Product Review: Betty Crocker's Butter and Herb Mashed Potatoes

I'm always looking for something new. Comparing one brand to another, and various flavors to see which I like best. One of my favorite foods is fresh mashed potatoes, but making them can be a real pain. Naturally, I try to keep instant mashed potatoes stocked.

Instant mashed potatoes have always taken the back seat in flavor and texture. Now, restaurants will often substitute frozen rather than use powdered instant. But as companies are constantly looking for new markets to get into, old products get a makeover. One of these companies is Betty Crocker, and their new market is instant mashed potatoes.

A few days ago I picked up the 3.6 oz Betty Crocker Butter and Herb microwavable instant mashed potatoes. While there are directions for microwaving these on the back of the package, the "stove top" directions are even easier. Simply boil 2 cups of water, pour the flakes into a bowl and stir in the water. Let stand for 1-2 minutes and it's ready to go. I used my tea kettle for quicker boiling and less clean up.

My first impression was that the finished potatoes looked a bit waxy. My second impression agreed with my first, and the flavor was... that there wasn't any. Upon closer inspection I saw that the "herbs" that are used to flavor the potatoes was simply parsley. It did taste rather salty, though since I like salt that wasn't a drawback. I saved a portion to reheat later. The microwaved leftovers had the same taste and texture as they did fresh. I haven't quite decided if that's a good thing or not.

On the upside, it was easy to make, and a four serving package was only $0.99. At only 90 calories per 2/3 cup serving, it's actually friendly to a low calorie diet. It's low in fat, but high in sodium. It does have a nice high potassium content at 10% recommended daily value. You can even help your school with the "Box Tops for Education" cut out.

In all I was rather disappointed by this product. It's handier than the old school boxed instant mashed potatoes since it only takes 2 cups of water rather than water, milk, and butter. The small foil packages keep better than cardboard boxes, and the size makes them easier to store. While I didn't particularly like this flavor, Betty Crocker does offer a few other flavors in this product line which I have not tried. There are several other brands available with similar packaging and cooking methods, and I'll be trying those as well.