Heavenly Caramelized Onion and Bacon Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Creamy mashed potatoes with caramelized onion and bacon bring serious comfort to your dinner table.

Sweet onions slowly transform into golden-brown deliciousness while crispy bacon adds smoky depth.

Kitchen magic happens when simple ingredients combine in unexpected ways.

Rich, indulgent flavors meld together creating a side dish that feels like a warm hug.

We’ve crafted a recipe that celebrates classic ingredients with a contemporary twist.

Potato lovers will appreciate how each bite delivers complex, satisfying notes.

Ingredients For Onion Bacon Mashed Potatoes

• Potatoes: Starchy base that creates the creamy texture of the mashed dish.

• Cream, Butter, Sour Cream: Rich ingredients that add smoothness and depth of flavor to the mashed potatoes.

• Bacon, Caramelized Onions, Shallots: Provide intense savory and sweet undertones to the potato dish.
• Red Wine, Brown Sugar: Contribute complex flavor and help caramelize the onions.
• Fresh Thyme Leaves: Adds a subtle herbal note to complement the rich ingredients.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential for balancing and intensifying the overall taste of the dish.

Step-By-Step Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Step 1: Crisp the Bacon

Start by placing diced bacon in a large, wide skillet.

Turn the heat to low and cook slowly, stirring occasionally.

Let the bacon sizzle and release its fat until it becomes crispy and golden, which takes about 15 minutes.

Step 2: Caramelize the Onions

Add sliced onions and shallots to the bacon pan, coating them in the delicious bacon fat.

Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the onions and gently increase the heat.

Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until the onions become soft and develop a rich, dark color, approximately 25 minutes.

Step 3: Enhance the Onion Flavor

Bump up the heat to medium-low and pour in red wine and brown sugar.

Let the mixture simmer until the wine evaporates completely and the onions become luxuriously soft and caramelized.

Season with salt and pepper to taste, then set aside.

Step 4: Prepare the Creamy Base

In a small saucepan, gently warm the cream and butter until the butter melts completely.

If you made the caramelized onions earlier, add them to this creamy mixture and keep warm.

Step 5: Cook and Mash the Potatoes

Place cubed potatoes in a medium pot, add salt, and cover with cold water.

Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender.

Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.

Mash the potatoes using a potato masher or hand mixer.

Step 6: Combine and Finish

Add the warm cream and butter mixture, sour cream to the mashed potatoes.

Continue mashing until smooth and creamy.

Fold in the crispy bacon, caramelized onions, fresh thyme leaves, and season with salt and pepper.

Stir until everything is beautifully combined and serve immediately.

Helpful Tips For Mashed Potatoes

• Cook bacon on low heat for even rendering, preventing burning and ensuring perfect texture.
• Stir occasionally and use low heat to develop rich, deep flavor without scorching.
• Prepare caramelized onions up to 3 days in advance for convenient meal planning and enhanced flavor development.
• Use a hand mixer for smoother consistency, but avoid overmixing to prevent gluey potatoes.
• Add fresh thyme leaves at the end to boost aromatic complexity and bring brightness to the rich dish.

Flavor Twists For Onion Bacon Potatoes

• Vegan Potato Delight: Replace bacon with smoked tempeh, use coconut cream instead of dairy cream, and swap butter for olive oil or vegan butter.
• Herb-Infused Potato Medley: Experiment with different herbs like rosemary or sage instead of thyme, and add roasted garlic for extra depth of flavor.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Bowl: Ensure all ingredients are gluten-free, use plant-based bacon alternatives, and verify no cross-contamination during preparation.
• Lighter Potato Option: Substitute half the cream with low-fat Greek yogurt, use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon, and reduce overall butter content for a healthier version.

Pairings For Caramelized Onion Potatoes

• Festive Family Feast: Pair these rich mashed potatoes with roasted turkey or juicy roast chicken for a comforting family dinner that everyone will love.
• Elegant Dinner Party Plating: Serve in a beautiful ceramic dish, garnish with crispy bacon bits and fresh thyme sprigs to create a stunning side that impresses guests with minimal effort.
• Weekend Brunch Companion: Top with a fried egg and extra crispy bacon crumbles for a decadent brunch dish that transforms this side into a hearty main course perfect for lazy weekend mornings.
• Rustic Potluck Star: Transfer to a large serving bowl and bring to your next potluck, where these creamy, savory potatoes will be the first dish to disappear from the table.

