Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes with Pan Gravy
Rich mashed potatoes made with nutty browned butter and served with a savory pan gravy that captures classic Thanksgiving flavors. This american-inspired thanksgiving ready in about 40 minutes pairs russet potatoes, peeled and cubed, unsalted butter, warmed whole milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup, warmed whole milk
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp pan drippings or additional butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 2 lbs peeled and cubed russet potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add 1 tsp salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook for 15-18 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, melt 6 tbsp unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat. Continue cooking, swirling occasionally, until the butter turns golden brown and smells nutty, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Step 3: Drain potatoes and return to pot. Mash with a potato masher until smooth.
- Step 4: Stir in the browned butter, 1/2 cup warmed whole milk, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and remaining 1/2 tsp salt. Mix until creamy and fluffy.
- Step 5: For the gravy, heat 2 tbsp pan drippings or butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 2 minutes until golden and fragrant.
- Step 6: Gradually whisk 2 cups chicken broth into the flour mixture. Bring to a simmer and cook, whisking frequently, for 5-7 minutes until thickened.
- Step 7: Serve mashed potatoes hot with generous spoonfuls of pan gravy.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes with Pan Gravy take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes with Pan Gravy?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes with Pan Gravy?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes with Pan Gravy for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes with Pan Gravy?
American thanksgiving like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Loved the depth of flavor from the browned butter. My family asked for seconds!
- ★★★★★
These potatoes were a hit at my Thanksgiving dinner! So creamy and the browned butter gave such a rich flavor.
- ★★★★☆
The mashed potatoes were perfect, but the gravy needed a bit more seasoning. Still, a great recipe for Thanksgiving.
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