Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
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Perfect for the busy holidays, these ultra-creamy make-ahead mashed potatoes can be prepared two days ahead of time and reheated in the microwave.
As much as my family loves buttery, gravy-drenched mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving, I’m always hesitant to make them because they’re typically a last-minute dish. Traditional mashed potatoes don’t hold up well when made ahead—they often turn dry, grainy, or even gluey, which is a real letdown for such a special occasion. And the idea of mashing potatoes at the eleventh hour, while juggling a dozen other dishes in a kitchen buzzing with guests of all ages, is downright nerve-wracking!
That’s why I was thrilled to discover a method for make-ahead mashed potatoes from Cooks Illustrated that works really well. These mashed potatoes stay ultra-creamy and can be made up to two days ahead of time. Best of all, they reheat perfectly in the microwave—a lifesaver when oven and burner space is at a premium during the holidays.
“This recipe yielded the smoothest mashed potatoes ever. This is my go-to mash now until I depart this earth.”
What You’ll Need For Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Interestingly, the recipe calls for baking the potatoes instead of boiling them. In all my years of cooking, I have never seen a mashed potato recipe that starts with baked potatoes. But it makes sense: water is the enemy of perfectly mashed potatoes. If the potatoes are too wet, they become dense and heavy. (That’s why most recipes instruct you to “dry” the boiled potatoes on the stovetop before adding the butter and liquid.) In many ways, the recipe is similar to twice-baked potatoes, which can also be made mostly ahead.
Baking the potatoes does take longer but it’s a tradeoff: you don’t have to peel or dry the potatoes and it’s completely hands-off. And since the potatoes cook directly on the oven rack, you won’t even dirty a pan!
Step-by-Step Instructions
To begin, place the potatoes directly on an oven rack and bake until very soft, 50 to 60 minutes. While the potatoes are still hot, cut each in potato in half lengthwise. Scoop out all of the flesh from each potato half into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or the bowl of an electric mixer). Break the cooked potato flesh down into small pieces using a fork, potato masher, or rubber spatula.
Beat on low speed until completely smooth and no lumps remain, stopping the mixer to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. It’s important to do this while the potatoes are still hot, otherwise you’ll end up with lumps.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring the cream and butter to a simmer.
Remove the bowl from the mixer. Using a large rubber spatula, gradually fold in the hot cream and butter mixture. Folding (rather than stirring in the stand mixer) prevents the potatoes from becoming gluey.
It will take a few minutes to mix the liquid in; keep folding until the potatoes are smooth and creamy. Mix in the salt, then taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Transfer the mashed potatoes to a large microwave-safe bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, poke lots of holes in the plastic wrap with the tip of a knife and microwave at medium-high (75 percent) power for about 14 minutes. Stir the potatoes halfway through reheating to be sure they warm evenly. Season to taste, then transfer the potatoes to a serving bowl. Top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the chives and serve warm.
If you’d prefer to reheat the potatoes in the oven, transfer them to an oven-safe dish, cover tightly with foil, and bake in a 350°F oven for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure they heat evenly.
Video Tutorial
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Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 3½ pounds Russet potatoes
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- Chives, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (235°C) and adjust an oven rack to the middle position.
- Prick each potato a few times all over with a fork. Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack (alternatively, you can place them on a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet). Bake until very soft, 50 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes. (Err on the side of overcooking rather than undercooking them.)
- Remove the potatoes from the oven. While they are still hot, cut each potato in half lengthwise. Using an oven mitt or a folded kitchen towel to hold the hot potatoes, scoop out all of the flesh from each potato half into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (*see note below on using a potato ricer, food mill or hand-held electric mixer). The flesh near the skin gets a little tough, so be sure to leave it behind. Break the cooked potato flesh down into small pieces using a potato masher, fork, or rubber spatula. Beat on low speed until completely smooth and no lumps remain, 1 to 2 minutes, stopping the mixer to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. (Note: it’s important to mash the potatoes while they are still hot, otherwise you’ll end up with lumps.)
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the cream and 6 tablespoons of the butter to a simmer.
- Remove the bowl from the mixer stand and, using a large rubber spatula, gradually fold in the hot cream and butter mixture. It will take a few minutes to mix it all in; keep folding until the potatoes are smooth and creamy. Stir in the salt, then taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Transfer the mashed potatoes to a large microwave-safe bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap (the bowl should be large enough that the potatoes don’t touch the plastic wrap). Refrigerate for up to 2 days. (DO NOT FREEZE)
- To reheat, use the tip of a knife to poke about 10 holes in the plastic wrap, and microwave at medium-high (75 percent) power until the potatoes are hot, about 14 minutes, stirring halfway through the reheating time. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Transfer the mashed potatoes to a serving dish, top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, and sprinkle with the chives. Serve hot.
