As the holiday season approaches, home cooks are busy planning their menus, looking to refresh classic side dishes like green beans and sweet potatoes. Mashed potatoes are a staple on Thanksgiving and Christmas tables, but with the hustle of holiday cooking, some may be tempted to take a shortcut with instant mashed potatoes.
Instant mashed potatoes have come a long way from plain powders to now include a variety of flavors like loaded potato, butter and herb, baby red, and four cheese varieties. The taste and quality of instant mashed potatoes vary greatly, as I discovered when I sampled eight different brands to find the best option.
While looking for a shortcut to make meal prep quicker, I found that not all instant mashed potatoes are created equal. Some brands nailed the buttery, homemade taste, while others fell short. Before you reach for a bag of potatoes to boil, consider my ranking of instant mashed potatoes to find the perfect shortcut for your dinner table.
Instant mashed potatoes may seem like magic, but the science behind them is fascinating. Abbey Thiel, a science writer and teacher, explained that instant mashed potatoes start as real potatoes that are peeled, cooked, mashed, dried, and broken into flakes. The fast drying step crucially locks in the natural baked-potato flavor, resulting in the fluffy texture when rehydrated.
When shopping for instant mashed potatoes, look for keywords like “made with real potatoes,” “buttery flavored,” and “no artificial flavors.” The Idahoan brand dominates the market, but there are other options to consider based on texture, taste, and preparation methods.
To find the best instant mashed potatoes, I blind taste-tested eight brands labeled as “homestyle” or “buttery.” From Whole Foods to Walmart, each brand had its own unique flavor and preparation method. While some brands fell short in taste and texture, others like Bob’s Red Mill stood out for their tender, buttery, and delicious mashed potatoes.
In the world of instant mashed potatoes, not all brands are created equal. From bland and dry to creamy and flavorful, the variety on the shelves offers something for every taste preference. Whether you’re looking for a quick side dish or a delicious addition to your holiday meals, choosing the right instant mashed potatoes can make all the difference in your dining experience. So next time you’re shopping for a shortcut, consider the variety and possibilities that instant mashed potatoes offer.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.