BEST Mashed Potatoes Recipe

This creamy mashed potatoes recipe is shockingly good! It is absolutely holiday-worthy. The folks at your table will swoon over these whipped buttery potatoes! My recipe has just 4 simple ingredients (one of which is salt), so believe me when I say it’s easy to make and serve!

Mashed Potatoes Video

Watch me whip up this simple mashed potatoes recipe and see my best tips for how to get a perfectly fluffy texture and the best flavor. Next to Roast Turkey, mashed potatoes, and Turkey Gravy are always the most popular dishes on our Thanksgiving table. In fact, I think a few family members may come specifically for the potatoes, and I don’t blame them.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe

I’ve made many mashed potato recipes over the years, from Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes to Garlic Mashed Potatoes, but I have to say this creamy Mashed Potato Recipe is king, especially for Christmas and Thanksgiving.

I first published this recipe in 2018, inspired by my friend Anna, who invited us for dinner one evening. She served us her whipped mashed potatoes recipe, and I couldn’t get enough of them, so of course, I asked her for the details. Thank you, Anna! This is the perfect side dish for a holiday table and a great addition to any menu year-round. And it’s make-ahead friendly (see my tips below)

Ingredients for Mashed Potatoes

It’s incredible that this recipe only uses 4 ingredients and still tastes so buttery, so flavorful, and so satisfying.

• Potatoes – 4 lbs (12 medium) russet potatoes, peeled. Russets or Idaho Potatoes are the best for mashed potatoes since they mash and whip into a great texture, but you can also use Yukon Gold potatoes or yellow potatoes.
• Milk – Use whole milk for the creamiest potatoes, but you can use lower-fat milk if that is what you have on hand.
• Butter – use unsalted butter at room temperature (not melted). Even if it seems like a lot –trust me. Just add in the full amount.
• Salt – Adding salt at the end keeps them from falling apart while cooking, and it’s easy to add it to taste.

How to Make Mashed Potatoes

This mashed potatoes recipe is simple, but the tips I’ve included make a big difference in taste and texture. Follow these directions, and your potatoes will be the talk of the holiday!

• Boil the potatoes – Peel potatoes and cut in half if very large. Remove knots with a small spoon or the tip of a potato peeler to get the smoothest texture. Place potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Partially cover and cook at a light boil until tender and easily pierced with a fork (about 20-25 minutes, depending on potato size). Do not overcook.

2. Drain the potatoes well, then transfer hot potatoes to the bowl of your stand mixer (or a large heat-safe mixing bowl). Mash the potatoes lightly (I use the whisk attachment or a potato masher). With the whisk attachment or an electric hand mixer, start to mix on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase the speed to medium and slowly drizzle in 1 to 1 1/4 cups HOT milk.

3. Whip the Potatoes – With the mixer on, add the softened butter 1 Tbsp at a time, be sure the butter is mostly mixed in after each addition. When the potatoes have a whipped, fluffy consistency, add 1 1/2 tsp salt, or season to taste.

Tips for the Best Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potato recipes are simple and perfect for beginners, but these tips will give you the best mashed potatoes you’ve ever had!

1. Russet potatoes must be cooked whole. I learned this awesome tip from my Mom. Russets are starchy potatoes that can fall apart or become water-filled when boiled so it takes a few minutes longer to cook them, but it’s well worth it!
2. Don’t Overcook Potatoes – this leads to water-logged and gummy mashed potatoes. Also drain well.
3. BUTTAH!! Lots of butter, and don’t skimp here. I’ve tried with less, and the recipe still works, but it’s incredible with the amount called for.
4. Butter must be softened, not melted. The butter’s flavor changes when it’s softened, and it incorporates beautifully into the potatoes, leaving them silky, silky.
5. HOT milk incorporates easily into the potatoes and keeps the potatoes warm.
6. Using a mixer (whether it be an electric hand mixer or stand mixer) produces the smoothest results. Mash while they are hot and avoid overmixing, which can make them gummy. If you don’t have a mixer, a potato ricer will give you the smoothest results, followed by a hand masher.

How to Keep Mashed Potatoes Warm

It’s easy to make this ahead, so you aren’t rushing at dinnertime. Once they are fluffy and ready, here are a few reliable ways to keep them warm without drying them out. For every method, butter the top to keep a skin from forming.

• Stovetop – Once whipped, cover the pot of potatoes and set over very low heat, or create a bain-marie by setting the pot over a larger pot of simmering water for up to 1 hour.
• Oven – transfer the potatoes to an oven-safe casserole, cover, and keep in a warm oven (around 200˚F) for up to an hour.
• Slow cooker – transfer to a slow cooker on the warm setting, covered, for up to 3 hours. Stir every 30 minutes to keep them smooth until ready to serve.

This creamy whipped Mashed Potatoes recipe is so easy to serve for a weeknight or weekend meal, but it’s fancy and tasty enough for a holiday menu with extra melted butter and a sprinkle of parsley on top. This recipe is a keeper!

Have Leftovers?

I love to repurpose leftover mashed potatoes to make Shepherd’s Pie, Cheesy Mashed Potato Pancakes, or my cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole! Leftover potatoes also keep well in the refrigerator or freezer for longer storage, and these reheat like a dream (see my tips below).

What to Serve with Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are one of the most versatile side dishes, and they pair well with pretty much anything. Here are our favorite main courses and sides to pair with mashed potatoes.

• Beef – Meatloaf, Prime Rib, Pan-Seared Steak, Roast Beef
• Chicken – Chicken Casserole, Chicken Fricassee, Roast Chicken
• Turkey – Juicy Thanksgiving Turkey or Spatchcock Turkey
• Pork – Baked Ham, Roasted Pork Tenderloin, Pork Schnitzel
• Gravy – Turkey Gravy, or Easy Mushroom Gravy
• Sides – Roasted Cauliflower, Roasted Broccoli, Sautéed Mushrooms, Stuffing