My Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes recipe is a perfect side dish that blends the creamy texture and natural buttery flavor of Yukon Gold potatoes with a touch of sophisticated simplicity. These potatoes are boiled to the ideal internal temperature and mashed with whole milk and unsalted butter to create a creamy Yukon gold masterpiece. Ideal for a busy weeknight or a festive holiday meal, this recipe delivers comfort in every spoonful. It’s a great side dish that complements any main course, making it a staple for family dinners or special occasions. Enjoy the rich flavors and the smooth texture of these heavenly mashed potatoes that are sure to become a favorite way to enjoy this classic dish.
Mashed potatoes have always been a staple at our Thanksgiving table, and this Skin-On Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes recipe holds a special place in my heart. It reminds me of holiday gatherings where the kitchen buzzed with activity and the air was filled with the scent of creamy, buttery potatoes. My family cherishes this particular recipe because it brings a touch of elegance to our traditional feast with its creamy texture and rich, buttery flavor. Every Thanksgiving, as I prepare these potatoes, I’m reminded of past celebrations and the joy of sharing delicious, comforting food with loved ones. This dish is not just a side; it's a warm, cherished tradition that enhances our holiday meals.
Check out some of my other Thanksgiving recipes like Turkey Stuffing Meatballs, Croissant Stuffing, Salted Butter Rolls, Green Bean Mac n' Cheese, Creamed Spinach, and Cranberry Sauce. We always serve this with my Beef Stew.
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🌟 Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Creamy and Comforting: These mashed potatoes blend the natural buttery flavor of Yukon Golds with whole milk and unsalted butter, creating a creamy texture that’s both comforting and indulgent. It’s a satisfying side that elevates any meal with its rich, smooth consistency.
- Easy and Quick: With minimal prep and a short cooking time, this recipe is incredibly straightforward and quick to prepare. It's perfect for busy weeknights, allowing you to add a touch of homemade warmth to your meal without any hassle, yet elegant enough for holiday feasts like Thanksgiving.
- Versatile and Beloved: Mashed potatoes are a crowd-pleaser, known for their versatility and ability to pair well with a variety of dishes. Whether it’s a casual family dinner or a special holiday meal, this recipe offers a familiar favorite that complements any main course, making it a reliable choice for any occasion.
🥘 Ingredients
- Yukon Gold Potatoes – Known for their yellow flesh and naturally buttery flavor, these potatoes provide a creamy texture when mashed. Boiled until tender, they form the perfect base for the dish. In this recipe the skin is left on, but you can peel them for a smoother texture.
- Whole Milk – Adds a mild, creamy richness to the potatoes, enhancing their natural flavors. Warmed and mixed in to help create a smooth, velvety consistency. Make sure the milk is warm before adding.
- Unsalted Butter – Contributes a rich, luxurious mouthfeel and highlights the natural buttery taste of the potatoes. Melted into the hot potatoes to infuse them with flavor. You want to use unsalted butter so you can control the level of salt in the dish.
- Cream Cheese – Introduces a slight tang and additional creaminess to the dish, creating a more indulgent mashed potato experience. Cut into pieces and stir into the hot potato mixture until smoothly incorporated.
- Salt – Enhances the overall flavor of the dish, bringing out the natural sweetness of the potatoes. Added during boiling to season the potatoes evenly.
- Black Pepper – Adds a mild, spicy kick that complements the creamy texture of the potatoes. You can also use white pepper for cleaner look. It's a little bit stronger in flavor so make sure to adjust to taste.
See recipe card for quantities.
🔪 Step by Step Instructions
Boil the Potatoes: Fill a large pot with enough water to cover the potatoes. Add a couple of teaspoons of salt to the water and bring it to a boil over high heat.
Prep the Potatoes: While the water is heating, thoroughly wash the Yukon Gold potatoes to remove any dirt. Cut them into even chunks, keeping the skin on for added texture and nutrients.
Cook the Potatoes: Once the water is boiling, carefully add the potato chunks. Cook them until they are fork-tender, about 10 minutes, depending on the size of the chunks.
Warm the Dairy: While the potatoes are boiling, gently warm the whole milk and melt the unsalted butter together in a small saucepan over medium heat or in a microwave. This helps integrate them smoothly into the potatoes.
Drain and Mash: Drain the potatoes well in a colander and return them to the hot pot, or transfer to a large bowl. Use a potato masher to crush the potatoes to your preferred consistency.
Mix in Creaminess: Add the warm milk and melted butter mixture to the mashed potatoes. Then add the cream cheese, cut into smaller pieces for easier melting. Season with salt and black pepper. Continue mashing until everything is well combined and creamy.
Adjust Seasonings: Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt or black pepper if needed. For an extra smooth texture, you can also pass the mashed potatoes through a food mill or potato ricer.
Serve Warm: Transfer the mashed potatoes to a serving dish and serve warm. Optionally, you can stir in some fresh herbs like chopped parsley or chives for added color and flavor.
👩🏼🍳 Chef's Tips
- Start with Room Temperature Ingredients: For the creamiest mashed potatoes, make sure your butter and cream cheese are at room temperature before blending them into the potatoes. This allows them to incorporate more smoothly, enhancing the overall texture. You can also warm the milk a bit before adding.
