Make mouthwatering Homemade Mashed Potatoes in about 45 minutes. Home cooked comfort food that can be paired with a main dish.
These mashed potatoes are extremely delicious and creamy. They are very simple to cook and make an awesome addition to your dinner table.
Fork tender boiled potatoes, mashed with milk and butter, then seasoned to perfection. Serve your homemade mashed potatoes with Cracker Barrel meatloaf, gravy, tender pork and gravy, and venison stew. Pair this old fashioned liver and onions and braised beef short ribs with mashed potatoes for a hearty meal.
Mashed potatoes are a delicious, comforting side dish that’s sure to please any crowd! Make sure to have a large bowl of mash potatoes on your Thanksgiving table for all your guests to enjoy along with my other Thanksgiving recipes!
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What are the Best Potatoes for Mashed Potatoes?
For the best mashed potatoes, you should use starchy potatoes such as russets, yellow potatoes, and Yukon Golds. These potatoes have a creamy and fluffy texture when mashed.
Waxy potatoes like red, white, and new potatoes are not good for mashed potatoes but are better for roasting and other preparations.
Mashed Potato Ingredients
Russet Potatoes
Milk
Butter
Salt
How to Make The Homemade Mashed Potatoes
Gather all the ingredients to make the basic mashed potatoes. Peel the skins off all the potatoes with a vegetable peeler.
Rinse all the potatoes off with cold water. Cut each potato into about 4 or 6 pieces. To ensure even cooking, it’s best to cut the potatoes into similar sized pieces.
Place the potato pieces into a 2.5-quart pot or larger. Completely cover the potatoes with cold water.
Add a sprinkle of table salt to the water. Boiling potatoes in salted water can help to enhance their flavor.
Place the prepared pot of diced potatoes onto the stove burner and set to medium heat. Do not cover the pot with a lid.
The water will start boiling quickly with the lid on causing the water to boil over. You want the pot of water to gently boil so adjust the heat of the stove as needed.
How Long To Boil Potatoes For Mashed Potatoes?
For the perfect mashed potatoes, potatoes should be boiled until they are fork tender. This usually takes about 20-30 minutes, depending on the size and type of the potato.
Test the potatoes by inserting a knife or fork and twisting to see if the potato breaks apart. Once they are fork tender, the potatoes are ready to be mashed. Use the lid and carefully drain off all the water.
Add the salted or unsalted butter, milk, and any seasonings if you like to the hot potatoes.
How to Mash your Mashed Potatoes
The way you mash your boiled potatoes will result in how the finished mashed potatoes will turn out. There are 3 preferred ways to mash your potatoes.
Potato Masher – A hand-held stainless steel wire masher is perfect for making rustic mashed potatoes with a few lumps. Not large potato lumps, just some small ones. This is when you know you are eating a great homemade mashed potato recipe and not instant mashed potatoes.
Hand-Held Mixer – A handheld mixer is a cross between the hand potato masher and a stand mixer. If making a large batch of mashed potatoes, a hand-held mixer is perfect. This mixer will get a nice smooth and creamy mashed potatoes.
KitchenAid Stand Mixer – When using a KitchenAid stand mixer, just add everything to the mixing bowl, attach the flat paddle, and turn the mixer on low. The mixer will do all the work for you. No need to stand and do all the work. The boil mashed potatoes will beat to a fluffy, smooth texture with no lumps.
The Best Tips For Making Mashed Potatoes
For the best mashed potatoes, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Use starchy potatoes like Russets, Yukon Golds, and Yellow Potatoes for the best texture and flavor. Waxy potatoes are not recommended when making mashed potatoes.
- Add whole milk (or your favorite milk will work), canned evaporated milk, or heavy cream for a creamy and flavor packed side dish.
- For extra flavor, you can also add additional cleaned and diced root vegetables such as parsnips or carrots to the water along with the diced potatoes. Keep in mind that adding other root vegetables to your mashed potatoes can add complexity and more nutrition.
