These are the ultimate creamy homemade mashed potatoes with butter, sour cream, and whole milk. They are the perfect side dish for your holiday meals or Sunday family spread.
If I dare say so, this is the best mashed potato recipe you will ever have or want. Unless, of course, you are looking for garlic mashed potatoes or instant pot mashed potatoes.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Potatoes: My go-to potatoes for this recipe are Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes.
- Butter: You can use unsalted or salted butter.
- Sour cream: Full-fat sour cream is best for flavor and texture.
- Milk: Whole milk is best for the ultimate creamy texture.
- Fresh herbs: I like to use a little chopped fresh chives, parsley, thyme, sage, or rosemary for garnish.
How to Make Homemade Mashed Potatoes
This is a summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.
Peel and boil the potatoes in well-salted water. Drain the potatoes well. Add the butter, cover, and let the warm potatoes melt the butter. Add the sour cream and milk, cover to warm for a minute or two. Mash thoroughly with a handheld potato masher. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh herbs and a pat or two of batter.
Preparation Tips
- Use a potato masher or a potato ricer. If using a potato ricer, feed the well-drained potatoes through the potato ricer before adding the butter, sour cream, and milk.
- Start with a 1/2 cup of milk and add 1-3 more tablespoons of milk as needed to reach the desired consistency.
- Do not use an electric mixer or food processor for mashed potatoes, as it releases a lot of starch, resulting in a gummy texture. For a light, fluffy texture, use a potato masher or a potato ricer.
- Mash the potatoes while they are warm. They mash so much easier and with more consistency.
Serving Suggestions
- Beef: oven-baked beef brisket, beef short ribs, or beef tips and gravy
- Chicken: Mississippi chicken, chicken stroganoff, or Cajun chicken
- Pork: smothered pork chops, air-fried pork tenderloin, or roasted pork loin
Homemade Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 lbs Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons salt
- ½ cup butter, unsalted or salted plus more for garnish
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½-¾ cup whole milk, warmed
- salt to taste
- freshy ground black pepper to taste
- chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Peel and cut the potatoes into large chunks. Add the potatoes to a large pot of cold water. Add the salt and bring the pot to a boil. Reduce the heat to a gentle boil and cook until the potatoes are fork tender, 15-20 minutes. Drain the potatoes well.
- Add the butter to the pot with the potatoes and cover the pot to melt the butter. Add the sour cream and milk, cover to warm for 1-2 minutes.
- Mash thoroughly with a handheld potato masher. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Garnish with fresh herbs and a pat or two of batter.
SONIA SEIVWRIGHT
I never really thought about how a food processor could make mashed potatoes gummy—such a great tip! Using a ricer or masher just feels so much more comforting and old-school in the best way. I can totally picture these alongside a Sunday roast… or honestly, just a big bowl to myself with way too much butter.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sonia! Enjoy!
Jennifer
I haven’t had a decent mashed potato in a while! I think I might use this recipe tonight! It looks so yummy!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Jennifer! Enjoy!
Catalina
These turned out perfect—smooth, rich, and full of flavor. Best mashed potatoes I’ve made at home!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Catalina! So glad that you liked them!
Catalina
I made these last night and they were so creamy and buttery. Best mashed potatoes I’ve ever had!
Beth Pierce
So glad that you liked them, Catalina!
Cara
There’s a reason why the classics never go out of style! The homemade version is always worth it
Beth Pierce
So true!
Mimi
The most amazing potato recipe! I love to make it with chicken, fish, meat, you name it. Always to the rescue!
Vidhya
I make this so often I can’t even count haha. One of the best side dishes to make with so many dishes!
Mahy
The most amazing mashed potatoes ever! Thank you for sharing all the tips!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Mahy!
Kristin
I made these last night with my Yukons to go with the meatloaf. This is the perfect mashed potato recipe.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Kristin!
Maria
There’s nothing better than good, homemade mashed potatoes. These were so good.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Maria!