Everyone has their own way of making mashed potatoes. Some cook with peel on, while others don’t. Then we found this Chef John’s mashed potatoes recipe, which is very different and classy. It has become the perfect classic side dish after our chef made it.
These mashed potatoes prepared by our chef are buttery and creamy. They are perfectly dense and thick. They contain starchy potatoes and russet. The best part is you can make this recipe quickly and have it on your busy menu lineup.
The only thing you need to keep in mind is to use cold butter and warm milk for the best flavor and texture. Also, follow this recipe guide thoroughly, as it has answered all your questions, which is essential.
So, let’s dive right into making these creamy buttery Chef John’s mashed potatoes. I’m sure you will surely love this recipe. They’re total winners. If you’re looking for a quick recipe, bookmark this one, and let’s mash some potatoes together!
Is This The Exact Chef John’s Mashed Potatoes Recipe?
Yes, this is the Chef John’s mashed potatoes recipe our chef prepared in the studio. We’ve followed the exact recipe suggested by Chef John.
Therefore, the result is a creamy, fluffy, light-textured mash with a hint of earthy flavor. This recipe is incredible and sure to try at home.
Is Chef John’s Mashed Potatoes Different From Regular Mashed Potatoes?
Chef John’s mashed potatoes are slightly different from the regular mashed potatoes. Chef John’s recommends using Russet potatoes for the recipe as they yield light and fluffy mash. While other recipes generally use Yukon gold potatoes or a combination of both.
Besides this, Chef John has used whole milk for that fluffy consistency, while other recipes use either heavy cream or half-and-half for the perfect mashed potatoes. Many recipes add garlic cloves to intensify flavor, but Chef John kept it simple.
Why You’ll Love These Chef John Mashed Potatoes?
- This Chef John’s mashed potatoes are fluffy, creamy, and incredible.
- Chef John’s mashed potatoes are a perfect and delicious side dish or an appetizer that you can have.
- This recipe can be made in one pot in under half an hour.
- This recipe is straightforward to make and requires no fancy ingredients to make.
- The best part is to experiment with dried herbs or swap desired ingredients.
Is This Mashed Potatoes Recipe Vegan or Gluten-Free?
Chef John’s mashed potatoes are not vegan but entirely gluten-free. The reason for not being vegan-free is using milk and butter, both animal products. So, mashed potatoes are not considered vegan or plant-based.
However, you can make it vegan-free, too, by substituting whole milk with plant-based milk, such as oat, soy, rice, or almond milk. Besides this, this mashed potato is entirely safe to consume, even if you are gluten intolerant.
Equipment Required For Chef John’s Mashed Potatoes
- Saucepan – Boil the potatoes in a saucepan containing salted water until tender for fifteen to twenty minutes.
- Knife – Cut the potatoes into half and pierce them with a knife to ensure they are boiled.
- Peeler – Peel the russet potatoes with the peeler for the recipe.
- Chopping Board – Chop the potatoes on a chopping board to avoid mess and for fine cutting.
- Colander – Drain the water from the cooked potatoes using a colander.
- Potato Masher – Mash boiled potatoes for the recipe until smooth and fluffy using a potato masher.
Chef John’s Mashed Potatoes Ingredients
- Russet Potatoes – We have used russet potatoes for this recipe as they yield a light and fluffy texture when boiled. They will add a delicate flavor to the recipe.
- Whole Milk – Pour whole milk while preparing the mashed potatoes for that fluffy consistency.
- Butter – Adding butter will help give a starchy texture and richer flavor to the recipe.
- Salt – Add salt to the water while boiling your potatoes to enhance their flavor.
- Ground Black Pepper – We have sprinkled black pepper into the recipe to add a complex flavor profile, making it bolder.
Chef John’s Mashed Potatoes Ingredients Substitutions
- Potatoes – Russet potatoes are an ideal choice for mashed potatoes. But, if you don’t have russet potatoes, you can use Yukon Gold, Yukon Purple, or sweet potatoes. Make sure not to use red potatoes, as they are too waxy.
- Milk – We’ve used whole milk for the recipe. But you can substitute it with plant-based options such as almond, soy, or coconut milk. Other than this, you can also use half-and-half or heavy cream.
- Butter – Instead of using butter, you can swap it with vegan butter or olive oil.
- Salt – There is no substitute for salt. But you can use any salt you like in this recipe.
- Pepper – Substitute black pepper with white pepper or cayenne pepper.
Is It Better To Peel Potatoes Before Boiling?
Chef John recommends peeling the potatoes before boiling. The peeled potatoes will absorb less water during cooking, resulting in a fluffier mash. Also, if you peel the potatoes, they will cook more evenly.
