Smoked Mashed Potato On A Traeger

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Oh, have we got a treat for you today… A personal favorite of mine, this combine cheesy mashed potatoes and with that delicious smoky flavor!

This Traeger mashed potato recipe is a sure winner. Make sure you follow my steps below so end up with those perfect fluffy mashed potatoes.

What You Need For Smoked Mash Potato

• Yukon Potatoes (no russet potatoes or a sweet potato variety)
• Heavy cream
• Butter
• Kosher salt & black pepper
• Diced bacon 
• Cheddar & cream cheese
• Sour cream
• Scallions/green onions 

Why You’ll Love This Smoke Mashed Potato Recipe?

How could you not love the combination of mashed potatoes and smoky goodness?

• Depending on what wood you use you get an Infuse subtle or intense flavors of smoke into the potatoes
• The smoking process will help melt the gooey cheese
• It is a simple and easy and side dish to create

What Temperature Do I Smoke The Mashed Potato?

Smoke the mashed potato mixture at a medium to high temp of 275°F -300°F. This will give the outside a golden brown crust while allowing the cheese to melt gently.

What Smoke Setting Do I Select On The Traeger?

Select ‘super smoke’ mode on your Traeger for this recipe. The smoky flavors from thicker smoke will infuse into the starchy potatoes and fat from the cheese.

How Long Will It Take for The Smoked Mash Potatoes To Be Done?

It takes 1 hour and 40 minutes to make this recipe. Smoking the potatoes will take roughly 45-60 minutes, preparation of ingredients and bacon frying will take around 20 minutes and boiling the potatoes will take around 20 minutes

How to Make Traeger Smoked Cheesy Mashed Potatoes With Bacon

Step 1 – Fry the Bacon Off

• Slice your green onions.
• Set aside.
• Dice up bacon.
• Fry up the bacon in your cast iron skillet (or whatever pan you will use to smoke the potatoes).
• Set aside bacon.
• We’ll use this same pan later to spread the mashed potatoes on.

Step 2- Cook the Potatoes

• Dice up potatoes and place into a pot filled with cold salted water (2 tbsp salt).
• Bring to boil for 15-20 minutes until fork tender.
• Strain, and place back into the pot.

Step 3 – Mash the Potatoes

• Mash the potatoes.
• Use a potato ricer for a smoother consistency if you have one. Otherwise, use a regular potato masher.

Step 4 – Add Seasonings

• Add heavy cream, butter, and 1/2 tsp salt to the pot and continue mashing until no lumps, and smooth consistency.
• Stir in some green onions into the mash, about 1/4 cup.

Step 5 – Prepare the Mash

• Spread out the mashed potatoes onto your cast iron pan.
• Top with cheese.

Step 6 – Smoke the Potatoes

• Smoke at 275°F -300°F for 1 hour until cheese is golden brown.
• Serve with sour cream, bacon bits, green onions, and more cheese.

Do We Need To Monitor The Internal Temperature?

You don’t have to monitor the internal temperature for this recipe. It would help if you looked for a golden brown color on the top of the mashed potatoes.

Why The Type Of Potato Matters When Mashing & Smoking

We found the Yukon Gold type is best for this recipe. However, there are countless varieties of potatoes! From the humble waxy red to the starchy sweet potatoes and they all will work well…

I just find that the firm texture, low moisture, and medium starch levels in the Yukon Gold work perfectly. The firm texture holds the buttery texture desired for mashing. Low moisture ensures you don’t get excess water and a slimy consistency.

Choosing Wood Pellets For Smoked Mashed Potatoes

You want to infuse a mild to strong wood for maximum flavor. This is SMOKED mashed potatoes after all…I find the robust flavor of oak or hickory works well. w

Don’t want a strong wood flavor? Use mild-flavored wood like cherry or apple.

What If I Don’t Have A Traeger Pellet Smoker?

Any type of smoker will work fine for this recipe. Just monitor any hot points that could burn the mashed potatoes.

Guide To Boiling & Mashing Potatoes

I hope you know how to boil and mash simple ingredients like a potato.

But let us cover it just in case!

– Peel the potatoes and cut them in half, adding them to a pot of cold water as you go.

Note: Submerging recently peeled potatoes in cold water will stop them from browning and rinse off the starch.

– Bring a pot of fresh cold water to the boil that has been salted liberally.

– Safely put the potatoes in the boiling water.

– Boil for 20 minutes.

– Test the potatoes that have boiled and are soft but still hold together.

– Drain the potatoes and add them back into the pot with a lid.

– Steam for a further 5 minutes.

– Add the butter and cream cheese.

– Use a masher until silky smooth!

What To Serve With Our Delicious Traeger Smoked Mash?

This recipe also makes the perfect side dish for any main dish! Here are some of my favorite mains below:

Traeger Pulled Pork

Smoked Pork Loin

Smoked Chicken Legs

Smoked Pork Belly

Don’t Waste The Potato Skins!

Don’t like waste? How about baking the potato skins to perfection?

Lightly coat your leftover skins with olive oil and a spice blend with paprika and salt.

Spread them on a baking tray and bake in the oven until crisp!

Smoke On!

Charlie

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