6 Best Mashed Potatoes for BBQ – Pitmaster Recipes
Searching for the best mashed potatoes for BBQ? These six mashed potatoes for BBQ were created by legendary pitmasters and are guaranteed to be the star side dish at your next cookout — smoky, spicy, crispy, or loaded, we’ve got you covered.
1. Smoked Garlic • 2. Brown Butter Sage • 3. Crispy Griddle-Smashed • 4. Chile-Oaxaca • 5. Crab Butter • 6. Campfire Bacon Cheddar
1. Travis “Smoke Daddy” Wheeler – Smoked Garlic Mashed Potatoes for BBQ
Real BBQ sides have to stand up to brisket. These hickory-smoked garlic mashed potatoes for BBQ get actual pit time and pair perfectly with smoked brisket.
Smoke Daddy’s Hickory-Smoked Garlic Mashed Potatoes (Serves 8)
Shopping List
- 5 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes
- 1 bulb + 4 cloves garlic
- 1 pint heavy cream
- 3 sticks butter
- Kosher salt & pepper
Instructions
- Smoke garlic at 250°F with hickory 45–60 min.
- Boil, drain, and dry potatoes.
- Mash with warm cream/butter and smoked garlic. Optional brisket fat for extra glory.
2. Earl “The Rib Whisperer” Tatum – Brown Butter Sage Mashed Potatoes for BBQ
Firehouse-approved comfort that belongs next to KC ribs.
Rib Whisperer’s Brown Butter & Sage Mashed Potatoes (Serves 8)
Shopping List
- 5 lbs russet potatoes
- 2 sticks butter
- Fresh sage
- Whole milk
Instructions
- Brown butter with sage.
- Mash potatoes with warm milk and browned butter.
- Garnish with crisp sage.
3. Marla “Griddle Queen” Jenkins – Crispy Griddle-Smashed Potatoes for BBQ
Steakhouse crust in under 30 minutes — killer with smash burgers.
Griddle Queen’s Crispy Smashed Reds (Serves 6–8)
Shopping List
- 3 lbs baby red potatoes
- Duck fat or bacon grease
- Garlic, butter, smoked paprika, chives
Instructions
- Boil until just tender.
- Smash and griddle in hot fat 6–8 min per side.
- Toss with garlic butter and finish with chives.
4. Diego “El Fuego” Morales – Spicy Chile-Oaxaca Mashed Potatoes for BBQ
Roasted Hatch chiles + melty Oaxaca = the boldest mashed potatoes for BBQ you’ll ever make.
El Fuego’s Chile-Oaxaca Mash (Serves 8)
Shopping List
- 5 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes
- 4–6 roasted Hatch chiles
- 8 oz Oaxaca cheese
- Mexican crema
Instructions
- Roast & peel chiles.
- Mash potatoes with crema, half the cheese, and chiles.
- Top with remaining cheese and broil.
5. Mia “The Coastal Catch” Meyer – Lemon Crab Butter Mashed Potatoes for BBQ
Elegant and light — perfect with cedar-plank salmon.
Coastal Catch Crab Butter Mash (Serves 8)
Shopping List
- 5 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes
- 1 cooked Dungeness crab (or lump crabmeat)
- Lemons, fresh herbs, half-and-half
Instructions
- Infuse butter with crab and lemon zest.
- Mash potatoes with half-and-half and crab butter.
- Finish with fresh herbs.
6. Buck “The Campfire King” McCoy – Bacon Cheddar Campfire Mashed Potatoes for BBQ
Coal-roasted potatoes finished in cast iron with bacon and cheddar — pure campfire perfection.
Campfire King’s Bacon Cheddar Mash (Serves 8)
Shopping List
- 5 lbs russet potatoes
- 1 lb thick-cut bacon
- 8 oz sharp cheddar
- Butter + evaporated milk
Instructions
- Roast whole potatoes in coals 45–60 min.
- Rough-mash in skillet with butter, milk, bacon, and cheese.
- Melt topping under foil.
Which of these mashed potatoes for BBQ are you making first? Tag us @popularbbq when you do!
Resources: USDA Potato Nutrition • ThermoWorks