How to Make Mashed Potatoes

Homemade mashed potatoes are one of the easiest side dishes for kids to learn because the basic recipe uses only potatoes, butter, milk, salt, and pepper. Children can practice peeling, cutting, checking potatoes for doneness, measuring ingredients, and mashing everything together until smooth and creamy.

Step-by-step homemade mashed potatoes for kids

Start Here: Making Mashed Potatoes

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How Many Potatoes Do You Need?

A simple guideline is to use about one medium potato, or 1/2 pound of potatoes, per person. Increase the amount when serving hungry teens, large appetites, or when you want leftovers.

Quick Potato Guide

  • 2 people: About 1 pound of potatoes
  • 4 people: About 2 pounds of potatoes
  • 6 people: About 3 pounds of potatoes
  • 8 people: About 4 pounds of potatoes

The amount of butter and milk can be adjusted as you mash the potatoes, so begin with a small amount and add more only as needed.

Which Potatoes Work Best?

Russet potatoes make light, fluffy mashed potatoes, while Yukon Gold potatoes create a naturally creamy texture and buttery flavor. Either variety works well for this beginner recipe.

Classic Homemade Mashed Potatoes

These simple mashed potatoes are soft, creamy, and easy to adjust for your family. Start with a small amount of milk, then add more as needed until the potatoes reach the texture you like.

Makes: About 4 servings

Homemade mashed potatoes prepared step by step
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Ingredients

  • 4 medium russet or Yukon Gold potatoes
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup warm milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Directions

  1. Wash and peel the potatoes.
  2. Cut the potatoes into similar-sized cubes so they cook evenly.
  3. Place the potato cubes in a large pot and cover them with cold water by about 1 inch.
  4. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
  5. Check the potatoes by inserting a fork into one of the larger pieces. They are ready when the fork slides in easily.
  6. Carefully drain the potatoes. Reserve a small amount of the cooking water if you would like to use it instead of some of the milk.
  7. Return the potatoes to the warm pot or transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
  8. Add the butter and allow it to melt into the hot potatoes.
  9. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or sturdy fork.
  10. Add 1/4 cup warm milk and continue mashing.
  11. If the potatoes are still too thick, add more milk or reserved cooking water 1 tablespoon at a time.
  12. Season with salt and black pepper.
  13. Taste and adjust the butter, milk, salt, or pepper before serving.

Kid Chef Tip

Children can wash the potatoes, measure the butter and milk, and mash the cooked potatoes. An adult should handle peeling, cutting, boiling water, draining the hot pot, and moving the potatoes from the stove.

Tips for Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Cut Even Pieces

  • Keep the potato cubes close to the same size.
  • Smaller pieces cook more quickly.
  • Even pieces help prevent some potatoes from becoming mushy while others remain firm.

Start with Cold Water

  • Place the potatoes in the pot before heating the water.
  • Cold water helps the potatoes cook evenly from the outside to the center.
  • Use enough water to cover the potatoes by about 1 inch.

Drain Them Well

  • Remove as much water as possible after cooking.
  • Let the drained potatoes sit in the warm pot for about 1 minute.
  • This helps extra moisture evaporate before mashing.

Add Liquid Slowly

  • Begin with less milk than you think you will need.
  • Add more 1 tablespoon at a time.
  • Too much liquid can make the potatoes thin or soupy.

Do Not Overmix

  • Mash only until the potatoes are smooth enough for your family.
  • A food processor or blender can make potatoes sticky or gluey.
  • A hand masher gives you better control over the texture.

Serve Them Warm

  • Mashed potatoes taste best soon after they are prepared.
  • Keep them covered until serving.
  • Stir in a splash of warm milk if they thicken while sitting.

Easy Mashed Potato Flavor Ideas

Once you have mastered the basic recipe, stir in one or two of these ingredients to create a different side dish.

  • Cheesy: Add shredded cheddar, Parmesan, or Monterey Jack cheese.
  • Garlic: Mix in roasted garlic or a small amount of garlic powder.
  • Herb: Add chopped parsley, chives, dill, rosemary, or thyme. Learn more in our Cooking with Herbs and Spices lesson.
  • Sour cream: Replace part of the milk with sour cream or plain Greek yogurt.
  • Loaded: Top with cheese, green onions, and cooked bacon.
  • Buttermilk: Use buttermilk in place of regular milk for a tangy flavor.
  • Vegetable: Mash in cooked cauliflower, carrots, or parsnips.
  • Gravy: Serve with homemade white pepper gravy.

Quick Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Mashed sweet potatoes are a colorful alternative to regular mashed potatoes and can be prepared in just a few minutes with canned sweet potatoes. This simple version works well as an easy side dish for chicken, pork, turkey, meatloaf, or holiday meals.

Quick mashed sweet potatoes with butter
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Ingredients

  • 1 can (17 ounces) sweet potatoes, drained well
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons milk or orange juice, if needed
  • Pinch of salt, optional

Directions

  1. Place the drained sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan.
  2. Mash them with a potato masher or sturdy fork.
  3. Stir in the butter.
  4. Place the saucepan over medium-low heat.
  5. Cook for about 5 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until the sweet potatoes are heated through.
  6. If the mixture is too thick, stir in milk or orange juice 1 tablespoon at a time.
  7. Taste and add a small pinch of salt if desired.
  8. Serve warm.

Sweet Potato Flavor Ideas

  • Add a small amount of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice.
  • Stir in 1 teaspoon brown sugar or maple syrup.
  • Add orange zest for a fresh citrus flavor.
  • Top with toasted pecans or sunflower seeds.
  • Sprinkle a few mini marshmallows over the top for a holiday variation.

Kid Chef Tip

Kids can drain the sweet potatoes, measure the butter, mash everything together, and help choose a flavor variation. An adult should handle the stovetop and hot saucepan.

Fun Mashed Potato Cones

For a playful presentation, spoon warm mashed potatoes into flat-bottom cake cones and serve them like savory ice cream cones. This idea works best with thick mashed potatoes that can hold their shape.

Mashed potatoes served in cake cones

How to Make Them

  • Prepare thick mashed potatoes using the classic recipe.
  • Stir in softened cream cheese, shredded cheese, or chopped green onions if desired.
  • Let the potatoes cool slightly so they are easier to mound.
  • Spoon or pipe the potatoes into flat-bottom cake cones.
  • Sprinkle top with bacon bits, shredded cheese, and/or chopped chives.
  • Serve immediately while warm.

Serving Tip

Use cake cones rather than pointed sugar cones so the mashed potato cones can stand upright on a plate. Serve them alongside meatloaf, grilled chicken, or another family meal.

More Fun Mashed Potato Ideas

Use mashed potatoes in playful presentations, complete meals, and other potato dishes that help kids practice new kitchen skills.

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Watch How to Make Mashed Potatoes

Follow along with this simple mashed potato video to see how the potatoes are cooked, drained, mashed, and seasoned.

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