Instant Mashed Potatoes Taste Test

You can find fully prepared microwavable mashed potatoes in the supermarket refrigerator and freezer sections, in addition to those instant flakes that were the only option in your mom's day. Given that Americans consume a total of 66 pounds of frozen and dehydrated potatoes per person in a year, we at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute tried 10 different nationally available plain varieties to find out what all the fuss is about. Here, the results from best to not-so-great.

Photo: Idahoan Foods, LLC Back

Winner

Our tasters would serve these "silky smooth" Idahoan Original Mashed Potatoes ($5.29 for 34 servings) to a crowd with pleasure, thanks to their "fresh potato taste" — especially impressive because it's a dehydrated variety.

180 calories, 0g fat, and 15mg sodium per 1/2 cup serving

Photo: H. J. Heinz Company, L. P.

Honorable Mention

The frozen chunky Ore-Ida Steam n' Mash Cut Red Potatoes ($3.69 for 7 servings) with real potato skins won votes with its more "homemade texture."

70 calories, 0g fat, and 270mg sodium per 3/4 cup serving

Photo: Bob Evans Restaurants of Michigan, LLC

Bob Evans Original Mashed Potatoes
($3.49 for 5 servings)
Tasters found this refrigerated variety to taste very peppery and herbed. While some liked the flavoring, most prefer to add their own seasoning.

150 calories, 7g total fat, 3.5g saturated fat, and 410mg sodium per 1/2 cup serving

Photo: General Mills, Inc.

Betty Crocker Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
($1.89 for 6 servings)
"Hello, butter!" one taster wrote of these dried mashed potatoes when prepared according to the package instructions. However, the creamy flavor couldn't make up for the unfortunately runny texture.

140 calories, 1g total fat, 0g sat fat, and 390mg sodium per ½ cup serving

Photo: The J.M. Smucker Company

Hungry Jack Redskin & Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
($2.23 for 17 servings)
This one finished in a tie with the original Hungry Jack Mashed Potatoes. Testers deemed these dried potatoes too salty and without much potato flavor and with a texture that's smooth but slightly grainy.

80 calories, 0g fat, and 10mg sodium per 1/3 cup serving

Photo: The J.M. Smucker Company

Hungry Jack Original Mashed Potatoes
($2.34 for 20 servings)
This dried option had a tie score with its brandmate, Hungry Jack Redskin & Yukon Gold. It didn't wow the testers with its flavor, but many liked the smooth texture.

80 calories, 0g fat, and 20mg sodium per 1/3 cup serving

Photo: Unilever United States, Inc.

Country Crock Homestyle Mashed Potatoes
($3.84 for 5 servings)
This refrigerated offering had a lovely creamy texture, but the buttery, gravylike flavor tasted artificial.

180 calories, 4g total fat, 1g saturated fat, and 470mg sodium per 2/3 cup serving

Photo: Alexia Foods, Inc.

Alexia Mashed Potatoes Yukon Gold Potatoes and Sea Salt
($3.69 for 3.5 servings)
Testers thought these frozen potatoes tasted like they contained chicken broth — very salty and almost meat-flavored, with an overly dense texture.

130 calories, 6g total fat, 4g saturated fat, and 390mg sodium per 1/2 cup serving

Photo: Whole Foods Market IP, L.P.

365 Everyday Value Instant Mashed Potatoes
($1.99 for 12 servings; at Whole Foods)
These dried mashed potatoes disappointed testers with their runny, baby-food-like texture and lack of real potato flavor.

150 calories, 0g fat, and 10mg sodium per 2/3 cup serving

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