The Cozy Cookbook is here! Creamy Homemade Mashed Potatoes are the best side dish idea for any night of the week! The steps are easy to follow and have basic ingredients like butter and sour cream with optional additions like garlic and Parmesan cheese!
BONUS: Learn my make-ahead method and instructions for freezing and reheating!
Be sure to try my vegetable casserole recipe next!
Homemade Mashed Potatoes
There are few things better than perfect, creamy, homemade mashed potatoes.
There are a ton of different ways to make mashed potatoes. From the type of potato you use, if and how you slice them, how long you boil them, and even how you mash them!
Are you ready to learn the secret to making the best mashed potatoes?! Let’s do it!
How to Make the Best Homemade Mashed Potatoes
Use a Starchy Potato:
- Yukon Golds or Russets are perfect for mashing. You can also use a combination of both!
- Using waxy potatoes such as red or new potatoes can cause your mashed potatoes to have a gluey consistency as opposed to being nice and creamy.
Cut the Potatoes into 3/4-inch Slices:
- This allows them to cook evenly. Some say to boil whole potatoes to prevent them from absorbing too much water, but they cook unevenly this way.
- You can choose to leave the skins on or off, or you can leave some of them on. Just be sure to scrub them thoroughly if leaving the skins on.
Use COLD Water, slowly bring to a gentle boil:
- This ensures that the potatoes cook evenly. Otherwise the middle will be hard and the outside will be soft.
Salt the water once it’s reached a boil:
- This is the best way to evenly season the potatoes all the way through, you can always add more salt at the end. You’ll use about 1 teaspoon of salt per pound of potatoes.
Let the Steam Rise after Draining:
- Once you’ve drained the potatoes, return them to the warm pot and let them steam for 5 minutes, this will allow excess moisture that the potatoes absorbed to steam off.
Don’t Add Cold Ingredients to Warm Potatoes:
- Make sure the half and half, sour cream, and butter are all room temperature. This ensures the potatoes are able to fully absorb them which makes them extra creamy.
Add Butter Before the Half and Half/Sour Cream:
The butter helps to coat the starch and gives you a silkier consistency.
Don’t Over-Mash:
- Potatoes release starch every time they’re handled/mashed. Too much starch leads to a gluey, gummy consistency.
- A dual-action potato masher works well for this. Avoid any type of electric mixer as they will go from creamy to gluey very quickly.
Here’s What The Process Looks Like:
How Many Potatoes Per Person
- While 1/2 lb. of potatoes is enough to prepare per person, I like to use .85 pounds per person to ensure that there is plenty to go around.
- Any leftover mashed potatoes can be used to make my Baked Potato Soup or Mashed Potato Casserole.
Can You Peel Potatoes Ahead of Time
Yes, this is a great shortcut when you’re entertaining. Place peeled and sliced potatoes in a pot and submerge them in cold water. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
Make-Ahead Method
If you prefer to boil and mash your potatoes ahead of time so that you only need to reheat them:
- Add an extra 1-2 Tablespoons butter.
- Stir in 2-3 additional Tablespoons warmed half and half, (preferably whole), at the end of cooking. Cover the pot and refrigerate for 1-2 days.
- Let it sit out for 1 hour prior to reheating.
How to Reheat Mashed Potatoes
Stirring occasionally is ideal of all methods below. Add a little warm half and half if the potatoes appear too thick.
- Slow Cooker: Low heat for 1-2 hours. Reduce to warm until ready to serve.
- Microwave: 50% power in 1-minute intervals, covered, until heated through. Stir in between.
- Oven: Cover and cook at 350° for 30 minutes.
- Stove: Medium-low heat for about 20 minutes, covered.
Freezing Leftovers
If you plan on freezing leftovers, be extra generous with the half and half and butter. Per The Kitchn, this helps them freeze and reheat well.
Freezing the whole batch:
- Place all of your cooled leftover potatoes into a freezer bag, remove air, seal tightly, and freeze.
Freezing Portion Sizes:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Use a measuring cup to scoop 1-cup portion sizes onto the sheet.
- Flash freeze for 1 hour.
- Transfer to a freezer Ziploc bag. Best if used within 3 months.
Reheating Frozen Potatoes:
- Let the potatoes thaw in the fridge overnight or defrost in the microwave. Then refer to reheating instructions above.
Tools For This Recipe
(Amazon affiliate links)- Check out all of my kitchen essentials here.
- Dual-Action Potato Masher– This is the kind that I use, it has 2 sets of heads to ensure that you get the best mash each time, which makes it much easier to avoid over-mashing your potatoes.
- 4.5 quart enameled cast iron Dutch oven– This is the one that I have and it’s a great size for this recipe.
- Large Colander– this is the one I have and is perfect for these potatoes.
What to Serve with Homemade Mashed Potatoes
-
- Creamy Garlic Chicken
-
- Easy Brown Gravy
-
- Smothered Chicken
-
- Country Fried Chicken
-
- Chicken Fried Steak
-
- Salisbury Steak
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Tried This Recipe?
