How many potatos per person for mashed potatos

[mom2boys]

I have a ten pound bag of potatos but am only expecting 8 for dinner - should I mash them all?

 

[C.Ann]

I would.. I do 10 lbs. for four people (3 adults, 1 child - a regular meal) and there's usually not much leftover.. Of course with it being Thanksgiving, you'll have lots of side dishes, so don't panic over 10 lbs. not being enough.. You should be fine..

Enjoy your Thanksgiving!


ETA: The old eyes are going.. Looked at a bag I have here and it's 5 pounds!!!

Needless to say, your 10# will be fine.. Enjoy!!

 

[usnuzuloose]

Are they hearty eaters? I usually make more than I should for two of us. But I can reheat or make potato pancakes. Mashed potatos I usually always go for seconds. I really love them. I would probably gauge it about two per person and throw in a couple extra in case. Happy Thanksgiving. Dont stress you can always find something to do with them.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I make 5 lbs per 4 people and have some leftovers but not tons so I think that's a good amount. I'd rather have a little extra than not enough.

 

[Tuffcookie]

I would use 10 lbs for that many people.

TC

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If everyone eats potatoes then that is a good amount.

 

[SandrA9810]

Last year I had a line up of every one peeling potatoes for me. They made a huge mess all over the dining room table, but got it cleaned up in time for dinner. I would think that's plenty.

 

[DebbieB]

I just buy Bob Evans....

 

[smschex]

DD just made these:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/11/delicious_creamy_mashed_potatoes/

They are to die for!

 

[chloelovesdisney]

DD just made these:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/11/delicious_creamy_mashed_potatoes/

They are to die for!

Those do look good! I'll try those for the next holiday, I don't have any cream cheese. The author is pretty funny, I bookmarked that site to check out some more later. Thanks!

 

[hambirg]

I always do the 10lbs. But I want leftovers. Usually I have 5 adults and 4 children and there isn't a lot left over...I say for sure do the 10lbs, It should be enough.

 

[mickeysgal]

DD just made these:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/11/delicious_creamy_mashed_potatoes/

They are to die for!

This is how I always make my mashed potatotes. Except after mashing, I use a hand mixer to whip them to a creamy, non-lumpy smoothness. I made 10 lbs for 7 adults and I still had plenty of leftovers.

 

[Carina]

I would.. I do 10 lbs. for four people (3 adults, 1 child - a regular meal) and there's usually not much leftover.. Of course with it being Thanksgiving, you'll have lots of side dishes, so don't panic over 10 lbs. not being enough.. You should be fine..

Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

You eat over 2 POUNDS of potatoes EACH with your dinner as well as other food

I have a family of 5 - 2 of whom are HUGE eaters ( slender and active) and a 10 pound bag lasts me at least 3-4 meals.

My MIL always says take the # of people eating - and cook that many potatoes plus "throw one in for the pot" meaning add one more than the number of people there are.

This of course is reffering to potatoes about the size of your fist or a bit bigger.

In a big group I would probably add one for the pot for every 4 people.

 

[ajk912]

You eat over 2 POUNDS of potatoes EACH with your dinner as well as other food

I have a family of 5 - 2 of whom are HUGE eaters ( slender and active) and a 10 pound bag lasts me at least 3-4 meals.

My MIL always says take the # of people eating - and cook that many potatoes plus "throw one in for the pot" meaning add one more than the number of people there are.

This of course is reffering to potatoes about the size of your fist or a bit bigger.

In a big group I would probably add one for the pot for every 4 people.

A potato the size of your fist by the time you peel it, boil it, and mash it isn't very much. I can see your logic for a baked potato, you don't lose as much there (but you also wouldn't have any seconds either) but for mashed potatoes I always do the whole bag of 10 lbs for our family of 5. I want everyone to be able to take generous scoops and then we usually do have some leftover as well, but better than not having enough. Potatoes are cheap (a ten lb bag is what, under $5) so no need to be stingy on the potatoes.

 

[Aladdin + Abu]

Do dirty mashed potatoes! MMMMM!!! Only partially peel the potatoes before boiling. Use a potato masher (don't use an electric mixer) leave small lumps in the potatoes. Add just a little milk, minced garlic, fresh chives, finely chopped onion(just a little, shouldn't overpower), butter, salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.


We tried the make ahead mashed potatoes with the phillie cream cheese a couple years ago, worst mashed potatoes we ever had for Thanksgiving. Never again.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

I would.. I do 10 lbs. for four people (3 adults, 1 child - a regular meal) and there's usually not much leftover.. Of course with it being Thanksgiving, you'll have lots of side dishes, so don't panic over 10 lbs. not being enough.. You should be fine..

Are you sure you're not thinking about a 5 lb bag?

There are between Two and three medium unpeeled potatoes per pound. Do you really peel 20 to 30 potatoes for four people?!

One pound of boiled potatoes (no skin) has about 400 calories in it. Assuming that you peel and discard 2 lbs of potato, you'd end up with about 8 lbs. cooked. That's 3200 calories in potato alone, before adding any milk or butter!

 

[AristocatFan]

Wow. I do 10lbs for 26 people and it's been fine. Never any leftovers but with all the other food no cares.

 

[DMRick]

I'll do 5#'s for the 11 adults, and we'll do the meal over again tomorrow, with lots of leftover potatoes. And even then, there might be some leftover.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Wow. I do 10lbs for 26 people and it's been fine. Never any leftovers but with all the other food no cares.

Therein lies the problem. MUST HAVE LEFTOVERS!

 

[mum4jenn]

I would.. I do 10 lbs. for four people (3 adults, 1 child - a regular meal) and there's usually not much leftover.. Of course with it being Thanksgiving, you'll have lots of side dishes, so don't panic over 10 lbs. not being enough.. You should be fine..

Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

TEN POUNDS for 4 PEOPLE????????????
Are you sure you don't mean maybe a 5# bag or smaller???? That would be 2 1/2 pounds per person!!!!! That would be enough for about 10 regular servings PER person. So at 1/2 cup you are getting roughly 40 servings for 4 people. Even if each person had a whole CUP of potatoes that is enough for 20 people!!!!