Flawless Mashed Potatoes Easy Side Dish Recipe

The British love a comfort dish, and our flawless mashed potatoes recipe for making the dish will have you enjoying this family favourite at home in no time.

Mashed Potatoes are an easy side dish that many people enjoy as an alternative to rice or noodles on those chilly nights when they want something comforting but healthy too!

Our recipe shows you how to make mashed potatoes in a simple and straightforward, using only a few ingredients that you likely have on hand in your kitchen.

Boil the potatoes in water until soft, then get busy with a potato masher. Add your choice of butter, cream or milk to make them even more delicious!

You choose how you like your mashed potato, from only just smashed, slightly lumpy or a smooth puree. Perfect mashed potatoes for all to enjoy.

So, what are you waiting for? Get cooking and enjoy some delicious mashed potatoes tonight!

How to make Mashed Potatoes?

Here is a quick slideshow of us making mashed potatoes.

Of course, you can jump straight to the recipe card to get that creamy buttery mash on your plate in no time!

Otherwise, continue to read for more tips to make the best mashed potatoes and serving suggestions below.

Jump to:

• How to make Mashed Potatoes?
• What potatoes are best for making mashed potatoes?
• What tools are needed to make mashed potatoes?
• How to boil potatoes for mashing?
• Cream, milk or butter for mash?
• Can a food processor be used to mash potatoes?
• How much mashed potato to serve per person?
• What to serve Mashed Potatoes with?
• How to store leftover Mashed Potatoes?
• How to reheat mash?
• 📖 Step by Step Recipe
• More Potato Recipes
• 💬 Reviews

What potatoes are best for making mashed potatoes?

In the UK we find the best potatoes for creating fluffy mashed potatoes are starchy potatoes such as Maris Piper or King Edwards.

Of course, other potato varieties can be used such as russet potatoes or red potatoes.

They are cheap and easy to find in all supermarkets we picked ours up from Tesco.

Simply check the packet whilst shopping or product details online it will tell you if it is suitable for mashing.

In the US Yukon Gold potatoes are a favourite for creamy mashed potatoes; unfortunately in the UK Yukon Golds are hard to find.

I find it best to peel the potatoes first for this recipe; if you skip peeling you will not get such a smooth result, but some like the added texture and extra nutrition from the vitamin C in the potato skin.

What tools are needed to make mashed potatoes?

A large saucepan and a potato masher are all you will need for creating homemade mashed potatoes, besides the ingredients the recipe calls for.

For the best mashed potatoes, you could invest in a ricer. Avoid using a food processor; I will go into more detail later.

How to boil potatoes for mashing?

Cut potatoes into even-sized chunks, so they cook evenly.

Place chopped potatoes in a saucepan adding enough cold water to cover the potatoes. Add salt to the water to flavour the potatoes.

Cold or boiling water to boil potatoes for mashed potatoes?

Always start with cold water, add potatoes and bring to a boil. They will cook evenly throughout when brought to a boil slowly.

Do not boil too vigorously, or they will cook quickly and flake on the outside, yet be undercooked in the middle. Leading to watery lumpy mashed potatoes. Yuck!

Ultimately, the key is to cook the potatoes slowly and steadily, gently stir, occasionally.

How to know when potatoes are ready for mashing?

When you are able to easily put a knife through one of the potato chunks and it slides back off the knife with ease, they are ready to be mashed.

For perfect mashed potatoes make sure you drain potatoes once they reach this point. Allow the potatoes to air dry whilst you prepare your additional ingredients.

Cream, milk or butter for mash?

The choice is yours, we use single or double cream (heavy cream) and butter when we want the best mashed potatoes for extra special meals.

But for everyday meals, I tend to use just a little milk and unsalted butter for extra richness. I add my own salt to taste, you can use salted butter if you prefer.

You could also use yoghurt, sour cream, mayonnaise or cream cheese for extra creamy mashed potatoes

How to make healthier mash potatoes?

