Traditional mashed potatoes get an extra dose of luxe flavor from sour cream.
Serves6 to 8Makes7 to 8 cupsPrep15 minutes to 25 minutesCook30 minutesWe independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Mashed potatoes are one of my top comfort foods, and I love an ultra-smooth, creamy version laden with butter and cream or milk. They’re also a blank canvas when I feel like changing it up a bit, and one of the easiest additions is some sour cream. The thick, tangy dairy is a natural in mashed potatoes, adding a subtle tangy flavor. Sour cream mashed potatoes are as easy to make as regular mashed potatoes, and you can channel some sour cream-and-onion vibes with a sprinkle of chives or scallions at the end.
Why Should You Use Sour Cream in Your Mashed Potatoes?
Sour cream adds a little bit of tangy flavor and a boost of richness to mashed potatoes. It’s a fun change from the standard milk or cream and butter combo usually flavoring mashed taters. You can even try your hand at making homemade sour cream from heavy cream!
How to Make Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
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Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Traditional mashed potatoes get an extra dose of luxe flavor from sour cream.
Prep time 15 minutes to 25 minutes
Cook time 30 minutes
Makes 7 to 8 cups
Serves 6 to 8
Ingredients
- 3 pounds
russet potatoes (5 to 6 large)
- 1 tablespoon
plus 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more as needed
- 1 1/3 cups
whole or 2% milk
- 4 tablespoons
(1/2 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup
full-fat sour cream
- 1 tablespoon
finely chopped fresh chives or scallion greens (optional)
Instructions
Peel and cut 3 pounds russet potatoes into 1 1/2-inch chunks. Place in a large saucepan or pot and add enough cold water to cover by about 1 inch. Add 1 tablespoon of the kosher salt and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and cook until the potatoes are knife tender, about 15 minutes.
Drain the potatoes in a colander. Add 1 1/3 cups whole or 2% milk, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, and the remaining 2 teaspoons kosher salt to the now-empty pot. Place over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter is melted.
Pass the potatoes through a ricer into the pot, or return the potatoes to the pot and mash with a potato masher until desired consistency. Gently stir to combine. Add 1/2 cup sour cream and gently stir until combined. Taste and season with more kosher salt as needed. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives or scallion greens if desired.
Recipe Notes
Make ahead: The potatoes can be peeled and placed in the pot with the water and kosher salt and kept at room temperature for up to 4 hours before cooking.
Storage: Leftover mashed potatoes can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
FAQs
Fried, mashed, or baked – potatoes are the ultimate comfort food, a simple ingredient to work with, and the perfect base to build from for any comfort dish.
Why do people add sour cream to mashed potatoes? ›
Sour cream adds a little bit of tangy flavor and a boost of richness to mashed potatoes. It's a fun change from the standard milk or cream and butter combo usually flavoring mashed taters. You can even try your hand at making homemade sour cream from heavy cream!
Is cream cheese or sour cream better in mashed potatoes? ›
Sour Cream: The sour cream helps keep the mashed potatoes fluffy. Cream Cheese: This adds a bit of creaminess without being too overpowering. Heavy Cream: Increases the creaminess and helps thin out the potatoes a bit.
Why are potatoes so comforting? ›
You've probably noticed that you feel calmer and more content after digging into a yummy baked potato or plate of home fries. And researchers may have figured out why: Potatoes boast rich stores of tryptophan and potassium — nutrients your brain and digestive tract use to produce the mood-steadying hormone serotonin.
Is there such thing as comfort food? ›
Comfort food is food that provides a nostalgic or sentimental value to someone and may be characterized by its high caloric nature associated with childhood or home cooking. The nostalgia may be specific to an individual or it may apply to a specific culture.
What is the healthiest substitute for mashed potatoes? ›
Add these sides to your table, and no one will ever miss boring, stodgy ol' potatoes:
- Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes. For a low-carb alternative, cauliflower mashed potatoes are the way to go. ...
- Parsnip Puree. ...
- Mashed Butternut Squash. ...
- Purple Sweet Potato Mash.
- Yogurt. Yogurt is your best substitute for sour cream. ...
- Mayonnaise. Mayo is a great sour cream substitute. ...
- Buttermilk. Buttermilk can work great as a substitute, but it's a little trickier since it's so much thinner than sour cream. ...
- Crème Fraîche. ...
- Cream Cheese. ...
- DIY Sour Cream. ...
- Kefir. ...
- Mexican Crema.
Potatoes. “Starchy carbohydrates also boost the brain chemical serotonin, which has a calming effect. Examples of starchy carbohydrates include potatoes, bread, cereals, rice and pasta.”
Are potatoes enough to survive? ›
Yes, potatoes provide all of the nutrients required to live a healthy and active life. There are numerous accounts of people going on potato only diets any where from two months to a full year with resulting improvements in health markers and often weight loss.
Why do potatoes make my stomach feel better? ›
Like soluble fiber, the resistant starch in potatoes acts as a prebiotic, compounds that are helpful to the bacteria in your gut. Like insoluble fiber, it can prevent or treat constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.
With popular diets like Ketogenic, carbs and starchy foods like potatoes have been deemed unhealthy. However, just like most food groups, mashed potatoes can be healthy if eaten in moderation, and depending on how they are cooked.
Are mashed potatoes good for sleep? ›
Tryptophan, which is naturally found in potatoes, is a natural sedative that promotes restful sleep. In addition, the potassium in potatoes acts as a muscle relaxant, ensuring a more restful sleep and more relaxed body.
Can you eat mashed potatoes on a soft diet? ›
Grains and starches: mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, cooked cereals like cream of wheat, soft, moistened grains such as farro or barley, moistened pancakes, soft noodles, etc.
What kind of food is mashed potatoes? ›
Mashed potato or mashed potatoes (American, Canadian and Australian English), colloquially known as mash (British English), is a dish made by mashing boiled or steamed potatoes, usually with added milk, butter, salt and pepper. It is generally served as a side dish to meat or vegetables.
