The Sauce You Didn't Know Your Mashed Potatoes Need

Warm, creamy, filling, and endlessly versatile, mashed potatoes are the epitome of comfort food. The classic side can be jazzed up with a variety of add-ins, including sour cream and chives, shredded cheese and bacon crumbles, butter and garlic, or any combination that makes your taste buds sing. If you're ever in the mood for something new and exciting, you can transform your bowl of mashed potatoes into a delicious dish reminiscent of backyard cookouts. As it turns out, barbecue sauce, the iconic condiment synonymous with juicy ribs and melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork sandwiches also deserves a place in mashed potatoes.

On their own, mashed potatoes are known for their smooth, lush texture and mild, neutral flavor. When barbecue sauce is invited to the party, it infuses a tongue-tingling blend of smoky, sweet, and tangy into every bite. Barbecue sauce delivers a punch of acidity and just the right touch of heat — a pleasant enhancement to an otherwise blank canvas.

Whether you prefer to thoroughly swirl barbecue sauce directly into your mashed potatoes while they're cooking or use it as a zippy substitute for traditional brown gravy, the result will be a star of the plate. Of course, as with most dressings, no barbecue sauce recipe is the same. Feel free to experiment with different regional barbecue sauces.

Kansas City-style barbecue sauce is famous for its thick viscosity and notes of brown sugar, molasses, and ketchup. However, many Carolina-style barbecue sauces boast a thinner consistency with a sharp, vinegar-forward profile that often features golden mustard. Memphis-style barbecue sauce is tomato-based with a balance of mustard, vinegar, dark brown sugar, and spices. Texas-style barbecue sauce has a bold flavor that highlights tomato, vinegar, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce for a smoky essence.

Mashed potatoes are instantly enlivened by a hint or generous drizzle of barbecue sauce. There are plenty of other tricks to upgrade your mashed potatoes from ordinary to extraordinary such as boiling the potatoes in stock or broth, serving them with hot sauce, and using mayonnaise, mascarpone cheese, or brown butter for a boost of richness.