Description
This best mashed potatoes recipe delivers fluffy, creamy, and buttery mashed potatoes perfect for any meal. Using simple ingredients like russet or Yukon gold potatoes, garlic, butter, and milk, this classic side dish is easy to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes and Seasoning
- 4 pounds potatoes (russet or Yukon gold)
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
Additional Ingredients
- 3 cloves garlic (optional)
- ⅓ cup melted salted butter
- 1 cup milk (or cream)
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes: Peel and quarter the potatoes, then place them in a pot filled with cold salted water. This ensures even cooking and prevents the potatoes from turning mushy.
- Cook the Potatoes and Garlic: Add the garlic cloves if using, then bring the water to a boil. Cook uncovered for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender. Once done, drain the potatoes and garlic thoroughly.
- Warm the Milk: Heat the milk on the stovetop or in the microwave until warm but not boiling. Warm milk helps create a smoother texture when mashed into potatoes.
- Mash the Potatoes: Add the melted butter to the drained potatoes, then begin mashing them with a potato masher. Gradually add the warm milk a little at a time while mashing until you reach your desired creamy consistency.
- Season and Serve: Season the mashed potatoes with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve hot as a perfect side dish for any meal.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can roast the garlic before adding it to the potatoes.
- Use warm milk or cream to avoid cooling the potatoes and keep them creamy.
- Yukon gold potatoes yield a buttery texture naturally, while russet potatoes give fluffier mashed potatoes.
- For an even smoother texture, consider using a potato ricer instead of a masher.
- Adjust milk quantity to achieve your preferred consistency—less milk for thicker, more for creamier mashed potatoes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 0.5 cup
- Calories: 209 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 74 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 17 mg
