"try a little tenderness" creamy Southern mashed potatoes

Easy, creamy Southern mashed potatoes with heavy cream - Soft, tangy, and butter-smooth* this is an all-family pleasing winner.*

The best southern mashed potatoes are one of those dishes that everyone seems to have their own way of making them. Some like them creamy, some like them lumpy, and some like them with lots of added ingredients.

But no matter how you make them, they always seem to disappear fast! This recipe is for creamy mashed potatoes that will disappear just as fast as any others, but with a little bit of added flavor. So give these a try the next time you’re looking for a side dish to go with your dinner!

Southern mashed potatoes are a comfort food that is loved by many. The dish is traditionally made with yellow potatoes, which are peeled and boiled before being mashed with butter, milk, and salt to taste.

While creamy mashed potatoes can be enjoyed any time of year, they are especially comforting in the colder months. The rich, creamy texture and hearty flavor make them a perfect side dish for winter meals. So next time you’re in the mood for something comforting, be sure to give southern mashed potatoes a try.

You can make this dish whenever, but I recommend reserving for those special moments when you need to bring out the big guns to let everybody this a special day.

The ingredients are simple, but sour cream, heavy cream, and ghee (clarified butter) combined with precise technique really set this off.

You can make this dish whenever, but I recommend reserving for those special moments when you need to bring out the big guns to let everybody this a special day.

Beats and Eats (music to pair with mashed potatoes)

In the realm of timeless soul music, Otis Redding's "Try a Little Tenderness" stands as a testament to the power of emotion and connection. As the smooth and soulful notes of Redding's voice envelop the listener, a parallel experience can be found in the indulgent journey of savoring creamy Southern mashed potatoes. Let's explore how these two elements, seemingly distinct, harmonize beautifully on the palate and in the soul.

The Sensual Opening:

"Try a Little Tenderness" begins with a gentle piano melody, setting the stage for a heartfelt performance. Similarly, the journey into Southern mashed potatoes starts with the selection of the right potatoes – Yukon Golds or russets – each choice contributing to the rich, creamy texture that will soon unfold.

The Slow Build:

As Redding's vocals gradually intensify, so too does the process of creating creamy mashed potatoes. Boiling the potatoes until fork-tender mirrors the building intensity of the song, as anticipation rises for the ultimate crescendo – that moment when all the elements come together in perfect harmony.

The Crescendo of Flavor:

Just as Otis Redding reaches the soul-stirring crescendo in his song, the addition of softened butter to the mashed potatoes is the culinary equivalent. The richness and smoothness unfold, creating a symphony of flavor that resonates with each velvety bite.

A Touch of Soulful Tang:

In "Try a Little Tenderness," Redding introduces a touch of soulful tenderness with his passionate delivery. Similarly, when opting for buttermilk in Southern mashed potatoes, a subtle tanginess is infused, adding depth and complexity to the overall experience.

The Art of Seasoning:

Redding's advice to "hold her" and "squeeze her" with tenderness finds its culinary parallel in the careful seasoning of mashed potatoes. The delicate balance of salt and white pepper, much like the nuanced emotions expressed in the song, ensures a harmonious blend that captivates the senses.

Visual and Aural Pleasure:

As Otis Redding's performance evokes vivid emotions, the presentation of Southern mashed potatoes offers a feast for the eyes. The creamy texture and optional sprinkle of fresh herbs – be it chives or parsley – create a visual symphony, complementing the auditory delights of soul music.

Pairing the Experience:

Picture this: A quiet evening, the soulful tunes of Otis Redding filling the air, and a plate of creamy Southern mashed potatoes served alongside your favorite comfort dish. The sultry tones of "Try a Little Tenderness" mirror the decadent experience of savoring each spoonful of mashed potatoes, creating a moment that transcends the ordinary.

The ingredients are simple, but sour cream, heavy cream, and ghee (clarified butter)  combined with precise technique really set this off.

Homemade Mashed Potatoes Ingredients

• Potatoes – I'm a Yukon gold potatoes guy. Great texture and flavor, but a mix of Yukon and Russet potatoes give you the best of both worlds with a mix of starchy + waxy
• Sour Cream – under the radar sneaky ingredient that adds some zip and creaminess to the dish. Many like to add cream cheese but sour cream is the way to go.
• Kosher Salt
• Smoked Paprika – prefer a good quality smoky sweet paprika for that earthy and smoky flavor.
• Butter or Ghee - don't skimp on the butter and go quality. I actually prefer clarified butter as it's got a unique flavor profile.
• Heavy Cream - these mashed potatoes weren't meant to be anything but mild, so I go hard with full flavor ingredients. You get creaminess plus indulgence with cream.
• Kosher Salt - mashed potatoes are bland without salt. Be generous!
• Black Pepper - add some bite with pepper.

