• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Fast Recipe Food Blog
  • 15 Minutes or Less
  • Recipe Index
  • Latest Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • 15 Minutes or Less
  • Recipe Index
  • Latest Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • 15 Minutes or Less
    • Recipe Index
    • Latest Recipes
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ร—
    Home ยป Recipes ยป Recipes by Course ยป Side dish

    Red-Skinned Mashed Potatoes

    Last modified: Nov 15, 2024 ยท Published by Adina, Nov 15, 2024 ยท Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    Make delicious red-skinned mashed potatoes that are soft, creamy, and full of flavor - perfect for holiday meals. This easy recipe requires only a few ingredients, uses one pot, and is ready in about 30 minutes.

    red skin potato mash with melted butter and herbs on top.

    Not peeling the potatoes for mash is a nice bonus, but thatโ€™s not the main reason I love these red-skinned mashed potatoes. The real reason is theyโ€™re the most delicious, flavorful mashed potatoes ever and have such a great texture! Iโ€™ve been making these on repeat for months now and am even willing to drive a longer distance just to buy a sack of red potatoes - mainly for making this mash!

    They are the perfect side dish for Dutch Oven Turkey Breast or Thanksgiving Chicken. Add some Roasted Savoy Cabbage, and you will have the perfect Thanksgiving meal or Christmas dinner. Make this Pumpkin Pie with Pecan Crust for dessert.

    Ingredients: 6 + spices

    Prep time: 10 minutes

    Cook time: 15 minutes

    Recipe ingredients

    labeled ingredients for making mashed potatoes with red potatoes, butter, cream cheese, milk, herbs, garlic and spices.

    Red skin potatoes are perfect for mash because they have a creamy texture that stays smooth when mashed. Their mild, slightly sweet flavor and high moisture make them fluffy without being dry. The skin adds extra flavor and texture, making the mash more interesting.ย 

    • They are also one of the few potato varieties that let you keep the skin on when making mash, as their skin is thinner than that of other tubers typically used for mashing.ย 
    • Other thin-skinned potatoes that you could use for this recipe include new potatoes, fingerlings, or Yukon Gold.ย 
    • If you have more red potatoes in the bag, use them to make this simple and tasty 4-Ingredient Potato Soup.

    Milk: Whole milk is best for mashed potatoes. For a richer mash thatโ€™s perfect for the holidays, you can use single or heavy cream instead.

    Cream cheese makes mashed potatoes creamy and rich. You can also use sour cream.

    Garlic: You will need one clove to cook with the potatoes. For an extra garlic flavor, add 1-2 grated garlic cloves to the red-skinned potato mash while mixing in the milk and cream cheese.

    See the recipe card for complete information on ingredients and quantities.

    How to make red-skinned mashed potatoes?

    chopped red potatoes oon a gray cutting board.

    Step #1:ย Wash and scrub the potatoes thoroughly under running water. You will not peel them, so the skin must be clean. Cut them into cubes.

    cooked potato cubes in a pot.

    Step #2:ย Cook the cubes and garlic in a large pot until fork tender, drain well, then return to the pot on the stovetop for 1-2 minutes to evaporate excess moisture.

    heated milk in a small saucepan on a round wooden board.

    Step #3: Heat the milk in a small saucepan.

    mashing potatoes with a potato masher in a pot.

    Step #4: Mash and mix the cooked potatoes with milk, cream cheese, butter, spices, and fresh herbs.ย 

    Tips

    Heating the milk helps with the consistency by making it easier to mix in. Warm milk blends in easily, so you donโ€™t have to mash as much, which reduces the risk of overworking the potatoes and making them gluey, giving you a creamy mash.

    Potato masher versus electric mixer: Using a masher is better because it lets you control the texture. A handย mixer can overwork the red mashed potatoes, making them gluey.

    Make in advance, store, and reheat

    To make mashed potatoes with red skins in advance, prepare the recipe as usual, then let them come to room temperature. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.ย 

    Reheat: When ready to serve, reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a little milk or butter to restore creaminess. You can also reheat them in the microwave, stirring occasionally.

    I donโ€™t recommend freezing potatoes. Theoretically, You can, but I donโ€™t enjoy their texture once thawed.ย 

    bowl with potato mash with red skins, fresh herbs and melting butter on top.

    What to serve with them?

    • brined boneless turkey breast sliced and served with cranberry sauce.
      Brined Boneless Turkey Breast
    • overhead view of air fryer pork roast with potatoes and apple sauce.
      Air Fryer Pork Roast
    • honey garlic lemon pepper chicken thighs close up with lemon slices.
      Honey Garlic Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
    • honey sriracha brussels sprouts on a baking tray.
      Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts
    Hungry for More Fast Recipes?

