# Do you like lumpy mashed potatoes? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 6, 2016, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-lumpy-mashed-potatoes/745297 "2016-02-06T05:01:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-lumpy-mashed-potatoes/745297/1 "2016-02-06T05:01:37Z")
I know, I know…I find it hard to believe there are people in this world who don’t like them lumpy, too…but they do exist. My dad was one of them. I, however, am not. ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-lumpy-mashed-potatoes/745297/2 "2016-02-06T05:07:48Z")
No lumps for me. But I don’t like my mash overmashed so that it’s too runny. Yeah, I am fussy. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-lumpy-mashed-potatoes/745297/3 "2016-02-06T05:10:24Z")
Use the whole potato, skin and all, and mash it as little as possible for it to count as “mashed potatoes”, please. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-lumpy-mashed-potatoes/745297/4 "2016-02-06T05:14:10Z")
^^ Yeah, what **Snowboarder Bo** said, and lumpy gravy, too! ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-lumpy-mashed-potatoes/745297/5 "2016-02-06T05:14:13Z")
I tend to like it on the lumpier side, rather than the textureless, completely creamed side. I grew up with mashed potatoes that had nothing but salt, pepper, and a little bit of butter in them, and that’s how I like them now. My folks would peel them, but when I make them for myself, I keep the skins on. Every once in awhile, I’ll go for the decadent, whipped-up version with cream and horseradish and whatnot, but that’s not what I want 95% of the time. Just give me potatoes that taste and feel like potatoes. ETA: I voted wrong, going for the second option, but the last one is most accurate to my tastes. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-lumpy-mashed-potatoes/745297/6 "2016-02-06T05:16:10Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Use the whole potato, skin and all, and mash it as little as possible for it to count as “mashed potatoes”, please. > [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > ^^ Yeah, what **Snowboarder Bo** said, and lumpy gravy, too! I know two people I’m going to invite to all of my future dinners. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-lumpy-mashed-potatoes/745297/7 "2016-02-06T05:18:44Z")
^^ Gimme a couple days notice and I’ll be bringing the banana pudding. Hot-cha-cha. ---
**Author:** ![Calla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Calla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calla)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-lumpy-mashed-potatoes/745297/8 "2016-02-06T05:30:23Z")
Another vote for lumpy potatoes here. Skin too. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-lumpy-mashed-potatoes/745297/9 "2016-02-06T06:15:06Z")
I prefer them as smooth as possible. I dislike texture variations in my food in general, in fact. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-lumpy-mashed-potatoes/745297/10 "2016-02-06T06:57:45Z")
I love it both ways about equally. Smooth is good. Lumpy is good. (Ditto for peanut butter. All varieties are fine.) (Ditto for mushroom soup: with, or without, chunks of mushroom evident. I’ve had it both ways, and love it!) (Aw, heck, just feed me, okay?) ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-lumpy-mashed-potatoes/745297/11 "2016-02-06T09:42:57Z")
When I didn’t make them, I want enough lumps to be able to feel assured that they’re not instant. When I did make them, they’ve got plenty of lumps, because after the mashing, I whip them with a wire whisk. No way am I going to achieve electric-mixer smoothness with a wire whisk. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-lumpy-mashed-potatoes/745297/12 "2016-02-06T14:14:42Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Use the whole potato, skin and all, and mash it as little as possible for it to count as “mashed potatoes”, please. To me, what you’re describing are **s** mashed potatoes. I like smashed potatoes lumpy, with skins. I like mashed potatoes smooth. ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-lumpy-mashed-potatoes/745297/13 "2016-02-06T14:24:45Z")
They’re both good, but I like the solid pieces of potato that might have flavoring on the outside, but on the inside they’re just delicious steamy potato. As a side dish, mashed potatoes are nice. If the potato is the whole dish, with cheese and whatnot, having lumps is a nice feature. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-lumpy-mashed-potatoes/745297/14 "2016-02-06T14:31:03Z")
OK. I like no lumps, but I like skin. Go figure. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-lumpy-mashed-potatoes/745297/15 "2016-02-06T14:43:17Z")
Any and all permutations according to whim. Silky mash, lumpy broken potato kind of mash, mashed with skins and all. Many possible additions: garlic, cheese, sweet potato, pumpkin. bacon pieces, onion, chili. I also like to mandolin some fresh raw zucchini (courgette) or chuck in a handful of mixed salad greens at serving and stir them through. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-lumpy-mashed-potatoes/745297/16 "2016-02-06T14:49:19Z")
I didn’t read all the way down to the last option. I like the skin in the mix. Move one vote from somewhat lumpy to lumpy with skin. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-lumpy-mashed-potatoes/745297/17 "2016-02-06T15:05:36Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > To me, what you’re describing are **s** mashed potatoes. I like smashed potatoes lumpy, with skins. I like mashed potatoes smooth. That’s probably a good assessment of my feelings. In fact, when it comes to mashed potatoes, I’m perfectly fine with instant. No lumps to even think about. As I like to say, if you want lumpy food, go to Cracker Barrel. ---
**Author:** ![HeXen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@HeXen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeXen)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-lumpy-mashed-potatoes/745297/18 "2016-02-06T15:08:15Z")
I’m not that picky, either or. I don’t see how texture effects flavor but no matter how it’s made, with a little butter n salt it all tastes the same to me. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-lumpy-mashed-potatoes/745297/19 "2016-02-06T15:09:37Z")
I grew up with lumps. It the way to be sure the potatoes are real and not instant (or those horrible ones in a frozen dinner). I’m also a fan of [Lumpy Gravy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumpy_Gravy) ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-lumpy-mashed-potatoes/745297/20 "2016-02-06T16:11:58Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > To me, what you’re describing are **s** mashed potatoes. I like smashed potatoes lumpy, with skins. I like mashed potatoes smooth. Hmmm… it sure seems like I said “for it to count as mashed potatoes”; did I not say that? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-lumpy-mashed-potatoes/745297.md?page=2)