The BEST Creamed Potatoes (A Southern Heritage Recipe)

Creamed Potatoes are so much more delicious than regular mashed potatoes. With only four main ingredients you’ll have the best potatoes you’ve ever tasted. Grandma’s Creamed Potatoes are an old-fashioned recipe you’ll come to rely on. Simple to make but with the richest, homestyle flavor you crave.

Creamed Potatoes

There are some recipes from previous generations that will never go out of style. And Grandma’s creamed potatoes are one of them.

These creamy potatoes are worth showing up to dinner for.

We all have family members that passed away before we were born, but have heard stories about our entire lives.  My Great Granny Brown was one of those for me.

She was my mother’s only grandmother and passed away when Mama was 13.  Out of all her family members, her Granny Brown was the one she talked about the most.

It’s funny how memories and food can sometimes go hand in hand.

Food just triggers things like that – and recipes that were originally from family members that have passed on take on a whole new meaning than just a simple dish.

It’s like a piece of our loved ones that lives on.

These Creamed Potatoes are a Southern heritage recipe that uses only a couple of pantry staples to come together.

The result is ultra creamy, comforting potatoes that pair well with everything. This is a recipe that will bring you back to your childhood!

What are Creamed Potatoes?

Creamed potatoes are a comforting and creamy side dish made from potatoes that are boiled, mashed, and then mixed with butter and evaporated milk to create a smooth and rich texture.

This dish is a Southern heritage recipe that brings a sense of nostalgia and warmth to any meal.

With simple ingredients and easy steps, it’s a go-to recipe for adding a touch of homemade goodness to your table.

Creamed Potatoes Vs Mashed Potatoes

While both creamed potatoes and mashed potatoes start with the same base of boiled potatoes, the difference lies in their texture and ingredients.

• Creamed potatoes are known for their smoother, creamier consistency, achieved by adding evaporated milk and a generous amount of butter.
• Mashed potatoes can vary in texture and may include ingredients like sour cream, cream cheese, or whole milk for added flavor.

Creamed potatoes are the ultimate comfort food, perfect for those who love their potatoes with a creamier texture.

Ingredients for Creamed Potatoes

• Russet potatoes: These are the best potatoes for this recipe because they create the fluffiest base.
• Butter: It’s essential not to substitute butter with oil or margarine. The butter adds a rich flavor that’s key to old-fashioned creamed potatoes.
• Evaporated milk: This is the secret ingredient in my Great Granny’s recipe that adds a creamy texture and rich flavor— making it the ultimate comfort food!
• Salt and black pepper: Season the potatoes with salt and pepper to taste.

How to Make Creamed Potatoes

1. Step One: Prepare the Potatoes: Start by peeling the russet potatoes. Cut the peeled potatoes into pieces of the same size. This ensures they cook evenly.
2. Cook the Potatoes: In a large pot, add the potatoes and cover them with 4 cups of water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the potatoes cook for about 20 minutes or until they are tender. You can check the tenderness by piercing a potato with a fork. Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them using a strainer, then set aside.
3. Making the Cream Sauce: In the same pot (before adding the potatoes back), add a stick of butter and the can of evaporated milk. Warm it over medium heat until the butter melts. It’s important to warm the milk and butter together slowly to avoid any separation or curdling. This combination creates a rich and creamy sauce, changing it from simple mashed potatoes to the creamiest potatoes.
4. Mashing the Potatoes: Return the drained potatoes to the pot with the hot milk and melted butter. Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes until they are smooth. For an even creamier texture, you can use an electric mixer, ensuring not to overmix as this can make the potatoes gluey.
5. Season to Taste: Add salt and pepper to taste.

Tips For Success

• Boiling Potatoes: To keep the potatoes from boiling over, use my Granny’s trick of placing a wooden spoon over the pot. Try it, y’all! It really works.
• Salt the Water: Cooking potates in salted water helps enhance their flavor (and you probably won’t need as much salt later!).
• Draining The Potatoes: When you’re draining the water from the potatoes make sure to use a colander and not just the pot tipped into the sink with a lid. You want to get all the excess moisture out so that the evaporated milk can take over and make them creamy, not runny.
• Mashing: Use a potato masher for a smoother consistency. If you prefer an even creamier texture, an electric hand mixer can help achieve that perfect creaminess. Be carefult to not overwhip them though! As you mash them, starch is released and too much starch can make them gummy. Only mash them until you reach your desired texture.
• Warm the Butter and Milk First: Warm the butter and evaporated milk in a small saucepan over low heat before adding them to the potatoes. This helps integrate the ingredients smoothly without cooling down the potatoes. The result is super creamy potatoes with the perfect texture!

