Mashed Potatoes - homeade or boxed

mckayleesmom wrote: Which do you do?


I use to buy boxed all the time, but I haven't for a long time. I got a great recipe and I make them myself now. Dh likes them so much better anyways. I can't justify the cost of the boxes anymore either because I can make so much more with a bag of potatoes.

aspenblue1 replied: Home made

gr33n3y3z replied: Home made all the way

Try to add a little fresh garlic while the Potatoes are cooking yummmmm
then add while mixing with milk add some sour cream,butter,salt and pepper

Insted of using all milk try using 1/2 milk and half heavy cream

The extra Potatoe water add it to your gravy

mckayleesmom replied: I usually uses garlic salt, mayo, a dab of butter and a shot of milk......If I have fresh garlic on hand I throw some in.

Our Lil' Family replied:
That's how I make it, then I sprinkle cheese after it's on the plate. Like a baked potato!! YUMMO!

Nina J replied: home-made

Jamison'smama replied: Homemade with whipping cream or heavy cream and real butter--loads of it!

That's how I like it but I usually make it with skim milk and less butter.

My3LilMonkeys replied: homemade all the way!

DillsMommy replied: Usually home-made. I actually made the best boxed taters tonight though. They're from betty crocker, roasted garlic. So good, I love em!!

cameragirl21 replied: ok, ok, you've all put me to shame...i only buy boxed, i don't have the first idea of how to do it homemade.
anyone want to share a recipe?
preferably one without mayo as i don't think i'd like mayo in my mashed potatoes...i do like them with garlic and cheese, though.

MyBlueEyedBabies replied: Boxed...though I did just buy a potato masher for dh...maybe he'll make me homemade sometime

CantWait replied: I love the boxed flakes. I can eat that and corn by itself as a snack. For me though, it really does depend of the mood. I'm finding lately that the boxed ones are becoming more rubbery. Also I find that if I use the box I tend to use more salt and butter then if I make homemade.

So I guess after all that, I prefer homemade.

CantWait replied:
Peel the potatoes, (or not), cut into small chunks, boil till soft. Add vegetable soup stock (since I know you're a vegetarian), some pepper, and mash.

or you can add milk and butter etc....

Take your pic.

cameragirl21 replied:
Thanks, Marie, i will try that sometime...and thanks for remembering i don't eat chicken broth/stock, etc.
can i use milk or cream instead of the vegetable soup stock? i'm wondering if the veggie soup won't go with the milk and i like my mashed potatoes to have a dairy taste....
this may sound idiotic but i never thought about cutting up the potatoes into pieces, which is probably why they always turned out lumpy, lol.
speaking of which, does anyone here make their own baked potatotes? do you have to boil them first and if so, for how long? and then how long do you bake them afterward?

CantWait replied:
no don't use the stock and milk. You can replace one with the other though.

As for baked. I do mine mostly in the microwave because it's really quick. Pierce holes in the potatoe (all around), put on a plate and microwave on high for about 10 minutes, check periodically (you should stick a knife in it and see if it's soft), if it's not continue to cook. When they are soft, wrap in foil, put on grill or oven, and cook another 10-15 minutes to get that baked taste.

CantWait replied: Oh ya, you have to pierce the potatoe before putting in microwave or they will burst.

cameragirl21 replied:
thanks for the cooking 411, Marie, next i'll be asking you for your hubby's fried plantain recipe....

CantWait replied:
LOL that's way to easy.

A pan full of cooking oil. Place length long slices of plantain in hot oil until golden brown, turning half way through. Serve with sour cream and sugar.

I want some now.

cameragirl21 replied:
thanks, Marie, yeah, you'd think i could have figured that one out but i didn't know if they pre-seasoned them or if they deep fried them or what? as you can see, cooking is not my forte.
and yeah, i want some now too.
is your DH Latin American?
it's a very common meal among the Hispanic community here...i never heard of such of a food before moving to Miami.

CantWait replied:
Yes he is. From El Salvador.

cameragirl21 replied: very cool, Marie, so are your kids bilingual?

Donna027 replied: I love homemade but I never actually have time to make them so I always use box flakes

luvmykids replied: I'm the same, Bri....used to use the boxed but it really doesn't take that long to do home made and they taste soooo much better. I throw all kinds of stuff in, my new favorite is sour cream and shredded cheese

Simplebeliever replied: I use the boxed stuff. I'm not the best of cooks so anything that makes my life easier when I'm cooking dinner is well worth it.

Now you guys have me thinking that I should try to make some home made mashed potatoes.

3xsthefun replied: Home made

Maddie&EthansMom replied:
This is how I make mine. I heat the cream and butter before I add it. Sometimes I roast garlic and put that in there when I beat them. DH likes cheese and bacon and sour cream in his.

skinkybaby replied: Homemade. I am a mashed potato fanatic. And I LOVE my potato ricer- not more having to peel potatoes

CantWait replied:
Nope. My dh is to lazy to teach them

~Roo'sMama~ replied: Homemade. I used to like boxed ok, but I really don't like them much anymore. I put a butter, sour cream, a little milk and salt, pepper, garlic powder and basil or parsley in mine. Sometimes I use different seasonings, it depends on my mood.

holley79 replied: Homemade. I can't stand the boxed potatoes. My sister on the other hand will only eat instant.

Sarah&Mackenzie replied: During the summer when we are digging potatoes, I use them since they are fresh. But during the winter I just used the boxed.

Boo&BugsMom replied: I hate cooking, so boxed for us. I also don't own a potato masher. If I had one I possibly would make homemade more. I have some yummy recipes...but when it comes around to actually cooking and making them, I hate the thought of doing it.

mom2my2cuties replied: Jeanie - something that works better than a masher are the hand mixers (like you use when you make cookies).

I usually prefer homemade - but we found the Idahoan Premium and you can't tell the difference

Boo&BugsMom replied:
I have one of those! Now, just to figure out how to use it! Just kidding...sort of.

mom2my2cuties replied:


Andy thinks it needs to run with her fingers in it. All because for some insane reason I turned in on somehow when I was cleaning off some dough with my finger in it one day.

luvbug00 replied: depends on my time. usualy boxed but on a day where i have the time homemade. I like either or .

Jamison'smama replied: I usually whip mine with a mixer as well---we like them better that way.

As for baked Jennifer---take a regular sized potato, wrap it in foil, put it in the oven at 400 for an hour. I do microwave them if I am short on time but they are so much better in the oven...I love the skins.

cameragirl21 replied:
thanks for the advice, Brenda, i will definitely try this, i love the skins too.

MotherForever2043 replied: I usually make home made. But if I'm tired and/or busy that day I'll just make the boxed mashed potatoes.