It’s arguably not Thanksgiving without them—and they’re the unsung heroes of the table. Seriously—MyFitnessPal found that it was the most-logged food on the app last Turkey Day. Women logged it way more than men (60 percent vs 40), and out of every age group, millennials favored it the most.
Now, the real question becomes, what’s the ideal way to make them? Purée-level smooth? A lumpy, half-mash with the skins on for texture? Some prefer red potatoes to yellow or white. You can make them tangy and salty with sour cream and cream cheese, or top them with melted cheese and bacon for a loaded mash situation.
With so many flavors on the table, I opt for garlic mashed potatoes—they’ve got subtle flavor but aren’t overpowering and won’t be too salty if you submerge them in gravy. And since you’ve got enough on your plate this holiday season, I also vote that you cut yourself a break and try our make-ahead recipe, so you have one less thing to do on the big day.
