Homemade mashed potatoes are an easy side dish to compliment most meals and can be made with just a few ingredients and very little effort.
Ever since I was little, mashed potatoes have been one of my favorite foods. In my opinion, they work as a side for almost any meal, and I have eaten them as a meal before. In high school, I would make a bag of instant mashed potatoes for a snack when I got home.
Although instant potatoes are quick, it’s still fairly easy to make mashed potatoes at home. Bonus: homemade mashed potatoes only require 3 ingredients. Ok, 5 if you include the salt and pepper to season. But that’s it! Just potatoes, butter, and milk.
If you can boil some water and smash stuff together you can make mashed potatoes. This recipe is the way my grandma has been making them for every family get-together for as long as I can remember.
Traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas meals include mashed potatoes so go for homemade this year. It’s easy to work the recipe into your schedule when hosting. Or, the potatoes can be made the day before and refrigerated, then reheated before serving.
Homemade mashed potatoes are a very versatile side dish. If you need it to feed a huge amount of guests, the recipe is easy to double or triple. You can also vary the texture based on how much you mash the potatoes. It’s also up to you to leave the skin on the potatoes or peel them. Each variant makes a little difference in the texture, but they are still delicious!
Serving Suggestions & Tips
- For loaded mashed potatoes, mix in a little bit of sour cream, cooked crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, and sliced green onions.
- Use sweet potatoes for mashed sweet potatoes. Mix in some brown sugar instead of salt and pepper.
- A potato masher will leave you with chunkier mashed potatoes, whereas an electric mixer will make them with a smooth and creamy texture.
- Mashed potatoes make a great side dish for a variety of meals, especially those that have gravy such as Salisbury steak, beef stew, French onion roast chicken, or Alice Springs chicken.
- Don’t forget to make mashed potatoes for the perfect comfort food dish along with your holiday meals for Thanksgiving Dinner and Christmas Dinner.
- Garnish your potatoes with parsley, black pepper, butter, or sliced green onions.
What Different Types of Potatoes Work Best for Mashed Potatoes?
A variety of potatoes will work well to make homemade mashed potatoes. They will all yield a slightly different taste, so try them out and figure out which one your family likes for the best potatoes.
- Russet Potatoes
- Baking Potatoes
- Yukon Gold Potatoes
- Baby Red Potatoes
- Yellow Potatoes
- New Potatoes
Mashed Potatoes Step by Step
Ingredients
- 2 lbs baking potatoes
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup whole milk
- salt and black pepper (to taste)
Preparation
Peel the potatoes first if you want to remove the skin. Then, cut them into one-inch chunks. The measurements don’t have to be exact, just enough so that they cook evenly and don’t take too long to soften.
Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover completely with cold water. Boil for about 15-20 minutes, until the potatoes are fork tender but still slightly firm in the center. Drain the potatoes and add them to a large mixing bowl. Pour in the milk and add the butter to the hot potatoes.
Combine everything using either a potato masher or an electric mixer.
Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve immediately.
Homemade Mashed Potato Recipe Leftovers
Storage: Let the leftover mashed potatoes cool to room temperature then place them in an airtight container. Refrigerate for 2-3 days.
Reheating: For the best results, reheat the mashed potatoes in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring often. If they are dry, add a little bit of milk, heavy cream, chicken broth, or butter.
Freezing: To freeze mashed potatoes, let them cool completely then dollop single portions onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze overnight then move the potatoes to a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to one month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Recipe
Originally Published On: October 24, 2018
Last Updated On: November 3, 2024
Creamy Homemade Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 lbs baking potatoes
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup whole milk
- Salt & Black Pepper (to taste)
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes (if desired) and cut into one-inch chunks
- Place potatoes in a large pot and cover completely with water
- Boil for about 15 minutes, until the potatoes are mostly tender with a slightly firm center
- Drain the potatoes and place in a large mixing bowl
- Add the butter and milk
- Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or electric mixer (depending on desired consistency)
- Stir in the salt and pepper
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to two days, reheating in the microwave or the oven on low
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
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I would love to make perfect mashed potatoes. Im going to try your recipe!
