Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Silky, buttery mashed potatoes made with Yukon Golds, warm cream, and a whisper of nutmeg. The Thanksgiving side everyone reaches for first — and the one you can make ahead.

Prep time
10 min
Cook time
20 min
Total time
30 min
Yield
Serves 6 (about 2 lb potatoes)
Ingredients
- 2 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1.5-inch chunks
- 1 tsp kosher salt (for the cooking water)
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, warmed
- 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed (more as needed)
- 1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh chives or parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)
About 240 kcal per serving
Instructions
- 1
1. Cook the potatoes
Place the potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water by an inch, and add the salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer 15–20 minutes, until a fork slides through a chunk easily. Drain well.
- 2
2. Dry the potatoes
Return the drained potatoes to the pot and set it over the still-warm (but off) burner for 1–2 minutes, shaking gently. This evaporates the surface moisture so they absorb the butter and cream instead of water.
- 3
3. Mash and enrich
Using a hand masher or a ricer, mash the potatoes to your preferred texture. Drizzle in the melted butter and fold to combine, then add the warm cream and milk a little at a time, mixing gently until silky. Over-mixing makes them gummy — stop as soon as they're smooth.
- 4
4. Season
Stir in the nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust — potatoes need more salt than you think. Transfer to a serving bowl, top with extra butter and the chives, and serve warm.
Chef's notes
- ★Make ahead: prepare the full recipe, cool, and refrigerate up to 2 days. Reheat gently over a double boiler with a splash of milk, or in a covered dish at 350°F for 20 minutes.
- ★For a lighter version, swap half the cream for warmed chicken broth.
- ★A ricer (not a blender or food processor) gives the fluffiest result — machines overwork the starch.