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.

Butter melting into a bowl of mashed potatoes.

As much as my family loves buttery, gravy-drenched mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving, I’ve always been hesitant about making them because they need to be prepared at the last minute. Traditional mashed potatoes don’t hold up well when made ahead of time, often becoming dry, grainy, or even gluey—a real letdown for such a special occasion. The thought of mashing potatoes in the eleventh hour, while juggling a dozen other dishes in a kitchen buzzing with guests of all ages, is nerve-wracking, to say the least! That’s why I was thrilled to discover a method for make-ahead mashed potatoes from Cooks Illustrated that works really well. Not only do these mashed potatoes stay ultra-creamy, but they can also be made up to two days ahead of time and reheated in the microwave—a huge bonus when oven and burner space is at a premium during the holidays.

“I’ve always dreaded making mashed potatoes on the day of Thanksgiving. Too much work and mess, and they never seem to come out the way I want them to. These make-ahead mashed potatoes were the perfect solution! And they were so creamy and delicious!! They got rave reviews from my family and definitely earned a permanent spot on my Thanksgiving menu!”

Helen

What you’ll need for make-ahead mashed potatoes

Ingredients including potatoes, butter, and heavy whipping cream.

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!

How To Make Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Person scooping the flesh from halved potatoes.

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.

Cooked potatoes in a stand mixer.

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.

Stand mixer full of processed potatoes.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring the cream and butter to a simmer.

Butter and cream in a pan on the stove.

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.

Spatula folding cream mixture into potatoes.

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.

Spatula in a bowl of creamy mashed potatoes.

Transfer the mashed potatoes to a large microwave-safe bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 2 days. 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.

Butter melting into a bowl of mashed potatoes.

Video Tutorial

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Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

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.

Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 3½ pounds Russet potatoes
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • Chives, for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 450°F and adjust an oven rack to the middle position.
  2. Prick each potato a few times all over with a fork, if you like (see note). 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.)
  3. 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.)
  4. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the cream and 6 tablespoons of the butter to a simmer.
  5. 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)
  6. 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.
  7. Note: Conventional wisdom says that prior to baking, you have to prick potatoes with a fork a few times to allow steam to escape during baking. The theory is that if you don’t prick the potato, the steam can build up under the skin and cause the potato to explode in the oven. I don't prick my potatoes and have never had a potato explosion, but pricking won't harm the potatoes, so go ahead and prick them as insurance, if you like.
  8. 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.

Nutrition Information

Powered by Edamam

  • Per serving (8 servings)
  • Calories: 464
  • Fat: 34 g
  • Saturated fat: 21 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Sodium: 470 mg
  • Cholesterol: 112 mg

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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Comments

  • Can you reheat in the oven?

    • — Kayla White on March 28, 2024
    • Reply
    • Yep, I’d set the temp to 350 degrees. They should take 30 to 40 minutes and I’d give them a stir halfway through. Enjoy!

      • — Jenn on March 29, 2024
      • Reply
  • These were absolutely delicious! Thank you for such a great, reliable make ahead recipe!

    • — Jennifer Blanco on February 14, 2024
    • Reply
  • Can I reheat in a steam oven as I do not have a microwave?

    • — Doug on February 3, 2024
    • Reply
    • Hi Doug, I’m not familiar with a steam oven, but it is fine to reheat them in a standard oven. I’d set the temp to 350 degrees. They should take 30 to 40 minutes and I’d give them a stir halfway through. Enjoy!

      • — Jenn on February 5, 2024
      • Reply
  • I would like to make these for a party, how will they do heating in a sterno pan

    • — Leslie on February 1, 2024
    • Reply
    • Hi Leslie, Are you saying that you’d reheat them and then keep them warm using a sterno pan?

      • — Jenn on February 2, 2024
      • Reply
  • Will this recipe work using a hand mixer?

    • — Barb F on January 30, 2024
    • Reply
    • Yep – enjoy!

      • — Jenn on January 31, 2024
      • Reply
  • Wonderful mashed potato recipe!! Followed all instructions, served it the next day with Jenn’s Beef Stew with Carrots and Potatoes (minus the potatoes). I don’t like the potatoes cooked in the stew, so I added extra carrots and served the stew and carrots with with the mashed potatoes. This was such a great meal, multiple compliments on the stew and the mashed potatoes. The stew was cooked two days before, the potatoes the day before. That made life so much easier on the day it was served!! Served it with French bread. Thanks for another winner, Jenn Segal!!

    • — MeltinginTexas on January 9, 2024
    • Reply
  • Made this for Christmas dinner and it was delicious! I’ll never make mashed potatoes another way again. This recipe is it!

    • — Lercal on January 8, 2024
    • Reply
  • Made these for Christmas dinner along with the stuffed and rolled turkey breast. I weighed out 3.5 lbs of smallish Russet potatoes and baked till done. When I scooped out the potatoes into the mixer it seemed too small for six adults! Without enough time to bake more in the oven I cooked the remaining 1.5 lbs from the bag in the microwave then added to the original. They were delicious and filled the serving bowl with leftovers. Served with the turkey gravy also from this site. Thanks Jenn for consistently delicious recipes! Five ⭐!

    • — Catherine Bredenberg on January 7, 2024
    • Reply
    • I am having a baked potato party for 30 people and anticipate having some leftover baked potatoes. Can I use these cold baked potatoes for mashed potato adapting the recipe just to go with the cold baked potatoes, reheating them later.

      • — Kay Pihl on March 4, 2024
      • Reply
      • Hi Kay, I wouldn’t recommend it – I think these are definitely best with hot potatoes fresh out of the oven – sorry!

        • — Jenn on March 8, 2024
        • Reply
  • Just wondering if there is some way to substitute half & half for the heavy cream in this mashed potato recipe?

    Sincere thanks for all your wonderful recipes!!

    • — MeltinginTexas on January 3, 2024
    • Reply
    • Unfortunately half and half won’t work here. If you don’t want to use heavy cream, you may want to consider this recipe instead.

      • — Jenn on January 4, 2024
      • Reply
  • These potatoes were game-changers and delicious! So much easier than “potato panic” at the last minute!

    • — TexAnn on December 31, 2023
    • Reply

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