Oftentimes, side characters steal the show, and this homemade mashed potatoes recipe is a perfect example of that!
Mashed potatoes are a popular side dish generally served alongside meat or vegetables. Their rich, creamy texture and buttery flavor make them the perfect complement to a wide variety of main courses. Depending on the recipe, mashed potatoes can also be a little salty, garlicky, or cheesy, adding extra layers of flavor to the overall meal.
The ingredients for making mashed potatoes are pretty basic- Potatoes, Milk, Butter, and Garlic. But let’s face it, even with these simple ingredients, things get screwed up pretty fast sometimes! For example, I have made mashed potatoes that were too lumpy or not creamy enough. The other day, I made a batch that was completely bland- no taste at all!
After troubleshooting some common issues and exploring the best solutions, here I am with a foolproof recipe that delivers creamy, fluffy mashed potatoes every time! Get ready to enjoy the convenience of a recipe that’s not just good but truly practical and delicious.
What Are The Best Potatoes For Mashed Potatoes Recipe?
It’s important to choose the right variety of potatoes for this recipe. I recommend using Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes for the best results. However, you can use any starchy varieties of potatoes that yield creamy and fluffy textured mashed potatoes.
Red potatoes, for example, have a waxy texture and produce a creamy, dense mash. If you want your mashed potatoes to be slightly sweeter, red potatoes are a good choice. You can also use white potatoes for a smooth texture and purple potatoes for a splash of color and earthy tone in your dish.
Tips To Make The Best Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Making mashed potatoes can sometimes seem challenging, and making some mistakes along the way is normal. To help you save time and trouble, I have put together some helpful troubleshooting tips so that you can handle any issue confidently and make perfect mashed potatoes every time.
- It’s important to choose the right variety of potatoes for this recipe. I recommend using Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes for the best results.
- While preparing potatoes, make sure you slice them into uniform sizes and peel the potatoes. This ensures all the pieces become tender at the same time and prevents a mix of undercooked and overcooked potato chunks.
- Drain the water properly before mashing the potatoes. Then, return the drained potatoes to the pot and heat the pot on the stove for 1 minute so that the potatoes dry out completely; otherwise, they will be runny.
- To get smooth and creamy mashed potatoes without lumps, you should use a good-quality potato hand masher or ricer. Alternatively, you can also use an electric mixer for this purpose. However, use the hand mixer on low speed and be careful not to over-mix, as that would make the potatoes gummy.
- If your mashed potatoes are too thick, use warm milk or melted butter to adjust the consistency. If they are too thin, cook them slowly to reduce the liquid.
- Mashed potatoes are best served immediately. Always taste and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper before serving.
What To Serve With This Creamy Mashed Potatoes(Side Dish)
Mashed potatoes are a popular side dish generally served alongside meat, chicken, or vegetables. Their rich, creamy texture and buttery flavor make them the perfect complement to various main courses. Depending on the various mashed potato recipe types, you can serve your main course. Here are some of the main dishes you can serve with mashed potato:
- Roast Chicken or Turkey
- Grill or pan-seared steak
- Meatloaf or meatballs
- Baked or grilled fish
- Roasted bean salad
- Asparagus, Grilled zucchini
- Summer salads, vegetable balls, etc.
Recipe Card
Make The Best Mashed Potatoes Recipe Every Time
Ingredients
- 1 kg / 1,000 g Yukon Gold Potatoes
- 1 tbsp / 18 g Salt
- ¼ cup / 57 g Butter
- 1 tbsp / 8 g Garlic (Minced)
- 1 cup / 250 ml Milk
- Salt (To Taste)
- Black Pepper (To Taste)
For Garnish
- Extra Butter Pieces
- Coriander
- Black Pepper
Equipments
Instructions
Cut and Soak Potatoes
- Select 1 kg of either Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes and peel them.
- Cut the potatoes into large chunks by first slicing them in half, then cutting each half into quarters.
- Place the potato chunks into cold water to prevent them from browning.
Drain and Cook The Potatoes
- Drain the soaked potatoes and place potatoes in a large pot.
- Add enough water to the pot to cover the potatoes about 1 inch.
- Sprinkle 1 tbsp of salt over the potatoes. Stir to dissolve the salt into the water.
- Heat the pot over high heat until the water comes to a boil.
- Once the water starts to boil, reduce the heat to simmer and boil the potatoes until fork-tender. You can test this by inserting a fork through a chunk of potato. If the fork goes through easily, the potatoes are done.
Dry Out and Mash Potatoes
- Use a strainer to drain the potatoes.
- Return the drained potatoes to the pot and heat the pot on the stove for 1 minute so that the potatoes dry out completely.
- Give the potatoes a stir and transfer them into a mixing bowl.
- Mash the potatoes using a potato masher until it’s smooth.
Prepare Milk and Butter Mixture
- Place a pan on the stove over medium heat.
- Add ¼ cup of butter to the pan. Stir with a spatula until it melts.
- Add 1 tbsp of minced garlic to the melted butter.
- Saute the garlic for 30 seconds.
- Pour 1 cup of milk into the pan. Heat the milk until it’s warm.
Combine and Season
- Remove from the heat and gradually add the milk and butter mixture to the bowl of mashed potatoes. Stir continuously with a spatula to combine evenly.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir to mix everything properly.
Garnish and Serve!
- Transfer the mashed potatoes to a serving bowl.
- Garnish with extra unsalted butter pieces, coriander, and additional black pepper if desired.
Video
Have you finished cooking? Grab a spoon, take a taste, and let me know if it’s as delicious as I am describing it to be! This easy to make recipe is carefully crafted with troubleshooting in mind so that you can enjoy cooking(and mashing!) without worrying about common mistakes.
Try this best homemade mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving, family get-togethers, parties, and don’t forget for yourself. You can give yourself a special treat by making this amazing homemade mashed potatoes recipe. Please let us know how you make this recipe.
Recipe FAQs
If your mashed potatoes are dry, try adding warm milk or melted butter to the mashed potatoes until you reach your desired thickness.
Mashed potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Add more whole milk or butter to the dish to adjust its thickness when reheating.
You can add more flavor to the mashed potatoes by adding herbs, cream cheese, sour cream, heavy cream, yogurt, and seasonings.
