Boursin Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are one of my favorite side dishes. I’ve tried so many variations, from truffled mashed potatoes and twice-baked mashed potatoes to Parmesan mashed potatoes, but this recipe for Boursin mashed potatoes might just be my new favorite way to make them—especially because Boursin is such a popular ingredient right now.

Although the base recipe and techniques are essentially the same as those for traditional mashed potatoes, the addition of Boursin cheese—a creamy, crumbly, spreadable cheese infused with herbs and other flavors—makes all the difference.

What’s the best way to make mashed potatoes?

Choose a starchy variety of potato, such as russets, when making mashed potatoes. Peeling is a question of personal preference (although if you don’t peel the potatoes, take extra care to scrub them). If it were up to me, I wouldn’t peel the potatoes, but the five-year-old in my household balks at the presence of peels, so peeled it is for now.

When it comes to actually mashing potatoes, you can mash them by hand with a potato masher or rice them. If you prefer a smoother texture, use a hand mixer or stand mixer, but avoid overmixing the potatoes, which can result in a gummy texture.

Ingredients for Boursin Mashed Potatoes

• Potatoes: You’ll need about 2-1/2 pounds of potatoes for this recipe (this is about four large potatoes). The best spuds for mashing are types of potatoes with a high starch content, such as russets (aka Idaho potatoes). Before boiling the potatoes, you’ll need to wash, peel and chop them into 2-inch cubes.
• Butter: Use softened, unsalted butter in the mashed potatoes.
• Milk: You can use anything between 1% to whole milk in this recipe, or if you’re feeling extra decadent, use heavy cream or half-and-half cream. To help the cheese melt into the mashed potatoes, warm the milk for about 30 seconds in the microwave before adding it to the potatoes.
• Boursin garlic & herb cheese: A 5.2-ounce package of Boursin garlic and herb spreadable cheese does all the heavy lifting when it comes to flavoring the mashed potatoes. Allow the cheese to soften for at least 30 minutes at room temperature to incorporate it into the mashed potatoes.
• Salt and pepper: Season the mashed potatoes to taste with salt and pepper.
• Fresh herbs: Finish the mashed potatoes with a generous sprinkle of chopped herbs such as fresh chives or thyme before serving.

Directions

Step 1: Boil the potatoes

Place the prepped potatoes in a large pot and add water to cover them. Bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook the potatoes, uncovered, until they’re very tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.

Editor’s Tip: Give the potatoes a boost of flavor by seasoning the water with a generous pinch or two of salt before adding the potatoes.

Step 2: Mash the potatoes

Add the butter and mash the potatoes to your desired consistency. Fold in the warmed milk and Boursin cheese. Season them with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 3: Garnish and serve

Transfer the mashed potatoes to a serving dish, garnish them with fresh chopped herbs and serve.

Boursin Mashed Potatoes Variations

• Use a different cheese: Use a different variety of Boursin cheese to flavor the mashed potatoes, such as caramelized onion and herbs, shallot and chive, or rosemary and black garlic.
• Add more seasonings: Add a pinch of onion powder, garlic powder or an herb blend such as Italian seasoning or herbes de Provence to enhance the flavors of the Boursin cheese.

How to Store Boursin Mashed Potatoes

Leftover Boursin mashed potatoes should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Can you make Boursin mashed potatoes ahead of time?

You can make Boursin mashed potatoes a few days in advance by prepping them through the end of Step 2, then covering and refrigerating them. When you’re ready to serve the potatoes, reheat them in the oven or microwave, stirring to ensure they are heated evenly. Garnish the potatoes with fresh chopped herbs before serving.

How should you reheat Boursin mashed potatoes?

You can reheat the potatoes in a 350º oven in an oven-safe baking dish or in the microwave until they’re heated through. You can always add a splash of milk or cream to loosen them up again.

Boursin Mashed Potatoes Tips

What are other ways to cook potatoes for mashed potatoes?

Boiling is the best method when making baked potatoes. Try other tasty mashed potatoes recipes such as buttermilk mashed potatoes, deluxe mashed potatoes (which feature both cream cheese and sour cream) and loaded mashed potatoes made with cheddar cheese, sour cream and bacon.

What can you serve with Boursin mashed potatoes?

Boursin mashed potatoes will fit in well with a Thanksgiving spread or with roast chicken, pork tenderloin or pork chops. You could use them as the featured recipe in a mashed potato bar, too.