- Serve the mashed potatoes hot with a dollop of salted butter on top.
Making Mashed Potatoes Ahead of Time
Mashed potatoes are great for making ahead of time. Simply cook and mash your potatoes.
Once the potatoes are cool, store them in a sealed container in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat in the microwave or a pot on the stove.
Be sure to stir the potatoes often to prevent them from burning on the bottom. Add additional milk or butter if needed.
With careful reheating and stirring, you can easily enjoy delicious, mashed potatoes, even when you are short on time!
Griddle Cooking with Chef Sherry Ronning
Things to Add to Mashed Potatoes
If you are wanting to jazz up your best mashed potatoes recipe, then here are a few add-ins that you might like. Stir in or add to the top of your freshly made fluffy mashed potatoes.
- A splash of chicken broth – Add with the milk but not too much. Chicken broth will give you extra flavor.
- Fresh Herbs and Spices – Fresh is best! Chop into small pieces and remember that a little bit will go a long way.
- Sour Cream – Adding a dollop of sour cream will add another layer of flavor and give your potatoes a creamier texture.
- Shredded Cheese – Cheese makes everything better! Add a handful, stir, let it melt, and then taste. Add more shredded cheese until your desired flavor is achieved. Use Colby Jack, Cheddar, or Mexican Blend.
- Cream Cheese – A couple ounces of cream cheese added along with the butter and milk will take your side dish cuisine to the next level.
- Flavored Butters – Look in the butter section of your grocery store. There is so many options of different flavored butters.
- Minced Garlic – If you are a garlic lover then add some minced garlic as you are mashing the boiled potatoes.
- Ranch Dressing – Add a squirt of ranch dressing and stir to combine! OMG, the flavor is incredible!
- Diced Raw Onion – My aunt used to add diced raw onion to her mashed potatoes. Not for everyone, so make sure your guest don’t mind.
How To Store and Reheat Mashed Potatoes
Leftover mashed potatoes are great reheated with a dollop of butter! Store any leftover mashed potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 days.
Reheat in the microwave using 30 second intervals until the desired temperature is achieved.
Freeze Mashed Potatoes
Mash potatoes freeze very well. If you made to many of your best mashed potatoes recipe for the holidays, let them cool completely, and store in an airtight. Freeze for up to 2 months. Remove from the freezer and warm in the microwave.
More Easy Potato Recipes
Potatoes are inexpensive and make great side dishes. Try one of these potato recipes: smoked baked potato, smoked hasselback potato, smoked potatoes, smashed potatoes, homemade tater tots, hasselback potatoes, and creamy potato and bacon soup.
What to Serve with Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a great side dish to any main meat meal. Try these country style ribs, baked pork chops, shredded smoked pork butt, smoked baby back ribs, and my favorite tender pork and gravy! Mashed potatoes made with an easy homemade gravy can also be a meal all on it’s own.
Homemade Mashed Potatoes – FAQ
A basic mashed potatoes recipe calls for you to peel the potatoes before boiling them. Some people prefer to leave the peeling on the potatoes and mash them in. The choice is your own. Just make sure to wash the potatoes very well if leaving the skins on.
When the right consistency of milk is added to mashed potatoes, it will result in creamy potatoes. If you did not add any milk to mashed potatoes, they would be dry and not the right consistency.
When using large russet potatoes, 2 pounds or 5 potatoes will result in about 2 cups of mashed potatoes.
Homemade Mashed Potatoes Recipe
For the full recipe and nutrition facts, click below.
Homemade Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Make mouthwatering Homemade Mashed Potatoes in about 45 minutes. Home cooked comfort food that can be paired with a main dish. These mashed potatoes are extremely delicious and creamy.
Ingredients
- Russet Potatoes (5 medium to large) 2 pounds
- Milk 1/4 cup
- Butter 1/4 cup
- Salt 1 teaspoon
Instructions
How to Make Homemade Mashed Potatoes
- Gather all the ingredients to make the boiled mashed potatoes.
