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    Home » Recipes » Food

    Published: Aug 9, 2023 by Anina Belle Giannini

    French Mashed Potatoes

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    This French Mashed Potatoes recipe makes the most decadent, buttery, melt in your mouth mashed potatoes that everyone will love.

    Have you ever had mashed potatoes in French restaurants that were so creamy that you couldn't help but wonder "how on earth do they make these?" Well, I will let you in on the secret!

    buttery mashed potatoes

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    Chef Joël Robuchon mashed potatoes

    Famed Michelin star Chef Joël Robuchon's indulgent recipe for mashed potatoes is known around the world. Much creamier and silky smooth than traditional mashed potatoes. Pommes Purée is an elevated take on the classic with just a little bit of butter 😉

    The other day I observed my husband (Le Chef) making his own signature mashed potatoes and I was determined to write down every step to share with you all. I have had these potatoes many times over the years and their simplicity is what makes them oh so good. 

    French Mashed Potatoes are the perfect side dish to soak up the delicious gravy and sauces we enjoy such as with an oven roasted Poulet Rôti, Boeuf Bourguignon, Coq au Vin or Daube Provençale. Did I mention that this is also the best of all Thanksgiving mashed potato recipe?

    Coq au Vin with mushrooms, chicken, onions and parsley served with mashed potatoes

    Ingredients:

    Serves 4

    • 6 large Yukon Gold Potatoes, skin on
    • ½ cup (1 stick) of unsalted butter. (Le Chef's tip - use a good butter!)
    • 1 cup milk (whole milk is best but 2% also works fine)
    • 1 teaspoon of salt

    I have tried many recipes over the years adding herbs, garlic, and other flavors but I keep coming back to this recipe. The buttery smoothness of the texture and the rich, taste perfectly compliment a good gravy.

    Equipment needed:

    Potato Ricer or

    Food processor

    (a potato masher will not get you the creamy consistency we are looking for with these potatoes)

    *this post contains affiliate links. By clicking on the link I receive a small commission only if you purchase, at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting my small business.

    Instructions:

    1. Fill a large saucepan or large pot with cold, salted water.
    2. Place Yukon golds (skin on) in the cold water and bring to a boil over medium heat. Make sure all the potatoes are fully submersed in the water.
    3. Le Chef’s tip : trace a shallow circle around the circumference of the potato with a paring knife before cooking – the skin will peel off so easily once the potatoes are done.
    4. Simmer for 20 minutes or until potatoes are soft.
    5. In a small saucepan, heat butter and milk together over medium-low heat being very careful not to burn. You simply need to warm up the milk and melt the butter together.
    6. Peel and quarter the potatoes once cooked (let cool a little to not burn your hands - use a tea towel to hold the potatoes if they are still hot)
    7. In a large bowl, add the peeled potatoes.
    8. Add the teaspoon of salt and mix together with the warm butter mixture using a sturdy whisk until smooth.
    9. Transfer the potatoes to a food processor or potato ricer for extra smooth Michelin star worthy potatoes, mixing at low speed until completely smooth.
    10. Serve immediately on their own or as an accompaniment to your favorite sauce or gravy.

    What to serve with French Mashed Potatoes

    Poulet Roti

    Coq au Vin

    Boeuf Bourguinon

    Daube Niçoise

    Bone in Ribeye Steak

    Roasted Duck Magret with Apples and Squash

    Turkey au Vin (a great Thanksgiving recipe!)

    Storage instructions

    These buttery mashed potatoes are best when they are served right away. However, they can be kept in the fridge for 3-4 days and warmed up in the microwave. Mix well to blend all the butter and serve.

