Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, rich, and deeply savory, these mashed potatoes get a flavor upgrade with caramelized onions and a secret boost of plant-based protein from pureed white beans. The result is velvety, buttery comfort in every bite. A side that’s perfect for holidays or weeknights alike. (Gluten-free, nut-free, with a soy-free option.)
Servings: 6
Ingredients
For the Potatoes
- 3 medium potatoes (prefer russet) about 2½ to 3 cups, cubed
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 5 garlic cloves unpeeled, or more, to taste
For the Caramelized Onion
- 2 teaspoons oil divided
- 1½ cups chopped red onion
- ½ teaspoon salt divided
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme or 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, or more, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
For the Bean Purée
- 15 ounce can cannellini beans drained, or 1½ cups cooked white beans of choice
- 2 to 3 tablespoons caramelized onion mixture from above
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast or 1 teaspoon white or yellow miso
- 3 to 4 tablespoons non-dairy milk
For the Mashed Potatoes
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter
- ½ salt or more, to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs such as oregano or basil, or 2 teaspoons fresh herbs
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onion or chives, or more, to taste
- non dairy milk as needed
- olive oil and fresh herbs for garnish
Instructions
Cook the potatoes.
- Peel and cube the potatoes, if you haven’t already. Add them to a large saucepan of cold water along with the unpeeled garlic cloves and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium and cook for about 10 minutes, until the potatoes are fork tender. Turn off the heat, and let them sit in the hot water for 2 to 3 minutes before draining.
While the potatoes cook, caramelize the onions.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil. Once the oil is hot, add the onions and a pinch of the salt. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then add the herbs, remaining salt, and sugar. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions turn evenly golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add splashes of water or stock, if the pan is drying out. Once the onions are caramelized, set them aside.
Make the bean puree.
- Add the drained beans to a food processor or blender with the nutritional yeast, 2 to 3 tablespoons of the caramelized onions, and the non-dairy milk. Blend until the beans are pureed, then set them aside.
Mash the potatoes.
- Transfer the drained potatoes to a large, shallow bowl. Squeeze the cooked garlic from its peels and add it to the bowl of potatoes. Add the vegan butter, and mash the potatoes with a fork or potato masher. Don’t add any milk at this point, because you want to wait until after you add the bean puree to see how much you’ll need.
- Once there are no large lumps in the potato, mix the bean purée into the potatoes. Add the non-dairy milk, a tablespoon at a time, until the texture is creamy but still slightly thick and rustic. If you want it creamier, you can add more vegan butter at this point. Stir in salt, pepper, Italian herbs, chives or green onion, and taste and adjust seasoning. Add more garlic powder or herbs if needed. You can also fold in some of the caramelized onions for extra flavor and texture, or reserve them all for topping.
- Transfer the mashed potatoes to a serving bowl. Top with the remaining caramelized onions, a drizzle of olive oil, chopped green onion or chives, and any fresh herbs you like.
Video
Notes
Storage
Caramelized onion mashed potatoes will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven before serving.
Leftovers can be turned into potato patties! Stuff them with cooked mushrooms, lentils, or your choice of fillings. Form into patties, and cook.
Boiling garlic with the potatoes softens it perfectly. Once cooked, it’s easy to squeeze from the peel and adds rich flavor. You can use peeled garlic, if you prefer.
For a bean-free version, just use about 2 cups more of potatoes and use more non-dairy milk, as needed.
This recipe is naturally gluten-free. It’s nut-free, as long as you choose a nut-free non-dairy milk and vegan butter. For soy-free, use soy-free non-dairy milk and butter and chickpea miso instead of the white or yellow miso.
Serve your caramelized onion mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy or simple one-pot gravy or with my tofu bacon or crispy lentils. These mashed potatoes are great for a holiday dinner, and they also go well with Indian curries, because the creamy, savory mashed potatoes contrast so well with the spicy curry.
Nutrition
Calories: 186kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 574mg | Potassium: 549mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 116IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 3mg