- Peel the skins off all the russet potatoes with a vegetable peeler.
- Rinse all the peeled potatoes off with cold water.
- Cut each peeled potato into about 4 or 6 pieces. To help ensure even cooking, it’s best to cut the potatoes into similar sized pieces.
- Place the diced potato into a 2.5-quart pot or larger.
- Completely cover the diced potatoes with cold water.
- Add the salt to the water.
- Place the prepared pot of diced potatoes onto the burner and set to medium heat. Do not cover the pot with a lid. The potato water will start boiling quickly with the lid on causing the water to boil over. You want the pot of water to gently boil so adjust the burner heat of the stove as needed.
How Long To Boil Potatoes For Mashed Potatoes
- For the perfect mashed potatoes, the potatoes should be boiled until they are fork tender. This usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the size and type of the potatoes.
- Test the potatoes with a fork or knife. Insert into the cooked potato and twist to see if it breaks apart easily. If the potato does not want to break apart, cook longer. Once the potatoes are knife/fork tender, the potatoes are ready to be mashed.
- Use the lid of the pot and carefully drain off all the hot water.
- Add the butter, milk, and any seasonings if you like to the hot boiled potatoes.
How to Mash the Mashed Potatoes
The way you mash your boiled potatoes will result in how the finished mashed potatoes will be. There are 3 preferred ways to mash your boiled potatoes.
- Potato Masher – A hand-held wire masher is perfect for making rustic mashed potatoes with a few lumps. Not large potato lumps, just some small ones. This is when you know you are eating the best ever mashed potato and not instant mashed potatoes.
- Hand-Held Mixer – A handheld mixer is a cross between the hand potato wire masher and a stand mixer. If making a large batch of the mashed potato recipe, a hand-held mixer is perfect. This electric mixer will get a nice smooth and creamy mashed potatoes.
- KitchenAid Stand Mixer – When using a KitchenAid stand mixer, just add all the ingredients to the mixing bowl, attach the flat paddle, and turn the mixer on low. The stand mixer will do all the work for you. Do not over mix! The boil mashed potatoes will beat to a fluffy, smooth texture with no lumps.
Test for seasons and adjust if needed. Serve the homemade mashed potatoes hot with a dollop of salted butter on top.
Notes
Optional Mashed Potatoes Add-ins
If you are wanting to take your mashed potatoes recipe to the next level, then here are a few add-ins that you might like. Stir in or add to the top of your freshly made fluffy mashed potatoes recipe.
- A splash of chicken broth
- Fresh Herbs and Spices
- Sour Cream
- Shredded Cheese
- Cream Cheese
- Flavored Butters
- Minced Garlic
- Ranch Dressing
- Diced Raw Onion
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This page contains affiliate links. Click on the highlighted text in a post to explore a product. If you purchase through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). I ONLY EVER ENDORSE PRODUCTS THAT I TRULY LOVE. Thank you for your support!
Nutrition Information
Yield
3Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 146Total Fat 16gSaturated Fat 10gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 42mgSodium 836mgCarbohydrates 1gFiber 0gSugar 1gProtein 1g
Note: For exact nutritional information, consult your dietitian. All nutritional information is simply a guideline.
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These were so yummy!
I am glad you suggest a masher for them, as I cannot stand potatoes that hav e been mashed with a mixer. I find them gluey. But mashed with a masher they are light and fluffy. SO GOOD!
THANK YOU
I feel the same way. A masher is best!
This was the best mashed potatoes I have ever made! Thank you for all the tips!
Good old mashed potatoes – one of my husband’s favourites! Used your recipe to teach my daughter how to make it because she wanted exact measurements. And it worked out really well!
These mashed potatoes turned out perfectly, creamy and light! I appreciated all the different flavor pairings you suggested too.
I am glad that you like my homemade mashed potatoes recipe! We love to mix things up every once in a while and add something to the mashed potato recipe. It can really change the side dish recipe!