, stems removed
- 3 Leaves Fresh Sage, chopped
Dairy & Fats
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 4 Tablespoons Salted Butter (or non-dairy butter if preferred)
- 3/4 Cup Half & Half, full-fat coconut milk, or dairy-free milk of choice
- 1 Cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
Seasonings
- 1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
Instructions
- Prepare Onions: Peel the yellow onions and thinly slice them evenly to ensure even caramelization. Although it looks like a large amount, it will cook down significantly.
- Heat Skillet: Place a skillet over medium heat on the stovetop and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, warming it until hot but not smoking.
- Caramelize Onions: Add the sliced onions to the hot oil and stir occasionally. Continue cooking for 40-50 minutes until the onions have browned deeply, caramelized, and shrunk down, developing a rich sweet flavor.
- Prepare Potatoes: While the onions caramelize, wash the Yukon Gold potatoes thoroughly and chop into small chunks. Keeping the skin on adds texture and fiber, but peeling is optional.
- Boil Potatoes: In a large pot, bring water to a rolling boil on the stove. Add the chopped potatoes and cook for about 20 minutes until they are fork tender and soft.
- Drain Potatoes: Drain the water from the potatoes using a colander, then return them to the pot or a bowl for mashing.
- Mash Potatoes: Add the salted butter, kosher salt, and half & half (or your preferred milk) to the potatoes. Mash thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add Onions and Cheese: Once the onions are fully caramelized, remove from heat and fold in half of the onions along with the freshly grated Parmesan cheese into the mashed potatoes.
- Stir Ingredients: Mix well to combine the caramelized onions and cheese evenly throughout the creamy mashed potatoes.
- Garnish and Serve: Transfer the mashed potatoes to a large serving bowl. Top with the remaining caramelized onions, chopped chives, thyme, sage, and an additional drizzle of melted butter. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Caramelizing onions slowly is key to developing their sweet flavor; don’t rush the 40-50 minutes cooking time.
- Using Yukon Gold potatoes lends a creamy texture without needing excessive butter or cream.
- Leaving potato skins on adds nutrition and texture but feel free to peel if preferred.
- You can substitute non-dairy butter and milk to make this recipe dairy-free.
- Fresh herbs like thyme and sage add a fragrant complexity—try experimenting with rosemary or parsley if desired.
- For extra richness, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-grated.
