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!
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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
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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
Hey Natasha!
This is the second recipe of yours that I’m trying and it turned out pretty good. Thank you again for the great recipes!
You’re welcome, Sahana! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed our recipes!
This is THE BEST recipe I have ever tried! My husband and I love mashed potatoes and we couldn’t stop commenting all night about how good these were for dinner. SO GOOD! Thank you, Natasha!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Jennifer! Thank you for the wonderful review!
Yes yes yes. Finally a mashed potato recipe I don’t screw up and actually produces creamy mashed potatoes! I always chopped my potatoes to save time, but the trick of keeping them whole or halved is so worth it. Super easy as well! Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it Stephanie!
HANDS DOWN the best mashed potatoes I’ve ever made and eaten…WOW!
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Claud!
Natasha, I made my mashed potatoes early on Sunday morning and then I put them in my crock pot and did NOT turn it on because sometimes they get a brown crust around them. When I got home from church, they seemed to have held their heat and didn’t have that crust on them. So good! (We left the house for 4.5 hours and they were fine)
That’s so great! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Very good!
I’m so glad you enjoyed that!
Hi Natasha. This looks really good and I am going to have to try them. I only have two questions. I find if I do not salt the water when boiling, my potatoes turn out very bland. Do you have this problem? Also, I once read on another site to never beat the potatoes with a mixmaster. They say it breaks down the gluten. Only mash by hand. Do you agree with this?
Hi Karen, once the potatoes are mashed, they absorb the salt flavor easily, which is why I add it last, so it doesn’t change the structure of the potatoes cooking in salted water. Also, if potatoes are overcooked, they can turn gummy in a mixer (or if mixed by hand). It has more to do with overcooking potatoes than what tool is used. Overmixing can also result in gooey potatoes so it’s best to keep an eye on it and turn off the mixer when it reaches the right consistency. If you walk away from it and forget about the potatoes in the mixer, it can turn gooey.
Thank you so much for teaching me new tricks. I am 71 and I am still learning something new. You are such a beautiful person. I love your recipes. How did you obtain all of your knowledge? Did you go to culinary school? I have taken classes on cooking and I had so much fun doing them.
Hi Karen, I have taken some cooking classes here and there but did not attend culinary school. Much of my knowledge was self-taught (out of necessity 16 years ago when I got married) and then for the love of cooking of course. Thank you for the sweet compliment!
Can we cook the potatoes in a pressure cooker, that saves a lot of time; please advise.
Hi Vidhya, I haven’t tested that to advise. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
wow.. that’s a lot of butter!!!!
I substituted whole milk with unsweetened almond milk and they were delicious! My husband LOVED them!
I’m so happy to hear that, Thank you for sharing that with me!
I have made this mashed potatoes for a couple of times now and it never disappointas. I just have a question, do you think this recipe will freeze well?
Hi Honey, These do freeze well! you could make these a day ahead as they reheat really well. Heating in the slow cooker or in the oven would work fine.
I’m sure I just did something weird, maybe my potatoes were too big..but they are still cooking and it’s been a half hour..I wound up just cutting them up in the water because my meatloaf is done already..next time I will start the potatoes even sooner. Still giving it all the stars because I should have known better after so many years of being a home cook lol.
I hope you love this recipe, Denise!
I have tried this recipe and it was a hit! My family loved it. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing that with me Ella!
I made this just now – and it made so much more than I expected. Perfect for leftovers! Your recipe is easy in every area: cleanup, explanation, cooking, taste.
These potatoes are SO creamy and very flavorful! We haven’t even sat down for dinner, and we are digging into the potatoes!
Hi Juanita! I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
This was my first “Natasha recipe” as I’m new to the blog. And I can say it was not only easy but the best mashed potatoes I’ve ever made. What a difference not cutting up the potatoes made! Thank you!
You’re so welcome! I’m so happy to hear you are enjoying my blog! Thank you for sharing that with us 🙂
I want to make these for supper, so maybe just 4-6 portions. What are the measurements for the ingredients?
Hi Voula, this recipe serves 8 people as a side. You can halve the recipe for 4 people.
Amazing the best mashed potato’s you will ever have! Beyond easy to make.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the potatoes! Thanks for the awesome review 🙂
Would these mashed potatoes be too creamy to use for shepherd’s pie???
Hi Sandra! These are very creamy and shepherd’s pie usually calls for a stiffer potato. I haven’t tried that however if you experiment please let me know how you like that recipe.
Yum yum! Love your blog hunny! A tip I learned from a chef. Cook potatoes with skin on, or instead of boiling, bake them. Potatoes are water soluble starch and they tend to lose flavor in the water.
Thank you for sharing that with us, Victoria!
Can I use sweet potatoes for this recipe?
Hi Leah, I haven’t tried this specific recipe with sweet potatoes, we do have this Sweet Potato recipe here you may enjoy.
These are fantastic!!! So fast, super easy to make, and very tasty. This turned out amazing. Just used a little more butter in mine. 😉
That’s so great! I’m happy you enjoyed that, Aria!
A pinch of nutmeg! try it , you’ll like it
I just might! thank you for sharing that with me, Mary!