Classic Mashed Potatoes
You can never go wrong with a classic, and this mashed potatoes recipe is the ultimate side dish to make this holiday season. These creamy, buttery mashed taters are simple to mix using 5 ingredients only! Serve it with any entrée for a filling meal this Thanksgiving or any time of the year.
A stuffed roasted turkey may take front and center as the queen of Thanksgiving entrees. However, mashed potatoes are undeniably the king of classic holiday side dishes! A Thanksgiving feast is not the same without a carb-loaded, hearty heaping of this on the table. This recipe is simple and requires 3 main ingredients and a few pantry sundries, but it is so indulgently dreamy and savory it’ll be your go-to side dish all year long!
Serve it as it is, or you can spruce it up with a rich Kitchen-made Gravy or a sprinkling of Crisp Potato Chip Topping. We also use this recipe when making our one-pot Cheeseburger Shepherd’s Pie.
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Aside from the stovetop method above, you can also whip these savory mashed potatoes using your slow cooker! Here’s how:
Submerge the potatoes with water and add salt and pepper. You can cook on high for 3 hours, low for up to 6 hours, or until the potatoes are fork tender. Mash the potatoes, add melted butter and warm cream, and whip into the desired consistency.
Helpful Tips for Perfecting Classic Mashed Potatoes
- Always heat the cream! Warm cream will keep the potatoes hot as you mash them, so it gets absorbed better and will result in a creamier texture.
- Do not overcook the potatoes. Remove them from heat once the tines of a fork pierces through them easily. Overcooked potatoes will become grainy and will not be as smooth when mashed.
- Drain the potatoes well to prevent a watery or mushy mash. Keep them in the strainer for a few minutes before adding them to the bowl.
- Avoid over mixing the potatoes because the mixture will become dry or gummy.
- If you prefer having chunky bits, skip the hand mixer and use the potato masher until you are happy with the outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do we have to peel the potatoes? Yukon Gold potatoes have thin and edible skin. However, if you prefer to have smooth mashed potatoes, the skin needs to go!
- Should we boil the potatoes whole or quartered? We recommend boiling them cut into quarters. Boiling whole potatoes can result in uneven cooking, with either the outside overcooked or the center still tough and raw.
- Can we make it vegan? Absolutely! Just use dairy-free milk and vegan butter as alternatives. Take note that using milk instead of cream will affect the texture of the mashed potatoes. You can use coconut cream if you do not mind the added flavor it will bring.
- What add-ons can we use to level it up? You can add garlic, cheese, herbs, and caramelized onions for more flavor!
Make Ahead and Storing Notes
As we advised on our Simple Guide to Hosting Thanksgiving, side dishes that can be made ahead should be done a day or two before the big day! You can make this Ultimate Classic Mashed Potatoes at least 3 days ahead of time and keep it in the fridge in an airtight container. You can heat it in the microwave oven for a few minutes or until warmed through. In case they turn out a bit dry, a splash of warm milk will do the trick!
Prep 10 minutesCook 15 minutesTotal 35 minutesMakes 8
Ingredients
- 3 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
- Kosher salt and pepper to taste
- 1 1/4 cups Heavy whipping cream + more if needed
- 12 tbsp Unsalted butter
Method
- Fill a large Dutch oven with cold water. Add the potatoes and 1 tsp kosher salt. Turn the heat to high and bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the potatoes for about 15 to 20 minute or until fork tender.
- While the potatoes cook, in another saucepan melt the butter and warm the cream.
- Drain the potatoes and place the potatoes into a large mixing bowl. Pour half the heated cream and melted butter over the potatoes. Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes.
- Pour the remaining cream and butter over the potatoes and use a hand mixer if desired to whip the potatoes. Careful not to over whip. Season the potatoes with salt and pepper.
- Place the mashed potatoes in a serving bowl and enjoy!