Storing Leftover Creamed Potatoes

1. Cool Potatoes: First, allow your creamed potatoes to reach room temperature. This prevents condensation inside the storage container, which could make the potatoes soggy. Transfer the potatoes into an airtight container.
2. Add a Splash of Milk: Before storing, stir in a little milk or cream. This helps the potatoes retain their creamy texture when you reheat them.
3. Refrigerate: Place the airtight container in the refrigerator. Creamed potatoes can be stored like this for 3 to 5 days.
4. Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy your potatoes again, reheat them on the stove over medium heat. Add a bit more milk or cream to bring back the creamy texture. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even warming.
5. Freezing (Optional): If you won’t consume the leftovers within a few days, freezing is an option. Spoon the potatoes into a freezer-safe bag or container, leaving a little space for expansion. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Variations

This creamed potato recipe is a classic which means that it is delicious all on its own. However, if you want to jazz them up for a special dinner, below are some fun ideas.

1. Garlic Butter Variation: Begin by melting a stick of butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add minced garlic to the butter and cook until it’s fragrant. Follow the base recipe but mash the garlic butter mixture with the russet potatoes to add in all the garlicky goodness.
2. Cream Cheese and Green Onions: Transform your potatoes into a creamy, tangy sidedish by adding 4 ounces of cream cheese and a handful of chopped green onions during the mashing process. The cream cheese makes the potatoes even creamier, while the green onions add some color and flavor.
3. Cheesy Gruyere and Mushroom Gravy: Transform these Creamed Potatoes by adding grated Gruyere cheese into the mash for a nutty, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Prepare a simple mushroom gravy in a small saucepan and pour it over the mashed potatoes for a deliciousy creamy sauce that everyone will love.
4. Herb and Sour Cream Delight: Mix in a cup of sour cream and some fresh herbs like parsley, chives, and thyme after mashing the potatoes. The sour cream adds a nice tanginess and creaminess, while the herbs bring some freshness.
5. Add Bacon: Top your taters with some bacon bits, I mean, who doesn’t love bacon!?

What to Serve with Creamed Potaotes

These creamed potatoes aren’t fancy in any way, just delicious. Serve them as soon as you make them with a slice of butter on top. If you want some color, you could sprinkle on some fresh parsley.

Leftover creamed potatoes also work well for homemade Shepherd’s Pie or Potato Pancakes. Of course, they are also perfect to pair with a holiday meal. It truly is such an easy side dish!

Here are some other great serving suggestions:

• Serve as a side with Savory Pork Chops.
• Top your Creamed Potatoes with the my Beef Stew recipe.
• Serve alongside my Mississippi Pot Roast.
• Serve with a Stuffing Waffle, drenching both with gravy. YUM!
• Make Creamed Potatoes to go alongside Crock Pot Pork Chops.
• Serve Creamed Potatoes with my Easy Meat Loaf Recipe.
• Creamed Potatoes go great with Dill Pickle Chicken.
• Crockpot Chicken and Gravy needs potatoes, so use my Creamed Potatoes recipe.
• Serve with Chicken Fried Steak and White Gravy.

Best Potatoes for Creamed Potatoes

Russet potatoes are often considered the best choice for making creamed potatoes due to their high starch content. They break down easily when boiled and mashed, and you end up with a smooth, creamy texture that’s hard to achieve with other types of potatoes.

Here’s why russet potatoes work well and what might happen if you use different varieties.

Why Russet Potatoes Are the Best

• High Starch Content: Russets are starchy potatoes, and they have the perfect texture for mashing into creamy potatoes. The starch helps to absorb the butter and milk, creating a smooth, velvety consistency.
• Fluffy Texture: When mashed, russet potatoes become light and fluffy.
• Absorption: Their ability to absorb flavors, like butter and milk, makes them the go-to recipe base.

Outcomes with Other Types of Potatoes

• Waxy Potatoes (e.g., Red Potatoes, New Potatoes): These potatoes have a lower starch content and a more waxy texture. When mashed, they can become gummy or pasty rather than fluffy.
• Yukon Gold Potatoes: A middle ground between starchy and waxy, Yukon Golds can be used for creamed potatoes. They have a naturally buttery flavor and a creamier texture than russets. While they won’t be as fluffy, they’ll still be delicious and are a good alternative if russets aren’t available.
• Sweet Potatoes: Using white sweet potatoes will result in a sweeter, denser dish.

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Creamed Potatoes (A Southern Heritage Recipe)

Grandma’s creamed potatoes are a classic recipe you’ll make again and again. Rich, thick, and indulgent these potatoes are the heart of any dinner table.

Author Great Granny Brown

Ingredients

• 3.5 pounds russet potatoes peeled & sliced
• 4 cups water
• 1 stick of butter
• 1 12oz can evaporated milk
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Boil potatoes for approx. 20 minutes in the water until fork tender. Drain with a colander and set aside.
• Add evaporated milk and butter to the same pan and warm it on low heat, being careful not to allow the milk to scald.
• Add potatoes and mash by hand or using an electric mixer. Be careful not to overmix or they will become gluey.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.