This homemade mashed potatoes recipe is the best easy mashed potato recipe you are going to find! Smooth potatoes bursting with flavor that make the perfect side dish! Sour cream Mashed potatoes are so creamy and flavorful that they are perfect for a weeknight dinner or a holiday meal!
Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes Recipe
If you are looking for how to make mashed potatoes you have found the right spot! You will have amazingly smooth and fluffy homemade potatoes that everyone will love when you make this easy recipe for Sour cream Mashed potatoes.
This is seriously the best mashed potatoes recipe ever, my kids call them Sour cream Mashed potatoes. I have been making it for many years and while many recipes claim to be the best I am telling you this one is. You can make this fluffy mashed potatoes recipe if you are having a family get together or a holiday dinner. They are so easy you can make them as an easy side dish to a weeknight meal.
Make The Holiday Easier!
This homemade Mashed potatoes recipe is one of the easiest side dish recipes you can make, and they are amazingly flavorful. There is just something about creamy homemade mashed potatoes that just make the perfect side dish. They go amazing with so many main dish recipes, including pan seared chicken and mushrooms, garlic parmesan pork chops, and pork meatloaf along with the traditional holiday dinner recipes.
As much as I love amazing main dishes, side dishes are also a big part of making an amazing meal. I don’t just make this homemade mashed potatoes recipe for holiday dinners like Christmas and Thanksgiving, I make mashed potatoes for weeknight meals often. This is the recipe I use anytime I am making mashed potatoes. If I have extras then I freeze them and use them for later, since it is so easy to make a large batch of them.
Easy Side Dish Recipes
- Baked Mac and Cheese
- White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
- Lemon Roasted Asparagus
- Green beans with bacon
- Cheesy Brussel Sprouts with Bacon
- Sweet potato Casserole
Tips for Making the Best Mashed Potatoes
Choose the Right Potatoes. While you can use any type of potatoes for this recipe it is best to use starchy potatoes like Russets or Yukon Golds for creamy, fluffy mashed potatoes.
Boil Properly. Start with cold water and add the potatoes. Bring to a gentle boil and cook until they’re fork-tender but not falling apart.
Drain Well. Once cooked, drain the potatoes thoroughly to remove excess water. You want them dry to absorb the flavors better.
Mash Correctly. Use a potato masher or ricer for a chunky texture or a hand mixer for a smoother consistency. Avoid using a food processor or blender as they can make the potatoes gluey.
Peel off the skins. If you want to peel the potatoes, you want to peel them before you boil them.
Cut potatoes into chunks before boiling. I find that it is easier to mash the potatoes when I leave the skin on them if I cut the potatoes into quarters before boiling them. Smaller pieces of potato skin are easier to mash.
Variations of this Recipe
Yes! The great thing about this recipe is you can use it as a base for making different flavored mashed potatoes by adding in different herbs and spices.
- Roasted Garlic. Mash roasted garlic cloves into the potatoes for a sweet, nutty flavor.
- Fresh Herbs. Chopped herbs like chives, parsley, dill, rosemary, or thyme add freshness and complexity.
- Cheese. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan, cheddar, or even goat cheese can add richness.
- Bacon. Crumbled bacon bits or pancetta can add a salty, smoky element.
- Caramelized Onions. Sautéed onions add sweetness and depth to the potatoes.
What Can I use instead of Sour Cream?
The sour cream is an important part of this recipe and the flavor, however, if you are not a fan of sour cream you can use creme fraiche or Greek yogurt instead.
What are the Best types of Potatoes for Mashed Potatoes?
I personally prefer to use yukon gold potatoes when I am making mashed potatoes, however, you can change them out for Russet potatoes, red potatoes, and Idaho potatoes when you are making this recipe.
Do I need to peel potatoes?
This is all on your preference when you are making mashed potatoes. I make this homemade mashed potatoes recipe with the skin on sometimes and I make them without the skin. It really all depends on my mood and the amount of time that I have to make this homemade mashed potatoes recipe.
How to Boil Potatoes for mashed potatoes
My preferred method of cooking potatoes is boiling them, some people bake them before mashing them but I don’t like how the skin is when they are baked.
To boil potatoes add them to a large pot, add a pinch of salt, and then fill the stock pot with cold water.
