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We British love comfort food and our perfect mashed potatoes recipe will have you relishing this timeless side dish with your loved ones in the comfort of your home.
Mashed Potatoes are an easy side dish, perfect for soaking up the flavours of your main dish that many people enjoy as an alternative to rice or roast potatoes on those chilly nights when they want something comforting but healthy too!
Our recipe shows you how to make mashed potatoes using only a few ingredients you likely have in your kitchen.
Boil the potatoes in water until soft, then get busy with a potato masher. Add butter, cream or milk to make them even more delicious!
You choose how you like your mashed potato, from 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 showing how to create the best 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 on how to make our homemade mashed potatoes recipe and serving suggestions below.
Jump to:
- How to make Mashed Potatoes?
- Ingredients
- Equipment
- Instructions
- Serving Suggestions
- 📖 Step by Step Recipe
- Storage
- Reheating mash
- FAQs
- More Potato Recipes
- 💬 Reviews
Ingredients
Simple ingredients for an incredibly comforting dish. Remember that the better the quality of your ingredients, the tastier your mashed potatoes will be. Let's get into what you'll need and how much.
- 1.2 Kg Potatoes We used Maris Piper potatoes
- 125 ml Milk (full fat is best but you can use any)
- 125 ml Single Cream Can substitute with equal measure of milk for lower fat version
- 3 tablespoon Butter Can substitute with equal measure of milk for lower fat version
- Salt to taste for seasoning
- Pepper to taste for seasoning
Potatoes
The star of the show. We recommend using a starchy potato like Maris Piper, King Edwards or Russets for that fluffy, soft texture.
If you can't get those, any floury white potato or red potatoes will do. Avoid waxy potatoes, as they do not mash well.
Check the potato packet whilst shopping or the product details online; it will tell you if it suits mashing.
Milk
Using milk adds the necessary creaminess. Full-fat milk is best for richness, but you can substitute it with any milk you have on hand for a lighter version.
Single Cream
Using cream is the secret weapon for extra indulgent mash. You can substitute it with the same amount of double cream for an even richer taste. Or, to keep it lighter, add more milk instead.
Butter
Everything is better with butter. It melds with the milk and cream to create a silky-smooth consistency.
Unsalted butter helps control the saltiness of your dish; if you use salted butter, be careful with how much extra salt you add.
Salt & Pepper
A pinch of salt goes a long way in bringing out the natural flavour of the potatoes. For that slight kick, use freshly ground black pepper.
Equipment
Before you begin, ensure you have the necessary tools.
You will need a large saucepan and a potato masher to create homemade mashed potatoes.
For smooth mashed potatoes, with little effort, you could invest in a potato ricer. Avoid using a food processor; I will go into more detail later.
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.
Instructions
Let's get cooking. I will go into some detail with pictures here, but you can jump to the recipe card for printable, easy-to-read steps.
Preparation
Wash and peel the potatoes, then cut them into even-sized chunks so they cook evenly.
Boil Potatoes
Place chopped potatoes in a saucepan, adding enough cold water to cover the potatoes.
Add salt to the water to flavour the potatoes.
Always start with cold water, add potatoes and bring to a gentle boil. They will cook evenly throughout when brought to a boil slowly.
Do not boil too vigorously; 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 stirring occasionally.
When are potatoes ready for mashing?
Bring to a gentle boil and cook for 15-20 minutes. Test the potatoes with a knife; if it slips in easily and fall off when lifted, they are ready to be mashed.
Drain and Air-Dry
For perfect mashed potatoes, drain them once they reach this point. Allow the potatoes to air dry whilst you wash your pan.
It's advisable to wash the pan used for cooking potatoes before heating the milk, cream, and butter to mash the potatoes.
Warm the milk, cream, and butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat until the butter melts, then add the potatoes back to mash in.
Mash
Then add potatoes with salt and pepper and use a potato masher to mash all the ingredients until smooth and creamy.
Feel free to add more if you feel it needs more butter, milk or cream to make a creamy consistency after mashing the potatoes.
For the smoothest results, use a potato ricer instead; learn more about ricers.
Serving Suggestions
Mashed Potatoes are the perfect side to so many great meals! Great with any meat, poultry or fish with a portion of vegetables.
Try with our rolled rib of beef or lamb shoulder for a great Sunday Roast dinner.
