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Side Dish Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Elevate everyday meals, Thanksgiving dinner, and holiday feasts with these creamy Mashed Potatoes! Buttery, easy to make, and always a hit. Follow these tips for perfectly light and fluffy potatoes every time.

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📋 Course

Side Dish

🌎 Cuisine

American

⏱ Time

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes

🍽 Servings

10 servings

🔥 Calories

232 kcal per serving

👨‍🍳 Author

John Kanell
Preppy Kitchen


🧰 Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Strainer
  • Wooden spoon or potato masher

🥘 Ingredients

  • 4 pounds potatoes (Yukon gold or Russet) — 1.8 kg
  • 1 tablespoon salt, plus more to taste
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (113 g)
  • ¾ cup whole milk or cream (180 ml)
  • Ground black pepper, to taste

👨‍🍳 Instructions

  1. Prep Potatoes
    Peel the potatoes if desired, then cut them into equal-sized chunks. Place them in a large pot.

  2. Boil
    Fill the pot with enough water to cover the potatoes by 1 inch. Add the salt. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook for ~10 minutes, or until fork-tender.

  3. Warm Milk & Butter
    While the potatoes boil, combine milk and butter in a small saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring occasionally, for 3–4 minutes until butter melts. Remove from heat.

  4. Drain & Dry
    Drain the potatoes and return them to the warm pot. Set heat to low and stir gently for 1 minute to evaporate excess moisture. Remove from heat.

  5. Mash
    Mash the potatoes using a potato masher or wooden spoon to desired consistency.

  6. Mix
    Gently stir in the hot milk mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  7. Serve
    Serve warm with extra butter, cracked pepper, minced chives, or parsley if desired.


💡 Notes

  • Start with cold water: Ensures even cooking throughout the potato chunks.
  • Don’t undercook: Potatoes should be easily pierced with a fork before mashing.
  • Evaporate excess water: Helps make the texture light and fluffy.

🧪 Nutrition (Per Serving)

  • Calories: 232 kcal
  • Carbs: 33 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated: 6 g
  • Polyunsaturated: 0.4 g
  • Monounsaturated: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.4 g
  • Cholesterol: 27 mg
  • Sodium: 717 mg
  • Potassium: 794 mg
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Vitamin A: 317 IU
  • Vitamin C: 36 mg
  • Calcium: 47 mg
  • Iron: 1 mg

📝 Original recipe from Preppy Kitchen