How To Make Perfect Mashed Potatoes for Thanksgiving
updated Oct 15, 2021
Is there nothing more comforting and delicious than mashed potatoes? This warm, creamy, dairy-laden starch might be more of an indulgence than everyday fare these days, but even if you only have them once a year (Thanksgiving!), I say go all out and do it right. Read on for a recipe for classic mashed potatoes, with recommendations for potato type, dairy additions, and mashing methods.
WatchWhat Kind of Potatoes Should I Use?
Choosing the proper potatoes is critical. There are basically three types of potatoes: very starchy like Russets, very waxy like Red Bliss, and somewhere in the middle like Yukon Golds. First rule: Don’t use the waxy, red potatoes for your mash . They just won’t break down enough (read: lumps), nor do they absorb the dairy very well. Stick with Russets and Yukon Golds. Of the two, the Russet will give you the creamiest mash, but many people prefer the flavor and golden color of Yukon Golds. It’s a trade-off and totally up to you.
What Tool Should I Use?
Folks have been wielding the potato masher in the kitchen for generations, so if this is your preferred method, I say stick with it. I used a ricer for testing this recipe, and while I feel it results in superior potatoes (less lumps, more fluff) I actually prefer a food mill which, besides also producing less lumps and more fluff, separates the skins so no peeling is necessary. I also find it easier to use than the ricer, which is really a two-person process: one to peel, another to rice.
Buy NowDon’t ever use a blender or food processor to whip your potatoes! You will end up with glue and then you (and your guests) will be sad.
Should I Peel the Potatoes Before Boiling?
I don’t peel or slice my potatoes before cooking them . The reason for this is threefold: Unpeeled and unsliced potatoes will absorb less water while being boiled , preserving the starch within the potato. Less water avoids a gluey, watery mash and allows the potatoes to absorb the dairy. Plus, the potato peels contribute to the overall potato flavor. And finally, taking the peels off after cooking is quicker and easier.
If you using a food mill, the skins will be removed as a part of the milling process. You may have to clear them out of the mill now and again, but really it’s the most efficient method in my book. If you don’t have a food mill, you will have to peel the potatoes when they’re hot. I found, however, that in the case with the Yukon Golds, the skins were already peeling off just from their dump into the colander. I picked up each potato, held it in a potholder-covered hand, and used a paring knife to coax off the rest of the skins.
Add the Butter First for Silkier Potatoes
It is important that your dairy is warmed up before adding it to your mash and that you add the butter first. The amount of water in the half-and-half combines with the starch molecules, which makes the potatoes gluey. When you add the butter first, it coats the starch and results in silkier potatoes . Then add the half-and-half.
Butter will be one of your primary flavors in mashed potatoes, so use the best quality you can. I use unsalted in this recipe so I can control the salt. If you want to use salted, do not add the additional salt in step 2 and simply taste and add salt as needed in the final seasoning.
Why Use Half-and-Half Instead of Milk?
I use half-and-half for the liquid because it’s richer than milk, but not as rich as heavy cream. You can use cream if you want for over the top, decadently wonderful results. This philosophy holds true no matter what type of mashed potato recipe you’re making, be it Ins tant Pot mashed potatoes , slow cooker mashed potatoes , or even mashed sweet potatoes .
How To Make the Best Mashed Potatoes
Here's our recipe for how to make the best classic mashed potatoes, with recommendations for potato type, dairy additions, and mashing methods.
Yield Serves 8 to 10
- wheat-free
- fish-free
- peanut-free
- vegetarian
- shellfish-free
- pork-free
- pescatarian
- sugar-conscious
- gluten-free
- tree-nut-free
- soy-free
- egg-free
- red-meat-free
- alcohol-free
- Calories 400
- Fat 24.2 g (37.2%)
- Saturated 15.2 g (75.9%)
- Carbs 41.7 g (13.9%)
- Fiber 5.0 g (20.0%)
- Sugars 3.9 g
- Protein 6.2 g (12.4%)
- Sodium 692.7 mg (28.9%)
Ingredients
- 5 pounds
Yukon Gold or russet potatoes, well-scrubbed
- 3 tablespoons
kosher salt, divided
- 2 sticks
(8 ounces) unsalted butter
- 2 cups
half-and-half
-
Finely chopped fresh chives (optional)
-
Freshly ground black pepper (optional)
-
Additonal pat of butter (optional)
Equipment
-
Large pot
-
Colander
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Food mill, ricer, or potato masher
-
Two smaller saucepans for heating butter and half-and-half
-
Spatula or wooden spoon
Instructions
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Boil the potatoes. Place the potatoes in a large pot and add cold water to cover by about 1 inch. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the salt. Cover and bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Uncover and reduce the heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook until knife tender, testing for doneness at 30 minutes. A sharp knife should easily go through the potato. Larger potatoes may take longer, up to 45 or 50 minutes total.
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Heat the butter and half-and-half and add salt. About 20 minutes into the potato cooking time, melt the butter over low heat in a small saucepan. Heat the half-and-half and remaining 1 tablespoon salt over low heat in another small saucepan. Keep both warm.
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Drain the potatoes. When the potatoes are ready, drain them in a colander. Turn off the heat on the butter and half-and-half.
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Mash the potatoes. If using a potato masher or ricer, peel the potatoes — you can pick each one up with a pot holder and peel with a paring knife. If using a food mill, don't peel the potatoes. In either case, mash, rice, or process the potatoes back into the pot they were cooked in. This will cut down on extra dishes and help the potatoes stay warm from the pot's residual heat.
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Add the dairy. Add the hot butter to the potatoes, gently stirring with a wooden spoon or spatula to incorporate. When all the butter is absorbed, add the hot half-and-half. It will seem soupy at first, but the potatoes will gradually absorb the liquid and turn into a creamy mixture.
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Taste, garnish, and serve. Taste and season with more salt as needed. This is also a good time to add pepper if using. Spoon into your serving dish and top with optional garnishes, such as a pat of butter or some chopped chives.
Recipe Notes
Make ahead: You can make your potatoes in advance of serving. If it's just an hour or so, leave them in the pot you mashed them in and don't garnish yet. Place the pot in a large pan of gently simmering water to keep warm. If they've been refrigerated, the best way to reheat them is to place them in a low oven, covered, for 20 to 30 minutes. Reheated mashed potatoes are often drier and may need additional (warmed!) dairy to bring them back to their creaminess. This post has some great tips on reheating mashed potatoes.
Storage: Leftover mashed potatoes can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Electric mixers: Some people get away with using a stand mixer or hand-held beaters. I personally find that this over-mixes them, but if you're happy with the results, go right ahead. Just be very careful and don't let it rip or you will also end up with the unhappiness of gluey potatoes. Stick to low speed.
Additions: Cream cheese, sour cream, and yogurt are a popular additions to mashed potatoes. They all add a nice dairy tang and contribute to a creamy texture. Feel free to substitute some or all of the half-and-half with either of these ingredients if you like a little tanginess in your mashed potatoes.
Dana Velden
Contributor
Dana Velden's first book, Finding Yourself in the Kitchen: Kitchen Meditations and Inspired Recipes from a Mindful Cook (Rodale Books) is available where ever books are sold. She lives in Oakland, CA.
Source : food
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