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Creamy mashed potatoes served in a blue dinner plate.

Homemade Mashed Potatoes

Nataliia
These homemade mashed potatoes are creamy, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. A simple family recipe made with the right potatoes, texture, and just the right amount of butter.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 295 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large or medium pot with a lid
  • 1 colander

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes
  • 5-6 cups water
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 chunk onion about ⅛ of the whole onion
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme optional
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ¼-½ cup warm whole milk
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Peel the potatoes, remove any dark spots or eyes. Cut the potatoes in 2 inch pieces.
  • Add cubed potatoes to the large pot. Add the water, making sure it covers the potatoes. Add salt, a chunk of raw onion and a small sprig of fresh thyme.
  • Bring it to a boil. If your pot is large, simmer it covered. If it is a medium pot, half cover the potatoes with a lid to prevent i from over boiling. Boil the potatoes for about 20-25 minutes or until fork tender and falling apart.
  • Meanwhile, melt the butter. Warm up the milk. Use separate dishes.
  • Drain the water and return the potatoes back to the pot. Discard the onion and thyme. Onions may fall apart during the boiling, so make sure to remove all the pieces. Let the heat from the pot steam dry the potatoes.
  • Mash the potatoes with the potato masher until smooth and creamy. It is important not to overwork the potatoes.
  • Add melted butter and mix it with a spoon. Start adding warm milk, one splash at a time, stirring the potatoes. Add enough milk for the potatoes to be creamy to scoop but not runny.
  • Taste the potatoes. Add more salt if needed. Add some black pepper. You can also add another tablespoon of butter at the very end for creamier and richer mashed potatoes.

Notes

Use Yukon gold potatoes.
Do not cut too small, as they will become watery.
Do not over mash the potatoes. They will become sticky. 
Add butter first, then warm milk. If your butter is room temperature, no need to melt it. 
Reheat leftover mashed potatoes over the stove, small heat, with a splash of milk,  (microwave not recommended) 

Nutrition

Calories: 295kcalCarbohydrates: 41.1gProtein: 5.7gFat: 12.7gSaturated Fat: 7.9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.6gMonounsaturated Fat: 3.2gCholesterol: 33.6mgSodium: 408mgFiber: 4.8gSugar: 3.4g
Keyword mashed potatoes, yukon gold mashed potatoes
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