What Sauces Go With Mashed Potatoes? BEST Choices!

ByViolet ParkerEditorial Policy

Mashed potatoes are a classic side dish that are just perfect when you’re in the mood for comforting and wholesome goodness that feels just like a hug in a bowl!

While the traditional way to serve them is with a simple gravy, there is a whole world of delicious sauces waiting to be explored that can take your mashed potatoes to new flavoursome heights.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the best sauce options, encompassing a range of tastes and styles to suit any palate.

Without any further ado, let’s get started! 

What Sauces Go With Mashed Potatoes? 

Classic sauces that pair beautifully with mashed potatoes include gravy, cheese sauce, and garlic sauce. 

If you’re serving mashed potatoes with beef, a good choice is a red wine reduction. For pork, go for a tangy apple cider sauce, and for chicken, a simple garlic and herb cream sauce is the perfect pairing. 

Other delicious choices include parmesan sauce and mustard sauce. 

Classic Sauces for Mashed Potatoes

Gravy

Gravy is the ultimate companion for your mashed potatoes.

This rich, savoury sauce is made from meat juices, stock, and sometimes a splash of wine or beer.

To make a simple gravy, follow these steps:

  1. Collect the juices from your roasted meat or use store-bought stock.
  2. In a saucepan, heat a few tablespoons of fat (such as butter or oil) and whisk in an equal amount of flour to create a roux.
  3. Gradually pour in the meat juices or stock, whisking continuously to prevent lumps.
  4. Bring to a simmer, allowing the gravy to thicken, and season to taste with salt, pepper, and any preferred herbs like rosemary or thyme.

Serve the warm gravy over your mashed potatoes for a truly comforting meal.

Cheese Sauce

A cheese sauce adds a creamy, indulgent twist to your mashed potatoes.

Making your own cheese sauce is a breeze:

  1. Create a roux by gently heating a few tablespoons of butter and whisking in an equal amount of flour.
  2. Slowly pour in milk while whisking constantly, allowing the sauce to thicken.
  3. Once the sauce reaches the desired consistency, gradually stir in grated cheese like cheddar or gruyère until melted.
  4. Season the cheese sauce with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg or mustard, if desired.

Pour this delectable cheese sauce over your mashed potatoes, turning them into a rich and satisfying side dish.

Garlic Sauce

Garlic sauce brings a robust, aromatic flavour to your mashed potatoes. To make your own garlic sauce, you’ll need:

  • 4-6 cloves of garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup butter or olive oil
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Follow these steps to create the garlic sauce:

  1. In a saucepan, gently sauté the minced garlic in butter or olive oil until fragrant.
  2. Add the flour and stir to create a roux.
  3. Gradually whisk in the milk, allowing the sauce to thicken.
  4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Drizzle this flavour-packed garlic sauce over your mashed potatoes for a deliciously irresistible combination.

Sauces for Meat Pairings

When considering sauces for your mashed potatoes, it’s essential to keep the meats you’re serving in mind.

In this section, we’ll explore some delicious sauce options for various meats, ranging from beef and pork to chicken and fish.

Beef

For a classic beef pairing, you can’t go wrong with a rich and luxurious red wine reduction. This sauce complements dishes like steak, roast beef, and even meatloaf.

  1. Sauté finely chopped shallots in butter until translucent.
  2. Add 1 cup of good-quality red wine and let it reduce by half.
  3. Stir in 1 cup of beef stock and let the mixture reduce by half again.
  4. Finish the sauce by whisking in cold butter and fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme.

Give a creamy horseradish sauce a whirl when serving corned beef or beef tenderloin.

Mix a generous amount of grated horseradish with crème fraîche, whole-grain mustard, and a bit of lemon juice for some tang.

Pork

A tangy apple cider sauce works wonders with pork dishes, such as chops and tenderloin.

  1. Sauté chopped onions and apples in butter until softened.
  2. Add cider and cook until reduced by half.
  3. Stir in some honey, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of cinnamon.
  4. Finish the sauce with a splash of cream.

For a southern barbecue twist, try a bourbon and maple glaze.

Chicken

A simple herb and garlic cream sauce is perfect for elevating chicken dishes like roast chicken and pan-fried cutlets.

  1. Cook minced garlic in melted butter until fragrant.
  2. Add a mixture of chicken stock and white wine, and let it simmer.
  3. Stir in some heavy cream and fresh herbs like tarragon and parsley.
  4. Allow the sauce to thicken and pour over seared chicken.

For a zesty twist, try a bright lemon sauce made with lemon juice, chicken stock, and capers. It complements grilled or roasted chicken beautifully.

Fish

Fish dishes like salmon and catfish can be taken to the next level with a refreshing dill and cucumber yogurt sauce. Combine Greek yogurt, diced cucumber, chopped fresh dill, and a splash of lemon juice for a light and zingy accompaniment.

Alternatively, a classic lemon and herb butter sauce is always a crowd-pleaser. Melt butter in a pan, then add fresh lemon zest and juice, chopped parsley, and a touch of minced garlic for a delicate yet flavourful finish. This sauce works particularly well with white fish like cod or haddock.

Cream-Based Sauces

Sour Cream Sauce

One of the most popular cream-based sauces to accompany your mashed potatoes is a delicious sour cream sauce.

To make this mouth-watering sauce, combine sour cream, butter, fresh herbs (such as chives or parsley), and season with salt and pepper.

The tanginess of sour cream balances the richness of the mashed potatoes, while the butter and herbs add depth of flavour.

Parmesan Sauce

Another tempting option for your mashed potatoes is a luscious Parmesan sauce.

To whip up this sauce, heat some heavy cream in a saucepan over a low flame. Once warmed, stir in grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and smooth.

Optionally, add a hint of garlic and some freshly ground black pepper for an extra kick.

This rich, cheesy sauce complements the creamy texture of the mashed potatoes, making for a truly satisfying dish.

Mustard Sauce

For a bold and flavourful twist, consider a mustard sauce to pair with your mashed potatoes.

Begin by sautéing minced shallots and garlic in a pan with some butter.

Add a splash of white wine and allow it to reduce slightly.

Next, whisk in whole grain mustard and double cream, letting the mixture thicken to your desired consistency. Season with salt and cracked black pepper to taste.

The zesty taste of the mustard sauce adds a refreshing contrast to the comforting creaminess of the mashed potatoes.

As you can see, there are plenty of delicious choices for what sauces go with mashed potatoes! Which of these will you be making?