Name: Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 lbs (1kg) starchy/mealy potatoes (like Russet, Idaho); 1/4 cup milk; 4 tablespoons soft butter (60g); 1/2 cup sour cream (120g); 6 tablespoons chopped chives; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; salt and pepper (to taste)

Sour cream mashed potatoes are a delightful twist on the classic side dish. The sour cream adds a rich and tangy flavor to the potatoes. It also makes them extra creamy, creating a delicious side dish that goes well with many meals, whether it’s a regular dinner or a special holiday feast.

Sour cream mashed potatoes with chives in a blue bowl. Green kitchen cloth underneath.

Ingredients

Below you will find information about the ingredients and how to prepare the recipe. For the measurements and detailed instructions scroll down to the printable recipe card.

Here’s what you need to make this easy dish:

Potatoes

What kind of potatoes to use: the best potatoes for mashed potatoes are starchy/mealy potatoes (like Russets, Idaho) – they are high in starch and low in moisture, they don’t hold their shape very well but are great for mashing and boiling.

Do you have to peel the potatoes? No, the potato peel is edible but sometimes can be tough to chew (it’s up to your preferences).

Butter: adds richness and makes these potatoes creamy.

Garlic powder: adds garlicky flavor without being too harsh.

Milk – thins out the potatoes.

Do you have to put milk in mashed potatoes? No, you can also add water or vegetable/chicken broth instead. You can also add cream instead of milk, but use less butter.

Chives: add nice, oniony, sharp flavor, and also a pop of color!

Sour cream: Why put sour cream in mashed potatoes? It adds an amazing sour tang to these potatoes. They taste rich and creamy without being too heavy (the tangy flavor of the sour cream cuts down the richness). If you try it, you’ll understand!

How to substitute sour cream in mashed potatoes?

Try Greek yogurt with a little bit of lemon juice!
Buttermilk (but don’t add any milk or the potatoes will be too thin)
Creme fraiche.

Labeled ingredients needed to prepare sour cream mashed potatoes.

Step by step instructions

Cooked potatoes are being mashed in a pot.

Milk is being added to mashed potatoes in a pot.

STEP 1: Peel the potatoes, chop any larger ones so they’re all a similar size. Add the potatoes into a large pot, pour over cold water, salt the water. Cook the potatoes until fork-tender.

How long to boil potatoes?

I cut my potatoes into 1 1/2-inch (4cm) chunks and cook them for about 10-15 minutes. Check with a fork if they are ready – they should be soft enough to be pierced with a fork.

STEP 2: Mash the potatoes (while hot). Do not mash them for too long or they will be gummy.

How to mash potatoes:

You can use a potato masher or potato ricer.
Use an electric potato masher.
You can mash them using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.

STEP 3: Add all the other ingredients (soft butter, milk, sour cream, finely chopped chives, garlic powder) and stir until well combined (but do not stir for too long). It’s important to add the other ingredients while the potatoes are still hot.

STEP 4: Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Garnish with more chives and melted butter.

Enjoy!

Sour cream mashed potatoes topped with melted butter and chives in a white-blue bowl.

Serving suggestions

Storage/make-ahead

Unfortunately, all mashed potato recipes taste best freshly made. But, sometimes there is no time, so what I like to do is: thin the potatoes with milk (they will thicken a bit when cold), put them in a baking dish, cover with butter slices and bake at 350°F/180°C for about 10 minutes or until warm.

How long to store them: store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Other side dish recipes you may like

Did you make this recipe? RATE THE RECIPE or tell me in the COMMENTS how you liked it! You can also add a photo of your dish. It would make me very happy and will help other readers. Thank you!!