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What are the best kind of potatoes to use for mashed potatoes?

Author

Emma Payne

Published Mar 02, 2026

What are the best kind of potatoes to use for mashed potatoes?

The best kind of potatoes for mashed potatoes are starchy potatoes liike Russet or Idaho potatoes. Yukon gold work too but they're more buttery and not quite as starchy. If you'd like, leave some of the skin on if using Yukon gold potatoes. The skin adds texture.

In respect to this, are russet or Yukon Gold better for mashed potatoes?

Here's my secret though—even better than Russets for mashing are Yukon Golds. They're a little more expensive than Russets, but worth it! They're naturally creamy when mashed, never mealy, and have a slightly buttery flavor all on their own. Yukon golds make the most perfectly creamy, buttery mashed potatoes.

Also, what kind of potato is most often used for mashed potatoes? The most common high-starch potatoes are the mild-flavored russet. Russets are oblong in shape. These thick-skinned potatoes fall apart while cooking, and whip up fluffy and light. This makes them the ideal choice for mashing.

Considering this, which potatoes are best for mashed potatoes red or white?

Waxy potatoes (such as red or white varieties) have firmer flesh and require more mashing to become creamy, which could lead to the dreaded "potato paste."

What potatoes should you not use for mashed?

Avoid waxy varieties like Red Bliss and fingerling when making mashed potatoes. Because these varieties have a low starch content, they don't break down or absorb dairy as well as other starchier varieties, and often result in a gluey or gummy texture when mashed.

Can I use Russet potatoes instead of Yukon Gold?

Don't substitute Russet potatoes for Yukon Gold because they are too starchy, and they don't hold their shape as well when boiled.

What is the difference between Yukon Gold potatoes and Russet potatoes?

The differences in the appearance of Russets and Yukon Golds are dramatic. Oval-shaped Russets have brown, thick skin and are usually larger than Yukon Golds. Yukon Golds have a more rounded shape than Russets, with very thin, light tan or yellow-tinged skin. The flesh is always yellow on a Yukon Gold.

How does Martha Stewart make mashed potatoes?

Directions
  1. Place potatoes in a medium pot; cover with water, and season with salt. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain, and let cool slightly.
  2. Add cream and butter, and cook over medium heat until warmed through. Season with salt and pepper, and stir to combine. Serve warm.

Do I have to peel Yukon Gold potatoes for mashed potatoes?

Yukon Gold potatoes are more expensive and require a slightly longer cook time, but their flavor is unparalleled. While I prefer to peel the potatoes for this preparation, Yukon Gold potatoes can be mashed with the peel for additional flavor and texture too.

Why are my mashed potatoes gluey?

Too much — or too vigorous — mashing will produce gluey potatoes. Your best tool is an old-fashioned masher, fork, ricer or food mill. If you've already done the damage, turn pasty potatoes into a casserole: Spread them in a baking dish, drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle with grated cheese and breadcrumbs.

Are white potatoes good for mash?

Move over russet potatoes

These long, large potatoes with white flesh are usually considered the best for both mashing and frying because they're starchy (they're McDonald's potato of choice). This means they get the right texture when bashed or put through a ricer.

Are white potatoes good for boiling?

White Potatoes

Similar looking to Russets, use these guys when the recipe calls for boiling potatoes. Because they hold their shape so well, they're also great in casseroles, soups and stews.

Which potatoes are healthiest?

The kind of potatoes that may be the healthiest are those with darker-colored flesh, such as the Purple Viking, Yukon Gold and Ruby Crescent. The pigments in these potatoes provide flavonoids and carotenoids that promote good health.

What is the difference between white and russet potatoes?

The flesh of white potatoes is smooth and pure white. When cooked, russet potatoes have a dry, fluffy, floury texture and a mild, earthy taste. Cooked white potatoes have a gently creamy texture that is denser than that of russets and while mild tasting, is a little sweet.

Do you peel potatoes before boiling for mashed potatoes?

Boil Without Peeling

The reason for this is threefold: Unpeeled and unsliced potatoes will absorb less water while being boiled, preserving the starch within the potato. Less water avoids a gluey, watery mash and allows the potatoes to absorb the dairy. Plus, the potato peels contribute to the overall potato flavor.

Do you have to peel white potatoes?

There's no need to peel them unless you just prefer the taste and texture of the potatoes without peels. Boil the potatoes for 15-30 minutes, or until they're tender.

What are red potatoes good for?