The only reason behind peeling potatoes is to get a smoother texture. You will have a super-light and fluffy mash with no color contrast.
How Long To Boil Potatoes For Perfect Mashed Potatoes?
Peeled and cubed potatoes into small pieces generally take around ten to twelve minutes to boil until tender. At the same time, larger pieces take around fifteen minutes to cook.
But, if you boil medium whole potatoes, they should be cooked within twenty minutes. Even larger whole potatoes need twenty-five to half an hour to simmer. This recipe takes about fifteen to twenty minutes to boil for the perfect mashed potatoes.
Does Chef John Melt Butter Before Putting In Mashed Potatoes?
No, Chef John doesn’t melt butter before putting in mashed potatoes. Instead, he let the butter soften at room temperature. Then, he cut the butter into chunks and added them to the mash.
The reason is cold butter helps keep the potatoes from becoming gluey. Also, it adds richness and flavor; when it melts in the mash, it releases the flavor.
Even our chef doesn’t recommend using melted butter as the milk solids and fat can separate, making your mashed potatoes lumpy. However, the choice is yours, but make sure to keep everything the same.
Chef John’s Mashed Potatoes Preparation And Cooking Time
| Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Minutes | 25 Minutes | 45 Minutes |
Chef John’s Mashed Potatoes Recipe Steps
Step 1- Start with placing peeled and diced potatoes in a saucepan.
Step 2- Boil them over medium heat until tender, for about 20 to 25 minutes.
Step 3- Once done, mash cooked potatoes with a potato masher until smooth.
Step 4- Add a knob of butter to it.
Step 5- Season it with salt and pepper.
Step 6- Whisk the mixture for about 15 seconds until well combined.
Step 7- Add warm milk, and whisk the mixture to get the desired consistency.
Step 8- Your Chef John’s Mashed Potatoes is ready.
Tips To Make This Chef John’s Mashed Potatoes Better
- Russet potatoes are ideal for mashed potatoes, but you can also use a blend of starchy potatoes like russet and Yukon gold. You will get the best flavor and texture.
- Add potatoes in cold water first to ensure that the potatoes cook evenly. If you directly add potatoes in hot water, the skin will get soft, but the middle will be hard.
- Don’t cook whole large potatoes as they won’t cook evenly. Slice the potatoes into half and then boil them for the best results.
- Don’t overmix the mashed potatoes, or else you will get a gummy texture, which could be better. So, stir the liquid and seasonings until they are combined.
- Warm the butter and not melt them. It will blend more easily into the warm potatoes, making them creamier and softer.
What Does Milk Do To Mashed Potatoes?
As you can see, we have added whole milk to this Chef John’s mashed potatoes recipe, but do you know why milk? Well, we’ve added milk to mashed potatoes because:
- Milk’s fat and protein content helps create a smooth and creamy texture.
- It helps to bind the potatoes together, preventing them from becoming too loose or runny.
- The fat content in the milk adds richness and flavor.
- It also helps to keep the potatoes from becoming dry due to the water in the milk.
So, it is essential to use warm milk when making mashed potatoes. Cold milk will make the potatoes lumpy.
How Will These Chef John’s Mashed Potatoes Look And Taste Like?
This Chef John’s mashed potatoes are light, fluffy, and creamy. It has a rich and buttery flavor. We’ve made it with russet potatoes, milk, butter, salt, and pepper. These russet potatoes are then boiled and mashed until smooth and creamy.
They’re fluffy and delicious with a hint of earthy flavor. Chef John’s mashed potatoes are a classic comfort food for any occasion. They are easy to make and always a hit with guests.
Chef John’s Mashed Potatoes Nutritional Values
Unluckily, these Chef John’s mashed potatoes are not healthy as they are highly made with butter, milk, and starchy potatoes. However, you can make it healthy depending on the ingredients you use. We’ve prepared a table that will give you an idea of its nutritional value. Take a look at the table below:
| Calories | 333 kcal |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Cholesterol | 34 mg |
| Sodium | 30 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 50 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Protein | 7 g |
| Vitamin C | 55 mg |
| Calcium | 71 mg |
| Iron | 2 mg |
| Potassium | 1212 mg |
Can You Make These Mashed Potatoes Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can make this Chef John’s mashed potatoes ahead of time. For this, peel and quarter the starchy potatoes. Boil them until they are tender.
Now, mash the potatoes until they are smooth and creamy. Stir in the milk, butter, salt, and pepper. Cover the mashed potatoes and refrigerate them for up to two days.
How To Store These Mashed Potatoes Properly?
