by HollyHow to Make Mashed Potatoes that come out perfectly creamy every time! These are truly the best mashed potatoes.
Potatoes are my kryptonite (ok, potatoes and Stuffing). When I go low carb, I have no problem passing up pasta or sugar but I need my buttery creamy potatoes. Homemade mashed potatoes are an easy side dish and go perfectly with Mushroom Salisbury Steak or Crock Pot Pork Chops!
Potatoes are great however they’re prepared – baked potatoes, fried potatoes, and or in a Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole. Homemade mashed potatoes are at the top of my list!
What Kind of Potatoes for Mashed Potatoes
This is an easy mashed potato recipe but it’s important to start with the right kind of potatoes. A starchy potato such as a Russet or Idaho potato is ideal, Yukon gold makes great mashed potatoes too. I sometimes like to leave some of the skin on if I’m using a Yukon gold potato, I love the texture it adds to the mashed potatoes.
How To Make Mashed Potatoes
Mashed Potatoes are super simple to make with very few ingredients. I love making Crock Pot mashed potatoes and Instant Pot mashed potatoes, but I really do think these are the best mashed potatoes ever. The real key to making the BEST creamy mashed potatoes is to get the consistency right.
Here are a few tips to make sure you are serving the best mashed potatoes:
- Drain well:
- I usually let them sit about 5 minutes or so to completely drain or even drain well and put them back in the warm pot for a few minutes to make sure all liquid is evaporated.
- Mash by Hand:
- For the very best mashed potatoes, use a hand masher or a potato ricer. Using a hand mixer, stand mixer or food processor can break down the starches in the potatoes and cause a very gluey or gummy texture. You can still get buttery smooth creamy mashed potatoes mashing by hand.
- Butter is Your Friend:.
- There are places you can skimp on butter and mashed potatoes is not one of them. I like to use salted butter and lots of it (but you can use unsalted season yourself). Butter helps your mashed potatoes get a creamy… well, buttery texture.
- Heat Your Cream:
- Heat your milk/cream before adding. This keeps the potatoes hot and absorbs better. Add cream/milk a little a a time to get the right consistency.
Cream cheese, garlic, and butter added to homemade mashed potatoes can add a delicious tang! You can really add whatever toppings you love the most, mashed potatoes are very forgiving!
How Long To Boil Potatoes For Mashed
Potatoes should always be placed in cold salted water and brought to a boil, this helps them cook evenly.
The length of time you need to boil the potatoes for entirely depends on how big they are cut. I quarter them so they generally take about 15 minutes. To check if your potatoes are ready, use a fork. If it is easy to pierce the potato, it is ready to go!
Can You Freeze Mashed Potatoes
You sure can! Frozen mashed potatoes reheat pretty well in the oven with a little milk. To freeze homemade mashed potatoes, scoop them into a plastic freezer bag. Press them out into a flat square and freeze it flat. This helps to make sure that the potatoes defrost and reheat evenly! When you reheat them, add about a tablespoon of milk per cup of mashed potatoes and stick them in the oven to reheat.
What To Do With Leftover Mashed Potatoes
I have four words for you. Loaded Mashed Potato Cakes. EVERY time I have mashed potatoes for dinner, I make sure to make extra for these perfect cakes every time.
- Loaded Mashed Potato Egg Rolls
- Shepherd’s Pie – Family favorite!
- Colcannon Recipe (Cabbage and Potatoes)
- Loaded Twice Baked Potato Casserole – Great side dish
- Garlic Ranch Mashed Potatoes
- Baked Potato Soup – Creamy and amazing!
How to Make Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 pounds potatoes russet or Yukon gold
- 1/3 cup salted butter melted
- 1 cup milk or cream
- salt & pepper to taste
- 3 cloves garlic optional
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Instructions
Peel and quarter potatoes, place in COLD salted water.
Add potatoes (and garlic if using) and cook uncovered 15 minutes or until fork tender. Drain well.
- Heat milk on the stove top (or in the microwave) until warm.
- Add butter to the potatoes and begin mashing. Pour in milk a little at a time while using a potato masher to reach desired consistency.
- Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.
Recipe Notes
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
I do my mashed the same way with one variation….I add 2 sticks of butter(1 cup) instead of a 1/3 cup…..best ever
Sounds delicious Doug, enjoy!
Hi Holly! How long do you leave the potatoes on cold water? Is it the same water you use to cook? Or you drain them and then add more water?
Hi Laura, place the potatoes in a pot of cold water and bring it to a boil. Enjoy!
This recipe worked fine but it took more like 30-40 minutes for the potatoes to cook, not 15.
