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Smashed potatoes are boiled potatoes that are “smashed” by stirring as opposed to being perfectly mashed. Stirred with melted butter and sprinkled with fresh herbs, these easy smashed potatoes will make your dinner simply SMASHING!

Smashed potatoes are much easier to make than mashed potatoes because you don’t need to mash them into perfectly smooth texture. All you need to do is simply boil the potatoes, then stir them with a spoon with a little butter and fresh herbs. These piping hot freshly boiled smashed potatoes are really delicious!

Why You’ll Love Easy Smashed Potatoes Recipe With Fresh Herbs

Quick and Easy: This recipe takes just 30 minutes from start to finish, making it the ideal side dish for busy weeknights or last-minute dinner prep.
Healthier than Mashed Potatoes: With minimal butter and no cream, these smashed potatoes are lighter and healthier than traditional mashed potatoes, while still being flavorful.
Fresh Herbs for Flavor: The fresh dill (or your choice of herbs) brings a bright, herby flavor to the dish, making it a standout side without needing heavy seasonings.
Perfect with Any Main Dish: Whether you’re serving chicken, beef, or fish, these smashed potatoes pair perfectly with any protein, making them a versatile side option.
Reheats Beautifully: Unlike mashed potatoes, which can lose their texture, smashed potatoes reheat well, making them great for leftovers or meal prep.

Smashed potatoes are also healthier and lighter than regular mashed potatoes. Mashed potatoes require a lot of heavy ingredients such as butter, milk and cream to keep them smooth, while smashed potatoes just use a little melted butter for flavor (considerably less butter than mashed)! And fresh herbs add a lot of nutrition too!

Ingredients For Easy Smashed Potatoes Recipe With Fresh Herbs

Potatoes – Use medium-sized red or yellow potatoes for the best boiling results. These varieties have thinner skins and tender textures.
Butter – Just enough to give the potatoes a rich, creamy flavor without making them heavy.
Fresh Dill – Adds a fresh and fragrant herbal note, but you can swap it for parsley or chives for variety.
Salt and Pepper – To enhance the flavor of the potatoes and bring everything together.

For the exact measurements of the ingredients, see the printable recipe card at the bottom of this article.

Another great thing about smashed potatoes is that they reheat better than mashed potatoes. Regular mashed potatoes are not too good on the second day (unless you are using my make-ahead mashed potatoes recipe), but these smashed potatoes reheat fine.

My favorite kinds of potatoes for the smashed potatoes recipe are red or yellow potatoes. Brown potatoes with thick skin are best for roasted or baked potato recipes, while red or yellow potatoes with thin skins are great for boiling. However, I’m not too rigid about these guidelines either – I’ve interchanged the types of potatoes for my recipes depending simply on what kind of potatoes I had on hand!

Kitchen Tools You Need To Make Easy Smashed Potatoes Recipe With Fresh Herbs

Pot – A large pot is needed to boil the potatoes until tender.
Spoon – For stirring the potatoes with butter and herbs.
Knife – To chop fresh dill and quarter the potatoes.
Measuring Cups – To measure the butter and other ingredients accurately.

I make these smashed potatoes as a dinner side dish quite often, as they are so easy to make and go well with anything. Serve these mouthwatering potatoes with any chicken, meat or fish dish – it will be perfect!

My herb of choice for this recipe is fresh dill, but feel free to substitute dill with chopped fresh parsley – it will also be delicious! To make these smashed potatoes vegan, simply substitute butter with the extra-virgin olive oil – yum!

How To Make Easy Smashed Potatoes Recipe With Fresh Herbs

Start by bringing a pot of salted water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add the peeled and quartered potatoes.
Boil the potatoes for about 25 minutes until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. There’s no need to turn the heat back on; the residual heat will be enough.
Add butter to the hot potatoes and let it melt for about two minutes.
Once the butter starts to melt, add the chopped dill and stir everything together until the herbs and butter are evenly mixed with the potatoes.
Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve warm.

Serving Suggestions

These smashed potatoes are a versatile side dish that pairs beautifully with almost any main course.
Serve them alongside crispy chicken breast diced, New York steak, or baked catfish for a complete and satisfying meal.
They also make an excellent complement to vegetarian dishes like grilled cauliflower or a fresh kale salad.
For a special presentation, sprinkle a bit of extra fresh herbs on top just before serving for a pop of color and flavor.

