Video: Perfect Mashed Potatoes

Watch a foolproof method for making the ultimate comfort food.

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This mashed potato-making technique is foolproof. In this video, you’ll learn how to make perfect mashed potatoes every time. You’ll see how to avoid the common mashed potato-making mistakes and pitfalls. Learn which potato has the perfect texture and just the right amount of starchiness for mashers. You’ll discover the correct size and shape (not chunks!) to cut your potatoes into before cooking at a gentle simmer. Then you’ll see the ideal mashing tool and get a simple, “quick-mash plus stir-and-whip” technique that doesn’t require any electrical appliances. These mashed potatoes make a sensational side with meatloaf, roast beef, turkey, chicken, or Salisbury steak, topped with a simple gravy. Get Chef John’s recipe for Perfect Mashed Potatoes.

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Comments

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AitchDog

May 13, 2012 9:51 am

Potatuh? C'mon. It's affected, because he flips back and forth from potatOH to potatUH. It's very annoying.

indyslim

May 13, 2012 2:36 am

Hmmmmmm I normally boil my potatoes "skin-on" them soak them in cold water to cool them, then slide the skins off with my thumb. Then I can mash what I want and/or refrigerate "extras" to slice & fry as home fries or shred for hash browns or to use in potato salad. I like to add an egg and a little flour to left-over mashed potatoes make a "mix" and the drop by palm sized "balls" and flatten out in a bacon or lard in a cast iron skillet and make potato "Pancakes" mmmmmmmmmmmm

Jacquie

May 12, 2012 9:55 am

The video was good. I didn't know mashed potatoes had to have such special attention! By the way, John, the word "potato" ends with a long "o" sound, not a short "a".

Jay&Cam's Mom

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Apr. 13, 2012 3:45 pm

That was hilarious and fun to watch! I think I might try his techniques and see if they're better than my own. Hate to say I own the first masher, and I DO hate it! lol

TheGrandDuchess

Mar. 28, 2012 11:21 am

Are you serious? It is mashed potatoes not rocket science. No quarters or chunks? What difference does it make? It doesn't. I use a hand mixer. Gluey potatoes it might be that russets were used. Always use red potatoes. My potatoes come out perfect every single time.

Smokey

Mar. 24, 2012 1:33 pm

Every one of Chef John's videos is a brilliant cooking lesson full of practical, common sense that encourages even the most reluctant novice to give it a try. He never disappoints.

crazycooker

Mar. 24, 2012 7:54 am

You CAN teach an old dog new tricks. Wish I had learned these when I was cooking for my 5 mashed-potatoe eating sons.

anng8

Mar. 6, 2012 12:58 am

This video was hilarious! Thanks for making great videos!

ise73

Feb. 23, 2012 8:24 pm

This video had me rolling! I actually replayed it several times just to hear him question that last masher, oh that was hilarious! All jokes aside, as always I enjoy his videos and learn something new.

twistedsharks

Feb. 3, 2012 3:54 pm

@ Melissa Please, PLEASE leave the childish shorthand for texting with your friends. It's difficult to take a post like that seriously. There's nothing wrong with the amount of salt he put into the water. Once you finish mashing the potatos test a bite, before you add any more salt. That's all you need to do to get it to the flavor you want.

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