Storage Advice For Mashed Potatoes

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to prevent moisture loss.
• Transfer mashed potatoes to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal completely, and freeze for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place mashed potatoes in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and add a splash of milk or cream to prevent drying. Warm for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally to maintain creamy consistency.

FAQs

• What type of potatoes work best for this recipe?

Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes are ideal because they have a creamy texture and break down easily when mashed, creating a smooth and fluffy consistency.

• Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Replace bacon with smoked paprika or caramelized mushrooms to maintain a similar depth of flavor and smoky profile.

• How do I prevent my mashed potatoes from becoming gluey?

Avoid over-mixing or using a food processor. Gently mash with a potato masher or hand mixer and stop as soon as the potatoes are smooth to prevent the starches from becoming sticky.

• What can I do if the mashed potatoes are too thick?

Gradually add a little warm milk or extra cream to achieve your desired consistency, stirring gently until you reach the right texture.

Why These Mashed Potatoes Stand Out

• Savor Hearty Comfort: This mashed potato recipe offers pure culinary joy packed with rich flavors and textures.
• Boost Flavor Complexity: Caramelized onions and crispy bacon transform ordinary mashed potatoes into an extraordinary side dish that elevates any meal with deep, sophisticated taste profiles.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Preparing caramelized onions up to three days in advance means less stress during meal preparation, allowing home cooks to streamline their cooking process without compromising deliciousness.
• Crowd-Pleasing Potential: With its combination of creamy potatoes, smoky bacon, and sweet caramelized onions, this recipe appeals to multiple taste preferences, making it perfect for family gatherings and potluck events.

Caramelized Onion and Bacon Mashed Potatoes Recipe

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4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Caramelized onion and bacon mashed potatoes elevate comfort food with rich, savory layers of flavor. Creamy potatoes blended with crispy bacon and sweet caramelized onions promise a hearty side dish you’ll crave at every gathering.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meats and Aromatics:

• 4 strips thick-cut bacon, diced
• 1 red onion, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 shallots, peeled and thinly sliced

Potatoes and Dairy:

• 2 pounds (2 lbs) Yukon gold potatoes, peeled or unpeeled (cut into quarters)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced
• 1/3 cup sour cream

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 1/2 cup dry red wine
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
• Kosher salt to taste
• Freshly cracked pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Render bacon in a large skillet over low heat for approximately 15 minutes, stirring periodically until fat releases and bacon turns crispy.
2. Incorporate sliced onions and shallots into bacon, coating them with rendered fat. Sprinkle lightly with salt and cook over low heat for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally until onions soften and darken.
3. Elevate heat to medium-low, deglaze pan with red wine and brown sugar. Simmer until liquid evaporates and onions become deeply caramelized. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside.
4. Prepare caramelized onion mixture up to 3 days in advance, storing in refrigerator in sealed container.
5. Gently warm cream and butter in small saucepan until butter melts completely. Fold previously prepared caramelized onions into warm mixture, maintaining temperature.
6. Fill medium pot with cold water and potatoes, adding salt. Simmer over medium heat until potatoes become tender when pierced with fork.
7. Drain potatoes thoroughly, returning them to original pot. Mash using potato masher or hand mixer until smooth and creamy.
8. Integrate warm cream-butter mixture and sour cream into mashed potatoes, mixing thoroughly.
9. Fold in crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and fresh thyme leaves. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
10. Transfer to serving dish immediately and enjoy while hot.

Notes

• Make bacon extra crispy by starting with a cold pan, allowing fat to render slowly for maximum crunch and flavor.
• Caramelize onions patiently on low heat to develop deep, sweet flavor without burning, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Use starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for creamy, fluffy mashed texture that absorbs seasonings beautifully.
• Prepare caramelized onions ahead of time to save cooking effort and intensify flavor development in the dish.
• Replace cream with dairy-free alternatives like coconut milk for lactose-intolerant diets, maintaining rich and creamy consistency.
• Add roasted garlic for extra depth and complexity, blending seamlessly with bacon and caramelized onion profile.
• Enhance vegetarian version by substituting bacon with smoked paprika or liquid smoke for similar smoky undertones.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 374 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 290 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg