Why didn't i think of that sooner? This trick for making mashed potatoes will turn it into the perfect dish!

For many, mashed potatoes are more than just a side dish—they are a comforting, nostalgic meal that brings people together around the dinner table.

But is your preparation method keeping you from reaching culinary greatness? According to a viral TikTok video, the answer might lie simply in the way you boil the potatoes.

Comedian Jordyn Parks, also known as @jeauxp on TikTok, shared her twist on traditional mashed potatoes, and it has followers and mash lovers everywhere rethinking their preparation method. Parks suggests ditching plain water and substituting it with flavorful stock when boiling the potatoes, claiming it is the ultimate way to infuse flavor and elevate the dish.

"I know you can boil your potatoes in water," Parks explained to BuzzFeed after her reveal gained popularity back in 2021. "In fact, it’s probably the most common way. I just cannot wrap my head around why you would choose to do that when stock and broth are options."

The Mashed Potato Trick

The process is simple yet transformative. Parks starts by washing her potatoes and rubbing them with avocado oil. While she prefers to leave the skin on for texture, peeling is also a good option. After chopping the potatoes, she places them in a pot with a cup of water, a pinch of sea salt, and enough stock—chicken, beef, or vegetable—to cover them.

The secret, according to Parks, is that potatoes boiled in stock lock in the flavor and create a creamier texture. "They’re going to be delicious," she promises in her video, which has garnered thousands of likes and shares since its posting.

Putting the Trick to the Test

Curious to see if stock-cooked potatoes truly lived up to the hype, food enthusiasts conducted side-by-side tests, boiling one batch of potatoes in chicken stock and another in plain water. The results were astounding.

Not only did the stock-cooked potatoes have a richer, stronger flavor, but their texture was also noticeably creamier compared to the water-boiled batch. Without any additional seasoning, the stock-cooked potatoes stood out as a highly flavorful side that could easily complement a variety of main courses.

A Creative Twist on a Classic Dish

The clever trick has also inspired home cooks to experiment with their mash in new ways. Adding sour cream and chives, a splash of heavy cream, or even a pinch of nutmeg can elevate the dish further. And for those who enjoy rustic mash, keeping the skins on adds a satisfying texture and visual appeal.

Parks credits her grandmother with teaching her this tip, and it’s easy to see why it has been passed down. The stock-boiling method doesn't just improve flavor—it redefines mashed potatoes as a dish worthy of the spotlight at any dinner table.

Ready to Try It Yourself?

If you are looking to take your mashed potatoes to the next level, consider swapping water for stock the next time you prepare them.

Whether it's chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, this simple exchange can transform your potatoes into an impressive dish that your family and friends will rave about.

Why settle for bland when you can have bold, flavorful mashed potatoes?