These creamy mashed Yukon gold potatoes are an easy and delicious mashed potato recipe that everyone will enjoy. These easy mashed potatoes are perfect for everyday meals or for special occasions and holidays.
Why these are the best mashed potatoes!
We eat lots of potatoes in our family but nothing is closer to my heart than these delicious mashed potatoes! This is my favorite side dish for the holidays (especially Thanksgiving and Easter) and for entertaining. Here is why I love them:
- Easy: This recipe is rustic since we leave the skin on the potatoes.
- No special equipment needed: There will be no fancy ricer, food processor, or food mill required when making this recipe. You will need a potato masher for this recipe but if you do not have one then the bottom of a coffee mug will do the trick.
- Creamy and delicious: These mashed potatoes are the perfect balance of potatoes, cream, and butter and are loaded with flavor.
- Fluffy: You do not need to worry about these golden potatoes getting gummy because we are mashing them (smashing them) and not overworking them at all.
I will walk you through all the steps to make the perfect mashed potatoes so you can have success when making them at your next dinner.
Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients to make these easy Yukon gold mashed potatoes. Here is what you need:
- Yukon gold potatoes: You leave the skin on the potatoes for this recipe and remember to cut them all to the same size for even cooking.
- Butter: I prefer unsalted butter.
- Chives: (optional but recommended): I like this as a garnish for my mashed potatoes for color and flavor. You can also use green onions for a little more onion flavor.
- Heavy cream: This helps make the potatoes creamy but you can use milk or chicken stock if you prefer.
- Kosher salt. For flavor.
- Pepper.
Why Leave The Skin On Mashed Potatoes
Now you may have become accustomed to having to peel the skin for mashed potatoes but I am here to tell you they are delicious left on. Leaving the skin on the potatoes:
- Makes it easier to make.
- Adds more nutrients to the mashed potatoes.
- Gives the potatoes so much more flavor.
- Adds texture.
I also like making mashed potatoes with Russet potatoes and I leave the skin on those too. Leaving the skin on is my favorite way to make mashed potatoes and once you try it it will be yours too.
How To Make Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
Making these mashed potatoes is really easy. Here is what it looks like:
- Cut the potatoes into large pieces. Cutting the potatoes before cooking them not only speeds up the cooking time but makes sure the potatoes are cooked all the way through. Cut the potatoes into even sizes to make sure that all your potatoes cook evenly.
- Cook the potatoes in boiling water. Cook the potatoes in a large pot of boiling water until they can easily be pierced with a fork. If the potato can be pierced but is still firm, give it a few more minutes.
- Dry the potatoes: Once you drain the potatoes, add them back to the pot, place them on top of the hot burner (that is off), and stir them in the pot for a few minutes. This allows a lot of the water the potatoes absorbed to evaporate which ensures your potatoes are not water-logged. It will also help the potatoes absorb the delicious cream and butter you are going to add later.
- Mash the potatoes: With a potato masher.
- Make the butter mixture:. Warm the butter and cream in a bowl in the microwave (or on the stovetop in a small pot) before adding them to the potatoes which prevents the potatoes from getting cold.
- Add seasoning. Here is where you salt the potatoes.
Recipe Tips
- To keep mashed potatoes warm: Place them in a large heat-proof bowl (glass is perfect) and place on top of a pot with simmering water that is 3-4 inches. Once the water has come to a simmer, reduce to the lowest setting and tightly wrap the top of your bowl with aluminum foil to keep the potatoes from drying out. You will want to give them a stir every once in a while when you do this.
- How to re-heat mashed potatoes: You will still use the method above with the simmering water but in this step, you will need to have extra warmed cream and butter on hand to help rehydrate the potatoes as they reheat. You can also reheat the potatoes in the microwave on high heat until warmed through.
That's it! Everything you need to make these amazing mashed potatoes. They will definitely be a hit.
Faqs
I often prefer to leave the skin on because the skin has the most nutrients from the potato. If you do not mind the skin in the mashed potato this is the way to go.
Yes, I have an entire section written on this above.
To make sure mashed potatoes do not get gummy, after draining them, add them back to the hot pot they cooked in to allow the moisture (steam) to escape from the potatoes. After that, make sure you do not overwork the potatoes.
Yes, you do this to make sure the potatoes cook evenly and quickly.
Pairing Ideas
For more delicious potato recipes
Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes (Easy Steps)
Equipment
- potato masher, large bowl, heavy bottom pot
Ingredients
- 12 medium Yukon gold potatoes skins are left on for this recipe. You can remove them if your prefer.
- ½ cup unsalted butter cut into ½ inch pieces to melt evenly.
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
Mashed Potato Topping (optional)
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1 small bunch of chives chopped up finely. About 2-3 tablespoons.
- pinch of kosher salt
Instructions
- Fill a large pot ¾ full with water and place on the stove.
- Clean your potatoes and cut into large quarters of the same size. Some of the potatoes may need extra cutting if they are larger than others. Just make sure you cut all the potatoes the same size so they cook evenly.12 medium Yukon gold potatoes
- Place your cut potatoes into the pot of water and bring to a boil.
- Once the potatoes have come to a boil, add a pinch of salt and the reduce heat to medium high and cook until the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork and they look like they are just barely starting to come apart about 10 minutes.pinch of kosher salt
- While the potatoes are cooking prepare your cream and butter by adding them to a microwave safe bowl.½ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- Place the bowl in the microwave for about 1-3 minutes until the butter is fully melted and the cream is very warm then set aside.
- Once the potatoes are done cooking, drain them and place them back into the pot they cooked in.
- Place the pot back on the hot (but turned off burner) and toss them around for a minute to allow some of the water in the potatoes to evaporate.
- Now remove your potatoes from the stove and add to a large bowl.
- With a potato masher, mash up your potatoes until it starts to look somewhat smooth but still has some lumps.
- Now pour half of your butter and cream mixture into the pot with the potatoes and with the potato masher, mash and mix it into the potatoes.
- Once the cream and butter mixture is mixed in, add your salt, pepper and the remaining cream and butter mixture.1 tablespoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
- Taste for seasoning. Potatoes soak up salt so you may want to add more at this point.
Butter and chive topping (optional)
- To prepare the topping add 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of cream to a small microwave safe bowl.2 tablespoon unsalted butter, 2 tablespoon heavy cream
- Microwave for 1 minute until the butter is fully melted.
- With the back of a large spoon, make a swirl around the top of the mashed potatoes. This is a small well to pour in the remaining butter and cream.
- Now carefully drizzle the remaining butter mixture over your potatoes letting the butter and cream mixture fill the well you just made.
- Sprinkle with your chives.1 small bunch of chives
To serve
- Place your smashed potatoes into serving bowl.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Values are estimates only.
See full nutrition disclaimer hereTried the Recipe? We Would Love To Hear From You In The Comments Below!
Ally says
I made these for a dinner party and everyone loved them. Easy to follow directions and they taste delicious
Melissa says
Hi Ally. So glad it was a hit!
Jeremy says
They were so delicious! Great recipe
Melissa says
So glad you enjoyed them!
RJ says
A friend of mine made these mashed potatoes and they were the best I’ve ever eaten! I will be using this recipe always
Melissa says
I am so happy to hear that 🙂
Amanda says
Came out perfect!
Melissa says
Hi Amanda. Glad to hear you enjoyed them 🙂