Best Homemade Mashed Potatoes Recipe

These homemade mashed potatoes are creamy and delicious. With just a few easy steps, your family can enjoy mashed potatoes from scratch.

Best Homemade mashed potatoes Recipe

If I had to choose one comfort food to enjoy, it would be mashed potatoes. There is something about each fluffy and creamy bite.

They go with just about anything and I could literally eat the entire bowl. Homemade is best so don’t even think about making boxed potatoes.

If you have been hesitant about making homemade mashed potatoes, I am going to show you how easy it is.

Once you see how simple it is to make mashed potatoes from scratch, you will be hooked!

We even have a slow cooker mashed potatoes recipe if you need another option. This is perfect for holidays.

What you’ll need to make these mashed potatoes:

Here are the kitchen utensils you’ll need to make these delicious and easy homemade mashed potatoes.

• Dutch Oven – I used a dutch oven to boil these potatoes but you can use a large stock pot as well.
• Large Colander – You’ll need a large colander to drain the potatoes after they are cooked through.
• Hand Held Mixer or Hand Masher – I used a hand held mixer to mash the potatoes but you can easily use a hand masher as well.

That’s all you need to make this easy and delicious mashed potatoes recipe.

Ingredients for homemade mashed potatoes

• Russet Potatoes
• Butter
• Milk
• Salt and pepper

How to make mashed potatoes:

First, wash and peel all of the potatoes.

Second, cut the potatoes into quartered pieces. Then put the potatoes in a large pot and add enough cold water to cover them.

Place the pot of potatoes on the stove. Bring to a boil.

Let the potatoes boil and then simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes until the potatoes are fork tender.

Then drain the potatoes and place back in the pot.

Now it is time to add the butter, milk, salt and pepper.

Finally, use an electric mixer to blend the potatoes and ingredients all together. Mix until they are light and fluffy.

You can also use a hand masher to mash the potatoes to the consistency that you like.

Serve warm and enjoy!

Do you have to peel the potatoes?

I usually peel the potatoes when I make these potatoes but you do not have to peel them.

If you choose not to peel them, wash and scrub the potatoes before boiling.

Can you peel them ahead of time?

Yes, you can. This is great for the holidays or when having company. Peel and dice the potatoes. Then cover them with water and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking and mashing them.

Do you you need to soak the potatoes before mashing them?

Some recipes suggest soaking the potatoes before boiling them and mashing them. This helps the potatoes release any excess starch.

However, I have found that this is not needed since I boil the potatoes in this recipe. Just make sure to use cold water when covering the potatoes with water in the dutch over or stock pot.

I have made these mashed potatoes many times without soaking the potatoes first and they are amazing every time. I don’t recommend it for this recipe as I don’t think it’s needed.

How Many Potatoes Per Person:

You want about one potato per person. We used 3 pounds of potatoes which is about 6 large potatoes.

This amount will feed 6 people.

What is fork tender for potatoes?

I used the phrase “fork tender” for when you know the potatoes are done cooking. What this means is that the entire potatoes are tender.

You can test this by piercing the potatoes with a fork. If the fork can easily slide to the center of the potato, this means the potatoes are done and ready to be mashed.

How to fix runny Mashed Potatoes

If your mashed potatoes end up too runny, you can actually thicken them. Check out How to Thicken Mashed Potatoes to learn more.

Leftovers:

Place any leftovers inside an air tight container in the fridge.

They will last up to 4 to 5 days.

Can you Freeze mashed potatoes?

I prefer to enjoy mashed potatoes fresh, however you can freeze mashed potatoes. We do not recommend you freeze raw potatoes, but you can freeze cooked mashed potatoes.

I liked to place my mashed potatoes in a freezer safe baking dish. I like to use a throw away foil pan.

When you are ready to use. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Place tabs of butter over the potatoes and bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes until heated through.

If the potatoes are too thick pour some milk into the baking dish and mix together until you get the consistency you like.

Check out our Can you Freeze Mashed Potatoes post for more information.

How to Reheat Mashed Potatoes:

You can use the microwave but I prefer to use the oven. Just put the mashed potatoes in a baking dish and reheat at 350 degrees F for about 20 minutes or until heated through.

Using the oven is nice. Since you are spreading the potatoes into an even layer in the dish you can top it with pieces of butter which helps the potatoes from drying out. I also add more butter and milk before reheating.

Make sure to stir everything to make sure the entire dish is heated.

Things to Add to Mashed Potatoes:

I love these homemade, creamy potatoes as is, but you also stir in some of these ingredients to change up the flavor to make these potatoes your own.

• Garlic – garlic salt, fresh garlic or minced garlic would all be delicious in these potatoes.
• Sour Cream – Or use Plain Greek Yogurt for a lower calorie option
• Cream Cheese – softened at room temperature before mixing it into the potatoes.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese or Grated Parmesan Cheese
• Seasonings – I love mixing in a ranch mix, fiesta ranch mix or Italian seasoning.

What to Serve with Homemade Mashed Potatoes

• Cube Steak and Gravy
• Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs 
• Fried Chicken
• Crockpot Salisbury Steak
• Crock Pot Turkey Breast

These are just a few ideas. I think mashed potatoes goes with just about anything!

We also like this easy white gravy or brown gravy on mashed potatoes. Yum! I’m convinced that everyone will love these potatoes.

They are the best!

Tips and tricks:

• Do not Over mix: Be careful to not over mix the potatoes. This will make them gummy instead of fluffy. I learned this the hard way.
  
• Cut the potatoes the same size: When boiling the potatoes, it is helpful if they are all the same size. It will help them cook evenly and be ready at the same time.

• Use cold water. When you add the potatoes to the pot, make sure to cover them with cold water. Using cold water will make sure that the potatoes are cooked evenly.
  
• Do not undercook the potatoes. The potatoes should be fork tender when done. Otherwise, your mashed potatoes will not be soft and fluffy.
  
• Add more butter – It really is very easy to make this homemade side dish. You can drizzle a little melted butter on top before serving if you prefer.

• Only add in warm ingredients – Sit the butter and milk out and let it come to room temperature before mixing into the potatoes. This will make sure that the potatoes can absorb these ingredients and will be extra creamy.

• Let the potatoes steam before mashing. Let the potatoes rest for approximately 10 minutes in the colander before moving them back to the pot to mash them. This allows the potatoes to dry some which will make them fluffy once they are mashed.
  

Variation ideas

• Change the Potatoes: We used regular russet potatoes in this recipe. However, Yukon gold potatoes or baby red potatoes would also be delicious. Honestly, I use whatever potatoes I can find at my local grocery store.
  
• Use Heavy whipping cream: The recipe calls for milk, but you can substitute with heavy whipping cream for even creamier mashed potatoes.
  
• Use a potato masher: If you want a chunkier mashed potatoes, use a hand potato masher instead of a hand mixer. Either way you will get the perfect mashed potatoes to your consistency.
  
• Add minced garlic – Garlic is amazing in mashed potatoes and adds an extra bump of flavor.

Print the best mashed potatoes recipe below:

More easy potatoes recipe:

• Loaded Mashed Potatoes
• Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
• Ranch Mashed Potatoes
• The Best Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe
• Crock Pot Baked Potatoes
• Leftover Mashed Potato Cakes Recipe