    Sign up for our Newsletter to receive new, quick, and delicious recipes in your inbox occasionally! Find me sharing daily meal-time inspiration on Pinterest and Facebook

    Give my quick recipes a try for your next family meal! Feel free to reach out if you need any assistance!

    ๐Ÿ“– Recipe

    red-skinned mashed potatoes with melting butter on top.

    Red-Skinned Mashed Potatoes

    Make delicious, creamy red-skinned mashed potatoes - perfect for holiday meals. This easy, one-pot recipe requires just a few ingredients and is ready in 30 minutes.
    No ratings yet
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 230kcal
    Author: Adina

    Equipment

    • Large pot
    • Small saucepan
    • Potato masher Note 1
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients  

    • 2 lbs red skin potatoes 900 g
    • 1 garlic clove peeled, Note 2
    • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
    • ยพ cup whole milk 175 ml, Note 3
    • 1 ยฝ butter soft
    • 3 tablespoons cream cheese
    • a few gratings of nutmeg
    • fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
    • 2 tablespoons parsley or chives, chopped

    Instructions

    • Prepare potatoes: Clean and scrub them thoroughly under running water.
      2 lbs red skin potatoes / 900 g
    • Cook potatoes: Place them in the pot, add the peeled garlic clove and 1 teaspoon salt, and cover them with cold water. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender (about 15 minutes, but check).
      1 garlic clove + 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
    • Drain and dry: Drain the cooked potatoes in a sieve, then return them to the pot and place them on the stovetop over low heat for a minute or two to evaporate any excess moisture.
    • Heat the milk in a small saucepan (Note 4).
      ยพ cup whole milk / 175 ml
    • Mash and mix: Mash the potatoes and garlic, then mix in heated milk, butter, and cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
      1 ยฝ butter + 3 tablespoons cream cheese
    • Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir most of the chopped herbs into the mashed potatoes, then sprinkle the rest on top.
      a few gratings of nutmeg + fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper + 2 tablespoons parsley

    Notes

    1. A potato masher is better than an electric mixer because it gives you control over the texture. A mixer can overwork the potatoes, making them gluey.
    2. Garlic: To boost the garlic flavor, stir in 1-2 grated garlic cloves when mixing the milk and cream cheese into the red-skinned potato mash.
    3. Substitute milk with single or heavy cream for a richer mash.
    4. Heating the milk improves consistency by making it easier to mix in, so you donโ€™t have to mash as much, reducing the risk of gluey potatoes and resulting in a creamy mash.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1portion from 4 | Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 687mg | Potassium: 1131mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 420IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 95mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe? Pin it today!Mention @thefastrecipe or tag #thefastrecipe!

    More Flavorful Side Dish Recipes to Complement Every Meal

    • miso brown rice in a small bowl on kitchen cloths.
      Simple Miso Brown Rice
    • tuna and potato salad in a bowl.
      Tuna and Potato Salad
    • two loaves of wild garlic bread, and three cut slices.
      Wild Garlic Bread
    • creamy celeriac coleslawe in a brown bowl.
      Creamy Celeriac Coleslaw

    Sharing is caring!

    22 shares
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Flipboard

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating





    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Adina Beck the recipe writer, creator, and photographer behind The Fast Recipe Food Blog.

    Hi, I'm Adina! I am a foodie, creator, writer, and photographer, creating and photographing recipes for my blogs and clients.

    More about me โ†’

    Most Popular

    • collage of four pictures of different dipping sauces for calamari.
      Best Dipping Sauces for Calamari
    • small bowl of creamy ricotta mac and cheese on a white cloth with blue flowers.
      Creamy Ricotta Mac and Cheese
    • quick pork belly bites sprinkled with green onions on a white plate.
      Quick Pork Belly Bites
    • red dutch oven with mac and cheese without flour.
      Simple Mac and Cheese without Flour

    Easy Summer Dinner

    • italian zucchini soup topped with fresh basil in a large bowl.
      Italian Zucchini Soup
    • penne caprese with tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil in a bowl.
      Easy Penne Caprese
    • two pieces of panko chicken, one sliced, on a green plate with salad and lemon wedges.
      Crispy Panko Chicken
    • a bowl of dill lemon rice topped with a large sprig of dill and lemon slices.
      Dill Lemon Rice

    Footer

    โ†‘ back to top

    About

    • About us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Check out our Web Stories

    Contact

    If you have any questions or want to work with us, please email us @ yummy@thefastrecipe.com

    If you would like to use one of our photos in your editorial content, please feel free to do so as long as a link back to thefastrecipe.com is provided. Thank you.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright ยฉ 2025

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required