There are few things that are more comforting than mashed potatoes. It’s even better when the mashed potatoes are creamy and filled with flavor. Mashed potatoes can be a side or a main dish, depending on how you serve it. No matter what you use it for, these spuds are an essential part of any meal. However, most people shy away from making them at home because they assume it is too difficult to do so. In reality, it’s not as hard as you think, especially with the right tips and tricks. There are many ways to thicken mashed potatoes because no one likes watery and thin mash. Here are some ideas on How To Thicken Mashed Potatoes.
How To Thicken Mashed Potatoes
Boiled and Mashed Potatoes
Boiled potatoes are the best when it comes to thickening mashed potatoes. You see, boiled potatoes are extremely starchy and this starch helps to thicken the gravy. While making mashed potatoes, add boiled potatoes to your mashed potatoes and you’ll find your gravy thickening and getting that wholesome taste again. But make sure to add the potatoes to your mashed potatoes at the right time. You don’t want to add potatoes to your gravy at the start of making your mashed potatoes because mashed potatoes take time.
Potato Flour
Potato flour is used to thicken gravies often and mashed potatoes are not an exception. Potato flour is gluten-free and comes in handy when you want to thicken mashed potatoes. When you add a tablespoon of potato flour to two cups of mashed potatoes, you’ll notice how the gravy thickens as you stir the potatoes. However, there is a catch. Since you’re adding something extra to your mashed potatoes, they might not taste as wholesome and delicious as they would when you use other methods to thicken mashed potatoes.
Thickened Cream
The cream thickens by itself as it comes to room temperature. You can use this thickened cream to thicken your gravy. Add some thickened cream to your mashed potatoes and stir to see the magic happen. But don’t add too much as you’ll spoil the taste. Just a little will do. Whipped cream also works for this purpose and is easier to whip up than thickened cream.
Dry Mashed Potatoes
Making dry mashed potatoes is the easiest way to thicken your gravy. You can add a tablespoon of cornstarch or a tablespoon of rice flour to a cup of mashed potatoes. Add this dry mash to the gravy and stir. You’ll notice a visible change in the texture of your gravy. The gravy will become thick and luscious. Another way to do this is to add a few tablespoons of flour and salt to a cup of mashed potatoes. Then, you can add the mixture to your gravy to thicken it up. This method tastes better because you don’t have a bunch of extra starch in your gravy.
Double Boiling
Double boiling your potatoes is one of the most authentic and traditional ways to thicken mashed potatoes. When you boil potatoes with enough water, some of the starch gets dissolved in water and forms a gel. This gel formation is used in science labs to thicken liquids and is used in households as well to thicken gravy and stews. The same phenomenon can be seen in mashed potatoes when you double boil them. Add your potatoes to a large bowl and add water to it. Boil the potatoes in water and make sure most of the water evaporates before you add the potatoes to the bowl. Then, mash the potatoes and add the rest of the ingredients to make your mashed potatoes. You’ll notice that the gravy is thicker and the potatoes are more wholesome.
How To Thicken Mashed Potatoes With Flour?
- Flour is a great thickening agent and can be used to thicken any sauce or gravy that is too thin. You can use the same principle to thicken mashed potatoes.
- To do so, simply add 1-2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour while you are mashing the potatoes.
- Keep in mind that you have to mash the potatoes first and then add the flour since the flour can also thicken the potatoes, which is not what you want.
- You can also make a roux by mixing the flour with a little bit of butter or oil before adding it to the potatoes. The only downside of thickening mashed potatoes with flour is that the mashed potatoes will have a slightly grainy texture.
- This can be avoided if you add a little bit of milk to the mashed potatoes. The milk will also help to thicken the mashed potatoes. The ratio that you need to use is 1 part milk to 3 parts mashed potatoes.
- Add the milk while you are mashing the potatoes and stop once the desired consistency is achieved.
How To Thicken Mashed Potatoes With Potato Starch?
- Potato starch is a great alternative to flour to thicken mashed potatoes. It is gluten-free and is made from starchy potatoes, like the ones you use to make mashed potatoes.
- It is a great thickener because it doesn’t add any flavor to the mashed potatoes and can be easily dissolved in any liquid.
- Although you can use potato starch to thicken gravy or any sauce, it works best to thicken mashed potatoes.
- You need to use 2-3 tablespoons of potato starch for every 1 cup of mashed potatoes.
- Add the potato starch while you are mashing the potatoes and stop once the desired consistency is achieved.
How To Thicken Mashed Potatoes With Boiled And Shredded Potato?
- Some people think that this method of thickening mashed potatoes is a little bit strange but it works.
- All you have to do is boil and then shred a potato and add it while you are mashing the potatoes.
- You should make sure that you don’t add too much potato because the mashed potatoes will end up tasting like potatoes.
- You can also add a potato to the milk and butter before you start mashing the potatoes. However, it is best to shred the potato before you start mashing it. You can use any type of potato for this method, but remember that the potato has to be starchy.
How To Thicken Mashed Potatoes With Corn Starch?
- Corn starch can also be used to thicken mashed potatoes. It is very similar to potato starch, but the only difference is that it is made from corn instead of potatoes. Like potato starch, it doesn’t have any flavor, so it works great for thickening mashed potatoes.
- You need 2-3 tablespoons of corn starch for every 1 cup of mashed potatoes.
- Add the corn starch while you are mashing the potatoes and stop once the desired consistency is achieved.
Advantages Of Thickening Mashed Potatoes
It makes your mashed potatoes feel more luxurious.
Mashed potatoes are a simple side dish that has been served in restaurants and kitchens around the world for decades. That doesn’t stop them from feeling fancy, though. Adding additional ingredients to your mashed potatoes gives them an entirely different vibe. No matter the occasion, thickened mashed potatoes feel more luxurious. You can add in herbs, spices, and even a little bit of cheese for an extra special dish. It can be the perfect side for a fancy family dinner or as part of a Thanksgiving feast.
It’s super easy to do.
Making mashed potatoes from scratch is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. You can make them however you like, experiment with different ingredients, and make them your own. This is great, but sometimes you just don’t have the time. Luckily, thickening mashed potatoes is a quick and easy way to make your dish feel a little bit special. You can do it as an alternative to using shop-bought mashed potatoes or as a way to jazz up some instant mashed potatoes.
Mashed potatoes are one of the best ways to use up leftover veggies.
If you’ve got veg that’s starting to look a little sad in the fridge, don’t throw it away. Instead, try making mashed potatoes. Mashed potatoes can be used to transform anything from broccoli to carrots. This means it’s a great way to get rid of leftover veggies that might otherwise be thrown out. You can turn almost any vegetable into mashed potatoes. This means that you could use almost any leftover veggies in your mash. You can also add herbs and spices to give your mash a flavor that compliments the leftovers you’re using. This makes mashed potatoes a great way to get rid of any veggies that are past their best before date.
Conclusion
Mashed potatoes are one of the most popular side dishes in the world. No matter where you are, you will find mashed potatoes on the menu. They are super easy to make and perfect for any occasion. All you need is a little bit of patience while you boil and mash the potatoes. Once you have done that, you can choose any method to thicken mashed potatoes. Whether you want it creamy, thick, or a little bit of both, there is a method that will work for you.
