Rich, creamy, buttery mashed potatoes are perfectly seasoned with the help of prepared ranch seasoning! These easy-to-make mashed potatoes with a simple secret ingredient will have everyone asking for your recipe.
Do you have a packet of Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning hanging out in the fridge? Put it to good use in this recipe for Ranch Mashed Potatoes.
Other brands of ranch work just as well, but Hidden Valley does seem to be the most popular (and it's gluten-free!). If you have your own ranch seasoning recipe, it will work in this mashed potatoes with ranch recipe too!
Why This Ranch Mashed Potatoes Recipe is So Good
- Super Simple Recipe: These are the same mashed potatoes that you've been making year after year, but with a tasty flavor addition. Skip the salt and pepper and reach for a jar or packet of Ranch seasoning instead.
- Tons of Flavor: Adding Ranch to mashed potatoes adds the flavors of dill, garlic, onion, and buttermilk, and you don't need to pick any of those things up at the store.
- Rich and Creamy: The best-mashed potatoes are made with sour cream instead of milk so that they are extra thick, creamy, and rich.
Tips and Tricks for Making The Best Ranch Mashed Potatoes
- The best potatoes for mashed are Russets, but If russet potatoes aren’t available, you can also use yukon gold potatoes. You don’t have to peel yukon gold potatoes if you don’t want to, but I like to for this recipe.
- Switch up the fresh herbs: If you don’t have fresh chives, you can use any combination of fresh dill, parsley, or your other favorite herbs. Thinly sliced green onion is also delicious with ranch mashed potatoes.
- If you love garlic mashed potatoes, feel free to stir in some extra garlic powder or a clove of garlic that you've crushed or grated. Or if you are looking for a crowd pleaser try Greek yogurt mashed potatos.
- Taste your mashed potatoes after adding the ranch seasoning and herbs. Different brands of ranch seasoning will be saltier than others. My ranch potatoes did not need any salt, but depending on which ranch seasoning mix you use, your mashed potatoes may need salt or pepper. Season to taste!
- Make this recipe vegan by using vegan butter and your favorite vegan sour cream! You might like to read about how we make mashed potatoes with almond milk for more vegan mashed potato tips.
What to Serve with Ranch Mashed Potatoes
Ranch mashed potatoes make a delicious side dish for any homemade meal!
I make a mean Meatloaf with Beyond Meat, and it is delicious with these potatoes on the side.
You can also try my amazing Vegan Shepherds Pie, with ranch mashed potatoes as the topping.
Mashed potatoes are a must for Thanksgiving dinner, so make sure you check out my big list of over 45 vegetarian thanksgiving recipes to try this year! Vegan Green Bean Casserole is to-die-for!
More Easy Side Dish Recipes
- Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Carrots
- Kale Apple Slaw
- Crispy Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
- Air Fryer Potato Wedges
- Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole
- Ranch roasted chick peas
- Fall Seasonal Fruit Salad
- Salt Baked Potatoes
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Ranch Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 3 pounds russet potatoes peeled and cubed into 2-inch pieces
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup butter
- 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives chopped
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes and cube into 2-inch pieces.
- Place the cubed potatoes in a large dutch oven. Pour water over the potatoes so that they are completely covered.
- Bring the potatoes to a boil. Reduce the heat and let simmer for 20 minutes, until the potatoes are fork tender. Drain the water, and return the potatoes to the pot.
- Mash the potatoes until relatively smooth. A few lumps are okay.
- Add the sour cream, butter, dry ranch seasoning mix, and fresh chives to the pot. Mix until combined.
- Serve with additional butter and fresh chives if desired.
Notes
- If russet potatoes aren’t available, you can also use yukon gold potatoes. You don’t have to peel yukon gold potatoes if you don’t want to, but I like to for this recipe.
- If you don’t have fresh chives, you can use a combination of fresh dill, green onions, parsley, etc.
- Taste your mashed potatoes after adding the ranch seasoning and herbs. Mine did not need any salt, but depending on which ranch seasoning mix you use, your mashed potatoes may need salt or pepper. Season to taste.
