Is it Cheaper to make or buy Mashed Potatoes?
Mashed potatoes are the ultimate comfort food. Whether you serve them plain, top with gravy, or add some cheese and bacon to them, mashed potatoes are just a super tasty side dish!
Most people make mash potatoes from scratch, from instant potatoes, or buy premade mashed potatoes from the grocery store. This made me wonder which option was the most cost effective (aka cheaper.)
Let’s breakdown the costs of homemade mashed potatoes, using instant mashed potatoes, and buying premade mashed potatoes.
How much does homemade mashed potatoes cost?
Mashed potatoes at their basic form are really just potatoes, milk, and butter. For this cost breakdown we will use this basic form and skip any additional seasonings because those are usually based on personal preference.
| Homemade Mashed Potatoes Ingredients | Cost |
| 2 lbs. russet potatoes | $1.58 |
| 1 cup of milk | $0.24 |
| 2 tbsp butter | $0.25 |
| Total Cost of Homemade Mashed Potatoes=$2.07 (4 servings) | 51.7 cents per serving |
The average cost to make homemade mashed potatoes is about $2.07 which is 51.7 cents per serving.
My local Walmart has the cheapest prices for basic items, so I used them for the pricing of each ingredient.
How much does instant mashed potatoes cost?
Instant mashed potatoes are the ultimate quick and easy side dish. You literally boil water with butter and add the potato flakes. Let’s look at how much instant mashed potatoes they cost per serving.
| Mashed Potatoes & Number of Servings | Store and Price | Cost per Serving |
| Idahoan 4oz pack=4 servings | Hy-Vee, $2.09 | Mix: $2.09 Water: $0.00 Total: $2.09 52.2 cents per serving |
| Great Value 15.3 oz box=20 servings | Walmart, $1.48 | Mix: $1.48 Milk: $0.60 Butter: $1.25 Total: $3.33 16.5 cents per serving |
| Hungry Jack 26.7 box=36 servings | Price Chopper, $3.99 | Mix: $3.99 Milk: $0.48 Butter: $1.25 Total:5.72 15.8 cents per serving |
| Kroger 13.75oz box= 21 servings | Dillon’s, $2.49 | Mix: $2.49 Milk: $0.60 Butter: $1.25 Total: $4.34 20.6 cents per serving |
| Chef’s Cupboard 4oz pack= 4 servings | Aldi, $0.79 | Mix: $ 0.79 Water: $0.00 Total: $0.79 19.7 cents per serving |
| Sprouts Organic 3.5oz pack = 4 servings | Sprouts, $2.49 | Mix: $2.49 Milk: $0.12 Butter:0.25 Total: $2.86 71.5 cents per serving |
| Betty Crocker 4.7oz pack= 6 servings | McKeever’s Market, $1.19 | Mix: $1.19 Milk: $0.18 Butter:0.25 Total: $1.62 27 cents per serving |
| Average Cost per Serving: | 31.9 cents per serving |
The average cost per serving of using instant mashed potatoes is about 31.9 cents. This is much cheaper than making mashed potatoes at home from real potatoes.
As a bonus, mashed potatoes are completely shelf stable and will last forever if they are properly stored away from moisture.
To save even more money, skip the small packs of instant potatoes that only make 4 servings and get the bigger size. The bigger sized boxes came out much cheaper per serving!
How much is store bought mashed potatoes?
I have to admit, I was a little surprised that instant mashed potatoes came out cheaper than homemade mash potatoes. So now let’s price out the premade mashed potatoes at the grocery store!
| Premade Mashed Potatoes & Number of Servings | Store & Price | Cost per Serving |
| Simply Potatoes 24oz =5 servings | Price Chopper, $4.19 | $0.83 |
| Bob Evans 24oz = 5 servings | Hy-Vee, $5.57 | $1.14 |
| Kroger 24oz = 5 servings | Dillon’s, $2.99 | $0.60 |
| Main St 24oz= 5 servings | Save A Lot, $4.39 | $0.88 |
| Hormel 20oz = 4 servings | Hen House, $4.19 | $1.05 |
| Average Cost per Serving: | $0.89 |
Buying premade mashed potatoes will average out to about $0.89 per serving. This was way higher than homemade or instant potatoes.
Skip the premade mash potatoes and purchase instant mash potatoes. They are so easy to prepare, and most can be made in the microwave too!
Are homemade mashed potatoes worth it?
Mashed Potatoes are so easy to make at home and you can add so many things like cheese, bacon, and sour cream to make then super tasty.
Unfortunately, if you are trying to save money, buying instant mashed potatoes are the most cost effective if you buy a bigger sized box.
Now if you already have potatoes on hand and are wanting to use them up, then making homemade mash potatoes are definitely worth it.
For more cost breakdowns of making food yourself instead of buying it premade, check out “Is it Cheaper to make or buy Brownies?” and “Is it Cheaper to make or buy Hummus?“