Red potatoes are particularly healthy because of the thin, nutrient filled skins, which are loaded with fiber, B vitamins, iron and potassium. Half of the fiber of a potato comes from the skin. On red potatoes in particular, the skin is already super thin, so it doesn't detract from the taste or texture.

How many potatoes do you need per person?

Plan on 1/3 to 1/2 pound potatoes per person for your feast.

What is the best potato for frying?

Russet potatoes

What is the best potato for french fries?

Russets

Are potatoes bad when they're green?

Potatoes will often go green when they're not stored properly and they're exposed to light. This is due to formation of chlorophyll (which is found in all green plants), however the green colour is a useful indicator that levels of certain toxins that are harmful to humans, known as glycoalkaloids, may be increased.

Are russet potatoes good for you?

Potatoes are a good source of fiber, which can help you lose weight by keeping you full longer. Fiber can help prevent heart disease by keeping cholesterol and blood sugar levels in check. Potatoes are also full of antioxidants that work to prevent diseases and vitamins that help your body function properly.

What is the difference between a Russet and Idaho potato?

A Russet potato is not an Idaho potato. A Russet potato is one of the varieties of Idaho-grown potatoes. Russet potatoes are grown in many states of the U.S., but the most well-known Russet is grown in Idaho. It is the most common type of potato in the U.S. They are also called Russet Burbank or Burbank potato.

What are immature potatoes called?

Immature potatoes are also called? Pommes Vapeurs.

Which potatoes hold their shape?

Because waxy potatoes are relatively low in starch and high in moisture, their cells stay intact when they're cooked, meaning that slices or cubes hold up when boiled or baked. Waxy potatoes will hold their shape when boiled—and dressed with a ton of cheese and pepper.

Are baking potatoes good for mashed potatoes?

For light and fluffy mashed potatoes, choose Russetts. That's right, just plain old basic baking potatoes. They have little moisture and tons of starch, so, if treated right, they will mash up as light and fluffy as can be.

Are Yukon Gold potatoes the same as yellow potatoes?

They are often used interchangeably. The truth is, yukon gold potatoes are a type of yellow potato. All-Purpose: These potatoes have a medium starch content that fall somewhere in between the starchy and waxy potatoes. Yukon Gold potatoes have finely flaked yellowish-white skin with light yellow flesh.

How do you check potatoes for quality?

Buying and Storing Potatoes

Select the Best Potatoes: Look for clean, smooth, firm-textured potatoes with no cuts, bruises or discoloration.

Can you mix potato types for mashed potatoes?

You use just one type of potato.

They're ideal for roasted potatoes and potato salad. For the best mashed potatoes, use a 50/50 combination. We like russets with Yukon Gold.

Should you soak potatoes for mashed potatoes?

Water literally washes off starch, but it can also wash off enzymes that break down pectin (the natural glue that holds cells together). Soaking the potatoes for too long, or cutting them too small before boiling will remove all the enzymes, leaving too much glue that can't be broken down.

Why use warm milk in mashed potatoes?

Do NOT add cold liquid. Make sure the milk or cream you add to your potatoes is HOT. This helps it absorb better so you don't feel the need to overmix.

Should you add salt when boiling potatoes?

Potatoes soak up a lot of flavor, so salting the water prior to cooking is a good idea for the best taste. It's important to remember to put the potatoes in the cooking liquid before bringing it to a boil — not the other way around. This allows the potatoes and the liquid to heat at the same time for even cooking.

Do you let potatoes cool before mashing?

You let them get cold and don't readjust their consistency. You can make mashed potatoes ahead of time, but it's important to take the proper steps when reheating them. Make sure you readjust the consistency with more liquid.

Why arent my mashed potatoes creamy?

Not when it comes to smooth, fluffy mashed ones. There are a lot of things that could go wrong: they're too lumpy, too gluey, too cold, too bland. Waxy potatoes have good flavor but can get wet and gluey if they're the only potato in the mash.

How far in advance can I make mashed potatoes?

These creamy, glossy mashed potatoes can be made up to two days before the big night without losing their velvety texture.

Should you rinse potatoes after boiling?

Rinsing potatoes helps remove excess starch, so it is recommended to rinse the potatoes before cooking. To ensure even more starch is out of the way, it's recommended that they even be quickly rinsed after boiling.

How long should you soak potatoes before frying?

Place them in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Allow them to soak, 2 to 3 hours. (You can also stick them in the fridge and let them soak overnight.) When you're ready to make the fries, drain off the water and lay the potatoes on 2 baking sheets lined with paper towels.

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