How best mashed potatoes recipe make mashed potatoes that are creamy, fluffy and buttery. This easy recipe will become your go-to! Perfectly creamy, buttery and fluffy homemade mashed potatoes are a favorite side dish. With tips on how to make mashed potatoes with cream cheese, sour cream, bacon and more!
Mashed potatoes are a favorite side dish, and for good reason. They’re easy to make and can elevate any meal to special occasion status. These homemade mashed potatoes are perfect for serving alongside your favorite main dishes. This mashed potatoes recipe is simple to make with just a few ingredients. Below you’ll find my tips for making perfect mashed potatoes that are deliciously creamy and flavorful.
A few small tricks really do make a big difference! If you have an Instant Pot, you’ll also love my favorite Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes. For a make ahead option, try these Crockpot Mashed Potatoes. Find more inspiration with these Thanksgiving Side Dishes. Best Potatoes for Mashing When making mashed potatoes, choose either Russet potatoes or Yukon gold potatoes. My personal favorite is Yukon gold mashed potatoes because they are rich, flavorful, and super creamy when mashed.
Russet potatoes will be lighter and fluffier. Or, get the best of both worlds and use half Yukon gold and half Russet potatoes. You can also use red potatoes, but the mashed potatoes will be heavier and less creamy and fluffy. Butter: You want the butter to be softened but not melted. Room temperature butter will melt into the potatoes easily. Salt and Pepper: You’ll add some salt to the cooking water and then more salt, to taste, after cooking.
Milk: Whole milk makes the best rich and creamy mashed potatoes, but you can use skim milk if that’s what you have on hand. Warm the milk before stirring it into the potatoes. This keeps the potatoes from cooling off too much and helps to make creamy potatoes. How to Make Mashed Potatoes Here’s an overview of the recipe steps. Find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card below.