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Homemade Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
Note: See recipe notes section for optional ingredient additions
- 3.5 lbs. Yukon Gold potatoes*, about 4 large potatoes, each about .85 lbs.
- 3.5 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste at the end
- 6 Tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup half & half
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add the half and half and sour cream to a small bowl and whisk to combine. Set it aside and allow it to come to room temperature. It shouldn't be cold when added to the potatoes.
- Peel each potato and give them a quick rinse to remove any dirt/residue from the peel. Cut into 3/4-inch slices and place in a large pot. Add cold water until they're all submerged.
- Slowly bring to a gentle boil, do not boil rapidly. This ensures the potatoes cook evenly and prevents them from falling apart. Once a soft boil is reached, add 3.5 teaspoons salt.
- Cook for 25 minutes or until the potatoes are very fork tender, don't undercook or they'll be lumpy when mashed. Turn heat off.
- Drain all of the water. Let the potatoes sit in the warm pot for 5 minutes to allow most of the steam to escape.
- Add the butter to the potatoes and allow it to gradually melt.
- Drizzle ¾ of the half & half/sour cream over the mashed potatoes and sprinkle with pepper. Mash with a potato masher (not an elective mixer), until soft and creamy. Don’t over mash or the consistency will become gluey. Add remaining dairy only if a slightly creamier texture is desired.
- Taste and add more salt/pepper if needed. Transfer to a serving dish and serve!
Notes
*Russet potatoes or a combination of both can also be used.
Optional Ingredient Additions
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese, add with the sour cream/half & half.
- 4-5 cloves fresh garlic, minced. Heat with a little olive oil in a small saucepan for 1 minute.
- ¾ teaspoon chicken better than bouillon, stir in at the end, use unsalted butter if you plan on adding this.
- Bacon & Cheddar Cheese
- Green onions, to garnish
- A side of my 10 minute Brown Gravy!
My family all raved about my mashed potatoes last year thanks to your tips!!! I have never left the dairy out to warm up a bit before adding to the potatoes but it made such a difference in taste!!! These tips of yours seem small but I gotta say…the family notices the difference. I will keep referring to your recipes every holiday! Thank you Cozy Cook!!!
I’m so happy the family enjoyed the mashed potatoes! It’s funny how some small tips make a big difference. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!❤️
Would I have to double the ingredients if I make for more then 4 people?
If you hover over the serving size on the top middle of the recipe card, there is a slider that you can adjust up or down, to cook for more or less people, and the ingredients will automatically update! (But yes, doubling works well!)
I made them instead of half/half i used to whipping cream and they were velvety anc rich with flavor. Thank you for your recipe. They were vey tasty and delicious.
I’m so happy you enjoyed the mashed potatoes Kiwanis!❤️ Thanks so much for the comments and for taking the time to leave a review!
Awesome Blog post. I’ve been making mashed potatoes for 45 years and never knew the tips you have above. Crazy.. Now I know why sometimes my mashed potatoes don’t come out right. I generally use russet potatoes, or plain white potatoes. Now I know why the red potatoes didn’t come out so well. And as for steaming them? Who knew?!? Thanks so much for the tips. I’m saving your page to refer back to.
Hey Laura! I’m so happy to hear that you found the information helpful, I was amazed myself when I learned this info, and definitely spent years of my life making some classic mistakes! 🙂 Thank you for your comment and I look forward to you checking out more of my recipes! Take care! -Stephanie
These are the BEST mashed potatoes ever! My entire family is floored!
I’m so happy to hear that!😃 My family loves this one too! Sometimes we each grab a spoon and just stand over the pot and eat. Thanks so much for the review!
Made this last night with yellow potatoes. Really yummy and creamy. Only needed the 3/4 portion of the milk-sour cream mixture. Made a double batch and freezing a portion for another day.
I’m so happy you like the mashed potatoes Alice! I take a lot of pride in my mashed potatoes since it’s my favorite side dish!😃 Thanks so much for the review!❤️
Best mashed potatoes ever! So creamy and smooth! Never use a box agsin. ❤️
Thanks so much!!!😃 It’s amazing how much better homemade is! This is the only way I make mashed potatoes now!
Mashed potatoes are one of my favorite side dishes. BUT, they MUST be good. Buttery, smooth and creamy potatoes. However, I’m not good at making them.
The recipe says half and half, but in the blog it says preferably whole. Please clarify.
Hey! I’m excited for you to try this recipe, you’ll be able to nail them with this one! I’d love to know how it goes for you, you’ll want to use half and half. Enjoy!!
These were super good, definitely my new go-to recipe for mashed potatoes. Thank you. -Cassidy
So happy to hear that Cassidy!!!
These are the BEST mashed potatoes I’ve ever made. I could never understand why my potatoes would sometimes end up gluey, other times lumpy, other times dry…I had no idea about the tips you shared, now it all makes sense! This is definitely my new go-to mashed potato recipe.
Hey Samantha, that’s so great to hear! I spent a lot of time in my early days of cooking making some of those classic mistakes so I’m so glad I could help you out!