As part of the Scottish dish, Haggis Neeps and Tatties, on the side with gammon stew or keep it simple with quick, easy sausages.
Shown here, serve with our slow cooker sausage casserole.
Or with one of our delicious pies.
- Pie, Mash and Liquor
- Turkey and Ham Pie
- Steak and Mushroom Ale Pie
📖 Step by Step Recipe
Flawless Mashed Potatoes - Easy Side Dish Recipe
Luke and Kay - Flawless Food
Flawless Mashed Potatoes, an easy British family favourite side dish.
How to make the best mash, with this simple homemade recipe. Boiled potatoes mixed with your choice of butter, cream, milk or a combination of them!
You choose how you like them from just smashed, slightly lumpy or a smooth puree.
Perfectly creamy tatties for all to enjoy. Can be made ahead, perfect comfort food with roast dinners, meat and fish.
5 from 40 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American, British, Vegetarian
Servings 6 People
Calories 121 kcal
Ingredients
- 1.2 Kg Potatoes We used Maris Piper potatoes
- 125 ml Milk (full fat is best but you can use any)
- 125 ml Single Cream Can substitute with equal measure of milk for lower fat version
- 3 tablespoon Butter Can substitute with equal measure of milk for lower fat version
- Salt to taste for seasoning
- Pepper to taste for seasoning
Instructions
Chop 1.2 Kg Potatoes into large even size chunks
Place chopped potatoes with enough cold water to cover the potatoes.
Add a pinch of Salt and gently boil on medium /high heat for 15-20 min.
Check potato is cooked with a knife; it should slide in easily without resistance, and slide off when lifted. Cook for longer if needed.
When soft, drain and leave in the colander to air dry, while washing out the pan you cooked the potatoes in.
In the clean pan add 125 ml Milk and 125 ml Single Creamand 3 tablespoon Butter (optional) heat on low heat until the butter melts (if using just milk, warm through)
Turn off the heat.
Add the potatoes back into the pan and season with Salt and Pepper.
Mash into the warm milk/cream/butter with a potato masher until at desired consistency.
If you would like your mash smooth and completely lump-free use a ricer instead of a masher.
If you want a runnier consistency, simply add more warm milk.
Video
Nutrition
Calories: 121kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 64mgPotassium: 48mgSugar: 1gVitamin A: 411IUCalcium: 38mg
Keyword best mashed potatoes, fluffy mashed potatoes, homemade mashed potato recipe, making mashed potatoes, mashed potato recipe, mashed potatoes, mashed potatoes recipe, perfect mashed potatoes, Potato masher, reheat mashed potatoes, Tatties
Tried this recipe? Share an image on Facebook / Instagram / PinterestPlease mention @flawlessfooduk or tag #flawlessfooduk!
This mashed potato recipe was originally posted on 18/10/2020 and was updated on 25/02/2024 with a more straightforward structure, more tips, serving suggestions and pictures.
More Mains to Serve with Mashed Potato
Here are a few more main courses which go fab with this mashed potato recipe.
- Roast Pork Loin Joint with Crackling
- Tomahawk Steak
- Barnsley Chops - Double Loin Lamb Chops
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs (Skin on - Bone in)
Recipes which use Mashed Potatoes?
Mash is great for a side dish and a fantastic start to other recipes, such as Bubble and Squeak, Cheese and Potato Pie, Potato Cakes, Croquettes, Fish Pie and Cottage Pie.
Storage
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.
Reheating mash
Add a little milk or cream while reheating to revive the creamy mash texture.
Oven
Stir in a splash of milk to bring back some moisture, then reheat in the oven, hob or microwave.
Preheat oven to 180 C / 350 F fan, place mash in a large oven dish and spread out to an even layer. Cover with foil and heat for about 30 minutes.
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.
Of course, it depends how much mash you have to how long it takes to reheat. Usually between 2-8 minutes.
FAQs
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.
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.
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.
More Potato Recipes
If you like mashed potatoes, then you'll love our other potato recipes like our air fryer baked sweet potatoes, spicy potato wedges or our favourite recipe homemade chunky chips.
- Parmentier Potatoes - Roasted Cubed Potatoes
- Air Fryer Chips - Healthy Homemade Chunky Cut
- Jacket Potato in the Air Fryer
- Goose Fat Roast Potatoes
See more Potatoes →
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.
