Description
This classic mashed potatoes recipe delivers creamy, buttery, and perfectly seasoned mashed potatoes ideal for any meal. Using simple ingredients like russet potatoes, butter, milk, and salt, this method ensures fluffy texture and rich flavor, achieved by boiling, drying, and mashing the potatoes.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 2 ½ lbs. Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2–3/4 inch dice
- 1 Tbsp. salt
- 2 Tbsp. butter
- ¼ cup milk, heated
Instructions
- Boil Potatoes: Place the peeled and diced potatoes into a pot filled with cold water. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to season the water. Heat the pot on high and cover it partially. Once the water reaches a boil, uncover and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook the potatoes until they are fork-tender, which should take about 15 minutes.
- Drain and Dry Potatoes: Strain the cooked potatoes thoroughly and return them to the pot. Place the pot over medium heat and stir the potatoes continuously for 1 to 2 minutes to evaporate excess moisture, ensuring a drier texture. Remove the pot from the heat.
- Mash and Add Butter: Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the hot potatoes. Mash the mixture until smooth and creamy, incorporating the butter evenly throughout.
- Incorporate Milk and Season: Stir in ¼ cup of heated milk to achieve a creamy consistency. Taste the mashed potatoes and add salt as needed to reach desired seasoning.
- Serve: Serve the mashed potatoes immediately for best texture and flavor, or cover with foil to keep warm until ready to serve.
Notes
- Use Russet potatoes for the fluffiest texture.
- Heating the milk before adding helps maintain the potatoes’ temperature and creates creamier mashed potatoes.
- Drying the potatoes after boiling helps prevent watery mashed potatoes.
- Adjust butter and salt to personal taste for richness and seasoning.
- For extra creaminess, consider adding cream or sour cream instead of milk.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Mashed potatoes, creamy mashed potatoes, classic side dish, butter mashed potatoes, easy mashed potatoes
