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Post by birdy on Nov 13, 2023 22:07:22 GMT
I normally host Christmas and my parents host Thanksgiving, but they just moved and their house is in disarray so I offered. It's been a long time since I've had to make mashed potatoes for a crowd. I discovered Bob Evans mashed potatoes in the grocery store and have just been using those for my family. But, to feed everyone I'd need several of those and they're pricy. So, I'm going to make them the "old fashioned way." I just hate having to do all that peeling, boiling and mashing on the day of in addition to everything else to cook and get on the table. I was wondering if it's possible to make them the day ahead and just reheat in the crockpot? Everything I'm finding on line talks about adding half and half, sour cream or cream cheese. I just want basic potatoes. Can I make them Wednesday and then put them in the crockpot on Thursday (and if so, should I add some type of liquid??) to heat them up? Or should I just do them on Thursday? Thanks for the advice!
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Post by karenlou on Nov 13, 2023 22:11:54 GMT
I have made them ahead of time for years….they are fine. I have always added milk or half and half and butter to them when mashing or whipping, makes it easier and tastes yummy!!!
I have heated them in the crock pot as well…EASY!!!
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Post by littlemama on Nov 13, 2023 22:15:44 GMT
I always do them the day of as does MIL and my mom. I know there are people who make them in advance, but I dont know any of those people in real life, so I cant say how they are.
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anniebeth24
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,545 
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Post by anniebeth24 on Nov 13, 2023 22:15:46 GMT
I've made "make ahead" mashed potatoes but that recipe has cream cheese.
Costco has pre-made ones in the refrigerated section by the soups. Bigger portion than Bob Evans.
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Post by librarylady on Nov 13, 2023 22:24:19 GMT
Yes. When I do, I use the "make ahead " recipe.
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Post by monklady123 on Nov 13, 2023 22:29:50 GMT
Yes, definitely! Then the next day when you heat them up add some milk and/or butter.
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Post by lucyg on Nov 13, 2023 22:34:41 GMT
You can make them in advance and reheat in the slow cooker or oven, no problem. Add a little liquid if it seems needed as they warm.
But I have to add, I wouldn’t serve mashed potatoes without butter, milk/cream, sour cream and/or cream cheese ever, let alone for a holiday dinner. If you’re vegan or dairy-free, there are suitable substitutes out there.
If your family wants plain potatoes only, why not baked or roasted? They look nice, taste good, and they’re a lot less trouble than mashed.
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Post by papersilly on Nov 13, 2023 22:37:33 GMT
definitely! you can make the whole thing or the mashed potatoes only and then mix the rest of the ingredients in that day if you want them to taste super fresh. i do just the potatoes ahead of time and mix in the rest am hour or two before dinner.
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styxgirl
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Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Nov 13, 2023 22:50:56 GMT
For sure you can make them a day ahead! My tip would be to re-heat them in a crock pot on low, stirring once or twice. Also, using a crock pot liner will be very helpful for clean up! :-)
I wait until they are mostly reheated to decide if I need to add more milk or butter.
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Post by myshelly on Nov 13, 2023 22:53:43 GMT
To me, “basic” mashed potatoes have cream or cream cheese in them.
Otherwise they’re just dry ass potatoes 🤣
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pilcas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,916
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Post by pilcas on Nov 13, 2023 23:43:00 GMT
I always make them ahead of time. I just add more milk and a maybe some butter and heat them in the microwave.
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Post by craftedbys on Nov 13, 2023 23:46:59 GMT
I personally don't care for reheated mashed potatoes (or most foods, TBH) but that is just me.
I know dried potato flakes in a box or bag are an abomination to some people, but if you make with more milk than water and then add all of the extras (cream or cream cheese, lots of butter and salt and pepper) they taste pretty darn good.
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FurryP
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Jun 26, 2014 19:58:26 GMT
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Post by FurryP on Nov 13, 2023 23:53:26 GMT
I'm hungry for mashed potatoes and gravy now.
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caangel
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Posts: 5,454
Location: So Cal
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Post by caangel on Nov 13, 2023 23:57:53 GMT
I add all the dairy! Just depends on what I have in my fridge. The best is bursin cheese! I have a 3 pack from Costco.
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Post by greendragonlady on Nov 14, 2023 0:07:15 GMT
You can always peel and cut them up the day before...just keep them in a pot of water. At least you'll save some time and mess.
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Post by smasonnc on Nov 14, 2023 0:14:02 GMT
Save yourself some trouble and make them ahead. I always started cooking early in the week. Stuffing and potatoes were the first things I did. No complaints. No food-borne illnesses. Everyone loved them. Everything I'm finding on line talks about adding half and half, sour cream or cream cheese. I just want basic potatoes. Those are basic mashed potatoes. |
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teddyw
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Post by teddyw on Nov 14, 2023 0:17:57 GMT
I’ve already chopped my veggies for my stuffing and it’s in the freezer. I almost always make the mashed potatoes a day or 2 ahead but always add veggie broth milk and butter.
