Easy Homemade Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream

These Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream are the most delicious mashed potatoes you will ever have. They’re light, creamy, buttery & easy to make with the help of your stand mixer. No hand mashing required!

May I present you with the most perfect of mashed potatoes?

Light, creamy, buttery and tangy – All the great things you want in a bowl of mashed potatoes. But another bonus? There’s no hand mashing required.

These are always a requirement for our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners!

Overhead shot of bowl of mashed potatoes topped with a pat of butter, next to bowl of sour cream.

The 🌟magical🌟 tip

The key here begins with boiling your potatoes in salted chicken broth.

You know how you salt your pasta water? This is kind of the same idea. The broth will impart a flavor to the potatoes from the outset and give you that extra flavor that mashed potatoes can sometimes lack.

It’s *magic*.

PS – This parmesan broth is also an amazing option!

After the potatoes are cooked, I like to use my stand mixer to get them really smooth. Starting first with the paddle mixer attachment and then moving to the whip. You can also use a handheld mixer. Or, you can go old fashioned, and use a good old potato masher if you don’t have an electronic one.

Which potatoes are best for mashed potatoes?

  • I prefer to use Yukon Gold potatoes for my mashed potatoes. I find them buttery and delicious. However, Russet potatoes are another great variety that produces fluffy mashed potatoes. You can also use baby red potatoes.

I prefer smooth mashed potatoes, so I peel them. However, if you like your potatoes with a bit more texture, you can definitely leave on the potato skins.

Ingredients needed

  • Potatoes â€“ I prefer Yukon golds. See above for more info.
  • Chicken Broth – Or, use some homemade bone broth. This is what flavors the potatoes from the get go. It gives them such an amazing flavor!
  • Milk + Butter – The base of any great mashed potato recipe.
  • Sour Cream – Full-fat sour cream gives a bit of tang, and really heightens the creaminess of these potatoes.
  • Salt + Pepper
  • Chives – For topping. These are optional. You can also top with green onions.

How to make them

  • Cube the potatoes into 1-inch pieces and add them to a large pot with the chicken broth. Add enough water to cover the potatoes and about 2 tablespoons of salt.
  • Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 10-12 minutes, until the potatoes can be easily pierced with a fork.
  • Meanwhile, heat the milk and butter in a small saucepan, until the butter is melted. Keep warm.
  • When the potatoes are fork tender, drain them in a colander.
  • Place hot potatoes in the bowl of a stand mixer and use the paddle attachment to mix until smooth, about 1 minute.
  • Slowly add in milk/butter mixture and sour cream.
  • Turn up speed and beat for about 30 seconds, or until milk is absorbed.
  • Gradually turn up speed and mix for 1 minute longer.
  • Switch to the whipping attachment (looks like a whisk) and beat for about 1 minute, or until fluffy.
  • Season to taste, with salt and pepper.
  • Serve the potatoes topped with extra butter (if desired) and chopped chives.

I always forget how simple it is to actually make these potatoes!

You can peel the potatoes if you like them really smooth. But, if you’re short on time, just go ahead and leave the skins on. Then, just let them cook away while you work on your main dish.

They’re perfect served alongside this Easy Roasted Chicken, Instant Pot Pork Chops or Slow Cooker Osso Buco.

Don’t have a stand mixer? You can also use a hand mixer to make these mashed potatoes. Or, simply use a hand masher. They won’t get as fluffy, but they will still be absolutely delicious!

Side view of bowl of mashed potatoes next to bowl of sour cream.

Variations

Want to add in even more flavor? Try one of these flavor twists:

  • Add some roasted garlic to your potatoes before mixing them.
  • Boil your potatoes in this parmesan broth instead of chicken broth.
  • When you potatoes are finished cooking, stir in some crispy crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese, or parmesan cheese.
  • Try swapping in cream cheese for the sour cream to make the potatoes less tangy, and more rich + creamy.
  • Add in your favorite fresh herbs like parsley, basil or fresh chives.

How to make ahead & reheat

Mashed potatoes will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Store them tightly wrapped in a serving dish. To reheat, bake them covered with tin foil in a 325-degree oven for 50 minutes.

To reheat in the microwave, cover the potatoes with plastic wrap, and poke about 5 holes in the plastic wrap. Microwave at 75% power for about 12 minutes, stirring halfway through.

More creamy side dish recipes

What to serve with them

More potato recipes

Did you try these sour cream mashed potatoes?

If you loved these sour cream mashed potatoes I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on  InstagramTikTokPinterest and Facebook.

PS – You can also make these Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes in the Instant Pot.

Overhead shot of bowl of mashed potatoes topped with a pat of butter, next to bowl of sour cream.

Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes

These Easy Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream are the most delicious mashed potatoes you will ever have. They're light, creamy, buttery and tangy and easy to make with the help of your stand mixer – No hand mashing required!
4.98 from 38 votes
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Cut the potatoes into 1-inch cubes and place them in a large pot with the chicken broth. Add enough water to cover the potatoes and add about 2 tablespoons of salt. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 10 to 12 minutes, until the potatoes fall apart easily when pierced with a fork.
  • Meanwhile, heat the milk and butter in a small saucepan, until the butter is melted. Keep warm.
  • As soon as the potatoes are tender, drain them in a colander.
  • Place hot potatoes in mixing bowl and mix until smooth, about 1 minute.
  • Slowly add in milk/butter mixture and sour cream.
  • Turn up speed and beat for about 30 seconds, or until milk is absorbed. Gradually turn up speed and mix for 1 minute longer.
  • Switch to whipping attachment and beat for about 1 minute, or until fluffy.
  • Serve warm topped with extra butter (if desired) and chopped chives.
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Nutrition

Calories: 310kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 2677mg | Potassium: 1106mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 570IU | Vitamin C: 31.5mg | Calcium: 166mg | Iron: 7.5mg

This post was originally published in 2014. It was updated in 2022. The mashed potatoes with sour cream recipe remains the same. It’s definitely a keeper!

37 thoughts on “Easy Homemade Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream”

  1. I love the creaminess of mashed potatoes with some alternative dairy instead of milk. I use yogurt in mine. It makes them a little tangy and extra creamy – but without as much fat as sour cream. Plus, we always have yogurt in the house, so I don’t end up with a half-used container of sour cream that I won’t use up later.

    Reply
  2. I love the idea of cooking the potatos in broth, but I have a question. I’m a vegetarian, so do you think I could use vegetable broth without it being an issue? 🙂

    Reply
  3. I am in charge of the mashed potatoes this year for our Thanksgiving Feast. What are your thoughts on keeping them warm in the crock pot as I transport them over to my brother’s house and then attempt to keep them warm for our dinner?

    Reply
    • Hi – You will add both the broth and enough water to just cover the potatoes. The amount of water you use will depend on the size of your pot, etc. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  4. 4 stars
    WARNING: Directions unclear!!!!! My boyfriend has been panicking and thinking that I’m going to break up with him because the potatoes were very runny for a bit. Please, Erin, PLEASE edit and put in the directions that the potatoes really need to boil down and simmer. He was freaking out that they were way too watery, but now they turned out great! You never steer us wrong Erin, and in fact your short ribs made me cry! So please, help us out, and let the world know that the ratio of these potatoes WILL APPEAR very watery at first.
    Thank you!
    Much love,
    Devin + Mario

    Reply

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