Enter your guest count and appetite level to see how many pounds of raw potatoes to buy.
Mashed potatoes are a side dish, so planning guidance is lighter than for a main-course meat. A standard estimate is about 1/3 pound of raw potato per person for a lighter side, up to about 1/2 pound per person for a more generous portion or when mashed potatoes are a meal favorite.
Source: Based on standard side-dish planning guidance (as published by sources like the Idaho Potato Commission) of about 1/3 to 1/2 pound of raw potatoes per person.
About 3.3 to 5 pounds of raw potatoes, depending on whether you want a light side (1/3 lb/person) or a generous portion (1/2 lb/person).
This estimate is based on raw, unpeeled weight, so buy the full amount calculated here — peeling waste is already accounted for in the standard per-person planning figure.
Yes — lean toward the higher 1/2 lb per person figure (or more) if mashed potatoes are the meal's main starch, rather than one of several sides.
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