How to make this Southern style mashed potatoes recipe (step by step)

Step 1: Boil Potatoes

Place water in a large pot. Salt the water well and add potatoes then bring to a boil until fork tender. Be careful not too overcook however, as you run the risk of producing sticky potatoes which ain't a good thing here.

Step 2: Drain the potatoes

Important step! Drain thoroughly ridding as much moisture as possible

Step 3: Heat Dairy Ingredients

Heat ghee, cream, and season well with the paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix in the sour cream

Step 4: Mash the potatoes

Add in parts of the hot dairy mixture, then using a potato hand masher, mash the potatoes as much as possible until liquid is absorbed then repeat the process a few times until potatoes reach desired consistency. I prefer smooth and creamy all day! Taste and adjust seasoning with either more spices (fresh ground pepper and salt) and/or add butter.

Garnish with green onions

What To Serve With Mashed Potatoes

Southern mashed potatoes, with their creamy and buttery goodness, pair wonderfully with a variety of dishes that complement their rich flavors. Here are some delightful options to consider:

1. Fried Chicken:
   • The classic pairing of creamy mashed potatoes with crispy fried chicken is a Southern comfort food dream. The contrast in textures and flavors is simply irresistible.
2. Southern-Style Meatloaf:
   • A slice of moist and seasoned Southern meatloaf alongside mashed potatoes creates a comforting and hearty meal. The savory meatloaf complements the creamy potatoes for a satisfying dinner.
3. Collard Greens:
   • The earthy bitterness of collard greens pairs wonderfully with the creamy sweetness of mashed potatoes. The combination offers a balance of flavors and textures that's both comforting and nutritious.
4. Biscuits and Sausage Gravy:
   • For a hearty Southern breakfast or brunch, serve your mashed potatoes with buttermilk biscuits and savory sausage gravy. This combination is a delightful indulgence that brings together various Southern favorites.
5. Shrimp and Grits:
   • Elevate your mashed potatoes by pairing them with a Southern classic like shrimp and grits. The creamy potatoes provide a perfect base for the spicy, flavorful shrimp and grits mixture.
6. Fried Catfish:
   • Crispy fried catfish alongside mashed potatoes offers a delightful contrast in textures. The mild, flaky fish pairs well with the creamy potatoes, creating a satisfying Southern meal.
7. Cornbread:
   • Serve your mashed potatoes with a side of warm cornbread. The combination of the soft potatoes and the crumbly, slightly sweet cornbread is a Southern classic that never disappoints.
8. Green Beans with Bacon:
   • Crisp-tender green beans cooked with savory bacon provide a flavorful and slightly crunchy side dish that enhances the overall dining experience.

Expert Cooking Tips for The Perfect Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Mashed potatoes are simple. But a few key steps can make a big difference in both texture and flavor. Trust me on this:

Choose the right potatoes

No brainer, right? This is a mashed potatoes dish, so make sure you get the main ingredient right. Yukon gold and Russet are the money potatoes!

Cut Potatoes Evenly

Try to cut the potatoes as evenly in size as possible. They don't have to be exactly identical but the closer to uniform they are the more evenly they will cook which ultimately ensures creamier mash unless you prefer the chunks.

Limit impact of water

Too much water is a NO NO. Less water, equals more flavor. If you boil them with skin on you can always remove the skin after cooking. Less water absorbed means more dairy absorbed later. If you're shorter on time, then peel and cut into smaller pieces. It's a quicker cook and minimizes time spent in boiling water

Start spuds in cold, salted water

This will help ensure potatoes cook evenly as in the exterior won't be shocked before the interior starts cooking.

Mash the hot potatoes

For max creaminess mash those bad boys as soon as they’re ready. If you boiled them with skin on you’ll need dish gloves of some sort.

Consider making mashed potatoes ahead by washing, peeling, and cutting the potatoes in advance. Store the prepared ingredients correctly to maintain their quality, and reheat the mashed potatoes before serving for convenience.

Season and taste as you go

Season at each step. Salt the water before boiling. Add seasoning (salt, pepper, paprika) to butter and milk mixture before adding to mashed potatoes. Taste afterwards and if needed add more seasoning. 

Add liquid in phases

I'm not a fan of super wet, thin mashed potatoes. Pouring all the liquid in at once will lead to over-saturation. I like to add a little at a time and lightly mix after each pour. 

