This easy and creamy Julia Child mashed potato recipe is the perfect side dish for any meal. Made with simple ingredients like buttery potatoes, garlic, and warm milk, it’s quick to prepare and full of flavor. You can even adjust the seasonings to your liking for a truly customizable dish.
Ingredients Needed
- 2 pounds baking potatoes, peeled and quartered (about 4 large potatoes)
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled (optional)
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
How To Make Mashed Potato Recipe
- Boil the Potatoes: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the quartered potatoes and garlic (if using). Lower the heat to medium and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
- Heat the Milk and Butter: While the potatoes are cooking, heat the milk and butter in a small saucepan over low heat until the butter is melted.
- Mash the Potatoes: Drain the cooked potatoes and return them to the pot. Slowly add the warm milk and butter mixture, mashing the potatoes with a potato masher or using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Season and Serve: Add salt and pepper to taste, then serve and enjoy!

Recipe Tips
- Use warm milk: Always warm the milk before adding it to the potatoes to ensure a smooth and creamy texture. Cold milk can make the potatoes lumpy.
- Don’t overcook the potatoes: Overcooking can cause the potatoes to absorb too much water, making them soggy. Keep an eye on the simmering time.
- Mash, don’t whip: Mashing the potatoes gently with a potato masher or mixer ensures a creamy texture, while over-mixing can make them gluey.
- Season well: Taste and adjust the salt and pepper after mashing to bring out the best flavor.
- Use a pot with a thick bottom: A thicker pot helps heat the potatoes evenly, preventing them from sticking or burning while cooking.
How To Store & Reheat Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store leftover mashed potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Transfer leftover mashed potatoes into a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw them in the fridge overnight and then warm them up in the microwave.
- Reheating: To reheat leftover mashed potatoes, simply place them in a microwave-safe dish and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until warm.
Nutrition Fact
Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 200 grams)
- Calories: 214
- Total Fat: 9.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 5.8 g
- Cholesterol: 23 mg
- Sodium: 82 mg
- Potassium: 620 mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 31 g
- Dietary Fiber: 3 g
- Sugars: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
More Julia Child Recipes:

Julia Child Mashed Potato Recipe
Description
This easy and creamy Julia Child mashed potato recipe is the perfect side dish for any meal. Made with simple ingredients like buttery potatoes, garlic, and warm milk, it’s quick to prepare and full of flavor. You can even adjust the seasonings to your liking for a truly customizable dish.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Boil the Potatoes: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the quartered potatoes and garlic (if using). Lower the heat to medium and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
- Heat the Milk and Butter: While the potatoes are cooking, heat the milk and butter in a small saucepan over low heat until the butter is melted.
- Mash the Potatoes: Drain the cooked potatoes and return them to the pot. Slowly add the warm milk and butter mixture, mashing the potatoes with a potato masher or using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Season and Serve: Add salt and pepper to taste, then serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Use warm milk: Always warm the milk before adding it to the potatoes to ensure a smooth and creamy texture. Cold milk can make the potatoes lumpy.
- Don’t overcook the potatoes: Overcooking can cause the potatoes to absorb too much water, making them soggy. Keep an eye on the simmering time.
- Mash, don’t whip: Mashing the potatoes gently with a potato masher or mixer ensures a creamy texture, while over-mixing can make them gluey.
- Season well: Taste and adjust the salt and pepper after mashing to bring out the best flavor.
- Use a pot with a thick bottom: A thicker pot helps heat the potatoes evenly, preventing them from sticking or burning while cooking.