If you’ve ever ordered garlic mashed potatoes at Outback Steakhouse and thought, “I need to make this at home,” – you’re in the right place.
This Outback Steakhouse garlic mashed potatoes recipe recreates that signature creamy, buttery, skin-on steakhouse flavor in your own kitchen with simple, everyday ingredients.
Boiled in savory chicken broth with whole garlic cloves, then mashed with butter, cream cheese, and buttermilk, these potatoes are rich, velvety, and deeply satisfying.
Whether you’re building a full steakhouse-style dinner or looking for the ultimate comfort side dish, this copycat recipe delivers every single time.
What Does Outback Steakhouse Garlic Mashed Potatoes Taste Like?
These Outback Steakhouse garlic mashed potatoes are the definition of comfort in a bowl. The texture is luxuriously creamy yet slightly rustic, thanks to the skin-on red potatoes that add a subtle heartiness to every bite.
The garlic flavor is warm and mellow – not sharp or overpowering – because the cloves are boiled whole, infusing the potatoes with a gentle, savory depth. Butter and cream cheese lend a rich, velvety finish, while buttermilk adds a faint tang that keeps everything balanced.
The aroma alone – warm, garlicky, and buttery – is enough to bring everyone to the dinner table immediately.
Outback Steakhouse Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe Ingredients
- 5 pounds red potatoes, washed and cut into chunks
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 5 whole garlic cloves
- ½ cup butter
- 4 ounces cream cheese (half a block), softened
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- Freshly chopped chives, for garnish (optional)
Kitchen Tools & Utensils
- Large pot
- Cutting board and sharp knife
- Colander or strainer
- Large mixing bowl
- Potato masher or hand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Serving bowl
Preparation & Cooking Time
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8
Copycat Outback Steakhouse Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
Wash the red potatoes thoroughly and cut them into medium-sized chunks. Leave the skins on – they add rustic texture and give these mashed potatoes that classic steakhouse-style look and flavor that makes this recipe so recognizable.
Step 2: Boil the Potatoes
Place the potato chunks into a large pot and pour in the chicken broth until the potatoes are just covered. Add the whole garlic cloves, then set the pot over medium-high heat and bring everything to a boil.
Step 3: Cook Until Tender
Let the potatoes and garlic boil for approximately 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are completely soft and easily pierced with a fork. Once fully tender, drain the chicken broth and transfer the potatoes and garlic to a large mixing bowl.
Step 4: Add the Dairy Ingredients
Add the butter, cream cheese, buttermilk, and salt directly to the hot potatoes. The residual heat from the potatoes will naturally melt the butter and cream cheese, creating an incredibly creamy, rich base before you even start mashing.
Step 5: Mash Until Creamy
Mash everything together until the potatoes reach a smooth, creamy consistency. Make sure to fully incorporate the garlic cloves and potato skins into the mixture. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Spoon the finished mashed potatoes into a serving bowl and top with freshly chopped chives if desired.
Serve warm and enjoy a steakhouse-quality side dish right at your own table.
Customization & Serving Pairing Ideas
This Outback Steakhouse garlic mashed potatoes recipe is already a showstopper on its own, but one of the best things about it is just how flexible it is. Whether you’re feeding a weeknight family dinner or hosting a special occasion spread, there are so many delicious ways to make it your own.
This recipe is versatile and easy to customize. Here are seven delicious ideas:
1. Make it loaded
Turn this into an Outback Steakhouse loaded mashed potatoes recipe by topping your bowl with shredded cheddar cheese, crispy crumbled bacon, a dollop of sour cream, and extra chives. It transforms a classic side into a fully indulgent, crowd-pleasing dish that rivals anything on a restaurant menu.
2. Go roasted garlic deep
Instead of boiling raw garlic cloves in the broth, try roasting a full head of garlic in the oven at 400°F for 40 minutes first. Squeeze the caramelized cloves directly into the mash for a sweeter, more complex, and intensely rich roasted garlic mashed potatoes flavor.
