Doctoring up instant mashed potatoes?

Have you tried adding chicken or beef flavoring ? My brother also use broth to flavor his when he makes them. I have used garlic and cheese to make them taste better as well. I haven't had that much experience with instant potatoes. We don't use any kind of potato that much .

Talk about mash potato,i had created my very own mash potato recipe last year.The idea is come from left over stir fried ground pork.I and my husband was invited for birthday party and every one has to bring their own dish.I love mash potato and i know a lot of people do too. I was thinking every time people make the plain mash potato,it's so common and boring.So,i decided to come out withmy new idea. I took out the the left over stir fried ground pork,some fresh green beans, fresh mushrom (potabello mushroom is the best ),bacon,and sausages. -Green bean -cut in half inch long. -Bacon-bake it in the overn or fry it ,then cut into small pieces. -Mushroom-slice it into quater inch thick. -sausages-cut into quater inch thick. 1)Smash and chop four to five cloves of garlic,you can even use the whole bulb of garlic if you like more garlic. 2)Slice or finely chopped the onion (one big onion) 3)turn on your heat into high and put two table spoon oil and 2 table spoon butter. 4)Add in the onion first saute the onion until it turns a little golden drown ,then put the chopped garlic (turn down to medium low heat to prevent garlic from getting burn) and continue stir until the garlic is slightly brown. 5)Add in green beans and keep stir fry until the bean is half cooked. 6)Put all the remaining ingredients except bacon.Stir fry for about 5 minutes or depends how much you want them to be cooked.Mine i like completly cooked. 7)Put all those cooked ingrediants including bacon into the mashed potatoe and mix it well. 8)put into square baking sheet ,sprinkle some cheese on top and pop it into the overn bake for about ten to fifteen minutes.You don't have to bake for too long because all those ingredients had been cooked,you just want to melt the cheese. Optional: If you like more bacon you can sprinkle some on top the cheese when it's done. I hope you like my recipe...Have a good day.

You could try adding some spices or seasoning to the mashed potatoes. Perhaps could could add some fresh chive, scallion (green opnion), roasted garlic, or even some dried spices you like to it. I have one friend who likes to mix ranch dressing mix (or even the dressing itself) into her instant mashed potatoes. She says she does it when she doesn't feel like going through the trouble of making or buying gravy. I guess the dressing is just something she likes to keep in the house.

I usually stir in sour cream or cream cheese right before serving. The whole family loves them this way. Garlic, chives, onions, could also be added for a bit of that added flavor. Use chicken, beef or vegetable broth instead of the water. Cook a couple of baby carrots, or carrot coins in the water as it is boiling, then mash them before you add the potato flakes. That also gives it a unique flavor & color. My kids love it! There are so many things you could do. My hubby--the die hard Real potato fan--actually requests instant taters now and again for dinner. I've only made the potatoes "right" from the box recipe, and no one, I mean NO ONE, ate them. LOL! Have fun experimenting!!!

If you have fresh garlic why not roast a little and mix it in. If not, use garlic powder or garlic salt.

Hers is a couple of different recipes I have tried. They ewere very good and easy too.http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/garlicmashedpotatoes.htm this one my husband loves.Here is another one.http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/doodlebugs.htm my kids love these. I also sometimes just add alittle shredded cheddar cheese to mine. Hope these help you out.

I never use that kind of instant products, but I actually had it at a friends house a while back, I have to admit that the taste is actually OK, you'll never know that the mashed potatoes has been made from instant if you just get the dish served.

You could add chives or scallions, shredded cheese, bacon peices, salsa, dill - not all together but those are all good add ins

You could add something to flavour the instant mash, perhaps cheese / onion / both or just open a tin of baked beans and have those too. The sauce will certainly improve the bland mash.

Oooh..for sure some garlic! Another thing is to cut the water and use half water half fat-free chicken broth!! My daughter-n-law makes the best mashed potatoes, she puts rosemary in hers! Have a great dinner!

Hi twilight021, Enjoy your dinner! I would put some fresh garlic in the instant mashed potatoes! Yummy! And I love Kilbasa!

Use a little sour cream in the mashed potatoes and try white pepper instead of regular pepper. Cut up some small chunks of kilbasa when you are ready to serve it or maybe add some parsley to the potatoes. Bacon bits are good too.

greetings, ok I'm no chef but here's my two cents worth. I think mashed potatoes always taste better with more milk or cream. Not sure if your instant recipe requires addition of milk. Or just addition of water. Why not try adding slightly more milk to make it creamier? I think some bacon bits as topping would be great too. adds a bit of crunch.

you know, all these responses are good but you know your family and your tastes so experiment with fresh herbs and cheeses. spices wake all my bases up as well as broths so everyone here gets a gold star and a happy face for good advice...

I don't make instant often, but when I do, I don't use any water--I take the amount for water and milk, combine it and use all milk and a ton of butter. With gravy or noodles, no one seems to notice...or if they do, they are being polite and not complaining, which is rare, LOL.

Well i loathe instant mash, only had them once and is was disgusting!!!! But an idea to jazz up any mash is whole grain mustard! add a teaspoon of it in the mash a minute before serving, they have a weird sweet and mustardy taste that's so amazing!!! Enjoy!!!

I don't know how well it work with but my mom used to fry them and make potato cakes.Just put a little grease in the skillet and when they turn brown flip them.