Simply switch the milk for natural 0% yoghurt or try using low-fat sour cream. Leave out the butter or for lower saturated fat use olive oil instead.

If you don't want to add anything that's fine too, it will make stiffer mashed potatoes.

Always warm the milk and butter before adding the potatoes back to mash in.

Warm butter and milk/cream in the saucepan over medium-high heat until you have melted butter.

Then add potatoes with seasoning back and use a potato masher to mash all the ingredients in until it is smooth and creamy.

If, after mashing the potatoes, you feel it needs more butter, milk or cream to make a creamy consistency, heat the milk mixture in a small saucepan before adding and mashing in.

Seasoning

Don't forget to add seasoning to your homemade mashed potatoes, freshly ground black pepper and a generous pinch of salt.

Using a ricer for perfect mashed potatoes?

A ricer is another tool which can be used for making smooth, lump-free mashed potatoes.

To use a potato ricer, simply drain cooked potatoes from the cooking water. Transfer some of the drained potatoes to the ricer.

Hold over a large pot (the same pot you cooked them in)over low heat and squeeze the ricer until the potatoes fall through the little holes. Repeat until all potatoes have been put through.

Stir in your chosen additions, such as melted butter and milk, add salt and pepper, and then serve immediately.

This process results in light and fluffy mashed potato (restaurant quality) that is far superior and easier than the traditional method of mashing by hand.

You certainly won't be disappointed. Check out this article from wiki to find out more about ricers.

Can a food processor be used to mash potatoes?

When it comes to making mashed potatoes, many people try using a food blender or processor.

However, there are a few reasons why this is not the best way.

First of all, using a processor to mash potatoes will release the starches and create a smooth but very sticky and gummy texture that is hard to swallow.

Second, it can be difficult to get all of the mashed potatoes out of the bowl and blades, leading to wasted food.

So if you're looking for the best results, it's generally better to avoid using a food processor and stick with a hand masher or ricer.

How much mashed potato to serve per person?

This will depend on how you are serving your mashed potatoes, as a side dish, I recommend approximately 1 cup per person.

What to serve Mashed Potatoes with?

Mashed Potatoes is the perfect side to so many great meals! Great with any meat, poultry or fish with a portion of vegetables too.

For example, try with our rolled rib of beef or lamb shoulder for a great Sunday Roast dinner, on the side with gammon stew or keep it simple with quick easy sausages.

Recipes which use Mashed Potatoes?

Mash is not only great for a side dish but also a fantastic start to other recipes.

Such as Bubble and Squeak, cheese and potato pie, Potato Cakes, Croquettes, Fish Pie and Cottage Pie.

How to store leftover Mashed Potatoes?

Transfer leftover Mashed Potato into an airtight container, or, use a bowl covered with cling film. Mash will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Can I freeze leftover mash?

Yes mash potatoes can be frozen for up to 6 months. Always defrost fully before reheating.

How to reheat mash?

The best way to reheat mashed potatoes is in the oven. Preheat to 180 C / 350 F fan, place mash in a large oven dish and spread out to an even layer.

The texture will have firmed up and the process of reheating will cause the mashed potatoes to dry out.

Adding a little milk will bring back some moisture, cover with foil and heat for about 30 minutes.

How to reheat mashed potatoes in the microwave?

If you want a quicker method to reheat mash, you can do so in the microwave.

It is best to stir after every minute and add splashes of milk if it becomes dry and lumpy.

Of course, it depends how much mash you have to how long it takes to reheat. Usually between 2-8 minutes.

📖 Step by Step Recipe

This mashed potato recipe was originally posted on 18/10/2020 and has been updated with more tips, serving suggestions and pictures.

So now you know how to make perfect mashed potatoes, let us know what you like to serve with yours? Don't forget to give us a comment and rating.

More Potato Recipes

If you like mashed potatoes, then you'll love our other potato recipes like our air fryer baked potatoes, spicy potato wedges or our favourite recipe homemade chunky chips.