    French Side Dishes

    haricots verts (green beans) with butter, garlic and fresh herbs

    Haricots Verts

    Smashed Mini Potatoes

    Garlic Roasted Potatoes with Rosemary

    French Asparagus Recipe with a Champagne Citrus Vinaigrette

    The best Tomatoes Provençale Recipe

    Authentic Ratatouille Recipe

    ratatouille topped with fresh basil

    Other French Recipes you will love

    French Onion Soup Gratinée

    Magical Leek Soup

    Soupe au Pistou

    Quick Easy French Baguettes (Baking Baguettes for Beginners)

    Have you tried this French Mashed Potato recipe? I would love to hear about it! Please leave a comment or rating.

    Au plaisir,

    Le Chef's Wife

    ABOUT LE CHEF'S WIFE

    Bonjour! I am Anina Belle. I translate the fancy cooking of my Michelin-star trained French Chef Husband, Le Chef, into easy to make dishes that busy people with no culinary training (like me!) can make at home. We have two young kids (5 and 2) and I have a full time job in hospitality in addition to this blog. I strongly believe that even busy people deserve to eat well at home.

    Look inside our Kitchen with this recent Washington Post Article. We were recently featured on the TODAY SHOW for our recipes of French Onion Soup Gratinée and Moelleux au Chocolat. You can watch our full segment here:

    I share our home cooking on Instagram, pinterest and tiktok. Sign up for my newsletter to be the first to receive my new recipes and have advance access to cooking classes. I look forward to cooking with you!

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    French Mashed Potatoes

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
    • Author: Anina Belle Gianini
    • Prep Time: 10
    • Cook Time: 20
    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    • Yield: 4 1x
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    This French Mashed Potatoes recipe makes the most decadent, buttery, melt in your mouth mashed potatoes that everyone will love.


    Ingredients

    Scale

    Le Chef’s mashed potatoes recipe (for 4)

    • 6 large Yukon Gold Potatoes
    • ½ cup (1 stick) of unsalted butter
    • 1 cup of milk (whole milk is best but 2% also works fine)
    • 1 teaspoon of salt

    Instructions

    1. Fill a large saucepan or large pot with cold, salted water.
    2. Place Yukon golds (skin on) in the cold water and bring to a boil over medium heat. Make sure all the potatoes are fully submersed in the water.
    3. Le Chef’s tip : trace a shallow circle around the circumference of the potato with a paring knife before cooking – the skin will peel off so easily once the potatoes are done.
    4. Simmer for 20 minutes or until potatoes are soft.
    5. In a small saucepan, heat butter and milk together over medium-low heat being very careful not to burn. You simply need to warm up the milk and melt the butter together.
    6. Peel and quarter the potatoes once cooked (let cool a little to not burn your hands - use a tea towel to hold the potatoes if they are still hot)
    7. In a large bowl, add the peeled potatoes.
    8. Add the teaspoon of salt and mix together with the warm butter mixture using a sturdy whisk until smooth.
    9. Transfer the potatoes to a food processor or potato ricer for extra smooth Michelin star worthy potatoes, mixing at low speed until completely smooth.
    10. Serve immediately on their own or as an accompaniment to your favorite sauce or gravy.

    Notes

    What to serve with French mashed potatoes:

    Poulet Roti

     

     

    Coq au Vin

     

     

    Boeuf Bourguinon

     

     

    Daube Niçoise

     

     

    Bone in Ribeye Steak

     

     

    Roasted Duck Magret with Apples and Squash

     

     

    Turkey au Vin (a great Thanksgiving recipe!)

     

    Have you tried this recipe? I would love to hear about it! Please leave a comment or rating.

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @lechefswife on Instagram

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Suzanne says

      December 13, 2022 at 3:54 pm

      Looks absolutely delicious! I will look for capons at my butcher’s shop

      Reply
      • lechefswife says

        December 16, 2022 at 10:04 pm

        Thank you, Suzanne! Capon is amazing!

        Reply

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    Bonjour. If you are looking for French Recipes, made simple, you are in the right place! I translate the fancy cooking of my French Chef husband into easy-to-follow recipes that busy people with no culinary training, like me, can cook. From French Baguettes to French Riviera classic recipes, I invite you to learn French cooking with me.

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