Mashed potatoes are one of my favorites, and they are so much better when homemade!
mashes potatoes were my favorite as a kid too! and still are haha. I will definitely be making them this thanksgiving dinner!
Mashed potatoes are still one of my favorite foods, too!
I LOVE homemade mashed potatoes. Especially during the holidays! But I have to peel them. I am a huge texture person so the peel throws me off
I understand completely! I am ok with the peels on mashed potatoes, but can’t do it on other foods.
This is exactly the type of mashed potatoes I make at home, almost as much butter as potato. I’m a huge fan because they are bound to be delicious!
Yes, definitely have to have a lot of butter on the mashed potatoes!
OMG YES to all the milk and butter in my potatoes. I think the best part about going to my inlaws is her mashed potatoes are the most amazing. Totally need to try this myself.
My grandma is the one who always made the mashed potatoes, and this is her recipe. She still makes them the same way for all the holidays!
Wow! Love this! When I go to KFC mashed potato is always include in my order. can’t wait to try this for myself.!!
Me, too! They have some of my favorite fast food mashed potatoes.
Mashed potatoes are always a yes for me. Less milk for me though, I prefer a stiffer finish. Yummers!
That’s the best part of making them yourself at home. You have control over the entire recipe and the final product.
Ooo I do love some scrummy comfort food. Mash potatoes really hit the spot for me. They are also a good addition to a Sunday lunch too xx
Mashed potatoes are the ultimate comfort food for me!
Yes! I love mashed potatoes and I’m really looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas because we always have mashed potatoes. Your recipe looks good. I like how they can be prepped and made ahead of time.
We have mashed potatoes at all the holiday meals, too!
I am pleasantly surprised to report that you were right, Stephanie – these DO taste like mashed potatoes! I LOVED them – and as an avowed cauliflower hater, that was a real shocker to me!
Oh dear I put the wrong comment on the wrong recipe! So – this is exactly how I make mashed potatoes, too! And if you are considering this recipe: these are super-yummy, but if you want a healthier version, Stephanie also has a recipe for mashed CAULIFLOWER that is as good as this mashed potato recipe (and from someone who does not like cauliflower at all, that is saying something!)
It’s ok, it happens! I’m glad to know that you enjoyed BOTH recipes! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your recipe. I really love mashed potatoes, especially with garlic and butter.
I know they are simple, but that is the best way sometimes!
We just had Thanksgiving last weekend, hope I saw this recipe sooner! Nevertheless, we can’t get enough of mashed potatoes there’s no reason to make them just because eh? These look so creamy and delicious.
Oh bummer, I forget that holidays aren’t always the same time for each country. But yes, these are great as a side with any meal or save it for Christmas dinner!
I love potatoes except mashed but I am the only one in my house. My girls and hubby enjoy mashed potatoes and I don’t make it often for them. They would love this creamy one.
My boys don’t like any type of potato, which is shocking for how much I love them! I usually make these for only my husband and me. The recipe is fairly easy and you can always cut it in half if you need to.
I love mashed potatoes so much! When I was pregnant, it was the only real craving I ever had. Lol. I usually like to add garlic to mine, but I’m Italian and add garlic to everything. 😀
I mostly craved pizza, especially in my first pregnancy. I am not Italian, but I add garlic to almost everything, too!
These mashed potatoes omg!!! I am so gonna make it this weekend, looks delicious.
Oh, they are so so good! Homemade is the best way 🙂
My niece loves mashed potatoes! My sister always tries to twist this recipe 😀 so I know she is gonna love this wonderful recipe for sure 😍❤
I have always been a mashed potato lover, too! I hope your niece enjoys my family version 🙂
I love good simple home cooked comfort food for sure. These mash potatoes looks fluffy and fab xx
This recipe makes the potatoes so fluffy and creamy. It’s the perfect comfort food.
My kids are absolutely in love with this style of cooking mash potatoes) I can attest- this is the best recipe for this dish. All my family enjoys it immensely.
For me, this really is the best recipe. I like the potatoes simple but the texture is the best part.