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!
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
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.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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!
- Don’t Overcook Potatoes – this leads to water-logged and gummy mashed potatoes. Also drain well.
- 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.
- 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.
- HOT milk incorporates easily into the potatoes and keeps the potatoes warm.
- 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).
Best Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 lbs russet potatoes, (12 medium) peeled
- 1 1/4 cups hot milk, (use 1 to 1/4 cups) we used whole milk
- 16 Tbsp unsalted butter (2 sticks), at room temperature (not melted)
- 1 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste (we used sea salt)
- 1 Tbsp fresh parsley or chives, finely chopped for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Peel potatoes and rinse in cold water (cut potatoes in half if very large). If you want the smoothest potatoes possible, remove the little knots from the potatoes with a small spoon or the tip of a potato peeler. Place potatoes in a large pot (5 Qt+) and cover potatoes with cold water. Bring to a boil and cook partially covered until easily pierced with a knife (boil 20-25 min depending on the size of your potatoes; mine took 22 min). Do not overcook.
- Drain well and transfer to the bowl of your stand mixer.* Grab the whisk attachment and mash potatoes lightly by hand to break them up. Fit mixer with whisk attachment and start on low speed for 30 seconds then increase to medium and slowly drizzle in 1 to 1 1/4 cups of the HOT milk to reach your desired texture.
- With the mixer on, add softened butter 1 Tbsp at a time, waiting a few seconds between each addition. Potatoes will be whipped and fluffy. Finally, add 1 1/2 tsp salt, or add to taste.
Notes
To keep mashed potatoes warm: cover the mashed potatoes and place them into a warm oven (200°F) or transfer them into a slow cooker on the low or warm setting. Plate or serve out of the slow cooker when ready to serve. Storing leftovers:
- To Refrigerate: Cool and pack in a heat-safe, airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Pack cooled potatoes in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 1 month.
- To Reheat: Thaw in the fridge overnight. Then reheat on the stove, in a 350°F oven, or in the microwave. Stir in a splash of milk and a bit of butter to restore their silky texture and avoid overmixing.
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
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
Can you make the mashed potatoes a day early and warm in 250 degree oven the day of Thanksgiving?
Hi Susan! We prefer to make them fresh on the day of and keep them warm in the crock pot until ready to serve. They do reheat well too, I don’t have those exact instructions. You can add a little more milk/butter towards the end if needed to help get the desired consistency back. I hope that helps!
Made these to go with your Monterey Chicken recipe and they were delicious!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the wonderful review, April!
Totally wonderful fluffy, mashed potatoes. I added in some grated garlic and they were out of this world. Best I’ve ever made. Thanks Natasha. Great recipe.
You’re very welcome, Mark!
Love the recipe butter makes everything so good
Thanks for sharing
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Tracy!
Is the 42 grams of carbs per serving or for the entire recipe?
Hi Kristi! This recipe serves 8 (see servings at the top of the recipe card). The nutrition facts are per one serving.
Just followed your recipe for the first time and it is the best mashed potato recipe I’ve ever followed! It’s creamy, fragrant, and saves so much effort manually mashing it!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the wonderful review, Doris!
I’ve been making mashed potatoes for over 20 years, this method beats all! Amazing, thank you Natasha!!
That’s wonderful, Jessica! Thanks for sharing.
Looks delishemendo!!! I will be trying this one at the next family gathering that I have but probably not until the colder weather sets in, “not that I want to mention colder weather by any means.” I also want to take a minute to say thank you Natasha for all the wonderful emails you send out that are so informational and the pictures look almost edible. I ordered your cook book and picked it up from Barnes and Noble in Flint, MI. on the 12th of this month. It will definitely be one of my Go-To’s.
Thank you so much, Brian! I hope you love the cookbook. Be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook at #natashaskitchen so I can see what recipes you try.
Oh my goodness! I just made this mashed potato recipe for a BBQ tomorrow and it is so good I want to stay up and eat more of it! Thanks much for a great recipe. I will be in good standing with this side dish! I had giant russets that I cut in half and there was mush when I drained the pot but inside the potato was barely soft. I followed the recipe exactly only using 1 cup of hot milk and it was still fabulous! I’ll get smaller potatoes next time. A favorite recipe now! 💖
Hey Patti! Thank you for sharing your experience trying out this Mashed Potatoes recipe! I’m so glad that you loved it!
I just made these. This recipe has stepped up my game. Thank you.
Great job! I’m glad to hear that it was a success.
You say they must be cooked whole, and then the very first instruction says cut them in half if very large…
That’s correct. We used 12 medium russet potatoes for this. If you have different size potatoes, such as medium and large, the larger ones should be cut in half for even cooking or you’ll end up with hard potatoes in the mix.
I added 2/3 cup heavy cream and it was the best mashed potatoes I’ve ever had
Thanks for sharing, Jack!
I don’t even especially like mashed potatoes, but I needed something to go with beef bourguignon. Oh Em Gee these were absolutely delicious. I used gold potatoes, and half the butter (trying to watch the calories a bit). So, so wonderful! Thank you!
I’m so glad you tried this recipe! Thank you for sharing.
Finally found my go-to recipe for holidays or just for everyday. I’ve tried many self proclaimed “best” mashed potatoes recipes over the years and none deliver…until this one! No fuss, straightforward and so delicious – restaurant quality for sure. Made exactly as is (using Yukon gold) and it was perfection. Only wish I’d thought to double to have more leftovers. Thank you for the recipe; I’ll never use another!
Aw, that’s great to hear, K! So glad you love this recipe.
I made these several years ago for Christmas. Now I need to make them for every family meal. When it is our entire family I double the recipe.
Best mashed potatoes I’ve ever made! And probably best homemade potatoes I’ve ever had. I’ve always struggled to get them right, and can’t believe how easy it is! I used 2% organic milk and also used organic potatoes. Result was amazing. My toddler loved them too. Thank you Natasha, you always come through. 🙂
You’re so very welcome, Al!
I used yellow potatoes and I left some skins on. These turned out amazing! Easy to make and they whipped up nicely. Will be my new go to recipe for sure!
I’m so glad you loved the recipe!
Fantastic recipe. I put the cooked potatoes through a ricer first than to my mixer to incorporate. 10 out of 10.
Hi Natasha! can I cook peeled potatoes in the instant pot? If so, for how long? Thank you!
Hi Jessica! I would reference my Instant pot baked potatoes recipe for instructions on how to make potatoes in an instant pot.
I made the mash potatoes for Thanksgiving for my family. They came out so creamy and fluffy. It was like biting into a cloud, the best mashed potatoes we had ever had. I will always make these and continuing to make them now and forever,I have started sharing the recipe since everybody wants to make them also. Honestly everything I’ve made from Natasha‘s recipes are incredible. I’ve not had one meal or recipe that was bad. She is incredible.
I’m so happy you love our recipes! Thank you so much for the fantastic review and your encouraging words. I am smiling big reading your comment, Lisa!
Perfect results. I’ve struggled to get the right texture in the past but this recipe is the secret recipe.
That’s great, Taylor! Thank you for the feedback.