Mashed potatoes and Slow Roasted Roasted Turkey are Thanksgiving staples, but preparing mashed potatoes on the big day can feel like a hassle. Between the peeling, boiling, mashing, and last-minute cleanup, it’s easy for this dish to become a source of stress rather than comfort. That’s why make-ahead mashed potatoes can be a game-changer. This make-ahead mashed potato recipe offers two convenient options: prepare them on the stovetop a day or two before and reheat in the oven, or make them fresh on Thanksgiving and keep them warm in the slow cooker. By making them ahead or using the slow cooker to keep them warm, you can focus on enjoying the holiday with your loved ones instead of stressing over last-minute kitchen tasks. Whether you choose to bake them in the oven for a golden finish or keep them ready-to-serve in the slow cooker, this recipe will simplify your day and bring a delicious, comforting side to your Thanksgiving table.
What You’ll Need
Potatoes: Yukon Gold, Russet, or Maris Piper—Yukon Golds are my go-to for their creamy texture, but Russets give a fluffier mash. Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor. Salted butter works too; just adjust the salt later. Half-and-Half and Milk: Creates a luscious, creamy consistency. You can substitute whole milk if you prefer a lighter texture, or use heavy cream for extra decadence. Salt and Pepper: Season to taste for perfect flavor balance. Water: Enough to cover the potatoes for boiling.
Step By Step Instructions
You can find the full, printable recipe at the bottom of this post (click the button above), but you can read a summary with step-by-step instructions and photos for each step below. Prep the Potatoes: Start by peeling and cutting the potatoes into evenly-sized chunks (1 to 2 inches). Uniform sizes ensure even cooking, so no piece is undercooked while others are overdone. Place the potato chunks in a large stockpot, cover them with cold water by about 2 to 3 inches, and add a tablespoon of salt. Boiling from cold water ensures the potatoes cook evenly without the outer parts becoming mushy before the centers are done. Once fork-tender (about 15 to 20 minutes), drain the potatoes and return them to the hot pot to remove excess moisture. Meanwhile, heat the butter, milk, and half-and-half until warm. Add the warm mixture to the potatoes. Mash the potatoes, then fold in the warm mixture. This process gives the potatoes their smooth, creamy texture. If you’re making them on the same day, you can transfer the potatoes to a slow cooker to keep them warm until ready to serve. Or you can spread the mashed potatoes into a greased baking pan, dot with extra butter if desired, and cover tightly. At this point, they can be refrigerated for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, bake the potatoes at 350°F for 25-30 minutes ot until heated through and golden brown. Serve and enjoy!
Freezing: You can freeze mashed potatoes for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven or slow cooker, stirring occasionally. Erren’s Kitchen is written and produced for informational intentions only. We are not certified nutritionists, and the nutritional information found on this site has not been assessed or authorized by a nutritionist or the FDA. The nutritional information found in our recipes is offered as an estimate and should not be considered a guarantee or fact. The estimated data is provided as a courtesy and calculated through a third-party online nutritional calculator, spoonacular API. Although we do our best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered rough estimates. Many factors, such as brands or products purchased and the nutritional fluctuations that naturally occur in fresh produce, can alter the effectiveness of the nutritional information in any recipe. Furthermore, various online calculators provide different results depending on their particular algorithms and nutrition fact sources. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
