This Easy Mashed Potatoes recipe needs a place at your table this holiday season! Deliciously creamy and indulgent, you won’t want to make this side dish any other way! These Mashed Potatoes have a secret, they’re boiled in milk!
What’s in this Easy Mashed Potatoes Recipe?
The secret to beautifully creamy easy mashed potatoes is to boil the potatoes in a cream (or whole milk) and water mixture. The potatoes suck up all the goodness from the cream and result in flavorsome potatoes that are beautifully smooth.
- Heavy Cream: Adds so much extra flavor to these potatoes. You can also use whole milk.
- Water: Helps create enough liquid to boil the potatoes in.
- Potatoes: I swear by Yukon golds; they turn out fluffy, smooth, and full of flavor. You want to use a high-starch potato, so russets will also work well. Avoid waxy potatoes, like red or white varieties, as they require a lot of mashing and can become gloopy.
- Salt + Pepper: Enhance the natural flavor of the potatoes.
- Unsalted Butter: Add richness and creaminess to the potatoes.
Pro Tip: The potatoes should be boiled until fork tender. Don’t under or overcook them.
Variations on Simple Mashed Potatoes
These easy mashed potatoes are also super simple to flavor any way you like. I love to add a bit of Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley to mine, but you could stir in any fresh herbs (sage, rosemary, or thyme would be yummy), cheeses (mozzarella, cheddar, or pepper jack are my faves), or spices (like garlic powder, onion powder, or cayenne pepper) to add a bit more flavor. They’re the perfect blank slate for any meal.
Not exactly! They do provide a good amount of potassium, but they are high in carbohydrates, fat, and calories, so enjoy them in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
These potatoes should take about 15-25 minutes to cook to fork tender.
I prefer to cut my potatoes into cubes so they boil faster and absorb the milk more readily.
Yes, that’s exactly what we’re doing in this easy mashed potatoes recipe!
If you don’t have milk, heavy cream, half-and-half, or plant-based milk will work. Coconut milk is another good choice!
Using a good old potato masher works just fine for these, or you can use a food mill or ricer for a fluffier texture.
Butter helps make the potatoes richer and creamier. Without it, you may notice your potatoes seem a bit dry or crumbly.
Make sure to use a light hand when mashing to avoid the gluey texture that comes from overworking the potatoes.
Yes, these potatoes freeze well for up to 2 months!
The Best Instant Mash Potato Recipe | Do Not Use Water! Cook with Stock and Milk. See Recipe
FAQ
Can I substitute milk for water in mashed potatoes?
Are instant mashed potatoes better with milk or water?
Why do you add milk to mashed potatoes?
Do you add hot or cold milk to mashed potatoes?
Can you use water instead of milk in mashed potatoes?
You can absolutely use water instead of milk when making instant mashed potatoes. By using warm water in the mix, you’ll achieve a softer and creamier consistency, with a more buttery flavor. Additionally, you can substitute milk or half-and-half for the water if you want to add an even richer taste. How can I thicken mashed potatoes without milk?
Is it beneficial to soak potatoes in cold water?
Yes. Soaking potatoes in cold water before frying can have some benefits, such as: Remove the starch from the surface of the potatoes, so that they do not stick and become soft during frying; Hydrate the potatoes, improving moisture retention and leaving them soft inside and crispy outside; Prevent potatoes from browning, as cold water prevents surface oxidation.
What can I use instead of milk in mashed potatoes?
You can use many things instead of milk, as seen in the list above. Some of the best substitutes for milk in mashed potatoes include heavy cream, sour cream, yogurt, broth, vegan milk, etc. Why do you add milk to mashed potatoes?
Can you use evaporated milk instead of mashed potatoes?
Evaporated milk comes usually in a can. It is a type of condensed milk you can buy from the store. When using evaporated milk as a substitute for mashed potatoes you can simply open the can and add it to your mashed potatoes.