How to Make Mashed Potatoes at Home (Only 3 Simple Ingredients)

If you’ve been craving mashed potatoes for this week’s dinner, I’ve got you covered! Learning how to make mashed potatoes at home is easy with just a few simple steps and ingredients that will help you create a restaurant-worthy side dish every time.

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Mashed potatoes are a comforting side dish usually seen at the dinner table during the holiday season. But, they also work well with nearly any main dish, whether you create baked chicken, beef roast, or even a vegetarian meal.

That’s why I love having this recipe! Below, you’ll find tips, tricks, and information on creating delicious homemade mashed potatoes.

What Are Mashed Potatoes?

Mashed potatoes, also known as mashed taters or mash, is a dish that uses fork-tender boiled potatoes.

After you mash potatoes, you’ll mix them with salt, freshly ground black pepper, milk, and melted butter. 

They’re often served with gravy, though it’s not a requirement. There are many varieties of mashed potatoes, from cheesy mashed potatoes to garlic mashed potatoes and everything in between. 

The consistency of mashed potatoes varies depending on individual preference. Sometimes you’ll want creamy mashed potatoes without lumps.

Other times there are larger chunks of potatoes (known as smashed potatoes). There is no right or wrong with consistency; it’s purely a personal choice.

How Many Potatoes per Person?

Generally, ½ pound of potatoes (about ½ large potato) is sufficient as a serving size for one person.

However, I like to use about ¾ pound per person to account for extra hungry guests or family members. In addition, using ¾ pound of potato per person allows for second helpings of mashed potatoes.

If you find that this is not sufficient for your family, you can add another potato the next time you make mashed potatoes.

There’s no harm in having extra mashed potatoes available as there are ways you can use up the leftovers, like making fried potato pancakes. 

Part of learning how to make mashed potatoes at home is experimenting with portions, flavors, and consistency.

You can even experiment with which dairy or non-dairy products you use, like including sour cream or cream cheese for richness. 

Best Types of Potatoes for Mashed Potatoes

Using the correct type of potato when following this recipe is a major factor in creating the perfect mashed potatoes.

Though each offers a different consistency, Yukon gold potatoes and russet potatoes make the best mashed potatoes. 

Yukon Gold Potatoes

Yukon gold potatoes are my personal favorite. They provide a delicious, buttery, dense consistency when you use them for mashed potatoes.

In addition, Yukon gold potatoes have a rich flavor before adding the butter, providing an extra decadent taste once you incorporate the other ingredients.

Russet Potatoes

Russet potatoes have a higher starch content, so they’re best for fluffy mashed potatoes. Since they have more starch, they can also absorb more water. 

The potatoes can turn gummy and not appealing if you over-mash them or cook them unevenly. If using russet potatoes, try baking them in the oven instead of boiling them.

Can You Reheat Mashed Potatoes?

Yes, leftover mashed potatoes are pretty easy to reheat. You can reheat mashed potatoes using various methods, from heating them in the oven for 20 minutes at 350 degrees F to microwaving them.

However, it’s important when reheating mashed potatoes to avoid cooking them too long, as they can dry out. 

Most reheating methods require adding a small amount of butter or milk to prevent a gummy consistency or dried-out potatoes. Monitor your potatoes while they are reheating and adjust the liquids as necessary.

You should be able to recreate the same creamy, delicious consistency that you achieved after following the recipe for how to make mashed potatoes at home.

Can You Freeze Mashed Potatoes?

Yes, you can freeze mashed potatoes if you have leftovers. However, it’s necessary to include butter or a fat source when making mashed potatoes if you plan on freezing the extra. The fat will help the mashed potatoes stay creamy and keep their consistency. 

Separate the mashed potatoes into servings in baggies or smaller containers for the best results. In addition, separating the mashed potatoes makes it easier and quicker to defrost them later.

How to Store Mashed Potatoes

Once you’ve worked through the steps of making mashed potatoes, allow them to cool completely.

Then, store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. You can refrigerate mashed potatoes for 3-5 days before they are not consumable. 

Alternatively, you can follow the steps above to freeze the mashed potatoes instead of storing them in the fridge.  

Tips for Perfect Mashed Potatoes

Mastering how to make mashed potatoes at home is easy once you get the hang of it! Follow these tips and tricks to take your mashed potatoes from good to the best mashed potatoes every time.

Avoid Using Waxy Potatoes

Waxy potatoes have a low starch content and high moisture and sugar content. Avoid using waxy potatoes for mashed potatoes, as they will not absorb the butter or milk well.

In addition, waxy potatoes will provide a grainy or gummy consistency that’s unappealing. 

Keep the waxy potatoes like red bliss and baby potatoes for potato salad when you don’t want them to break down.

Start With Cold Water

Adding potatoes into already boiling water will cause them to cook unevenly. By starting the potatoes in cool or cold water, then adding heat, you allow them to cook through perfectly. 

This method allows you to skip creating potatoes that are hard/uncooked in the center and overcooked on the exterior sections.

Boil in Broth

While boiling potatoes in water is a perfectly acceptable option, cooking them in broth adds extra flavor to a homemade mashed potatoes recipe. 

Even though you are draining the broth before mashing the potatoes, they’ll have a chance to soak up the flavor of whichever broth you use as they boil. 

If you want to salt the water when boiling the potatoes, skip the extra salt for this version. Otherwise, you’ll have overly salty mashed potatoes.

Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Ingredients

Servings: 4

• 3 large yukon gold potatoes (all similar in size)
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup milk (warmed)
• salt and pepper to taste
• garnish with chives (optional)

Cookware and Tools

• Veggie peeler
• Colander
• Potato masher

How to Make Mashed Potatoes at Home (Step-by-Step)

Step 1. Wash and Peel the Potatoes

Thoroughly wash your potatoes and use a veggie peeler to remove the skin.

Step 2. Cut the Potatoes

Cut the potatoes into small, even-sized cubes. Then, place them into a small saucepot.

Step 3. Cook the Potatoes

Fill the saucepot enough to cover the potatoes with cold water. Then, place the saucepot over medium-high heat. You will boil the potatoes anywhere between 20 to 30 minutes or until they’re fork-tender.

Once the potatoes are done boiling, drain the potatoes and remove as much water as possible. Then, return the potatoes back to the saucepot.

Step 4. Mash the Potatoes

Use a potato masher to start mashing the potatoes until they’re all fairly broken up.

Then, gradually begin adding room temperature butter.

Once all of the remaining butter has been incorporated, add warm milk to the mashed potatoes until it has a fluffy, creamy texture and consistency.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately with your favorite main dishes and veggies!

You May Also Like:

• How to Cook a Baked Sweet Potato in the Oven
• Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic
• Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

The Takeaway

Learning how to make mashed potatoes at home opens the doorway for quite a few meals. Now, anytime you need a filling side dish, you can make perfect mashed potatoes at home. 

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment and star rating below! I’d love to hear from you.