? Let’s Settle the Debate! 
Few side dishes are as comforting as a bowl of perfectly creamy mashed potatoes. They’re simple, familiar, and incredibly versatile—but there’s one debate that can divide a dinner table:
Should you use milk or butter? 
The truth is, you don’t necessarily have to choose. Butter brings richness and flavor, while milk adds moisture and helps create that smooth, creamy texture. Used together, they can make wonderfully fluffy mashed potatoes.
Here’s a classic recipe you can make for a family dinner, Sunday roast, holiday meal, or whenever you’re craving something comforting.
Classic Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
Serves 4–6
- 1 kg (2.2 lb) potatoes, preferably Yukon Gold or another floury/all-purpose variety
- 60–100 g (4–7 tbsp) unsalted butter
- 120–180 ml (½–¾ cup) whole milk
- 1–1½ tsp salt, plus more for the cooking water
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1–2 cloves garlic, optional
- 1–2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or chives, optional
The important part: milk or butter?
Butter:
Adds richness, a silky mouthfeel, and that unmistakable buttery flavor.
Milk:
Adds moisture and helps loosen the potatoes so they become soft and creamy rather than dry.
Both: +
For classic creamy mashed potatoes, using both gives you the best of each.
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
Peel the potatoes and cut them into pieces of roughly equal size.
Try not to make the pieces wildly different in size. Small pieces can become overcooked while larger pieces are still firm.
Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover them with cold water.
Add a generous pinch of salt.
Starting the potatoes in cold water helps them cook more evenly from the outside toward the center.
Step 2: Cook Until Tender
Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer.
Cook for approximately 15–20 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces.
They’re ready when a fork or knife slides easily through the center.
Don’t rush this step.
Undercooked potatoes can leave you with lumpy mashed potatoes no matter how much butter or milk you add.
Step 3: Warm the Milk and Butter
While the potatoes are cooking, gently warm the milk and butter together in a small saucepan.
