Nitrate & Nitrite Free Buttery Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, cloud-like mashed potatoes are one of those comfort foods that never go out of style, and this version delivers everything you want — silky texture, rich buttery flavor, and that satisfying warmth that makes a plate feel complete. For anyone avoiding nitrates and nitrites, the beauty here is in the simplicity: every single ingredient is a whole, unprocessed food with nothing hidden in the label. No cured meats, no packaged seasoning blends, no preservative-laden add-ins — just potatoes, butter, milk, salt, and a handful of fresh chives. The technique matters too. Drying the potatoes over low heat before mashing drives off excess moisture, which means the warm butter-milk mixture gets absorbed evenly for a result that's genuinely smooth rather than gluey or dense. Yukon Golds are the right call here — their naturally buttery flesh means you get incredible flavor without having to overload on fat. A finishing scatter of fresh chives adds a gentle pop of color and a mild oniony brightness that makes the whole bowl look as good as it tastes. This is the kind of side dish that earns a permanent spot in your weekly rotation.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 2 lbs yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 ½-inch chunks
- 1 tsp salt, plus more for the cooking water
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- ½ cup whole milk
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, thinly sliced (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Place the potato chunks in a large pot and cover with cold water by at least 1 inch. Add a generous pinch of salt and bring to a boil over high heat.
- 2
Reduce the heat to a steady simmer and cook until the potatoes are completely tender and a fork slides through the center of a chunk with no resistance, about 15–18 minutes. Drain thoroughly and return the potatoes to the pot.
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