This Is How You Should Be Making Mashed Potatoes, According to TikTok
Updated: Dec. 10, 2021
It's all about the chicken stock, baby!
There’s no denying mashed potatoes are an absolute favorite when it comes to side dishes. They’re even the most popular side for Thanksgiving in at least 10 states, and for good reason. They’re creamy, delicious and no doubt make every meal a hundred times better.
I mean, come on. How can you look at a dish of garlic mashed potatoes or buttermilk mashed potatoes and not devour them instantly?
Now, if you’ve been boiling your mashed potatoes in boring old water this whole time, we’re here to tell you that there’s a better way. TikTok user Jourdyn Parks has the inside scoop on how to make our mashed potatoes the greatest dish on the planet.
How Should We Be Making Our Mashed Potatoes?
Jourdyn, who goes by the handle @jeauxp on TikTok, explains that regular water isn’t enough to make our potatoes as delicious as they could be. While some may use a little salt here and here, there’s an important ingredient that a lot of us have not been using.
The secret ingredient is… chicken stock! Well, that or chicken broth. Really, whatever you have on hand. She explains that water and salt just aren’t enough to really bring out the flavor in the potatoes. But chicken stock (or broth) can really give the potatoes a kick in the delectable direction—the kind of direction we’d like to follow!
She also mentions the fact that she rubs avocado oil on the outside of her potato skins after washing them. She them cuts her potatoes into halves. If you like the skin on in your mashed potatoes, give this a shot. Otherwise, peeling them as normal requires no oil.
It’s Just That Easy!
Jourdyn’s routine is so simple. Wash your potatoes, rub them with avocado oil (skin on), boil chicken stock or chicken broth, add some water and salt and boil away. Trust me, they’ll be some of the greatest mashed potatoes you’ll ever have. You’ll never go back to regular water again!
Here are a few of our favorite mashed potato recipes, as well as another TikTok hack on how to make the perfect crispy potatoes.
Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
My sister-in-law, who is a dietitian, shared these buttermilk mashed potatoes with me. The garlic and buttermilk in these smooth mashed potatoes that are better for you than typical versions that include lots of butter. —Stephanie Bremson of Kansas City, Missouri
Nanny's Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
My grandsons rave over these creamy potatoes loaded with Parmesan. That’s all the endorsement I need. Sometimes I use golden or red potatoes, with skins on. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California
Deluxe Mashed Potatoes
When it comes to mashed potatoes recipes, this is one of my favorites because they can be made ahead, refrigerated and then popped into the oven just prior to dinnertime. When my grandchildren come for dinner, I have to double this recipe. They love it! —Vivian Bailey, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Buttermilk Smashed Potatoes
My family loves this decadent homestyle recipe of buttermilk, potatoes and butter. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy! —Marla Clark, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Slow-Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Sour cream and cream cheese give richness to these smooth make-ahead potatoes. They are wonderful for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner since there's no last-minute mashing required. —Trudy Vincent, Valles Mines, Missouri
Rich & Creamy Mashed Potatoes
It's a cinch to jazz up instant mashed potatoes with sour cream and cream cheese, then cook and serve them from a slow cooker. For a special touch, sprinkle this creamy mashed potatoes recipe with chopped fresh chives, canned french-fried onions or fresh grated Parmesan cheese. —Donna Bardocz, Howell, Michigan
Smashed Potatoes
I wouldn't dream of making my favorite chicken recipe without making these potatoes, too. —Jennifer Shaw of Dorchester, Massachusetts.
Oh-So-Good Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Yukon Golds are ideal when making mashed potatoes because of their buttery flavor and low moisture content. These taters easily absorb the warm milk or melted butter you add to your smooth spuds. —Brittany Linzmeier, De Pere, Wisconsin
Classic Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
These make-ahead mashed potatoes save me a ton of time on Christmas day. No more frantically whipping the potatoes while hungry family and guests hang around the kitchen! —Marty Rummel, Trout Lake, Washington
Rich & Creamy Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
For special occasions (like my husband’s birthday dinners), I mash potatoes with cream cheese, sour cream and Parmesan. It's divine comfort food. —Jo Ann Burrington, Osceola, Indiana
Parmesan-Baked Mashed Potatoes
Here’s a family favorite for Christmas Day dinner. Whether I’m serving a main course of ham or turkey, everyone wants a big scoop of Parmesan mashed potatoes alongside.—Rosemary Janz, Concord, North Carolina
Mashed Potatoes with Cheddar
Who doesn’t love fluffy, homemade mashed potatoes? Make them even better with sharp cheddar cheese. To get them really creamy, my mother's secret was to add whipping cream instead of half-and-half. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Parmesan-Rosemary Mashed Potatoes
I think mashed potatoes are a little bland—so I came up with my own version, adding cheese, garlic and rosemary. — Dawn Miller, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