If you have cooked a whole batch of mashed potatoes and couldn’t complete it, store it properly. Transfer mashed potatoes to a large bowl and cover it with plastic wrap or an airtight lid. Now, refrigerate for up to four days.
Other than this, if you plan to freeze mashed potatoes, prepare them with milk and butter and not broth. Then, only you will get creamy and flavorful mashed potatoes. You can freeze mashed potatoes for a month, or else it will cause a freezer burn.
Can You Reheat These Mashed Potatoes?
Yes, you can reheat mashed potatoes quickly. We’ve mentioned three ways to reheat them. They are:
- Microwave – Cover leftover in a microwave-safe bowl with a plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Now, poke a few holes in the wrap and microwave the potatoes until hot, stirring every three to four minutes.
- Instant Pot – Transfer leftover mashed potatoes to a pressure cooker and warm them for an hour until hot.
- Oven – Cover mashed potatoes in a large stockpot with a lid. Reheat the potatoes at 350°F for half an hour until hot.
What To Serve With Chef John’s Mashed Potatoes?
You can serve Chef John’s mashed potatoes as it is. But you can serve it with these pretty fabulous sides. Here are some vegetarian options to consider:
- Chef John’s Meatballs – Chef John’s meatballs will work well with creamy mashed potatoes. These blissful balls will add a rich and smoky flavor. Their flavors and textures pair well.
- Chef John’s Perfect Prime Rib – Pair creamy mashed potatoes with perfect prime rib for this Thanksgiving dinner. The creaminess and tenderness of the mashed potatoes offer an ideal balance to the meat’s saltiness.
- Chef John’s Stuffed Peppers – You can use these freshly prepared mashed potatoes with stuffed peppers. You can load these peppers with mashed potatoes and enjoy the creamy and crunchy flavors simultaneously.
- Chef John’s Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy – Dip your biscuits in this Thanksgiving recipe. Please make your turkey gravy and enjoy its deliciousness with flaky biscuits.
- Chef John’s Au Jus – Serve your biscuits with this French gravy dish made with beef broth. Its rich and thick flavor will perfectly complement your flaky biscuits.
- Chef John’s Roast Turkey And Gravy – This classic dish made with Turkey, veggies, herbs, and poultry seasoning will pair perfectly with tender, flaky biscuits. You can dip the biscuits in the gravy and serve.
Other Recipes To Try
So, it was all about Chef John’s mashed potatoes that you can prepare at home. This recipe is straightforward and is very creamy and buttery. Just follow this guide promptly for the best flavors.
Other than this, if you want to try Chef John’s recipes, you can check them too. Some of them are Chef John’s Fried Zucchini Spaghetti, Chef John Gazpacho Soup, Chef John Buttermilk Biscuits, Chef John’s Perfect Prime Rib Recipe, Chef John’s Salmon Cakes Recipe.
Recipe Card
Chef John’s Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Knife
- Peeler
- Chopping Board
- Colander
- Potato Masher
Ingredients
- 3 large Russet Potatoes (peeled and cut in half lengthwise)
- ½ cup Whole Milk
- ¼ cup Butter
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
- Start with placing peeled and diced potatoes in a saucepan.
- Boil them over medium heat until tender, for about 20 to 25 minutes.
- Once done, mash cooked potatoes with a potato masher until smooth.
- Add a knob of butter to it.
- Season it with salt and pepper.
- Whisk the mixture for about 15 seconds until well combined.
- Add warm milk, whisk the mixture to get the desired consistency.
- Your Chef John's Mashed Potatoes is ready.
Video
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What makes mashed potatoes fluffy?
We recommend using high-starch, low-moisture potatoes like russets for fluffy mashed potatoes. Mashed potatoes are made by crushing cooked potatoes into fine particles and then coating those particles in butter and milk or cream.
Which spice is good to add to mashed potatoes?
Season your mashed potatoes recipe with garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, dill weed, parsley and chives. Smooth the remaining mashed potatoes over top of the seasonings layer.
Should I melt the butter before putting it in mashed potatoes?
We recommend not melting butter before stirring it into the potatoes; otherwise, the milk solids and fat will separate. You can add cold butter to your hot potatoes since the butter will melt and distribute the fat and milk solids evenly.
Why don’t you blend mashed potatoes?
Blending potato mash with a hand blender will create the risk of releasing too much starch, creating a gluey, sticky mess.
Conclusion
Chef John’s mashed potatoes are relatively easy and yield delicious results. By following the tips and tricks in this article, you’ll be well on your way to creating a dish that will wow your family and friends. So, what are you waiting for? Get cooking!