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Post by Neisey on Nov 14, 2023 1:08:18 GMT
I often will peel and cut the day before and store in a bowl of water in the fridge until time to boil. That saves a bit of time on a busy meal prep day.
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Post by dewryce on Nov 14, 2023 1:21:54 GMT
We have always made ours earlier in the week and they’re amazing. It’s what everyone always requests we bring. Butter and cream cheese with a side of potatoes, shredded cheddar on top. 4 sticks of butter (we like plugra and Kerry gold), 16 oz of cream cheese to 5 pounds of Yukon gold potatoes. We let ours come to room temp a bit and throw them in the oven. Delicious!
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Post by kristi521 on Nov 14, 2023 13:16:46 GMT
I make the Pioneer Woman recipe, I usually make it on Wednesday night and I get rave reviews on it every time. |
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pantsonfire
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Post by pantsonfire on Nov 14, 2023 13:31:07 GMT
I normally host Christmas and my parents host Thanksgiving, but they just moved and their house is in disarray so I offered. It's been a long time since I've had to make mashed potatoes for a crowd. I discovered Bob Evans mashed potatoes in the grocery store and have just been using those for my family. But, to feed everyone I'd need several of those and they're pricy. So, I'm going to make them the "old fashioned way." I just hate having to do all that peeling, boiling and mashing on the day of in addition to everything else to cook and get on the table. I was wondering if it's possible to make them the day ahead and just reheat in the crockpot? Everything I'm finding on line talks about adding half and half, sour cream or cream cheese. I just want basic potatoes. Can I make them Wednesday and then put them in the crockpot on Thursday (and if so, should I add some type of liquid??) to heat them up? Or should I just do them on Thursday? Thanks for the advice! If by basic you mean salt, pepper, milk,and butter than yes. I always add a few splats of butter when reheating in a foil packet in the oven and warmed milk if needed. Taste great. We don't add anything else due to allergies. |
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GiantsFan
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Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Nov 14, 2023 14:50:47 GMT
I make the Pioneer Woman recipe, I usually make it on Wednesday night and I get rave reviews on it every time. I make the same one. |
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Post by Prenticekid on Nov 14, 2023 15:51:16 GMT
Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes made ahead of time and warmed in a crockpot.
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craftymom101
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by craftymom101 on Nov 14, 2023 16:05:01 GMT
I make the same PW mashed potatoes recipe as everyone else, and it turns out fantastic every time!
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scrapngranny
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Post by scrapngranny on Nov 14, 2023 16:20:14 GMT
I’m going to try it for the first time this year. I’ve scouring the recipes on Pinterest looking for what looks like the right one. Lots of butter, cream, sour cream or cream cheese and even some of the water the potatoes cooked in, seems to be the answer.
Funny thing is DH and I don’t eat mashed potatoes usually.
ETA The one thing I can’t decide is whether to mash them or whip them.
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TXMary
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Post by TXMary on Nov 14, 2023 18:33:49 GMT
I have tried several of the make ahead recipes and we didn't like any of them, including PW. We didn't like the taste that cream cheese gave to them. To me, basic mashed potatoes are just potatoes, milk, butter and salt and pepper. I have given up and gone back to making them the day of. I do peel them before everyone gets there and leave them soaking in water on the stovetop but don't actually cook them until before we eat.
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Post by alsomsknit on Nov 14, 2023 18:47:38 GMT
We always make them the day off. Normally adding fresh garlic to them before boiling the potatoes. Butter, evap milk, salt & pepper.
They are good reheated in the oven with adding a few pats of butter to the top. We use an 8x8 glass dish.
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Post by workingclassdog on Nov 14, 2023 19:26:01 GMT
I make the Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes and make them a day ahead. They are wonderful... lots of junk in them.. which makes them delish!  |
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Post by littlemama on Nov 14, 2023 19:32:23 GMT
Save yourself some trouble and make them ahead. I always started cooking early in the week. Stuffing and potatoes were the first things I did. No complaints. No food-borne illnesses. Everyone loved them. Everything I'm finding on line talks about adding half and half, sour cream or cream cheese. I just want basic potatoes. Those are basic mashed potatoes. Basic mashed potatoes have butter, milk, salt, and pepper. Cream cheese, sour cream, & half and half are nit basic. |
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SweetieBsMom
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Post by SweetieBsMom on Nov 14, 2023 20:03:08 GMT
I have tried several of the make ahead recipes and we didn't like any of them, including PW. We didn't like the taste that cream cheese gave to them. To me, basic mashed potatoes are just potatoes, milk, butter and salt and pepper. I have given up and gone back to making them the day of. I do peel them before everyone gets there and leave them soaking in water on the stovetop but don't actually cook them until before we eat. Same. I tried PW mashed years ago, I think she still only had a blog, and we didn't care for them b/c of the cream cheese. |
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