Mashed Potatoes Recipes (How to Make Mashed Potatoes)

White shallow bowl filled with fluffy mashed potatoes, topped with two pats of butter, and garnished with fresh chopped parsley.

4.84 from 18 votes

Mashed Potatoes Recipes (How to Make Mashed Potatoes)

My all-time favorite Mashed Potatoes Recipe. Flavored with rich and flavorful milk, butter, and sour cream, learn How to Make Mashed Potatoes and enjoy this creamy classic side dish with all your favorite family recipes.

Prep Time10

Cook Time30

Total Time40

Servings: servings

Calories: 319kcal

Chef: Jessica Randhawa

Ingredients

▢ 4 pounds Russet potatoes - peeled and cut into quarters
▢ ½ cup butter - plus more for topping
▢ 1 cup whole milk
▢ 1 cup sour cream
▢ salt + pepper - to taste

Instructions

Prepare potatoes - Peel potatoes and chop into chunks approximately equal in size for even cooking.
Cook potatoes - Transfer potatoes to a large stockpot and sprinkle with approximately 1 teaspoon of salt. Cover potatoes with cold water and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, until potatoes are fork-tender, approximately 20-25 minutes (cooking time will vary depending on the size of potato chunks). Remove from heat and drain then return back to the pot.
Heat the milk and butter - Add the butter, milk, sour cream, salt, and pepper to a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until hot stirring often.
Mash the potatoes - Meanwhile, use a potato masher to mash the potatoes. Pour the heated milk and butter mixture in with the mashed potatoes and continue to mash and mix until desired texture and consistency is reached. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Serve - Transfer potatoes to a large serving bowl and top with additional butter, cracked black pepper, and chopped parsley, if desired.

Notes

The best potatoes to use? Russet, Idaho, or Yukon gold. Unsure which one to use? Try a mix!
You are going to need salt. How much exactly depends on you, but potatoes by themselves are bland. I typically salt the water that the potatoes are being boiled, add salt to the potatoes after they are drained, add salt to the butter and milk mixture, and any additional salt to taste.
Don't be shy when it comes to butter. I added an entire stick of butter (equal to 8 tablespoons butter) to this recipe plus some on top. I know, it seems like a lot, but that's the point of creamy, buttery, mashed potatoes. If you're making this recipe dairy-free or vegan, swap out the regular butter for a vegan butter substitute. Feel free to use salted or unsalted butter.
I used whole milk. Skim milk is too watery and cream is too heavy (in my opinion). Of course, feel free to use a non-dairy alternative if you're sensitive to dairy.
Sour cream is super important. It's creamy, tangy, and delicious. My parents always added loads of sour cream to their mashed potatoes and they were good. Feel free to add more or less sour cream according to your own personal preference. Substitute with Greek yogurt if preferred.

Originally published February 21, 2016

Nutrition

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