topic Re: Instant mashed potatoes - best one??? in Recipes

Instant mashed potatoes - best one???

spent2much — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 16:44:29 GMT

We love our homemade mashed potatoes, but sometimes (as in a Shepherd's Pie recipe) I like to use instant... SO much easier. I used to buy Betty Crocker potato buds and they were delicious. They're not the same any more. Have you found an instant one that's *really* good? TIA

Re: Instant mashed potatoes - best one???

ripkenfan — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 16:53:00 GMT

I really love the Idahoan brand. They come in a pouch and you just add water. Four minutes in the microwave and I have wonderful mashed potatoes. They have regular, four cheese (these are awesome) and lots of other flavors. The buttery one is really good too.

I took the four cheese one to an office potluck and got so many comments and requests for my "family recipe." I just laughed, but hey everyone loved them!

Hope this helps.

Re: Instant mashed potatoes - best one???

Group 5 minus 1 — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 16:57:08 GMT

Bob Evans already prepared are just delicious. Usually located in cold case (not freezer) near the meats.

Re: Instant mashed potatoes - best one???

Reilley — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 17:11:16 GMT

ripkenfan,

Idahoan is my favorite to use, I especially like the Baby Reds.

I served them to guests during the Christmas Holidays, and my guests never knew they were instant.

When I make shepards pie, I use them for the topping.

I still make regular mashed potatos, but, more and more I use Idahoan.

Re: Instant mashed potatoes - best one???

Snowpuppy — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 17:02:44 GMT

Idahoan. I keep a deep pantry and these have a longer shelf life because there are only potato flakes in the plain, unflavored pouches.

Oils, seasonings/flavorings shorten the shelf life of your spuds.

I keep them on hand to thicken soups or chicken & dumplings.

Re: Instant mashed potatoes - best one???

Nightowlz — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 17:04:07 GMT

My sister uses the frozen ore ida sometimes. Shes says they taste just like real mashed potatoes. I don't eat them since they make me gag for some reason. I don't like soft mushy food is probably the reason.

Re: Instant mashed potatoes - best one???

ripkenfan — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 17:05:09 GMT

Reilly,

I've always wanted to try the Reds, but everytime I go to buy them they are sold out. I should just order them online. They must be really good.

I used to make real mashed potatoes, but since I am cooking for just me, Idahoan is much easier. Especially on those nights when I get home from work late and want some comfort food quick. Mashed potatoes and gravy are a quick and easy dinner.

Re: Instant mashed potatoes - best one???

Carmie — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 18:13:31 GMT

When we go camping and I need to cook on the road with few facilities, I sometimes use Idahoan Brand or buy the Bob Evans premade ones from the dairy case, which are better than instant, IMO.

They are edible and taste good for quick dinners, but they not even half as good as homemade. No way would anyone think they were. You can't fool anyone, unless they have no idea what homemade tastes like.

Re: Instant mashed potatoes - best one???

Reilley — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 17:14:15 GMT

ripkenfan,

I buy mine at Wallmart, usually less than 99 cents. You can buy them in the small package or the large. fo myself and sister, I use the small.

Re: Instant mashed potatoes - best one???

shortbreadlover — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 17:23:02 GMT

costco carried a brand that is potato buds. i love thiese. all you do is addwater and they are so yummy. i am at work so i can't recall the brand but they are so goopd.

iusually add milk and water to the water to make them even richer

Re: Instant mashed potatoes - best one???

Foxxee — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 17:25:45 GMT

I like Hungry Jack, but Idahoan is good, too.

Re: Instant mashed potatoes - best one???

pupwhipped — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 17:29:50 GMT

@Group 5 minus 1 wrote:
Bob Evans already prepared are just delicious. Usually located in cold case (not freezer) near the meats.

Yes, these...or the Hormel brand is good, too. You microwave them for five minutes max. It's just my husband and me and I don't make homemade mashed potatoes anymore as these are as good.

Re: Instant mashed potatoes - best one???

Pook — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 17:31:32 GMT

@spent2much A few years ago something was changed in all the brands of instant to make them gluten free and I find them all awful. My favorite go to is Ore Ida Steam and Mash which is just real potatoes that you steam in the bag and then mash them and add milk and butter or whatever you normally use.

Re: Instant mashed potatoes - best one???

KingstonsMom — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 17:36:26 GMT

Here in the deep South, instant mashed potatoes are a sacrilege, LOL!

Re: Instant mashed potatoes - best one???

JeanLouiseFinch — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 18:21:32 GMT

I don't have a lot of experience with assorted brands of instant mashed potatoes. Usually I just make my own. However, prior to my surgery last December, I did some advance cooking for the freezer so my DH could just warm things up as I was unable to do much of anything for several weeks while I recuperated. I made a batch of beef stew but didn't think potatoes would freeze well so I left them out and purchased some instant mashed potatoes from Costco. We used the instants to go along with some other meals too. I've never heard of the brand, but they are called Honest Earth, made by Idahoan Foods, LLC. There are no chemical additives or preservatives - just potatoes, butter, and sea salt. Directions are to boil water and butter, add milk and mix in the pouch of dried potatoes. I have to say, they're really pretty good. We still have a number of pouches left, but I have until the end of the year to use them up.

Re: Instant mashed potatoes - best one???

AuntG — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 17:49:45 GMT

About the only time I use them is over Shepherd's Pie. Hungry Jack!

Re: Instant mashed potatoes - best one???

loriqvc — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 17:51:00 GMT

I'm really surprised at all the positive votes for the Idahoan pouches—the texture is decent, but I find the flavor to be nasty and very artificial, even in the "original." The refrigerated versions from Bob Evans and Archer Farms (Target) are quite good if you can't or don't want to make your own.

Re: Instant mashed potatoes - best one???

Ladylaughsalot — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 17:58:55 GMT

DH and I like the Idahoan brand.

Re: Instant mashed potatoes - best one???

spent2much — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 18:11:25 GMT

OH! You ladies are SOOOOOOO helpful! THANK YOU! I'm going to try several of your suggestions.

Re: Instant mashed potatoes - best one???

deepwaterdotter — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 18:26:19 GMT

Betty Crocker Yukon Gold.