FAQs
Garlic and herbs are added to boost flavor
Instead of boiling a few potatoes and mashing them plain, a lot of restaurant chefs like to apply a little more finesse. Garlic and herbs infused in butter and cream add a flavor boost without overpowering.
Why don't my mashed potatoes taste good? ›
First and foremost, don't cut your potatoes too small or cook them too long. Cutting potatoes into a small dice for a batch of mashed potatoes may speed up their cooking time, but it also increases the surface area through which the potatoes surrender flavor compounds, starch, and pectin to the cooking water.
How long do I need to boil potatoes for mashed potatoes? ›
Once boiling, reduce heat, adjusting as needed to maintain a simmer. Cook potatoes until they offer no resistance when pierced: 10–12 minutes for baby potatoes, 15–20 minutes for small potatoes, or 30–40 minutes for large cubed potatoes. Drain potatoes in a colander and let cool 10 minutes.
How to make mashed potatoes more thick? ›
You can use what you have on hand: Flour, cornstarch, or powdered milk are all solid options that are probably already in your pantry. Potato flour and potato starch would work as well. Stir in the thickening agent gradually, about a tablespoon at a time, until the potatoes have reached your desired consistency.
How do restaurants make their mashed potatoes so good? ›
Potato Ricer: A potato ricer produces incredibly smooth and fluffy mashed potatoes by pressing cooked potatoes through small holes. It's ideal for achieving a restaurant-quality texture.
What adds flavor to mashed potatoes? ›
Garlic – For savory depth of flavor. Unsalted butter – For richness and buttery flavor. Milk – It smooths the starchy potatoes into an incredibly creamy mash. Use whole milk for the creamiest results.
What should you avoid when making mashed potatoes? ›
The 7 Biggest Mistakes You Make With Mashed Potatoes
- You Don't Wash Potatoes First. ...
- You Use Just One Type of Potato. ...
- You Don't Season the Water. ...
- You Add Potato Pieces to Boiling Water. ...
- You Use the Wrong Gadget to Mash the Potatoes. ...
- You Only Use Butter. ...
- You Make the Potatoes Too Soon.
Is milk or cream better for mashed potatoes? ›
I like to use a combination of both! The cream makes the potatoes rich, and the milk helps keep them moist. Should milk be cold or warm for mashed potatoes? The potatoes will turn out creamier if the dairy is slightly warmed.
Is it better to add cold or hot milk to mashed potatoes? ›
For the very best result every time, always gently warm the butter and milk before adding to the potatoes, rather than adding cold dairy straight from the fridge. Here's why: Warm dairy is absorbed faster and more easily, with less stirring than its cold counterpart.
Why put salt in water when boiling potatoes? ›
Dense potatoes don't absorb seasonings easily, so you'll need to salt the water liberally so that the water the potatoes do drink up also carries in seasoning. And because potatoes are so timid in flavor, they need that salt to bring them out of their shells. Pour some salt in, then keep going.
Although they seem straightforward, following a few key tips will ensure mashed potato success. Always start cooking potatoes in cold water and mash them while still warm. At Le Cordon Bleu, we used an old-fashioned food mill, others swear by a ricer or a hand-held mixer.
Do you rinse potatoes after boiling for mashed potatoes? ›
Set potatoes over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook until potatoes are completely tender, about 15 minutes after reaching a simmer. Drain potatoes in a colander and rinse under hot running water for 30 seconds to wash away excess starch.
What happens if you add too much milk to mashed potatoes? ›
Runny potatoes can happen for a few different reasons. Too much liquid: This is the most common reason. In the mashing process you may have added too much milk or broth. Boiled too long: Boiling your potatoes for too long can make them water-logged, which (you guessed it) can contribute to runny mashed potatoes.
Why my mashed potatoes are never fluffy? ›
Chances are the interior of the potato was not fully cooked. That's why we recommend peeling and cutting the potato into even sized chunks, 1 ½ to 2 inch cubes and then boiling. For a drier mashed I've had success in baking potatoes with the skin on till 210 degrees F inside, 185 degrees minimum.
How do you make mashed potatoes fluffy and not gluey? ›
For mashed potatoes that are smooth without being gummy, a potato ricer is your best bet. It gently presses the potato into fine pieces, so all that's left to do is add your liquid and a pat or two of butter.
How do restaurants keep mashed potatoes fresh? ›
Restaurants prepare the potatoes ahead by boiling and mashing just the potato, then just before serving, it is mixed into boiling cream (or milk or even broth or a combination thereof) to reheat it and make it nice and creamy.
Why are restaurant baked potatoes so good? ›
People are often accustomed to placing their taters on a baking sheet with parchment paper or wrapping their spuds in foil. But one of the reasons why restaurant baked potatoes taste so good is because kitchens know that using wire racks or oven grates allows all sides of the spuds to be exposed to hot air.
Why are Bob Evans mashed potatoes so good? ›
Made with fresh red skin potatoes, butter, and real buttermilk, Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes tastes like homemade. We put extra care into making our mashed potatoes rich and creamy to deliver that homemade flavor your family expects.