Love mashed potatoes? Here’s how KFC really makes them

A plate of nicely grilled chicken, some sauted veggies, and a thick layer of creamy, melting-in-mouth mashed potatoes! Who doesn’t feel their mouth watering while even thinking about it!

Or, a perfectly grilled fish with lemon butter sauce sprinkled on it, with a cup of herbed rice and some mashed potatoes along with it.

Even thinking about such dishes would take us to a sort of food-coma we wouldn’t want to come out of. Mashed potatoes do have that appeal!

Talking about appeal, KFC’s mashed potatoes seem to be a hit amongst foodies! The perfectly creamy and smooth mashed potatoes are beloved by customers for a reason.

Whether one prefers to enjoy it in the chain’s famous bowl laden with corn and cheese or eat them as a side with one of its crispy chicken sandwiches, the mashed potatoes are one of the quintessential menu items of this popular fast food chain.

While some of us have been indulging in this creamy dish for years, it’s only recently been revealed how it is made.

In 2022, a KFC employee shared how the chain really makes its potatoes on TikTok.

Instead of going traditional with the mashed potatoes – which included the potatoes being boiled, softened, mixed with some creme and molten cheese – KFC has invented an entirely new way of nailing their mashed potatoes.

KFC makes this classic side dish in just one step. Employees simply combine a packet of KFC’s one-step mashed potato mix with warm water, then whisk until it’s thick and fluffy. This means, KFC’s mashed potatoes aren’t made fresh and instead come from an instant packet.

Most fast food chains, including popular spots beyond KFC, like Popeyes, opt for instant potatoes as it’s simply easier to store and prep. For these fast food chains (as the genre goes – ‘fast’ food), time is of the essence. Hence, only instant pouches make sense!

Most fast food chains prioritize speed over quality, so the fact that KFC does not use fresh potatoes isn’t much of a surprise. Still, when the ‘big secret’ was revealed, some commenters on TikTok were shocked.

One User, named @thetwoheadedwolf incredulously asked, “THEY DON’T USE REAL POTATOES?? THEY DON’T SMASH IT?? JUST POUR AND MIX??”

Others were equally shocked, with @missnoela3 saying “it is so nasty.”

Others were surprised but still found the potatoes delicious, and some said you usually can’t tell the difference between these mixtures and fresh anyway because the powder is made from real potatoes.

While these fast food chains are steadfast in prioritizing speed over quality, the question remains: how do these instant pouches compare to fresh potatoes?

Usually, the steps that go into making instant potatoes are the same as they are for fresh mashed potatoes – the producers of the potato product just do the work for you. They cut, boil, and mash potatoes, then extract the liquid and pack it into a box. This helps expedite the process of making this side, which makes it an ideal choice for restaurants. You can always upgrade it at home with some miso and garlic. This might mean instant potatoes come with more additives to keep the product fresh, but as with any other dehydrated product, the flavor is usually about the same as fresh.

Start by peeling the potatoes, then cut them into quarters and place them into cold salted water in a large pot. Cook potatoes in boiling water until tender. The length of time you need to boil the potatoes depends on how big they are cut. To check if your potatoes are ready, use a fork to poke the potato and see if it is tender. Once well-drained, mash the potatoes with a hand masher and with melted butter, warmed milk, and salt & pepper. Use a hand masher or a potato ricer for the creamiest potatoes. A hand mixer, stand mixer, or food processor can work, but it can also break down the starches in the potatoes and cause a gummy texture. Add butter, a generous amount of it. Serve it with cheddar, parmesan, or creme cheese. You can garnish it with extra butter, chives, herbs, or thinly sliced green onions as well.