Velvety Mashed Potatoes (Printable)

Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes with an irresistibly smooth texture, perfect as a comforting side.

# What You'll Need:

→ Potatoes

01 - 1.5 lbs Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks

→ Dairy

02 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed
04 - 1/4 cup heavy cream, warmed

→ Seasonings

05 - 1 tsp salt, plus more for boiling
06 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

# Directions:

01 - Place the peeled potato chunks in a large pot and cover with cold, salted water by at least 2 inches.
02 - Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork.
03 - Drain the potatoes thoroughly in a colander and return them to the warm pot to allow excess moisture to evaporate.
04 - Add the unsalted butter to the hot potatoes and let sit for 1 to 2 minutes until fully melted.
05 - Using a potato masher or potato ricer, mash the potatoes until completely smooth and free of lumps.
06 - Gradually fold in the warmed whole milk and heavy cream, stirring gently until the mixture becomes light and creamy.
07 - Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir gently until fully combined and the texture is velvety smooth.
08 - Transfer to a serving bowl and serve immediately. Garnish with an extra pat of butter or fresh chopped chives if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The texture is so smooth it practically pours off your spoon, and once you experience that, instant mashed potatoes will feel like a personal betrayal.
  • It uses just a handful of humble ingredients you probably already have, yet the result tastes luxurious enough for a holiday table.
02 -
  • Overmixing with electric beaters turns potatoes gluey and paste like, so resist the urge and stick to gentle mashing by hand.
  • Warming the milk and cream before adding them was a game changer I discovered after years of wondering why my potatoes sometimes turned stiff.
03 -
  • A potato ricer is the single best investment for achieving that restaurant quality smoothness without any effort at all.
  • Substitute the cream with extra milk for a lighter version that still tastes rich enough to satisfy.

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