The Viral Trick for Making Perfect Mashed Potatoes

For many people, mashed potatoes are far more than a simple side — they’re a warm, nostalgic comfort food that often brings families and friends together at the table.

But what if the way you’ve always prepared them is actually keeping you from making truly exceptional mashed potatoes? According to a TikTok trend that took off online, the secret may come down to what you’re boiling your potatoes in.

Comedian Jourdyn Parks, known on TikTok as @jeauxp, shared her own spin on classic mashed potatoes, and it’s prompted home cooks everywhere to rethink their usual routine. Her advice is to skip boiling potatoes in plain water and use a flavorful stock instead, saying it’s the key to building depth and richness right from the start.

“I know boiling potatoes in water is normal,” Parks told BuzzFeed after her tip went viral in 2021. “It’s probably how most people do it. I just don’t understand choosing water when you could use stock or broth and add so much more flavor.”

Mashed potato hack
The method itself is easy, but the result is a noticeable upgrade. Parks begins by thoroughly washing the potatoes and coating them lightly with avocado oil.

She likes to keep the skins on for extra texture, though peeling them works just as well. Once the potatoes are cut in half, she adds them to a pot with about a cup of water, a pinch of sea salt, and enough stock — whether chicken, beef, or vegetable — to fully cover the potatoes..

According to Parks, the key lies in boiling potatoes in stock, which helps trap flavor inside and results in a smoother, creamier consistency. “They’re going to taste amazing,” she says in her video, which has collected thousands of likes and shares since it first appeared online.

Putting the hack to the test
Intrigued by the claim, food lovers decided to see if the technique really delivered. They cooked two batches side by side — one boiled in chicken stock and the other in plain water — and compared the outcomes. The difference was immediately noticeable.

The potatoes cooked in stock had a deeper, fuller flavor and a noticeably silkier texture, while the water-boiled batch came out more grainy and muted. Even without adding extra seasoning, the stock-boiled potatoes tasted well-rounded and satisfying, making them an easy match for many different main dishes.

Creative twists on a classic
The trend has also encouraged cooks to get more adventurous with their mashed potatoes. Mixing in sour cream and chives, adding a splash of heavy cream, or sprinkling in a hint of nutmeg can push the dish even further. For fans of rustic-style mashed potatoes, leaving the skins on adds both texture and visual charm.

Parks says she learned this technique from her grandmother, and it’s easy to understand why it’s been handed down through generations. Boiling potatoes in stock doesn’t just boost their taste — it turns mashed potatoes into a standout dish that deserves center stage at the table.

Ready to try it yourself?
If you want to elevate your mashed potatoes, try replacing water with stock the next time you make them.

Whether you choose chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, this small change can turn an everyday side into something memorable that friends and family will talk about.

Why stick with bland when bold, flavorful mashed potatoes are just one simple swap away?