3 Ways to Reheat Mashed Potatoes So They're Always Creamy and Delicious

There's no denying that mashed potatoes are one of the most beloved side dishes around. We look forward to them on Thanksgiving, and we love them just as much the day after. But a common conundrum many home cooks face is how best to reheat them. Like other starch-based dishes, mashed potatoes can develop a dry, sticky texture after sitting in the fridge—but thankfully, there are ways to restore them to their previously perfectly creamy state. From warming up leftovers from last night's dinner to making sure that the big batch you made ahead tastes just as delicious at serving time, we talked to the experts to get the scoop on reheating mashed potatoes.

Reheat on the Stovetop

For a special occasion like Thanksgiving, when there are so many mains, sides, and desserts to juggle, it's smart to include as many make-ahead dishes as possible. "I almost always make my mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving the day ahead because they're actually very easy to reheat," says Riley Wofford, a food stylist and recipe developer. Wolford's go-to method is reheating the side dish on the stovetop. Here's how to heat up mashed potatoes on the stovetop:

1. After cooking the mashed potatoes, Wofford suggests storing them in a heatproof bowl.
2. When it's time to warm up the potatoes, place the bowl over a pot of simmering water.
3. Add an extra splash of cream or milk and another pat of butter to ensure the mashed potatoes don't dry out.
4. Stir them a few times until everything is warmed through (Do not over-stir, or the mashed potatoes will have a gummy texture).

Pro-tip: "You can also keep them warm over the stove like this—say if you reheated them too soon before everything else was ready, or you made them the day of," says Wofford. "I just cover them loosely with some beeswax wrap once they're warm."

Reheat in the Oven

Whether they're made with just potatoes, milk, butter, and salt or jazzed up with ingredients like sour cream or garlic, mashed potatoes will heat up wonderfully in the oven. JeanMarie Brownson, recipe developer and owner of JMB Culinary Consulting says she likes to make her mashed potatoes a few days early and store them in a soufflé or casserole dish, then bake them when it's time to serve. Here's her method for reheating mashed potatoes:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Add a dash of cream or milk, and some more butter to the dish before baking.
3. To further avoid dryness, don't skimp on butter and other dairy products.
4. Reheat the potatoes until they're warm throughout—the potatoes should reach 165 degrees before serving.

Pro-tip: "After reheating, check for seasonings, they may need a little more salt and pepper—especially if you've added more cream," Brownson says.

One benefit of using this method, she adds, is that the baking dish allows the potatoes to be reheated in an even layer which keeps them from drying out (as opposed to the mashed potatoes being clumped together in a pot or bowl on the stovetop).

Use Your Microwave

If you're in a pinch, you can use a microwave to reheat your mashed potatoes.

1. Scoop the potatoes into a microwave-safe dish and cover them with plastic wrap or a wet paper towel.
2. Heat them in two-minute increments, stirring after each one.
3. Repeat the process until the potatoes are heated through and have reached a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (use a digital thermometer to check the temperature).

Pro-tip: Add more cream or stock if the potatoes begin to dry out during the reheating process.

Freezing Mashed Potatoes

If you want to extend the life of leftover spuds even further, pop them into the freezer for a future gathering or family dinner. The day before serving time, defrost the mashed potatoes in the fridge; allow 24 hours for this. Then, use one of the reheating methods listed above for mashed potatoes that are as creamy and delicious as the day they were made.