For many, mashed potatoes are more than just a simple side—they’re a nostalgic, comforting dish that brings people together at the dinner table. But what if your usual method is holding you back from creating the best mashed potatoes possible? A viral TikTok hack suggests that the secret to elevating this classic dish lies not in how you mash them, but in what you boil them in.

Comedian Jourdyn Parks, also known as @jeauxp on TikTok, has food lovers rethinking their approach with her game-changing mashed potato technique. Instead of boiling potatoes in plain water, she recommends using stock to infuse them with rich flavor from the start.

“I know you can boil your potatoes in water,” Parks explained to BuzzFeed after her hack gained popularity in 2021. “In fact, it’s probably the most common way. I just can’t figure out why you’d choose to when stock and broth are options.”

The method is simple yet transformative. Parks begins by washing her potatoes and rubbing them with avocado oil. She prefers to leave the skins on for added texture, but peeling them is an option. She then cuts the potatoes in half and places them in a pot with a cup of water, a pinch of sea salt, and enough stock—whether chicken, beef, or vegetable—to fully cover them.

Boiling the potatoes in stock not only locks in flavor but also creates a creamier texture. “They’ll be delicious,” she promises in her video, which has garnered thousands of likes and shares.

Curious food enthusiasts put the method to the test, cooking one batch of potatoes in chicken stock and another in plain water for comparison. The difference was striking. The stock-boiled potatoes had a richer, more robust taste and a noticeably creamier consistency, whereas the water-boiled batch was grainier and required more seasoning.

Inspired by this hack, home cooks have taken their mashed potatoes to new heights, experimenting with additions like sour cream, chives, heavy cream, and even a hint of nutmeg. For those who enjoy a more rustic texture, keeping the potato skins on enhances the dish’s appearance and mouthfeel.

Parks credits her grandmother for teaching her this tip, and it’s easy to see why it has stood the test of time. The stock-boiling method doesn’t just enhance mashed potatoes—it transforms them into a dish worthy of the spotlight at any meal.

If you’re ready to level up your mashed potatoes, swapping water for stock might be the easiest way to make a lasting impression. Whether you opt for chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, this small change could turn an everyday side into a show-stopping dish that your family and friends will rave about. Why settle for bland when bold, flavorful mashed potatoes are just a simple swap away?