3. Add a cheesy twist
Stir in ½ cup of freshly shredded sharp cheddar, Gruyère, or Parmesan while the potatoes are still hot. The cheese melts seamlessly into the mash, adding a savory depth and slightly salty finish that pairs beautifully with grilled meats.
4. Pair with a steakhouse protein
Serve these potatoes alongside grilled ribeye, pan-seared salmon, roasted chicken thighs, or lamb chops for a complete and satisfying steakhouse-style dinner at home. The creamy, garlicky base complements nearly any savory main course.
5. Use as a base for a bowl meal
Spoon these garlic mashed potatoes into a deep bowl and layer on braised short ribs, slow-cooked pot roast, or saucy pulled pork for an ultra-comforting one-bowl meal that’s perfect for cold-weather evenings.
6. Try a lighter version
Swap the cream cheese for low-fat Greek yogurt and replace the butter with olive oil for a lighter variation that still delivers creamy texture and bold garlic flavor – without the extra richness.
7. Make it a holiday centerpiece
Double the recipe for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter gatherings. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs, crispy shallots, or a drizzle of browned butter for an impressive, restaurant-quality presentation that guests will request every year.
Expert Cooking Tips for Outback Steakhouse Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Nailing the perfect garlic mashed potatoes recipe comes down to a few key techniques that professional cooks rely on every time. The difference between good mashed potatoes and truly unforgettable ones is almost always in the details – the right potato, the right heat, and the right mashing method.
Follow these expert tips for perfect results every time:
1. Don’t skip the chicken broth
Boiling the potatoes in chicken broth instead of plain water is the real secret behind that deep, savory steakhouse flavor. The potatoes absorb the broth as they cook, seasoning them from the inside out in a way that plain salted water simply cannot achieve.
2. Keep the skins on – always
The skins of red potatoes are thin, tender, and full of earthy flavor. Leaving them on is what gives this Outback Steakhouse garlic mashed potatoes recipe its rustic, authentic steakhouse character. Peeling them removes texture and a surprising amount of taste.
3. Use room-temperature dairy
Cold butter or cream cheese added to hot potatoes can create a lumpy, uneven mash. Let your butter and cream cheese sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking so they melt evenly and blend into a silky, uniform consistency.
4. Don’t over-mash
Over-working mashed potatoes – especially with an electric mixer – releases too much starch and turns them gluey and dense. Use a hand masher and work in a gentle folding motion until just smooth. A few small bits of skin are perfectly fine and add to the rustic charm.
5. Taste as you go
The salt level in chicken broth varies significantly by brand. Always taste your mashed potatoes before adding any additional salt, and adjust gradually. Under-seasoned potatoes are the most common reason a homemade garlic mashed potatoes recipe falls flat.
6. Warm your serving bowl
Before spooning in the finished mash, rinse your serving bowl with very hot water and dry it quickly. This simple step keeps the potatoes warmer for much longer at the table – a small detail that makes a big difference in presentation and enjoyment.
7. Make them ahead and reheat gently
These mashed potatoes reheat beautifully. If making them ahead, store in an airtight container and reheat on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of buttermilk or broth stirred in, bringing them back to their original creamy consistency without drying out.
Storage & Reheating Guidance
Store leftover garlic mashed potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm them gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring in a splash of buttermilk, milk, or chicken broth to restore their creamy texture. For microwave reheating, heat in 60-second intervals, stirring between each round.
Outback Steakhouse Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe
If you’ve ever ordered garlic mashed potatoes at Outback Steakhouse and thought, “I need to make this at home,” – you’re in the right place. This Outback Steakhouse garlic mashed potatoes recipe recreates that signature creamy, buttery, skin-on steakhouse flavor in your own kitchen with simple, everyday ingredients.
Ingredients
- 5 pounds red potatoes, washed and cut into chunks
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 5 whole garlic cloves
- ½ cup butter
- 4 ounces cream cheese (half a block), softened
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- Freshly chopped chives, for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
Wash the red potatoes thoroughly and cut them into medium-sized chunks. Leave the skins on – they add rustic texture and give these mashed potatoes that classic steakhouse-style look and flavor that makes this recipe so recognizable.
