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Leigh Anne Wilkes

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Home / Latest Posts / Recipes / Easy Mashed Potatoes

Easy Mashed Potatoes

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By: Leigh Anne WilkesPosted: 11/13/18Updated: 11/02/20

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bowl-mashed-potatoes

Making easy mashed potatoes doesn’t mean you have to skimp out of the flavor and creamy texture.  Making the perfect mashed potatoes is a cinch with this step by step tutorial.  Sharing all my best tips and tricks for the best mashed potatoes every time.

bowl-of-mashed-potatoes

These are a staple in most homes and are required to appear at all holiday dinners at our house.  Being married to the grandson of an Idaho potato farmer, potatoes are a frequent visitor to our table in all their variations.  I think I can honestly say my children and husband’s favorite way to eat potatoes is mashed potatoes.  I remember one year, one of my daughters requested a big bowl of them all to herself for her birthday dinner.  She didn’t want to share!

mashed-potatoes-recipe

To be totally honest with you, my husband is usually the one to make the mashed potatoes at our house.  They are not my favorite potato dish, so my family has discovered they can have them more often if they help make them!

Knowing how to make mashed potatoes is a pretty important life skill.  So today I want to walk you through the process of making perfect mashed potatoes every time and my top mashed potato making tips.

peeling -mashed -potatoes

Best Potatoes for Mashed Potatoes

The first step is deciding what kind of potatoes you will use.  We like the traditional russet but you can also use Yukon gold.  You want a starchy potato because they break down easier and make a fluffier and creamier potato. Red potatoes can be used but they are a waxier potato and don’t break down as easily. Russets are definitely the favorite at our house.  I once did a taste test between Yukon Gold and Russet and Russet won hands down!

mashed potatoes preparation

How to Make Mashed Potatoes

Your first step is to wash, peel and cut up the potatoes.  Cutting your potatoes up into even size pieces will help them cook more evenly.  I cut my potatoes into 1-1 1/2 ” pieces.  Next, fill a large pot (depending on the number of potatoes you are cooking) with cold water, yes, cold water!  Put the potatoes into the cold water and make sure the water level is 1-2 inches above the potatoes.  Bring the water to a gentle boil.  You can cover the pot to help the water boil faster.  You don’t want a hard boil, a nice gentle one will provide more even cooking and better texture to your potatoes.  Cook until the potatoes are fork tender, the fork should slide right through the potato without any resistance.  Drain the potatoes.

boiled mashed-potatoes

I like to mash my potatoes by hand with a potato masher.  You can use a mixer but you run the risk of over beating them which can cause the starch to break down too much.  You want a light and fluffy potato.  Add in butter and allow it to melt into the potatoes as you mash them.  I like to use room temperature butter.

pot-of-mashed-potatoes with butter

Next I add in some milk and whipping cream for even creamier potatoes.  Again, use milk that is room temperature for creamier and smoother potatoes.

pouring cream in mashed potatoes

I think these potatoes are best served immediately although you can refrigerate and reheat.  See below for how to reheat potatoes.

How to Reheat Mashed Potatoes

Crock Pot – my favorite way is the crock pot.  Heat them on low for 2-4 hours, stirring occasionally. The slow cooker is the perfect way to keep them warm up until serving.

Microwave- this is the easiest and fastest way to reheat.  Just place in a microwave safe bowl and heat at medium power for 4-5 minutes.  Stir halfway through.

Stove Top – this method needs the most attention.  Place in a large pan and heat on low to medium heat and stir frequently.

pot of creamy mashed potatoes

How many potatoes do I need  for mashed potatoes?

I like to plan on 1/2 pound per person.  My people love their potatoes.  A five pound bag should feed 10 people.

mashed potatoes with butter and chives

Before serving, top with some additional butter and some chopped chives for some extra flavor and texture. My family are mashed potato purists and don’t like anything more than butter, some milk and salt and pepper added to their potatoes. If you like, you can add in roasted garlic, cream cheese, grated cheese and other herbs if you want to dress up your potatoes a bit.  We keep it pretty simple at our house.

mashed-potatoes-with-butter

Check out more delicious Potato recipes:

Fresno Potatoes

Lemon Herb Roasted Potatoes

Parmesan Roasted Potatoes

For all of my other favorite kitchen products and tools visit my Amazon Store.  

Did you know I wrote a cookbook?  Check out the Holiday Slow Cooker Cookbook for 100 delicious recipes

Mashed Potatoes Recipe

4.67 from 3 votes
bowl-of-mashed-potatoes

Mashed Potatoes

Recipe From: Leigh Anne Wilkes
Making creamy mashed potatoes is easy with this step by step tutorial.  All my best tips and tricks for perfect mashed potatoes every time.
serves: 10 servings
Prep:20 minutes
Cook:15 minutes
Total:35 minutes
Rate Recipe

Ingredients

  • 5 lbs russet potatoes washed, peeled and cubed
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1/3 cup whipping cream
  • 4-6 Tbsp butter
  • salt and pepper
  • chives garnish

Instructions

  • Place cut potatoes into a large pot of cold water.  Be sure water covers the potatoes by 1 -2 inches.  Bring to a low, slow boil and boil until potatoes are tender.  A fork should slide right through them with no resistance.
  • Drain water from potatoes and return potatoes to pot.  With a hand masher, mash potatoes.  Add in butter, milk and cream to achieved desired consistency.
  • Salt and pepper to taste.
  • Garnish with chives.  Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 252kcal (13%) Carbohydrates: 41g (14%) Protein: 5g (10%) Fat: 7g (11%) Saturated Fat: 4g (25%) Cholesterol: 23mg (8%) Sodium: 58mg (3%) Potassium: 962mg (27%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 1g (1%) Vitamin A: 270IU (5%) Vitamin C: 13mg (16%) Calcium: 45mg (5%) Iron: 1.9mg (11%)
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.
Course:Side Dish
Cuisine:American
Keyword:mashed potatoes, potatoes
bowl-of-mashed-potatoes
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  1. Jamie says

    Posted on 3/29 at 1:50 pm

    Delicious!

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