Can I use regular butter instead of cowboy butter?

You can use regular butter, but you'll miss out on the signature flavor that makes these potatoes special. If you don't have cowboy butter prepared, try adding minced garlic, herbs, and a pinch of red pepper flakes to softened butter as a quick alternative.

What's the best way to achieve the perfect texture?

The key is not overworking the potatoes. Use a potato masher rather than an electric mixer, and stop once ingredients are incorporated and potatoes reach your desired consistency. Red potatoes naturally give a creamier result with some pleasant texture.

Can I make these potatoes ahead of time for a dinner party?

Absolutely! Prepare them up to 24 hours ahead, but add extra cream since they'll thicken in the refrigerator. Reheat in a covered dish in a 350°F oven for about 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, or use a slow cooker on low setting with a bit of extra butter on top.

Why red potatoes specifically for this recipe?

Red potatoes have less starch than russet potatoes, which gives you a creamier texture that still holds its shape. They also have a naturally buttery flavor that complements the cowboy butter perfectly. If you substitute with russet potatoes, you'll get a fluffier, lighter result.

Cowboy Butter Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Name: Cowboy Butter Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 pounds red potatoes, washed, peeled, and quartered; 2 recipes cowboy butter, totaling 1 cup butter, softened; 1 cup (120 g) heavy whipping cream; 2 teaspoons kosher salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper

This irresistibly creamy Cowboy Butter Mashed Potatoes recipe transforms ordinary spuds into an extraordinary side dish that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. The combination of red potatoes and flavor-packed cowboy butter creates a rich, herbaceous mash that pairs perfectly with almost any main course and comes together in just 45 minutes!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Maximum Flavor, Minimum Effort: These aren’t your basic mashed potatoes! The cowboy butter adds a fantastic herb-and-garlic punch without any complicated techniques.
Perfect Texture: Red potatoes give you that ideal balance between creamy and textured – no gluey or pasty potatoes here!
Crowd-Pleaser: This recipe scales up beautifully for holidays and gatherings, and the flavor profile appeals to both sophisticated and simpler palates.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare these potatoes ahead of time and simply reheat when needed, making your meal planning so much easier.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Red Potatoes: These have a naturally buttery flavor and less starch than russets, giving you that perfect creamy-yet-textured consistency. Leave some skins on for rustic appeal and added nutrition if you prefer!
Cowboy Butter: The star of the show! This herb-infused butter brings together garlic, herbs, and a hint of heat that elevates these potatoes to something truly special.
Heavy Whipping Cream: Creates that luxurious richness that makes these potatoes feel indulgent. Its high fat content means creamier potatoes that stay smoother even when cooled.
Kosher Salt: The larger crystals dissolve more slowly, giving you better control over the seasoning level than table salt would.
Black Pepper: Adds that subtle warmth and gentle spice that balances the richness of the butter and cream.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Loaded Cowboy Mashed Potatoes

Transform these into a meal by folding in crispy bacon bits, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped green onions before serving.

Roasted Garlic Cowboy Potatoes

Add a whole head of roasted garlic to the potatoes while mashing for deeper, sweeter garlic flavor that complements the cowboy butter beautifully.

Spicy Cowboy Mash

Double the heat elements in your cowboy butter or add a tablespoon of finely diced jalapeños to give these potatoes a distinctive Southwestern kick.

Lighter Version

Substitute half the cream with chicken broth and reduce the butter by a third for a lighter (but still delicious) version.

How to Make Cowboy Butter Mashed Potatoes

Step 1: Prepare and Boil the Potatoes

Start by washing and peeling your red potatoes, then cut them into quarters. Place them in a large pot and add enough salted water to cover them completely. Cover the pot and bring it to a boil over high heat.

Step 2: Cook Until Tender

Once boiling, uncover the pot and reduce the heat to medium-high. Let the potatoes continue cooking until they’re fork-tender, about 25 minutes. You should be able to easily slide a fork into them with almost no resistance.

Step 3: Drain and Return to Pot

Drain the potatoes thoroughly in a colander, then return them to the still-warm pot. This residual heat helps evaporate any excess moisture, preventing watery mashed potatoes.

Step 4: Mash and Incorporate Ingredients

Using a potato masher or fork, lightly break down the potatoes. Don’t overdo it – some texture is what makes these special! Add most of your prepared cowboy butter (reserving about ¼ cup for topping) and pour in the heavy cream. Continue mashing and stirring until everything is well combined.

Step 5: Season and Serve

Stir in the kosher salt and black pepper, tasting and adjusting as needed. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with the reserved cowboy butter, watching it melt enticingly over the hot potatoes.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Overwork: Mash just until ingredients are incorporated – overmixing releases too much starch and makes gummy potatoes.
Warm Your Additions: For the creamiest result, bring your butter and cream to room temperature or even gently warm them before adding to the potatoes.
Taste As You Go: Potatoes can vary in size and moisture content, so always taste before serving and adjust seasoning accordingly.
Let Them Rest: If you have time, let the finished potatoes sit covered for 5-10 minutes before serving – this allows the flavors to meld together even better.

How to Serve

These Cowboy Butter Mashed Potatoes make the perfect sidekick to so many main dishes:

Perfect Pairings:

Serve alongside a juicy steak or prime rib for a steakhouse-worthy dinner
Pair with roasted chicken or turkey for an elevated family meal
Accompany grilled or smoked meats for a true ranch-style feast
Serve with meatloaf for the ultimate comfort food combination

Serving Suggestions:

Create a shallow well in the center of your serving of potatoes to catch extra gravy or sauce from your main dish. For special occasions, serve in individual ramekins topped with a small pat of the reserved cowboy butter and a sprinkle of fresh herbs.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They will firm up when cold, which is perfectly normal.

Freezing

While you can freeze these potatoes, the texture may change slightly upon thawing. If freezing, place cooled potatoes in an airtight, freezer-safe container and use within 1 month for best quality.

Reheating

The best way to reheat these potatoes is gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or milk to restore creaminess. Stir occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, microwave in 1-minute intervals at 70% power, stirring between each interval.

FAQs

Can I use regular butter instead of cowboy butter?

You can use regular butter, but you’ll miss out on the signature flavor that makes these potatoes special. If you don’t have cowboy butter prepared, try adding minced garlic, herbs, and a pinch of red pepper flakes to softened butter as a quick alternative.
What’s the best way to achieve the perfect texture?

The key is not overworking the potatoes. Use a potato masher rather than an electric mixer, and stop once ingredients are incorporated and potatoes reach your desired consistency. Red potatoes naturally give a creamier result with some pleasant texture.
Can I make these potatoes ahead of time for a dinner party?

Absolutely! Prepare them up to 24 hours ahead, but add extra cream since they’ll thicken in the refrigerator. Reheat in a covered dish in a 350°F oven for about 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, or use a slow cooker on low setting with a bit of extra butter on top.
Why red potatoes specifically for this recipe?

Red potatoes have less starch than russet potatoes, which gives you a creamier texture that still holds its shape. They also have a naturally buttery flavor that complements the cowboy butter perfectly. If you substitute with russet potatoes, you’ll get a fluffier, lighter result.

Final Thoughts

These Cowboy Butter Mashed Potatoes aren’t just a side dish—they’re often the first thing to disappear from the table! The herb-infused butter transforms an everyday staple into something truly memorable without requiring advanced cooking skills. Whether for a special holiday meal or to elevate a weeknight dinner, these potatoes bring that perfect balance of comfort and sophistication. Give them a try, and I’m certain they’ll become a requested favorite in your recipe collection!