Step 2: Boil the Potatoes
Place the potato chunks into a large pot and pour in the chicken broth until the potatoes are just covered. Add the whole garlic cloves, then set the pot over medium-high heat and bring everything to a boil.
Step 3: Cook Until Tender
Let the potatoes and garlic boil for approximately 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are completely soft and easily pierced with a fork. Once fully tender, drain the chicken broth and transfer the potatoes and garlic to a large mixing bowl.
Step 4: Add the Dairy Ingredients
Add the butter, cream cheese, buttermilk, and salt directly to the hot potatoes. The residual heat from the potatoes will naturally melt the butter and cream cheese, creating an incredibly creamy, rich base before you even start mashing.
Step 5: Mash Until Creamy
Mash everything together until the potatoes reach a smooth, creamy consistency. Make sure to fully incorporate the garlic cloves and potato skins into the mixture. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Spoon the finished mashed potatoes into a serving bowl and top with freshly chopped chives if desired. Serve warm and enjoy a steakhouse-quality side dish right at your own table.
Notes
Store leftover garlic mashed potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm them gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring in a splash of buttermilk, milk, or chicken broth to restore their creamy texture. For microwave reheating, heat in 60-second intervals, stirring between each round.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 230
Common Queries & FAQs
When you give this Outback Steakhouse Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe a try, you might have a few questions. Don’t worry-we’ve rounded up answers to the most common ones to help you out.
What makes Outback Steakhouse mashed potatoes so creamy?
Outback’s mashed potatoes get their signature creaminess from a combination of butter, cream cheese, and buttermilk mashed together with skin-on red potatoes. Boiling the potatoes in chicken broth rather than water also adds a savory richness that elevates the overall depth of flavor significantly.
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
Yes, regular whole milk works as a substitute, but buttermilk adds a subtle tang that balances the richness of the butter and cream cheese. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, mix ½ cup of milk with ½ tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for 5 minutes as a quick homemade alternative.
What type of potato is best for garlic mashed potatoes?
Red potatoes are ideal for this recipe because their thin skins and waxy, moist texture create a creamy yet slightly textured mash. Yukon Gold potatoes are a great alternative – they’re naturally buttery and mash exceptionally well. Russet potatoes can be used but tend to produce a fluffier, drier result.
Can I make this garlic mashed potato recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can prepare this recipe up to 2 days in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator and reheat gently with a little added buttermilk or chicken broth stirred in to bring the texture back to life. They hold up extremely well and taste just as good reheated.
How do I make loaded mashed potatoes like Outback Steakhouse?
To make an Outback Steakhouse loaded mashed potatoes recipe, simply top your finished garlic mashed potatoes with shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled crispy bacon, sour cream, and fresh chives. For extra indulgence, pop the assembled bowl under your oven broiler for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Can I freeze mashed potatoes?
Yes, mashed potatoes can be frozen for up to 3 months. Portion them into freezer-safe bags or containers, removing as much air as possible. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat slowly on the stovetop with added liquid. The texture may be slightly different after freezing but remains very enjoyable.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this garlic mashed potatoes recipe is naturally gluten-free. All the core ingredients – red potatoes, chicken broth, butter, cream cheese, buttermilk, garlic, and salt – contain no gluten. Always double-check your chicken broth label, as some brands include additives that may contain trace gluten.
This Outback Steakhouse garlic mashed potatoes recipe proves that your favorite restaurant side dish is absolutely achievable at home – and honestly, it might taste even better fresh from your own kitchen. With simple ingredients, a no-fuss method, and that irresistible creamy, garlicky flavor, this dish will become a permanent fixture on your dinner table.
Whether you serve it as a classic side or dress it up as a fully loaded version, one thing is guaranteed – nobody will be leaving the table hungry. Make it tonight and see for yourself.
We’d love to hear how this recipe turns out for you! Give it a try, then drop a comment below to share your thoughts and tips with us. You can also follow us on Pinterest, and YouTube for more delicious updates and kitchen inspiration. Your feedback and support mean the world to us!