Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes is an easy, classic side dish. Buttermilk adds creaminess plus a hint of tangy flavor to the potatoes, while butter and simple seasonings give richness and extra flavor. Ideal for weeknight meals as well as special holiday dinners!
Easy Mashed Potatoes Recipe
I think that buttermilk is a great addition to so many recipes – and these Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes are no exception! This is an easy, classic side dish made with a few basic ingredients. Buttermilk adds creaminess plus a hint of tangy flavor, and butter and simple seasonings give richness and extra flavor. Just boil the potatoes until tender, then mash with the other ingredients until smooth and creamy. That’s it. Really!
Buttermilk potatoes are an incredibly versatile side dish. They’re ideal for weeknight dinners like Italian meatloaf muffins and grilled pork chops – and for fancier meals like Steak Diane, stuffed pork chops, and Swedish meatballs (I hesitate to call Swedish meatballs “fancy”, but this is always a special meal for us, our family adores it!).
Why Use Buttermilk?
Why use buttermilk in your mashed potatoes? The answer is simple – flavor and texture!
Buttermilk adds a bit of tangy flavor as it’s high in lactic acid. It also lends a creamy and slightly thicker texture. It’s a lovely little twist to your classic creamy mashed potatoes.
We often have buttermilk on hand for making buttermilk pancakes, buttermilk waffles, caramel buttermilk syrup, and buttermilk ranch dressing. Yes, we love buttermilk around here!
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need just a handful of basic ingredients to make this easy side dish. See the recipe card below for measurements.
- Potatoes – See notes below.
- Butter – Because I never want to eat mashed potatoes without butter!!
- Whole buttermilk – Allow it to sit at room temperature first.
- Salt & pepper – This dish is best when it’s seasoned super simply!
- Chives – Add a pop of color and a little fresh onion-y flavor to the potatoes.
What Potatoes Are Best For Mashed Potatoes?
For these buttermilk mashed potatoes, I recommend either Yukon Gold potatoes or Russet. You want potatoes that are fairly starchy, so avoid red potatoes.
Yukon Golds add a nice naturally buttery flavor which is why I prefer them in my traditional mashed potatoes recipe, and I use them here as well. Russets will give you a little fluffier, drier texture. Just use what you like best.
Make Your Own Buttermilk
Since these creamy mashed potatoes use a decent amount of buttermilk, I 100% recommend picking up some buttermilk at the store. I just think the texture and flavor is superior to making your own.
But if you’re hard-pressed to eat buttermilk mashed potatoes and don’t have buttermilk… here’s how to make your own buttermilk:
- add two tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice to a scant 2 cups of regular milk
- let it sit for a few minutes to curdle, then stir to incorporate
This method will make more than you need for this recipe, but you can use the leftovers for pancakes, waffles, etc.
How to Make Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
Here’s how to make this simple and easy side dish.
- Cook the potatoes. Add peeled, cut potatoes to a pot with cold water, and season with salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are super tender and easily pierced with a fork. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.
- Mash the potatoes. Add the butter to the potatoes and mash until smooth. Add the buttermilk, salt, and pepper. Combine until the mixture is well incorporated and to your desired consistency. Leave it a bit chunky or mash until it’s completely smooth, whatever you personally like.
- Enjoy. Serve immediately, garnished with more butter and herbs (we love fresh chives!) if desired.
Tips for Success
This side dish is very straightforward but here are a few tips for creamy and smooth mashed potatoes.
- Use starchy potatoes. As mentioned above, you’ll want to use starchy potatoes like Yukon Gold or Russet, instead of less starchy varieties, like red potatoes. Yukon Golds are less starchy than Russet, which gives them a little softer, buttery texture and flavor.
- How do I know when the potatoes are done? The easiest way to tell when your potatoes are ready to mash is to poke them with a fork. If the fork easily pierces the potatoes, they’re done.
- Adjust the seasoning before serving. After all ingredients have been added and combined, I always like to give my potatoes a little taste test and add more salt or pepper as needed.
- Buttermilk alternatives. I highly recommend using buttermilk. But if you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make your own with the instructions I gave above. Or you can try substituting sour cream or Greek yogurt, which provide a similar tanginess (though they’re thicker and creamier).
Serving Suggestions
Buttermilk potatoes can be served as a side dish with a variety of main dishes, including chicken, steak, or pork chops. And they’re a natural go-to for a Swedish meatballs or meatloaf meal.
They’re also great for the holidays as a twist on classic mashed potatoes too.
And one of our most recent favorite pairings is with Steak Diane. The tanginess in these potatoes matched with the rich, creamy Diane sauce is perfect. I’ll be sharing that recipe with you SOON, so hold tight!
How to Store Leftovers
Leftover mashed potatoes will keep well, stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container, for up to 4 days.
Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. You may want to add a bit of milk or butter to loosen them up again.
Can You Freeze Homemade Mashed Potatoes?
Yes, you can also freeze these buttermilk potatoes.
Allow them to cool completely, transfer to a freezer-safe container, and freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat as directed above.
More Easy Potato Recipes:
- New Potatoes with Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette
- Cheesy Grilled Skillet Potatoes
- Potato Knishes
- Loaded Baked Potato Bites
- German Potato Salad
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Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds potatoes, such as Yukon Gold or Russet, peeled and cut into 1″-2″ chunks
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- ½ cup whole buttermilk, at room temperature
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 4 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, divided
Instructions
- Place prepared potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Season the
water with salt. - Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the potatoes are tender when pierced easily with a fork,
about 15-20 minutes. - Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.
- Add 6 tablespoons of the butter to the potatoes and mash with a potato masher until smooth and creamy. Then add buttermilk, salt, and pepper. Combine until mixture is fully incorporated. If needed, add a bit more buttermilk.
- Taste the potatoes and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Stir in 3 tablespoons of the chopped fresh chives.
- Serve the mashed potatoes hot, garnished with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon of chives, if desired.
Nutrition Information:
My mother and I both loved this recipe! Very simple and easy, will make again! Did have to omit the chives because I forgot to buy them, but the potatoes were still amazing- unbelievably creamy