- Don't Overcook the Potatoes: Boil the Yukon Gold potatoes just until they are tender. Overcooking can lead to watery and gluey potatoes, so check them frequently with a fork.
- Mash Gently: Use a potato masher to achieve your desired texture, whether smooth or chunky. Avoid over-mashing, as this can also make the potatoes gluey. For even lighter and fluffier potatoes, consider using a potato ricer or food mill.
- Adjust Creaminess: After adding the initial amounts of whole milk and unsalted butter, taste and adjust the creaminess and seasoning of your mashed potatoes. You may add a little bit more milk or butter if you prefer a softer texture.
- Keep Them Warm: If you're not serving the mashed potatoes immediately, keep them warm in a covered dish or in a low-temperature oven. You can also add a little warm milk when reheating to restore the creamy texture.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
Different Potatoes: If you don’t have Yukon Gold potatoes, you can substitute with russet potatoes for a fluffier texture or red potatoes if you prefer a slightly waxier consistency with thin skins. Both options work well, but they may not have the same natural buttery flavor as Yukon Golds.
Dairy Alternatives: Swap out the whole milk for heavy cream if you want an even richer texture, or use skim milk for a lighter version. If you don’t have cream cheese, sour cream makes a great substitute, adding a bit of tang to the mashed potatoes.
Add Garlic: For extra flavor, try mixing in roasted garlic cloves or minced garlic to give the mashed potatoes a more savory, aromatic depth. Garlic pairs beautifully with the creamy texture of the Yukon Gold potatoes.
Herb Additions: Fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or thyme can add a burst of freshness and a pop of color to the mashed potatoes. Simply stir them in at the end for a fragrant and flavorful boost.
Vegan Option: For a vegan version, substitute the unsalted butter with plant-based butter and the whole milk with unsweetened almond or oat milk. Vegan cream cheese is also available for a dairy-free creamy texture.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
Gravy Pairing: A rich beef gravy or turkey gravy complements the creamy texture of the mashed potatoes beautifully. The savory, salty flavors of the gravy enhance the natural buttery taste of the Yukon Gold potatoes.
Roasted Vegetables: Serve alongside roasted vegetables such as garlic green beans, honey-glazed carrots, or Brussels sprouts. The light, crisp texture of the veggies contrasts nicely with the creamy mashed potatoes, adding balance to the plate.
Holiday Main Dishes: These mashed potatoes are the perfect side for holiday meals like roasted turkey, glazed ham, or beef tenderloin. Their creamy texture and natural buttery flavor make them a versatile accompaniment to any protein.
Crispy Toppings: Add a crunchy topping like crispy bacon bits or fried shallots for extra texture and flavor. The contrast between the creamy mashed potatoes and the crispy toppings adds a delightful complexity to the dish.
Wine Pairing: For a wine pairing, try a light-bodied red wine such as Pinot Noir, which has earthy tones that complement the creamy, buttery mashed potatoes. If you prefer white, a buttery Chardonnay enhances the richness of the dish.
💭 Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can substitute russet potatoes for Yukon Gold potatoes, but keep in mind that russets have a higher starch content, which results in a fluffier texture. Yukon Gold potatoes are preferred for their creamy texture and natural buttery flavor, making them ideal for mashed potato recipes.
If you don’t have whole milk on hand, you can substitute with heavy cream for an even richer flavor, or use skim milk for a lighter option. Just remember that whole milk adds to the creamy texture of the mashed potatoes, so any substitution may alter the final consistency slightly.
Absolutely! You can make the Yukon Gold mashed potatoes in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to serve, reheat them over medium heat, adding a little extra unsalted butter or milk mixture to maintain their smooth texture. Perfect for prepping ahead of a busy holiday season!
🥣 Storage
Storage: Store leftover mashed potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Be sure to let them cool completely before refrigerating to maintain the best texture.
Reheating: To reheat, microwave the mashed potatoes in a microwave-safe dish for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through, until heated thoroughly.
Freezing: To freeze, place the mashed potatoes in a freezer-safe container or bag, ensuring all air is removed. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. For best results, freeze the potatoes with cream cheese or heavy cream to help preserve their creamy texture.
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🥗 Pairing Recommendations
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📋 Recipe
Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
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Equipment
- Large stockpot
- Potato masher
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Wooden spoon (or stirring utensil)
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Colander (for draining the potatoes)
Ingredients
- Water for boiling the potatoes about 1 gallon
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup milk 1% used in this recipe
- 4 ounces cream cheese half a brick
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper or white pepper for a cleaner look
Instructions
- Boil water: Fill a large stockpot with water, leaving room at the top. Bring to a boil.
- Prep potatoes: Wash and cut 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes into 1-inch pieces.
- Cook potatoes: Add potatoes to the boiling water. Reduce heat to medium-high and cook for 10 minutes. Check doneness by piercing with a fork. Cook for 2 more minutes if needed.
- Prepare cream cheese: While potatoes cook, slice 4 ounces cream cheese into thin slices.
- Melt butter: Drain the potatoes and return the pot to the stove. Melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter in the pot.
- Mash & mix: Add the potatoes back to the pot. Pour in ⅓ cup milk, 2 teaspoons salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and the cream cheese. Mash the mixture, leaving some chunks for texture.
- Stir and serve: Stir to ensure all ingredients are combined, and serve warm.
🌡️ Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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