The Best Mashed Potatoes

We love potatoes around here and mashed potatoes is one of our favorite recipes. And, I like to think these are the best mashed potatoes.

A Super Easy Mashed Potatoes Recipe

The recipe is super easy to make and the potatoes turn out creamy, buttery, and perfect every time.

Homemade Mashed Potatoes

Homemade mashed potatoes are one of our favorite side dishes, especially around the holidays. They are inexpensive, super easy to make, and can feed a crowd.

My son helped with this recipe and was gracious enough to peel the potatoes for me. Once he peeled the potatoes, I cut them up, boiled them, mashed them, and they were done.

You can make mashed potatoes for a side dish at Thanksgiving and Christmas (or any meal in between).

And, if you have leftovers you can make loaded mashed potatoes, fried mashed potato balls, mashed potato salad, potato pancakes, crispy potato cakes, and so much more.

If you love these potatoes, give loaded mashed potatoes a try with cheese, bacon, and plenty of butter.

What Ingredients Do I Need To Make Creamy Mashed Potatoes?

• Russet potatoes
• Water
• Butter
• Milk
• Salt and pepper

How To Make Mashed Potatoes

1. Start by peeling and dicing potatoes.
2. Add the potatoes to a large pot and cover with water.
3. Bring to a boil and cook until you can easily insert a fork into the potato.
4. Drain the water from the pan.
5. Let the potatoes sit in the pan for a few short minutes to help evaporate a little bit of water.
6. Pour the potatoes into a bowl and mash.
7. Add the butter, milk, salt, and pepper and continue mashing.
8. Serve.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Start by peeling and dicing the potatoes. Then, place them in a large cooking pot and cover with water. Bring the potatoes to a boil.

Cut the potatoes so that they are about two to three inches in diameter. I try to keep my pieces somewhat similar in size so that the smaller pieces don’t get waterlogged before the larger pieces soften.

Once you add the potatoes to the pot, add enough water to cover the potatoes.

Boil the potatoes until you can stick a fork easily through the potato pieces. Drain the water and let them sit in the hot pan for a minute or two to let some of the water evaporate.

I have a strainer that I pour the potatoes into while draining the water. Then, I put the potatoes back into the pot and let them sit there for a couple of minutes.

Pour the potatoes into a large glass bowl, add the butter, and start mashing.

Some people prefer using a hand masher, but I like to use a hand mixer because it makes things a little easier. Either one will work fine.

If you love lumps in your mashed potatoes, mash by hand, but if you prefer more creamy potatoes, use a hand mixer.

If you choose to use the hand mixer, just mix until creamy and then stop, to avoid making the potatoes gluey.

Next, pour the milk into the bowl. Add the salt and pepper and mix well and serve.

Potatoes are so easy to fix and always so delicious. You can also add more butter, sour cream, cream cheese, or anything that will add to the flavor of the potatoes.

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Just cover with plastic wrap or a sealed container. You can reheat them in the microwave or in the oven in an oven-safe container.

The Best Potatoes for Mashed Potatoes

I personally like russet potatoes for mashing because I like the flavor and the fact that they are bigger.

But, a lot of people like to use Yukon Gold potatoes. Yukon Gold potatoes are a little more buttery in flavor and tends to be a little bit creamier.

It all comes down to preference.

Other delicious and easy side dishes:

• Jiffy cornbread with creamed corn is one of our favorite dishes around here and it’s super easy to make.
• Moist Jiffy cornbread is a big hit on the blog and you’ll want to keep making this recipe again and again.
• Mouthwatering Copycat Chick-Fil-A coleslaw is a super easy recipe to make.
• Macaroni and cheese are always a popular dish.
• Sweet potato casserole is always a huge hit around the holidays.
• Funeral potatoes are one of those side dishes that are popular with everyone (even the picky crowd).

Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Check out the mashed potatoes recipe below, grab those ingredients, and start cooking! This is a delicious side dish that everyone will love.

Then, share your comments below and share a picture of your dish on the Pinterest Pin!  If you made any changes or added something different, be sure to share it with us so we can try it, too!

Find more delicious recipes at Julia’s Simply Southern, and South Your Mouth.