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Cozy Small Batch Friendsgiving Mashed Potato Bar – Perfect & Easy

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A scaled-down, interactive mashed potato bar perfect for a small Friendsgiving gathering of 4 people. Each person builds their own bowl with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, tangy sour cream, fresh chives, and more.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes (about 4–5 medium potatoes)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ½ cup whole milk (warm)
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon salt (plus more for cooking water)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced, optional)
  • 6 strips bacon (thick-cut)
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded from a block)
  • ½ cup sour cream (for topping)
  • ¼ cup fresh chives (finely chopped)
  • ¼ cup butter (for topping)
  • Optional extras: crispy fried onions, pickled jalapeños, roasted garlic cloves, crumbled blue cheese, truffle oil

Instructions

  1. Peel the Yukon Gold potatoes and cut into evenly sized chunks (about 1½ inches each). Rinse under cold water to remove excess starch.
  2. Place potato chunks in a large pot and cover with cold water by about an inch. Add a generous tablespoon of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 12-15 minutes until a knife slides through the largest chunk with no resistance.
  3. Drain potatoes in a colander and let sit for 2-3 minutes to steam dry.
  4. While potatoes drain, warm the milk, butter, and minced garlic in a small saucepan over low heat until warm to the touch (not boiling).
  5. Return drained potatoes to the pot or transfer to a large mixing bowl. Mash with a potato masher or ricer until smooth.
  6. Pour the warm milk mixture over the mashed potatoes. Add sour cream, salt, and pepper. Fold gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until creamy and smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  7. Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, then crumble into small pieces. (Optional: stir 1 tablespoon of bacon fat into the mashed potatoes.)
  8. Transfer mashed potatoes to a serving bowl. Arrange shredded cheddar, crumbled bacon, sour cream, chives, and any other toppings in separate bowls or on a platter.
  9. Scoop mashed potatoes into individual bowls and let everyone add their desired toppings. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Don’t overwork the potatoes to avoid gluey texture. Season the cooking water generously. Warm the dairy before adding to prevent dense potatoes. Let potatoes steam dry after draining for fluffier results. Mashed potatoes can be made up to 2 days in advance and reheated gently with a splash of milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: mashed potato bar, Friendsgiving, small batch, comfort food, loaded mashed potatoes, holiday side dish

Find it online: https://emmastirs.com/cozy-small-batch-friendsgiving-mashed-potato-bar-perfect-and-easy/