Tips For Success

Choose the Right Potatoes: Red or yellow potatoes are ideal for this recipe because they have a thinner skin and a creamy texture when boiled. Avoid russet potatoes, as their thicker skins and starchy interior are better suited for baking or roasting.
Boil Until Tender: Ensure the potatoes are fully cooked by boiling them until they can be easily pierced with a fork. This helps them break down better when stirring, giving you that perfect smashed texture.
Don’t Overmix: Unlike mashed potatoes, smashed potatoes should retain some texture. Stir gently when mixing in the butter and herbs to keep the potatoes chunky and flavorful.
Let the Butter Melt: Give the butter a couple of minutes to start melting in the hot potatoes before stirring. This ensures even distribution and avoids clumping.
Fresh Herbs are Key: Fresh dill adds a burst of flavor to this dish. You can experiment with parsley or chives if you prefer, but always use fresh herbs for the best results.
Season to Taste: Be sure to taste the potatoes before serving and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. A bit of seasoning goes a long way in enhancing the flavor of the herbs and butter.
Great for Meal Prep: These smashed potatoes reheat well, making them perfect for meal prep. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in the microwave or stovetop when ready to eat.

Variations and Substitutions

Swap the Herbs: If you’re not a fan of dill, feel free to use fresh parsley, chives, or even rosemary. Each herb brings its own unique flavor to the dish, and you can mix and match depending on your preferences or what’s available.
Make it Vegan: You can easily make this recipe vegan by replacing the butter with olive oil or vegan butter. The olive oil adds a fruity richness, while vegan butter keeps the flavor more traditional.
Add Garlic: For a garlicky twist, add a couple of minced garlic cloves to the potatoes just after draining them. The heat from the potatoes will gently cook the garlic, infusing the dish with a savory aroma.
Cheesy Smashed Potatoes: If you love cheese, sprinkle some shredded Parmesan or sharp cheddar over the hot potatoes and stir it in with the butter. The cheese will melt beautifully into the mix, adding a rich and comforting flavor.
Use Sweet Potatoes: For a different spin, try this recipe with sweet potatoes. They’ll need about the same cooking time, and the natural sweetness pairs wonderfully with fresh herbs and a bit of butter or olive oil.
Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to give the potatoes a subtle kick. This is a great option if you’re looking to add a bit of heat and smokiness to the dish.
Healthier Options: Reduce the butter even further by using half butter and half olive oil. This keeps the richness while cutting down on saturated fats.

Storage and Reheating

Storage: To store any leftover smashed potatoes, allow them to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: You can reheat the potatoes in a microwave by covering them with a microwave-safe lid and heating them on medium for about 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. For stovetop reheating, place the potatoes in a pan with a little bit of butter or olive oil, and stir occasionally over medium heat until warmed through.
Freezing: While these potatoes are best eaten fresh, you can freeze them in a sealed container for up to one month. To reheat, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and follow the stovetop reheating instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these smashed potatoes ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the potatoes ahead of time and reheat them when needed. They reheat well on the stovetop or in the microwave. Just be sure to store them in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to reheat.

Can I leave the skins on the potatoes?

Yes, you can leave the skins on if you prefer. Red and yellow potatoes have thin skins that become tender during boiling, adding extra texture and fiber to the dish.

What other herbs can I use instead of dill?

Fresh parsley, chives, or even thyme work well as alternatives. Each will bring its own unique flavor, so feel free to experiment with what you have on hand.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Absolutely! Simply swap out the butter for extra-virgin olive oil or vegan butter. The result will be just as delicious and creamy.

Do these smashed potatoes freeze well?

While they are best fresh, you can freeze them in an airtight container for up to one month. When you’re ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stovetop with a little extra butter or oil.

Other Easy Potato Recipes

Pan Fried Potatoes and Tomatoes Recipe: Crispy potatoes and juicy tomatoes are pan-fried together for a quick and flavorful side dish.

Fried Potatoes And Eggs Recipe: A simple and hearty breakfast combining crispy fried potatoes and perfectly cooked eggs.

Ground Turkey and Sweet Potatoes Skillet Recipe: A healthy and delicious one-pan meal with ground turkey, sweet potatoes, and savory seasonings.

Roasted Potatoes And Green Beans Recipe: Tender roasted potatoes and crisp green beans make for a perfect side dish that pairs with any main course.

How to Cook Red Potatoes in the Microwave: Learn how to quickly cook red potatoes in the microwave for a fast and easy side dish.

Air Fryer Potato Slices: These air fryer potato slices are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, perfect for a healthy snack or side.

Ranch Seasoned Roasted Potatoes Recipe: Roasted potatoes are seasoned with tangy ranch for a flavorful, crowd-pleasing side dish.

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