Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe (2024)

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My Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe is a classic comfort food that elevates every meal! Rich, velvety, and buttery, they are just heavenly. Making the perfect mashed potatoes is an art form, and by following my guide, you’ll perfect every step! Ready in just 45 minutes using simple ingredients and instructions.

Creamy Mashed Potato Recipe

My family is crazy about these mashed potatoes, and requests them for Sunday Supper over and over! They hold a special place at our dinner table and are just as important to get right as the main dish.

Now and then I like to mix it up for them, which means testing new ways to make mashed potatoes… and let me tell you, this is the best mashed potatoes recipe ever. It’s so easy!

These buttery mashed potatoes are so smooth. They make great leftovers and are just waiting for all your favorite add-ins, like chives or green onions on top. Creamy mashed potatoes are the ultimate comfort food!

I tried this paired w/ a crockpot chicken & gravy recipe and it was goooood! I’d definitely make this again 👍

Katie on Pinterest

I tried it! It was delicious and will definitely be making again!

Mariam on Pinterest

Creamy Mashed Potato Recipe Ingredients

• Potatoes: When making these creamy mashed potatoes, I tend to find russet potatoes give the fluffiest results. However, you can also use red potatoes or Yukon gold if you prefer. They are sure to taste amazing!
• Butter: I recommend using unsalted butter, but you can use salted butter, too. Just make sure to add less salt to the seasoning mix if you use salted butter.
• Salt and Pepper: The seasoning for these potatoes is a simple mix of salt and pepper. I recommend using kosher salt or Maldon sea salt flakes and freshly cracked black pepper.
• Whole Milk: I’m using whole milk for this recipe to keep the dish rich without being overly heavy. Cream has a higher fat content than milk, which weighs down the potatoes when paired with butter. This makes milk a better choice than heavy cream for mashed potatoes.
• Fresh Parsley (Optional): Chopped, for garnish! This is optional, but I love using fresh parsley for a little pop of vibrant green. You can also use sliced green onions or a combination of both, if you like.
• Melted Butter (Optional): Additional melted butter adds extra flavor to the dish, but this is optional.

How to Make Creamy Mashed Potatoes

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 5 Tablespoons of salt, then bring it back to a boil.
   
2. Add diced potatoes to the water. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook for 20 to 25 minutes until fork-tender, but not mushy. You should be able to easily pierce them with a fork.
   
3. Drain the water from the pot when the potatoes are ready.
   
4. Using a hand mixer on low, whip the potatoes until they are crumbly. Dry mixing, which is mixing before you add any butter or milk, will make fluffier potatoes!
   
5. Once crumbly, add half a stick of chopped butter and continue to mix until fully incorporated and the potatoes are creamy. While continuing to whip the potatoes, slowly pour in milk and season with salt and pepper.
   
6. Add in additional melted butter for taste, if desired. Give it a final mix with a spoon, then serve!

Tip: You can also use a potato ricer to mash potatoes. This gives a delectably smooth and creamy texture I guarantee you will love.

How to Make Mashed Potatoes Creamy

The number one key to making creamy mashed potatoes is adding the milk and butter at the right time, and carefully mixing them in. Follow these tips for the creamiest potatoes:

• Slowly add milk while mixing, so it doesn’t spatter everywhere.
• Heat your milk before adding it to your potatoes for best results. If you’re using fresh herbs you can heat them in the milk for deeper flavor.
• To prevent gummy mashed potatoes, avoid over-mixing or under-mixing your potatoes, and don’t use a hard boil to cook them. Boil the water, then lower the heat to a simmer, for best results.
• Extra butter mixed in after mashing makes these creamy potatoes even creamier, or top it all off with garlic butter sauce for an unbelievable flavor combination!
• Stir your potatoes after draining them, before adding your butter and milk. This will remove any excess water from the potatoes. You want to always make sure to mash the potatoes first, then add the dairy to mix through. This gives you the creamiest potatoes.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes Variations

• Cream cheese adds additional creaminess to the dish that is extra special when using sliced green onions or chives.
• Cheddar cheese can be mixed into the potatoes to imbue them with cheesy flavor.
• Sour cream adds a rich tang to the mashed potatoes my family loves!
• Fresh herbs, like rosemary or thyme, are great additions to creamy mashed potatoes.
• Top them off with crumbled air fryer bacon or even candied bacon. It’s amazing!

How Long to Boil Potatoes for Mashed Potatoes

You will need to boil the potatoes for 20-25 minutes for potatoes perfect to make the creamiest mashed potatoes. Bring the water to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer after adding the potatoes.

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

The best part about this recipe for mashed potatoes is how easy it is to make them ahead of time. For the holidays, there’s nothing like having your side dishes ready to go before the big event. It saves so much time and stress to have these potatoes ready to pop in the oven before any guests arrive!

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Add mashed potatoes to a casserole dish if they are not already in one.
3. Whisk 1 egg. Brush the egg over the top of the mashed potatoes.
4. Bake for 30 minutes or until the top is slightly toasted.
5. Serve and enjoy the best make-ahead mashed potatoes ever!

To make mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot, follow the instructions for my Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes recipe.

Best Potatoes for Mashed Potatoes

The best potato for mashing is Yukon Gold potatoes or Russet potatoes for how dense but smooth and flavorful they both are. Waxy potatoes and starchy potatoes always work best.

Dairy-Free Mashed Potatoes Instructions

To make dairy-free mashed potatoes (which also makes them vegan), use vegan butter and reserved cooking water from boiling the potatoes instead of milk.

When boiling the potatoes, reserve 2 cups of the cooking liquid before draining. You can use cooking water as a substitute for milk.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe FAQ

Storing Mashed Potatoes

1. Cool Down: Allow the mashed potatoes to cool to room temperature after you’ve made them.
2. Transfer: Transfer the mashed potatoes into an airtight container. Ensure that there is some space at the top of the container to accommodate any expansion as the potatoes freeze or chill.
3. Seal: Seal the container tightly to prevent air from getting in. You can also cover the surface of the mashed potatoes with plastic wrap or parchment paper to create a barrier that helps prevent moisture loss and the formation of a skin.
4. Label and Date: Label the container with the date so you can keep track of how long they’ve been stored.
5. Refrigerate or Freeze: You have two options for storing mashed potatoes:
   • Refrigeration: Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
   • Freezing: If you want to store them for a longer period, place them in the freezer. Mashed potatoes can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.

Reheating Mashed Potatoes

1. From the Refrigerator:
   • Scoop out the desired amount of mashed potatoes into a microwave-safe bowl.
   • Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.
   • Heat in the microwave at medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until heated through. Cooking times may vary depending on your microwave, so check for desired temperature.
   • Alternatively, you can reheat them in a saucepan on the stovetop. Heat on low-medium heat, stirring frequently until they are hot.
2. From the Freezer:
   • Remove the mashed potatoes from the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
   • Once thawed, follow the same reheating instructions as above for mashed potatoes from the refrigerator.
3. For a Creamier Texture: To maintain or restore a creamy texture, you can add a little extra milk or cream while reheating and stir until the desired consistency is achieved. Be sure to taste and adjust for seasoning, as frozen or refrigerated mashed potatoes may require additional salt and pepper.

What to Serve with Mashed Potatoes

• Pork Chop recipes
• Beef Milanesa
• Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
• Boneless Prime Rib Roast
• Beef Chuck Roast

This recipe makes a great side dish for the holidays. Pair it with my other Side Dishes for Ham, Side Dishes for Prime Rib, or Christmas Side Dishes, like my Candied Yams!

📋 Recipe