Mash potatoes: Try a little tenderness with your mash technique

Use a potato ricer to mash the potatoes if you have one. Otherwise use a regular potato masher. If using a masher mash as light as possible.Too much pressing and activity will push all the starch out which would be a very bad thing. Loss of starch = extra gumminess. For this reason electric tools (blenders, hand mixers, etc.) for mashing are not recommended.

Warm dairy beats cold dairy

Warm your dairy source before adding it to your mash. Heated dairy is more easily absorbed and keeps the dish hot.

Drain the boiled potatoes well

This is the key to great consistency. I like to drain the cooked potatoes for about 5 minutes. This is enough time for them to drain while also staying sufficiently hot. After draining place the potatoes back into the warm pot, for further evaporation of any remaining liquid.

Don't skimp on the butter

Mo butter equals mo creamy and mo buttery texture.

Pair creamy mashed potatoes with fried chicken like this smoked and fried version, green beans, and corn salad.

Other Considerations In Making A Mashed Potato Recipe

Try to dice your ingredients as evenly as possible. Smaller chunks are also better than larger ones. You want each bite to get a mix of the different ingredients vs. only the larger diced potato.

Bring the water and potatoes to a boil at the same time vs. heating the water first. The potatoes will cook evenly this way.

Season at each step, especially early. During boiling the potatoes can/will absorb the flavors in the liquid. Boil potatoes in seasoned broth to maximize flavor

Add a bit of chicken stock or chicken broth for additional flavor

Load up on garlic cloves (minced) to create a garlic mashed potatoes vibe

Not necessarily my thing, but for more rustic mashed potatoes you can leave the skin on some of the potatoes.

How To Reheat Mashed Potatoes

If reheating mashed potatoes consider the following

Reheating mashed potatoes can be a bit tricky if not done correctly, as they have a tendency to dry out. However, with the right method, you can revive the creamy texture and delicious flavor of your mashed potatoes. Here are a few recommended methods for reheating mashed potatoes:

1. Microwave:

• Method:
  • Transfer the desired amount of mashed potatoes to a microwave-safe bowl.
  • Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe plate or microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.
  • Microwave on medium heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring after each minute.
  • Continue until the mashed potatoes are heated through.
• Tips:
  • Be cautious not to overheat, as this can lead to dryness. Microwave in short intervals to monitor the consistency.
  • Stirring regularly helps distribute heat evenly and maintains a creamy texture.

2. Stovetop:

• Method:
  • Place the mashed potatoes in a saucepan or pot over low to medium heat.
  • Add a small amount of milk or cream to the potatoes to restore moisture.
  • Stir the mashed potatoes frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
  • Continue until the potatoes are heated to your liking.
• Tips:
  • Adjust the heat to low to avoid scorching, and add additional liquid gradually as needed.
  • Stirring is key to maintaining a smooth consistency.

3. Oven:

• Method:
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Place the mashed potatoes in an oven-safe dish.
  • Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent drying.
  • Bake for about 20-30 minutes or until the mashed potatoes are heated through.
• Tips:
  • Adding a layer of butter or cream on top before reheating can help retain moisture.
  • Check the potatoes periodically to ensure they don't become overly dry.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Making This Easy Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Can mashed potatoes be frozen?

I'm not a fan of freezing mashed potatoes. These won't last anyway as people will eat most if not all at time of serving. However, if you make extra you can try freezing. The extra fat in the sour cream and heavy cream will definitely help.

Do I have to use Ghee?

No not at all, as regular sticks of butter will get the job done. Ghee does add much flavor to the dish though.

Can I substitute for Heavy Cream?

Yes, you can use either milk or half and half, but just be sure to use the full fat versions.

What Do You Serve With Southern Mashed Potatoes

As comforting as these mashed potatoes with heavy cream are, they deserve to be around other comforting dishes like Mac and cheese, collard greens, Southern meatloaf, or pork chops. Top them with additional butter and cracked black pepper.

What do you do with leftover mashed potatoes?

I like to store leftover mashed potatoes in airtight containers and refrigerate them properly. I then re-heat leftovers in the oven on low heat with some butter. Then I serve them topped with a browned ground beef gravy Popeye’s style. You can also make loaded mashed potatoes.

For other similar recipes try any of these:

Creole Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Puerto Rican Mashed Root Vegetables

Mofongo Relleno

Southern Potato Salad

Creamed Corn

making this mashed potato recipe

Creamy mashed potatoes are the perfect comfort food for a chilly winter night. This recipe is easy to follow and produces delicious results. Give it a try, and let us know what you think!

If you make this homemade mashed potatoes with sour cream recipe please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see them.

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