Notes
- For perfectly smooth potatoes, pass the potato flesh through a potato ricer or food mill before adding them to the mixer. If you don't have a stand mixer, you can use a hand-held electric mixer. If you don't have an electric mixer, pass the potatoes through a food mill or potato ricer and then whip by hand with a wooden spoon.
- Oven-Reheating Instructions: If you’d prefer to reheat the potatoes in the oven, transfer them to an oven-safe dish, cover tightly with foil, and bake in a 350°F oven for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure they heat evenly.
Nutrition Information
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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I made this for Easter today. I needed a recipe for mashed potatoes that I could make the day before because traditionally they end up hard and starchy. These were AMAZING! They were delicious right away and don’t need to be made the day before. I’m embarrassed to share this recipe because it’s so easy. this is the last mashed potatoes receive I’ll ever need.
Hi Jenn!
I hope you and your family are well! Quick question, I love adding garlic to pretty much anything! Can I add minced garlic to these mashed potatoes, and how much should I add? I was also thinking of adding shredded cheese, but don’t know if I should add in with the potatoes mixture prior to cooking in microwave, or simply add on top of the mashed potatoes right before I put into the microwave? I typically never add to a recipe the first time I make it….especially yours since they are all delicious! But just wanted your opinion if I decide to add minced garlic and shredded cheese. I’m so excited to make these for Easter as your recipes never fail! Thanks so much Jenn! 🙂
Stacey, I’ve never added minced garlic to these, but another reader commented that she did and liked the results. And regarding the cheese, if you want to add some, but I’d wait until you reheat the potatoes to add it. Hope that helps and that you enjoy!
Thank you so much Jenn! I decided to make the recipe “as is”…your recipes never fail! 🙂 Another quick question, how many Russet Potatoes should I use for 3.5 lbs? Is 9 too many? Appreciate all your help and thanks again! 🙂
Hi Stacey, It really depends on how big the potatoes are (I see so much variation.) Your best bet would be to weigh them at the store.
After you reheat them in the microwave, can you put them in a crockpot on keep warm?
Sure, that should be fine. Enjoy!
Can these be reheated in a crockpot? If so, any guidelines? Thanks!
Hi Heather, I don’t have a crockpot so I’ve never tried it, but a number of other readers have commented that they have. I’m not sure how long they’ll take so I’d leave yourself plenty of time and just check them periodically. Hope you enjoy!
So amazing!! My husband and I love mashed potatoes and I just made your recipe exactly as is and can’t wait to share this new find with family during the holidays. I totally agree that you wouldn’t want to deal with thawing such a large amount of potatoes but have successfully frozen mashed potatoes in individual portions when we had left overs. (The high fat content makes it work). Simply freeze on parchment paper and then put them in baggies. I also added shredded cheddar and some onion powder to some of the skins, froze those and will wait to add cheddar topping before having twice baked potatoes. So, for the two of us, your recipe made enough mashed potatoes for dinner tonight, four large potato patties and five twice baked potato skins. Brilliant! Thank you so much.
Delicious! As my grown daughter assisted me in preparing lunch, one of her tasks was to get these potatoes reheated in the microwave. I think she ate one serving just checking to see if they were heated! Rave reviews from me for the convenience of a make ahead side dish and from my family for superb mashed potatoes. I find such joy in cooking for my family and I thank you for the many recipes you have shared.
Awesome! I was doubtful at first that make ahead mashed potatos would taste “fresh” but they were light and creamy. This recipe is amazing and since I despise peeling potatos it is a win, win.
Thanks, Sharen
This is THE BEST mashed potatoes I’ve ever had in my life. Absolutely brilliant to bake instead of boil & the make-ahead option is so handy to focus on the main! I had my mom over for dinner & gave her a container for leftovers – she took 2/3 of the mashed potatoes home!!
I’ve been using this recipe for mashed potatoes for couple of years now, and I will never, ever peel and boil potatoes for mashed potatoes again! These are fantastic–creamy, buttery, and easy to make. Don’t be alarmed at the amount of liquid you fold into the potatoes. It seems like too much at first, but it isn’t.
Has anyone tried red potatoes? I’d love to hear post reviews with red potatoes.
I can’t believe how much of a time saver this recipe is. It is easy and by far, the most delicious creamy mashed potatoes I have ever made. When cooking, your site is the first place I search for new recipe ideas. I have yet to be disappointed!