Make Mashed Potatoes

Boil potatoes until tender, drain well, then mash with butter and milk or cream until smooth and seasoned to taste.

Easy · 25-35 minutes

Tools

Large pot
Colander
Potato masher
Knife
Cutting board
Measuring cup
Spoon

Materials

2 lb potatoes
4 tbsp butter
1/2 to 3/4 cup milk or cream
Salt
Black pepper

Safety

Use caution when cutting potatoes with a knife.
Be careful handling boiling water, hot potatoes, and steam.
Drain potatoes slowly and securely to avoid burns.
Keep pot handles turned inward on the stove.

Steps

Step 1: Prepare the potatoes
- Wash the potatoes well.
- Peel them if desired, or leave the skins on for a more rustic texture.
- Cut the potatoes into evenly sized chunks so they cook at the same rate.
Check: Potato pieces are roughly similar in size. · Any dirt or damaged spots have been removed.
Step 2: Boil until tender
- Place the potato chunks in a large pot and cover with cold water.
- Add a pinch of salt to the water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a steady simmer.
- Cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
Check: A fork slides into the potatoes easily. · The potatoes are soft but not falling apart in the water.
Step 3: Drain well
- Turn off the heat.
- Carefully pour the potatoes into a colander to drain.
- Let them sit for a minute so excess moisture can evaporate.
Check: There is no standing water left on the potatoes. · The potatoes look dry on the surface, not watery.
Step 4: Mash the potatoes
- Return the drained potatoes to the pot or place them in a large bowl.
- Add the butter first and begin mashing.
- Pour in the milk or cream gradually while mashing until you reach the texture you want.
Check: The butter is melted into the hot potatoes. · The potatoes are mashed to your preferred smoothness. · The mixture is soft and fluffy, not runny.
Step 5: Season and serve
- Add salt and black pepper to taste.
- Stir well and taste again.
- Serve warm.
- Optional: mix in garlic, chives, or sour cream for extra flavor.
Check: The potatoes taste well seasoned. · The final texture is creamy and easy to spoon.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 of 5

Prepare the potatoes

Wash the potatoes well.
Peel them if desired, or leave the skins on for a more rustic texture.
Cut the potatoes into evenly sized chunks so they cook at the same rate.

Check

Potato pieces are roughly similar in size. • Any dirt or damaged spots have been removed.

Was this step clear?

Step 2 of 5

Boil until tender

Place the potato chunks in a large pot and cover with cold water.
Add a pinch of salt to the water.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to a steady simmer.
Cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.

Check

A fork slides into the potatoes easily. • The potatoes are soft but not falling apart in the water.

Was this step clear?

Step 3 of 5

Drain well

Turn off the heat.
Carefully pour the potatoes into a colander to drain.
Let them sit for a minute so excess moisture can evaporate.

Check

There is no standing water left on the potatoes. • The potatoes look dry on the surface, not watery.

Was this step clear?

Step 4 of 5

Mash the potatoes

Return the drained potatoes to the pot or place them in a large bowl.
Add the butter first and begin mashing.
Pour in the milk or cream gradually while mashing until you reach the texture you want.

Check

The butter is melted into the hot potatoes. • The potatoes are mashed to your preferred smoothness. • The mixture is soft and fluffy, not runny.

Was this step clear?

Step 5 of 5

Season and serve

Add salt and black pepper to taste.
Stir well and taste again.
Serve warm.
Optional: mix in garlic, chives, or sour cream for extra flavor.

Check

The potatoes taste well seasoned. • The final texture is creamy and easy to spoon.

Was this step clear?

Steps

Step 1: Prepare the potatoes

Wash the potatoes well.
Peel them if desired, or leave the skins on for a more rustic texture.
Cut the potatoes into evenly sized chunks so they cook at the same rate.

Check: Potato pieces are roughly similar in size. · Any dirt or damaged spots have been removed.

Step 2: Boil until tender

Place the potato chunks in a large pot and cover with cold water.
Add a pinch of salt to the water.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to a steady simmer.
Cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.

Check: A fork slides into the potatoes easily. · The potatoes are soft but not falling apart in the water.

Step 3: Drain well

Turn off the heat.
Carefully pour the potatoes into a colander to drain.
Let them sit for a minute so excess moisture can evaporate.

Check: There is no standing water left on the potatoes. · The potatoes look dry on the surface, not watery.

Step 4: Mash the potatoes

Return the drained potatoes to the pot or place them in a large bowl.
Add the butter first and begin mashing.
Pour in the milk or cream gradually while mashing until you reach the texture you want.

Check: The butter is melted into the hot potatoes. · The potatoes are mashed to your preferred smoothness. · The mixture is soft and fluffy, not runny.