Mashed potatoes are a beloved comfort food, often served as the star side dish at family gatherings and holiday dinners. But have you ever wondered if your usual method for making mashed potatoes could be holding you back from reaching their full potential? According to a viral TikTok hack that has taken the food world by storm, the key to achieving perfectly mashed potatoes may lie in how you boil them.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into the viral hack that has food enthusiasts everywhere rethinking the way they make mashed potatoes. The secret? Swapping plain water for a flavorful stock when boiling your potatoes.
The Viral Hack: Boiling Potatoes in Stock
The viral TikTok hack was shared by comedian Jourdyn Parks, also known as @jeauxp on TikTok. Her simple but effective twist on the traditional mashed potato recipe has people questioning why they’ve been using water all along. According to Parks, boiling potatoes in a flavorful stock, whether chicken, beef, or vegetable, is the secret to infusing bold flavors and achieving a creamier texture.
“I know you can boil your potatoes in water,” Parks explained after her hack gained attention in 2021. “In fact, it’s probably the most common way. I just can’t figure out why you’d choose to when stock and broth are options.”
Parks’ approach involves boiling the potatoes in a mixture of water, sea salt, and a stock of your choice. The result is a rich, flavorful base that enhances the natural taste of the potatoes, creating a dish that doesn’t require a lot of additional seasoning. The best part? The potatoes come out smoother and creamier than those boiled in plain water.
Why Does Boiling Potatoes in Stock Work?
The science behind this hack is simple yet effective. When you boil potatoes in plain water, the potatoes absorb moisture, but the flavor remains relatively neutral. However, by boiling them in stock, the potatoes soak up the rich, savory flavors of the broth, creating a depth of taste that water can’t provide. This process not only enhances the flavor but also makes the mashed potatoes feel more luxurious in texture.
By using stock, the flavor of the potatoes becomes infused with the savory notes of chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, depending on the type you use. This method eliminates the need for extra seasoning, making the dish more cohesive and flavorful from the start.
Additionally, the starches in the potatoes combine with the stock to create a creamier, more velvety mashed potato texture. The result is mashed potatoes that are more flavorful, cohesive, and satisfying.
Testing the Hack: The Results
To see if this stock-boiling method really lives up to the hype, food enthusiasts put it to the test by boiling two separate batches of potatoes: one in chicken stock and one in plain water. The results were striking.
The potatoes boiled in stock had a richer, more robust flavor, with the savory notes of the stock clearly enhancing the taste of the potatoes. In comparison, the water-boiled potatoes were much more neutral in flavor. The stock-boiled potatoes also had a creamier texture, with the consistency being noticeably smoother and less grainy.
Even without any additional seasoning, the stock-boiled potatoes stood out as a more flavorful and cohesive side dish that would complement any main course. The difference was clear, making it evident that the simple swap of water for stock was a game-changer.
Creative Twists on Traditional Mashed Potatoes
While the stock-boiling method is a simple and transformative twist on traditional mashed potatoes, it also opens the door for other creative variations. Once you’ve perfected the stock-boiling technique, you can elevate your mashed potatoes even further with some additional ingredients:
- Sour Cream and Chives: For a tangy and fresh flavor, add a dollop of sour cream and a handful of chopped chives.
- Heavy Cream or Butter: Add richness by mixing in a splash of heavy cream or a generous amount of butter.
- Nutmeg or Garlic: For a more aromatic dish, add a pinch of nutmeg or roasted garlic to your mashed potatoes.
- Cheese: Mix in some grated cheese, such as Parmesan or cheddar, for a cheesy twist.
In addition, if you love rustic mashed potatoes, consider keeping the skins on for extra texture and visual appeal. This not only enhances the appearance but also adds a bit of heartiness to the dish.
The Legacy Behind the Hack
Parks credits her grandmother with teaching her this cooking tip, and it’s easy to see why it has been passed down through generations. The method of boiling potatoes in stock doesn’t just enhance the flavor — it redefines mashed potatoes as a dish worthy of being the centerpiece of any dinner table.
This viral hack has made its way through social media, inspiring countless home cooks to try their hand at stock-boiled mashed potatoes. Whether you’re making mashed potatoes for a family dinner, a holiday feast, or just a cozy meal at home, this method guarantees that your mashed potatoes will be a hit every time.
Ready to Try the Stock-Boiling Hack?
If you’re ready to take your mashed potatoes to the next level, it’s time to ditch the plain water and start boiling your potatoes in stock. Whether you choose chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, this simple swap will infuse your mashed potatoes with flavor and make them creamier than ever before.
This technique is not only easy but also incredibly effective at transforming a classic side dish into something extraordinary. By boiling your potatoes in stock, you’ll create mashed potatoes that are flavorful, creamy, and ready to shine on your dinner table.
So, why settle for bland mashed potatoes when you can have a dish full of bold, savory flavor that everyone will rave about?