Thanks to She Speaks, we had the opportunity to try Ore-Ida’s new Steam n’ Mash potatoes. (To be eligible for future offers sign up for She Speaks HERE.) I was so excited to try these because my family loves mash potatoes but I don’t have much time to prepare home made mashed potatoes. So they usually have to settle for boxed potatoes. However, these just aren’t going to cut it for my family.
To make these, you leave place the unopened bag in the microwave on High for 10 minutes. Let cool for 2 minutes. You then pour the potatoes into a large bowl. Add 2/3 cup milk and 2 tablespoons of butter and then mash. Sounds simple enough. I found the potatoes very hard to mash by hand.
Despite being 100% potatoes already scrubbed and cut for us, the consistency of the potatoes fell short of flavor. The were very dry and just didn’t taste right. They tasted more fake to me than the fake potatoes. I even tried to add more butter, milk, and sour cream and it didn’t help much. My kids weren’t impressed and said they preferred instant potatoes over these. We tried to the Cut Russet Potatoes. Ore-Ida offers other varieties such as Sweet Potatoes, Garlic Seasoned, and Three Cheese Potatoes.
Sorry Ore-Ida. I usually love your products but this just doesn’t cut it for us.
Verdict: I would not pay for these potatoes. At $3.99 a bag, you are better off just buying a bag of potatoes and doing the dirty work yourself. I really wish I felt differently about these potatoes as I would love a quicker alternative to home made mashed potatoes. (I just found out Ore-Ida has a great resource on their site – recipes to use with their Steam n’ Mash products. I think these potatoes would be great to use in any of these recipes. We just didn’t like them plain. So try one of their recipes and let me know!)
My alternative at this point is to make ahead real mashed potatoes by buying a big bag on sale for $2.99. I spend a Saturday morning, peeling, cutting, boiling, and mashing. Then I freeze what I made into smaller containers. All I have to do then is reheat.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve only ever tried the Garlic variety… but my family of mashed-potato junkies loved them.
They were quick and easy, but the serving size was small for my four guys…
I would only buy these with really good coupons/sale or in a major time crunch. You could buy 10 pounds of potatoes and make your own for the same price as one little bag of these!
Hrm…thanks for the review. I’ve been considering them since I love mashed potatoes but like you I don’t have time to prepare home-made mashed potatoes. Now I don’t have to bother trying them…thanks!
Thanks for the review on the mashed potatoes. You usually don’t see anyone who is straight forward with a negative review.
I would also like to be entered into your coupon giveaway.
heathersavin@yahoo.com
Good to know! I’ve thought about buying these but may skip out now.
I’m always looking for enough to feed my house full of family! But I would probally need at least 2 bags, and would not be a great idea
These sound so much better than dried potato flakes
I love potatoes…so I’m anxious to try these.
thanks for the warning. my hubby loves mashed potatoes but there never seems to be time. sounds like these wouldn’t go over well at my house.
mi_chellemybelle at yahoodotcom
Our entire family of six LOVE these Ore Ida Steam n' Mash Potatoes. We find that the taste is exactly the same as it is when we have to clean, cut, peel and cook mashed potatoes on our own. We do use a stand mixed mixer and add just slightly over 2/3 cup of milk and we never use more than 2 Tbsp of butter. Sometimes we add a couple of dashes of salt, usually we do not use any salt at all though. We try not to use salt in our food since most prepackaged foods already are loaded with sodium. I really don't see why hand mixing would cause such a difference in flavor, all I know is that my family loves them. I also use these potatoes in my homemade beef stew which I make in a crock pot. I add the potatoes UNsteamed to the crockpot 30-45 minutes before serving. I have also done the same with my crockpot vegetable soup. I cannot wait to try more recipes with these wonderful Steam n' Mash potatoes.