If you cut the potatoes a bit smaller, it should help reduce the cook time.
No, the reason it takes longer than you said because your instructions are not clear. Step 1, you said add the potatoes to cold water. Step 2, you said add potatoes. One would know that they must be brought to a boil, but you didn’t specify that in your directions. That adds to the cooking time.
Sorry for any confusion in the instructions. Once boiling these should take about 15 minutes.
I prefer red potatoes to mash. Avoid over mashing!!
I made these for Thanksgiving and they turned out PERFECT!!!! I used half and half because that’s all I had. I usually eyeball ingredients for mashed potatoes and the results are, not surprisingly, inconsistent. Sometimes they end up gummy or too loose. I followed this recipe to the T and they were the most delicious mashed potatoes I ever made. Thank you!!!!
I am so glad these turned out! They are one of our favorite mashed potato recipes.
Would nut milk work with these mashed potatoes? Because I just realized all we have in the fridge is cashew and almond nut milk. :(
It should work just fine, it may change the flavor slightly. You could also try butter and chicken broth or evaporated milk.
Around how many potatoes is 6 lbs ? Thanks in adv :)
Potatoes can vary in size so it can depend on what type.
1 pound of potatoes is about 4 small potatoes or about 2 larger russet potatoes. I hope that gives you a gauge, keep in mind that mashed potatoes are pretty forgiving so you can adjust the milk/cream/butter to get the right consistency. Happy Thanksgiving!
This looks great! How much water should be in the pot? Enough to cover potatoes or a specific amount? Thank you.
I add enough to cover the potatoes.
Do you use whole milk 2 percent it just says milk so I wanted to make sure exactly ?
I prefer whole milk but either will work.
That is my grandma’s exact corn casserole recipe… she passed away years ago but I still make it every thanksgiving
It’s one of our favorites, I am glad you love it!
Can you give us the recipe for crockpot mashed potatoes?
You’ll find the Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes recipe here! Enjoy Lisa!
Did you use kosher salt or table salt ?
I typically use kosher salt, but use both. Both will work just fine in this recipe Katie!
What is the best way to make mashed potatoes at home and bring to a family party approx. 1 hour away and either keep warm and/or reheat without wrecking the consistency or flavor?
Covering them with foil should keep them warm. If you need to reheat, add a splash of milk to keep them from drying out.
This recipe sounds so great for my Thanksgiving dinner! How could you convert this recipe to fill 15 people?
This recipe has 10 servings. I would suggest making 1.5x the recipe (or doubling it if you’d like leftovers or extras).
what is the green in the picture, would love to add it to my mashed potatoes?
A finely chopped parsley for garnish! Enjoy :)
Can’t wait to try your recipe it sound so yummy!!!! Can you add shredded cheese to the mashed potatoes? If so, which kind do you recommend & when should it be added
You could add any shredded cheese that you enjoy. Cheddar would be great! I’d suggest adding it in just after you’ve mixed in the milk. Enjoy!
How many cups does the mashed potatoe recipe make? Thanks.
This recipe should make just over 5 cups.
These were awesome! Was perfect! I just put 1/2 cup butter instead of 1/3. I made them with my Kitchen Aide mixer. YUM. I’m going to make your shepard pie right now so they will go on the top.
So glad you loved them as much as we do Jane!
I like to boil my potatoes with skins on in order to keep all the nutrients on and under the skin. It seems like everyone or most people peel and cut potatoes to boil faster. Am I doing it wrong? Everything else you do is exactly how I make them.
It’s not wrong to boil with the skins… the great thing about cooking is that there are many different ways to make a dish! Enjoy!
hi Holly! Love all your recipes! If you opt to put the garlic in with the potatoes, do you put the cloves in whole? Do you keep them in while mashing? I mash by hand because we like lumps! TIA
I usually put them in whole (you can give them a rough chop if you’d like). I definitely keep them in while mashing!
How many servings is this ?
Erin, this makes 10 servings. You can see right above the recipe name on the recipe card :). Enjoy!!
Hi, I just made this recipe and they were the best mashed potatoes I’ve ever made. Sort of made myself sick because I kept going back for more potatoes! I used heavy whipping cream instead of milk and did opt to add the garlic with the potato’s while they cooked. So light and delicious. Thank you.
You’re welcome Lisa! So glad you love them so much!
I want to try this and your loaded mashed potato bombs! I may or may not completely LOVE potatoes haha If I have tonight I’ll do a market run so I can at least try one of these recipes tomorrow. thank you
Enjoy Bryan!