Easy Classic Homemade Mashed Potatoes

Easy Classic Homemade Mashed Potatoes are quick and absolutely delicious!  These potatoes are the classic potatoes my Grandma made for my family! A great recipe to learn how to make classic mashed potatoes! Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Vegan instructions.

I cannot believe in two years I have not shared a mashed potato recipe with you all! My Grandmother and Mom are awesome mashed potato makers, so I learned from the best!  We ate these Easy Classic Homemade Mashed Potatoes at just about every dinner when I was a child! These are perfect Holiday Mashed Potatoes! My family loves mashed potatoes and I make them a lot of different ways. I will most definitely share more of my mashed potato recipe.

This recipe is a family favorite for Easy Classic Homemade Mashed Potatoes, I mean, easy! The potatoes are light, fluffy, and can easily be made ahead and reheated. You can also make this Vegan potato by using Vegan butter and coconut milk. Especially good for those with a dairy issue. 

Tips to Make Easy Classic Homemade Mashed Potatoes:

• I prefer to use a blend of Yukon Gold and Russet Potatoes.
• Peel and cut the potatoes into the same size, about 2-inch pieces.
• Put the peeled and sliced potatoes in cold water with a diced onion or shallot.
• Season the water with salt, pepper and bay leaf. (bay leaf optional)
• Bring the water to a boil and simmer for about 20-25 minutes. Potatoes should be fork tender.
• If you are making a gravy. Drain and save the potato water for the gravy. Adds amazing flavor.
• Can prep ahead of time, peel and cut the potatoes, place in a pot you will use to cook them in, filled with water, cover and refrigerate.

My family enjoys this recipe a lot. Since there are carbs involved, I try to minimize in other ways.  Using low-fat milk and a lower amount of butter, there is a balance. As always, I’m a moderation person and I have to watch everything I eat for health reasons. These Easy Classic Homemade Mashed Potatoes are a perfect balance.

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Easy Classic Homemade Mashed Potatoes

An easy and tasty classic homemade mashed potatoes.  These potatoes are light and fluffy. A great side dish for meats and poultry. Can be made ahead and re-heated. 

Course Holiday, Side Dish, Vegetarian

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 247 kcal

Author Eileen xo

Ingredients

• 4 pounds Russet or Yukon potatoes *see note
• water, to cover potatoes while they cook
• 1 teaspoon salt, additional if needed *see note
• 1 teaspoon pepper, additional if needed *see note
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 white onion or shallot, peeled and diced *see note
• 1 cup low-fat milk *see note
• 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened and sliced into pieces.
• diced parsley, chives, salted butter optional garnish

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. Peel, wash, and cut the potatoes. I prefer 1 1/2 - 2-inch chunks. Place the potatoes into a large Dutch Oven or pot filled 1/2 way with water. Add the onion or shallot, salt, pepper, and bay leaf.

2. Place the pot over high heat and bring the water to a rolling boil. Reduce heat to low-medium to simmer. Place lid on the pot. Simmer about 20-25 minutes. The potatoes should be fork tender. 

3. Remove pot from the heat. If making a gravy, see note below. Otherwise, drain the potatoes and onions in a colander. Discard the bay leaf.

4. Return the potato mixture to the original pot over medium-high heat. Shake the pot and stir potatoes to ensure water evaporates. About 15-20 seconds. Again, remove from heat. Give the potatoes a quick mash, slightly breaking up potatoes.

5. Add to the potatoes, butter and half the milk. Mash the potatoes for about 30 seconds. Add remainder of the milk to the potatoes.  I generally continue to hand mash for about 2-3 minutes. The longer the better. Check the seasoning and re-season as needed.

6. These can be served immediately. Kept warm in the oven on lowest heat, covered. Transferred to a slow cooker for a larger party.  Can be made ahead and reheated the second day at 350 for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Recipe Notes

• When choosing potatoes, I prefer to use half Yukon and half Russet. I have used Long Island potatoes. I do not know the availability of those potatoes in other regions.
• I also use red potatoes but they can get gummy if overcooked.
• The potato water should be seasoned with the salt and pepper.   Additional salt and pepper can be used as the potatoes are mashed.  Always check seasoning and re-season if needed.
• When dicing onion or shallot, remember they are going to be included      in the mashed potatoes so finely dice. They add great flavor.
• If you are making a grave, keep the potato water to add into the gravy.    It adds amazing flavor to the gravy. My Mom's fantastic tip :).
• For everyday mashed potatoes, I look to keep the calories down, therefore I use low-fat milk. 
• I do not like the flavor of skim milk, again your preference.
• Make these potatoes Vegan using vegan butter and coconut milk.

Nutrition Facts

Easy Classic Homemade Mashed Potatoes

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 247 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 6g 9%

Saturated Fat 4g 20%

Cholesterol 17mg 6%

Sodium 317mg 13%

Potassium 997mg 28%

Total Carbohydrates 43g 14%

Dietary Fiber 3g 12%

Sugars 3g

Protein 5g 10%

Vitamin A 4.1%

Vitamin C 16%

Calcium 6.7%

Iron 11.2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

These mashed potatoes are perfect with:

 Baked Pork Chops with Apples and Sauerkraut

Slow Cooker Cranberry Pot Roast

Homemade Lighter Salisbury Steaks

Some other potato recipes I hope you enjoy:

Easy Grilled Truffle Oil Potato Wedges

Cheeseburger Stuffed Twice Baked Potatoes

Baked Spicy French Fries

When you make these Mashed Potatoes, tag #everydayeileen on Instagram

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