Next, turn the heat on the stove up to high heat, and put the pot on the stove. Bring the water to a rapid boil and boil for 15-20 minutes.
Depending on the size of the potato it can take a little bit longer for them to be done boiling. You will know they are done boiling when you can gently stab them with a fork and they are soft and the fork goes in.
When they are done boiling drain the potatoes in a strainer and let them sit for 5 minutes before adding them back into the stockpot.
How do you make creamy mashed potatoes?
Creamy mashed potatoes are made when you mash the freshly boiled potatoes right after they are done cooking with a potato masher and then add sour cream to them and mix them well.
How to Store Mashed Potatoes
Allow mashed potatoes to cool completely before putting in an airtight container and storing in the fridge.
Can I freeze Homemade Mashed potatoes?
Yes! You can totally freeze them and it is super easy! When you reheat them they still taste just as amazing as they did fresh! It is important to make sure there is enough fat content in the mashed potatoes you are freezing or you will end up with grainy and gross potatoes.
How to Freeze Mashed Potatoes
There are two ways to freeze mashed potatoes, you can freeze them in individual servings or as a large batch. First you need to let the potatoes cool completely no matter which way you are freezing them.
If you are freezing them as single servings line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then scoop 1/2 cup – 1 cup of mashed potatoes and place it on the baking sheet. Continue until all of your mashed potatoes are set up and then place the baking sheet in the freezer for 3-4 hours. Once they are completely frozen, remove the potatoes from the baking sheet and store them in a freezer ziplock bag.
If you are freezing them in a large batch, once the potatoes are cooled scoop them into a freezer safe container or a large ziplock bag. Put the lid on tight and put in the freezer.
How long do mashed potatoes last in the freezer?
They will last in the freezer for 10-12 months as long as they are in an air tight container or in a sealed ziploc bag.
How to thaw frozen mashed potatoes
To thaw, remove them from the freezer the night before you want to use them and place them in the fridge.
How to Reheat Mashed Potatoes
There are a few ways to reheat potatoes once you have defrosted them. All of them will give you amazing reheated mashed potatoes.
Reheat Mashed Potatoes in a slow cooker. Add the defrosted potatoes to the crockpot, turn it on low, and add in half a cup of butter.
Reheat in a pan on the stove. Add the potatoes to a nonstick pan, on medium heat on the stove. Stir constantly while heating the potatoes for 8-10 minutes. Add extra butter if needed.
Reheat Mashed potatoes in the microwave. Add the defrosted potatoes to a microwave safe bowl and heat for 3-5 minutes depending on the amount of mashed potatoes you have. Stir and then reheat a little bit longer if needed until the potatoes are fully warmed.
Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes Recipe Ingredients
- yukon gold potatoes
- sour cream
- butter
- onion
- salt
- black pepper
How to Make Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Boil the potatoes in a large stockpot until they are soft. Once they are done, drain in the sink with a colander and let sit for 5 minutes.
While the potatoes are boiling dice your onion and cut the butter into small chunks and set aside.
Return the potatoes to the stockpot and mash with a potato masher. Mash to the desired consistency. If you like smoother potatoes then you will want to mash them a lot when you are making mashed potatoes. You can leave chunks in the potatoes if you want to.
Once at the consistency wanted add the sour cream, diced onion, butter, salt, and pepper. Use a large spoon to mix everything together until blended and smooth. If you need to make them smoother you can use the potato masher to mash them some more.
More Easy Potato Recipes
- Hasselback potatoes
- Smashed Potatoes
- Oven Roasted Potatoes
- Garlic Parmesan Potato Chips
- Baked Potato Soup
Kitchen Basics
These are essentials for pretty much every recipe! They also make great gifts for those just starting to cook or moving out on their own.
Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 5 pounds yukon gold potatoes
- 2 16 ounces containers of sour cream
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 white onion
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
Instructions
- How to Make The Best Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- Boil the potatoes in a large stock pot until they are soft. Once they are done, drain in the sink with a colander and let sit for 5 minutes.
- While the potatoes are boiling dice your onion and cut the butter into small chunks and set aside.
- Return the potatoes to the stock pot and mash with a potato masher. Mash to the desired consistency.
- Once at the consistency wanted add both containers sour cream, diced onion, butter, salt and pepper. Use a large spoon to mix everything together until blended and smooth. If you need to make them smoother you can use the potato masher to mash them some more.
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