Do you love mashed potatoes? Learn the difference between mashed, smashed, and whipped potatoes, as well as tips on how to make each kind extra super tasty!
Potatoes are one of those things that people expect to be served during Thanksgiving. Who can blame them, right? When they are seasoned well and slathered in butter, potatoes can quickly become a show-stealer. Heck, even when they arent seasoned well and slathered in butter Ill happily eat them – after all, I will always be a carbohydrate kid.
I grew up calling all forms of potatoes that were not still whole, “mashed”; it turns out Ive actually been eating whipped potatoes my whole life. Who knew? You probably did, but I most certainly didnt. So, Ive set aside this entire post to talk about the differences between mashed, smashed, and whipped (aka: creamed) potatoes. Ive also given you some tips for how to make each one the best they can be!
I love many foods, but I REALLY love potatoes! P.S. The title photo plus the one at the end are courtesy of Dani White Photography. Shes amazing and you should go check her out – or book a session, whichever
Mashed potatoes can have butter and perhaps a bit of milk. Creamed (or whipped) potatoes are beaten with an electric mixer — or one of those old-time hand-held manual mixers — and they have lots of butter and cream to create a smoother texture.
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What is the Difference Between Mashed and Smashed Potatoes?
When it comes to potatoes, the first type of Thanksgiving potato that pops into peoples minds are mashed potatoes. They are smooth, delicious, creamy, and a marvelous side dish that is easy to reheat – making it an ideal addition to the feast since you can make it ahead. But did you know that all this time you may have actually been making “smashed” potatoes?
Smashed potatoes are the unrefined cousins of mashed potatoes; the family calls them “rustic” but what they’re really thinking is “dirty hillbilly”.
- Type. One of the nice things about smashing potatoes, is that as long as it is throughly cooked, you can smash almost any kind of potato you want – including waxy varieties like reds, fingerlings, purples, and even heirloom potatoes.
- Bake. When you boil potatoes, you lose a lot of the important iron and fiber that is in the skins, and since you are keeping the skins on, why not preserve as much of the quality as possible, right? Baking them helps preserve those nutrients. Plus, it helps give it a richer and toastier flavor.
- Dont Overwork. The most important thing is that you dont overwork the potatoes. The more you work them, the smoother they become, and all of the sudden you are serving mashed potatoes that happen to have the skins on them.
- Tools. My favorite thing about smashed potatoes is that you dont need any fancy tools to get the job done. If you have a potato masher, one or two well-pressured pushes will do the job admirably, but you can also do it just as well with a fork, a meat tenderizer, or the bottom of a pan (covered in plastic wrap to protect your food, of course)
- Milk & Butter. Smashed potatoes are a great low-fat alternative because they dont need a lot of additional ingredients like mashed potatoes do since a “creamy” texture is not what youre going for. If you do decide to add milk, butter, etc… make sure they are already warmed before adding them to prevent overworking your potatoes.
- Flavorings. You can quickly spice up a normal smashed potato and make it something special by baking it with additional spices or flavorings, like garlic, cayenne, or even cajun seasoning. Or, you can mix in some bluecheese and caramelized onion at the end! Yum!
Not All Mashed Potatoes Were Created Equally
FAQ
What is the meaning of whipped potatoes?
What’s the difference between mashed potatoes and smashed potatoes?
Why do whipped potatoes get gummy?
Is heavy whipping cream the same as half-and-half mashed potatoes?
What is the difference between mashed and mashed potatoes?
Whipped- potatoes are blended, so they have a smoother consistency. Mashed potatoes are just mashed, with a masher, with or without cream/milk/butter. Creamed potatoes are mashed first, then have lots of cream & butter added and are pureed with an electric blender or something like that. Whipped potatoes?
What is the difference between smashed potatoes and whipped potatoes?
Smashed potatoes initially appear to be less decadent. They have a lot of texture, and for this reason chefs tend to pair smashed potatoes with rich meat dishes, while reserving the unctuous mashed or whipped potatoes for seafood and more delicate meats.
What is whipped mashed potatoes?
Whipped Mashed Potatoes is a heavenly creation takes your ordinary spuds to a whole new level of deliciousness. With its light and fluffy texture, these potatoes practically melt in your mouth.
Do whipped mashed potatoes melt in your mouth?
With its light and fluffy texture, these potatoes practically melt in your mouth. Whether you’re serving them as a holiday staple or indulging in some comfort food on a rainy day, these whipped mashed potatoes are sure to steal the show and leave everyone begging for seconds.