Learn how to make perfect mashed potatoes with this easy homemade recipe. Discover tips and tricks for creamy, delicious mashed potatoes with this simple step-by-step guide.
Mashed potatoes are a classic comfort food that pairs perfectly with a wide variety of main dishes. Making homemade mashed potatoes is easy and allows you to customize the texture and flavor to your liking. This simple recipe will walk you through the steps to create creamy, fluffy mashed potatoes from scratch.
How to Make Mashed Potatoes | Easy Homemade Recipe
Of all the vegetables Americans eat, potatoes are among the most popular – the average American eats about 55 pounds of fresh potatoes a year (over 100+ total).
Homemade mashed potatoes taste far better than instant potatoes from a box or a packet. They are creamy, fluffy, and packed with flavor. You can customize your mashed potatoes however you like – add some garlic, cheese, chives, you name it. The possibilities are endless!
I have had this recipe for the best creamy mashed potatoes sitting in my files for years. The truth is making mashed potatoes is easy! Making creamy (no lumps) flavorful mashed potatoes is so simple that nearly anyone can do it! This easy side dish is a mainstay in American households.
Simple steps to make homemade mashed potatoes:
1. Make sure the boiled potatoes are cooked until tender. Stick a fork in a few.
2. Drain the cooked potatoes into a colander. Return the cooked potatoes to the pot.
3. Add butter and milk and mash using a potato masher.
Best potatoes to make a mashed potato recipe:
Generally speaking, you want a potato that is higher in starch and does not have excess moisture to make your homemade mashed potatoes recipe.
● Russet Potatoes: These are the preferred potatoes for making fluffy mashed potatoes due to their low moisture and high starch content.
● White Potatoes: These are a good choice for those who do not like to peel potatoes or who are not careful about peeling the entire potato skin.
● Yellow Potatoes (Yukon Gold Potatoes): These are delicious golden potatoes, which means you can cut back on the butter!
Tips and variations for making mashed potatoes:
● Cut your potato chunks into uniform sizes. This will allow them to cook evenly.
● If you boil whole potatoes, it will take forever. Cut them into chunks.
● I frequently use an electric mixer for my mashed potatoes because it is fast. This results in a very creamy mashed potato, unlike using a masher, which can leave more solid pieces. Some people do not like using a stand mixer as that results in not only a creamy texture but also a very thin consistency. Some people call that “gluey.” The trick is to stop before the mashed potatoes are too smooth. A hand mixer might be the compromise between a potato masher and a stand mixer.
● If you leave the skins on, it is a smashed potato.
● Using more milk or butter will result in creamier potatoes. Not only could they thin out too much for your taste (hey, you might like it!), but milk will also cool down the mashed potatoes.
● If you do not have whole milk, use half and half or heavy cream.
● In the United States, ½ cup butter = 1 stick, 1 cup = 2 sticks of butter
● Use salted butter for a great flavor, not unsalted butter.
● Additional ingredients you might like to add when making your mashed potatoes (or topping them) are cheddar cheese, sour cream, ground black pepper, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, fresh herbs or dried herbs,
● This recipe may be doubled or tripled. Be aware cook time, and the time it takes the water to boil, will increase.
● This recipe is made with simple ingredients commonly found at your local grocery store.
Other potato recipes I love:
● Parsley Potatoes
● Chunky Parmesan Smashed Potatoes Recipe
● Canned Potatoes Recipe
Recipes that use mashed potatoes to make:
● Turkey Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
● You might enjoy this recipe for Crispy Parmesan Potato Cakes which is a wonderful recipe when you have leftover mashed potatoes.
● Perfect accompaniments for roast turkey and turkey gravy.
How to Make Mashed Potatoes Ingredients:
● 1 lb Potatoes
● 8 cups of Cold Water
● 1 Tablespoon Salt
● ¼ cup of Milk
● 3 Tablespoons of Butter
How to Make Mashed Potatoes Mise en Place:
● Potato Peeler
● Measuring Cup
● Measuring Spoons
Medium or Large Pot
● Hand Masher
● Cutting Board
● Knife
● Large Bowl
● Fork
● Collander
How to Make Mashed Potatoes Directions:
1. Wash, peel and then wash again, the potatoes.
2. Cut them into small chunks (1” or so)
3. Place them in a medium-sized pot and add enough water to cover the potatoes by ½”
4. Add the salt to the water
5. Cover and boil the potatoes in the salted water for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, or until they are tender and a fork that is pierced into them goes in very easily.
6. Drain the potatoes and place them back into the pot.
7. Add the butter and let it melt.
8. With a potato masher, begin to mash the potatoes. Slowly add the milk in small amounts as you continue to mash. You want to add a little milk at a time. The more milk you add, the smoother/creamier the potatoes will get. (However, be careful. If you add too much milk, it could become too thin; hence, add it in small amounts. Sometimes, the full amount of milk is acceptable; other times, it may be too much or not enough, and you’ll have to add another few tablespoons. Base this all on your preference for consistency).
9. When all additions are done, taste again for salt and add a tiny bit more if necessary.
10. To serve, add an extra pat of butter to the top of the potatoes in the serving bowl, and cover your potatoes until it is time to eat.
11. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
How to Make Mashed Potatoes | Easy Homemade Recipe
How to Make Mashed Potatoes | Easy Homemade Recipe. Learn how to make perfect mashed potatoes with this easy homemade recipe. Discover tips and tricks for creamy, delicious mashed potatoes with this simple step-by-step guide.
Ingredients
- 1 lb Potatoes
- 8 cups of Cold Water
- 1 Tablespoon Salt
- ¼ cup of Milk
- 3 Tablespoons of Butter
Instructions
- Wash, peel, and then wash again, the potatoes.
- Cut the potatoes into small chunks (1" or so).
- Place them in a medium-sized pot and add enough water to cover the potatoes by ½”.
- Add the salt to the water.
- Cover and boil the potatoes in the salted water for approximately 15 minutes, or until they are tender and a fork that is pierced into them goes in very easily.
- Drain the potatoes and place them back into the pot.
- Add the butter and let it melt.
- With a potato masher, begin to mash the potatoes. Slowly add the milk in small amounts as you continue to mash. You want to add a little milk at a time. The more milk you add, the smoother/creamier the potatoes will get. (However, be careful. If you add too much milk, it could become too thin; hence, add it in small amounts. Sometimes, the full amount of milk is acceptable; other times, it may be too much or not enough, and you'll have to add another few tablespoons. Base this all on your preference for consistency).
- When all additions are done, taste again for salt and add a tiny bit more if necessary.
- To serve, add an extra pat of butter to the top of the potatoes in the serving bowl, and cover your potatoes until it is time to eat.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
Double, triple, or quadruple this recipe as servings needed.
Recommended Products
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DOWAN Porcelain Pasta Bowls, 35 oz Large Salad Bowls Set of 4, 8.5 inch Serving Bowls Plates, Wide Shallow Bowls for Kitchen, Microwave Dishwasher Safe, Ideal Gift, Vintage Blue
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
3Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 253Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 2256mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 5g
Note: for exact nutritional information, consult your dietitian. All nutritional information provided is simply a guideline.
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