Best Mashed Potatoes

Homemade Mashed Potatoes are a must for our Thanksgiving, Christmas, and most weeknight meals. My kids love it and with this easy side dish recipe, I can make them with simple ingredients.

If your family loves the taste of mashed potatoes as much as mine, we even have a slow cooker mashed potatoes recipe. The creamy texture makes this the best mashed potatoes recipe.

Supplies Needed

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.

With these easy kitchen tools, we will show you how to make mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

• Russet Potatoes – We love the texture of the mashed potatoes when using Russet Potatoes. But feel free to use what you prefer for the best potatoes
• Butter – We used unsalted butter
• Whole Milk – Whole milk gives the mashed potatoes gives a creamy texture

Scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

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 cloves garlic or minced garlic would all be delicious in these potatoes. Thyme is also another good option.
• Sour Cream – Or use Plain Greek Yogurt for a lower calorie option
• Cream Cheese – softened at room temperature before mixing it into the potatoes.
• Cheese – Shredded Cheddar Cheese or Grated Parmesan Cheese for a delicious variations.
• Seasonings – I love mixing in a ranch mix, fiesta ranch mix or Italian seasoning. You can even add in fresh herbs for added flavor.
• 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 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.

How to Make Homemade Mashed Potatoes

Step 1 – First, wash and peel all of the potatoes. Second, cut the potatoes into quartered pieces.

Step 2 – Then put the potatoes in a large pot and add enough cold water to cover them.

Step 3 – Place the pot of potatoes on the stove. Bring to a boil over high heat and reduce heat to medium heat. Let the potatoes boil until they are fork tender. Drain potatoes and place back in pot. Then add the butter, milk, salt and black pepper.

Step 4 – Finally, use an electric mixer to blend the potatoes, milk mixture and butter mixture all together. Mix until they are light and fluffy. I like using a spatula to scrape the sides of the pan.

• Step 8 – You can also use a hand masher to mash the potatoes to the consistency that you like or a stand mixer.
• Step 9 – Serve warm with a wooden spoon and enjoy topped with tablespoons of green onions, chives or chopped bacon.

Recipe Tips

• 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. Never mash the potatoes in a food processor or a blender.
• 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.
  

Do 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.

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 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 like a throw away foil pan or a freezer bag.

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. We have even reheated in a small saucepan on the stovetop.

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
• Oven Roasted Turkey Breast Recipe
• Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin with Peaches
• Mississippi Pot Roast
• Crockpot Beef Tips

These are just a few ideas. I think mashed potatoes goes with just about anything including as a Rotisserie Chicken Side.

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!