Bacon Smashed Red Potatoes
Original Kaboose.com recipe and photography by Wendy Kalen
Average User Rating:
People feel strongly about their mashed potatoes. Some like them creamy. Others like them chunky. Some people like the kick of salt, while others don't. This recipe takes those preferences into account and gives ranges for buttermilk and salt, so you can make your potatoes the way you like them.
Ingredients
- 5 pounds red potatoes, 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 inches long
- 10 slices bacon (about 1/2 pound)
- 2 to 2 3/4 cups buttermilk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
Cooking Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large pot cover potatoes with water. Water should be about 2 inches above potatoes. Salt the water, and bring it to a boil. Then reduce to a simmer. Simmer 30 to 35 minutes, or until tender and a fork can pierce the potato easily. Drain and put back into cooking pot.
- Meanwhile, lay bacon slices on a four-sided sheet pan. Cook 20 to 25 minutes or until crisp, turning once. Remove from pan and drain on paper towels. Coarsely chop.
- With potato masher, mash potatoes. Add buttermilk, salt, and bacon. Mash to combine.
Make-Ahead
- These can be made a couple days ahead and reheated in a casserole or in the microwave.
Make it Faster
- Use precooked bacon
- Use precooked potatoes
- Use smaller potatoes
Tips & Tricks
- Salt is on the low side because the amount of salt in the butter may vary, personal tastes differ, and the amount of salt in the bacon varies. Each diner may always add more salt, but it cannot be removed. The most amount of salt used should be no more than 2 teaspoons.
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- 2 cups buttermilk will yield a chunkier, drier dish, while 2 1/2 cups buttermilk will make a creamier potato dish.
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- Cooking times are approximate be cause of the differences in potato sizes, cooking pot sizes, strength of stove, etc.
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- This recipe can easily be halved or quartered depending on the number of people you are serving.
Nutrition Facts
Servings per Recipe:
12
1 cup
10 minutes
Cooking Time:
35 minutes
Ready In:
45 minutes
Servings:
12
How kids can help
- Mashing the potatoes
- Sprinkling in the bacon
- Measuring the buttermilk and butter
- Laying the bacon out on the sheet pan
Related Recipes:
Roasted Potatoes and Bacon
Scalloped Potatoes
Potato Pancakes
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