Snoop Dogg’s Mashed Potatoes with Cognac

There are mashed potatoes, and then there’s Snoop Dogg’s creamy mashed potato recipe.

Folks, this one is a whole THING.

We’re taking four pounds of russet potatoes and mashing them into a ridiculously rich mixture of butter, heavy cream, mayonnaise and cognac. They’re creamy, decadent and exactly the kind of side dish I want sitting in the middle of the table at Thanksgiving, Christmas or anytime I’m feeding a crowd.

And yes, cognac in mashed potatoes sounds a little wild.

But I have to say, we loved this one. The cognac gets reduced before anything else goes into the pot, and rather than tasting like you poured a drink into your dinner, it adds another layer of flavour to an already seriously good bowl of potatoes.

Then there’s the mayonnaise.

Trust me on this one.

At a Glance

• Serves: 10
• Prep Time: About 15 minutes
• Cook Time: About 35 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Uses russet potatoes for a fluffy mash
• Cognac adds a surprising layer of flavour
• Mayonnaise is the unexpected secret ingredient
• Heavy cream and butter make them seriously decadent
• Made largely in one pot for easier cleanup
• Perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner

The Story Behind Snoop Dogg’s Mashed Potatoes

This recipe has a pretty great backstory.

Way back in 2008, Snoop Dogg appeared on The Martha Stewart Show, where he and Martha made mashed potatoes using a family recipe from Martha’s mother, Martha Kostyra, affectionately known as Big Martha.

Then Snoop entered the chat.

He added cognac to the potatoes, putting his own spin on the family classic. That cooking segment would turn out to be the beginning of Snoop and Martha’s now-famous friendship.

And if there were ever two ingredients that summed up the unexpected magic of Martha and Snoop cooking together, mashed potatoes and cognac might be it.

This particular mashed potato recipe takes that idea even further with cognac, heavy cream and mayonnaise.

It’s not Big Martha’s original mashed potato recipe. It’s very much its own decadent situation.

And I’m here for it.

Why Russet Potatoes Work So Well

Let’s start with the potatoes.

We’re using four pounds of russets, peeled and chopped.

Russets are a great choice for a creamy mashed potatoes recipe because they’re high in starch and break down beautifully once they’re tender. That gives you a lighter, fluffier foundation for all the richness we’re about to add.

The potatoes cook in heavily salted water for about 25 minutes.

Don’t be shy with the salt in that water. Seasoning potatoes from the beginning makes a difference because we’re adding flavour to the potatoes themselves rather than trying to fix everything at the end.

Once they’re tender, drain them and set them aside.

Now things get interesting.

Snoop Dogg’s Creamy Mashed Potato Recipe: Cognac Is the Move Here

The empty pot goes right back onto the stovetop and in goes ½ cup of cognac or another brandy.

This step matters.

You’re cooking the cognac over medium heat for 3–5 minutes so it reduces slightly before the butter, cream and mayonnaise join the party.

What I like about this method is that the cognac becomes part of the creamy base before the potatoes ever return to the pot.

It isn’t simply splashed into finished mashed potatoes.

You’re building the sauce first.

That’s a smart little technique and exactly the kind of detail that takes easy mashed potatoes somewhere completely unexpected.

Let’s Talk About the Mayonnaise In Snoop Dogg’s Mashed Potatoes

I know.

Some of you read “½ cup mayonnaise” and immediately had questions.

But stay with me.

Mayonnaise brings richness and a subtle tang that helps balance all that heavy cream and butter. Instead of tasting distinctly like mayo, it becomes part of the creamy mixture surrounding the potatoes.

It’s the secret ingredient nobody is expecting.

You’ve got four tablespoons of butter, two cups of heavy cream and half a cup of mayonnaise, so let’s not pretend these are everyday, light-and-lean potatoes.

These are holiday potatoes.

Bring on the stretchy pants.

Why I Like Making the Cream Mixture First

A lot of mashed potato recipes have you mash the cooked potatoes and then start throwing cold ingredients into them.

We’re not doing that here.

Once the cognac has reduced, the butter gets whisked in until melted. Then the cream and mayonnaise go into the same pot and cook for about five minutes until the mixture is warm and slightly thickened.

Only then do the potatoes come back.

That means you’re adding hot potatoes to a warm, creamy mixture rather than cooling everything down with ingredients straight from the refrigerator.

It also keeps the process beautifully simple.

One pot. One potato masher. One very happy dinner table.

Tips & Tricks for Snoop Dogg’s Creamy Mashed Potato Recipe

Cut the potatoes relatively evenly. They don’t need to be perfect, but similar-sized chunks will cook at roughly the same rate.

Start with heavily salted water. It’s your first opportunity to season the potatoes themselves.

Cook until genuinely tender. Your potato masher shouldn’t have to fight them. If the potatoes aren’t fully cooked, smooth mashed potatoes are going to be an uphill battle.

Give the cognac time to reduce. Don’t immediately dump everything else into the pot. Let it cook for the full 3–5 minutes called for in the recipe.

Warm the cream mixture. Adding the potatoes back to a warm mixture helps everything combine beautifully.

Use a potato masher. Mash until everything is smooth and combined, but there’s no need to beat the life out of them.

Season at the end. The recipe calls for 2½ teaspoons kosher salt and cracked black pepper. Mix everything together, taste, and see where you’re at.

Snoop Dogg’s Mashed Potatoes: A Holiday Side Dish Made for a Crowd

Four pounds of potatoes means we’re not making a tiny bowl here.

This recipe serves 10, which makes it ideal for Thanksgiving or Christmas when you’ve got a crowd descending on the kitchen.

And let’s face it: nobody wants to run out of mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving.

That’s how family feuds start.

I especially like that despite the decadent ingredient list, the actual method is incredibly approachable. Boil the potatoes, drain them, make the cognac-cream mixture in the same pot, return the potatoes and mash.

That’s it.

For something that feels this special, there’s really not much fuss involved.

Not everybody wants mashed potatoes on the holiday table, and sometimes crispy edges win the day.

If you’re looking for a potato side that goes in a completely different direction, a great roasted potato recipe is a good move. You get crispy, golden potatoes rather than a rich, creamy mash, making them a fantastic alternative for Thanksgiving, Christmas or Sunday dinner.

Or make both.

I certainly won’t stop you.

Snoop Dogg’s Mashed Potatoes: FAQ

What makes Snoop Dogg’s mashed potatoes different?

Cognac and mayonnaise are the two ingredients that really set this version apart. The cognac is reduced before the butter, heavy cream and mayonnaise are added, creating a rich base before the potatoes return to the pot.

Why put mayonnaise in mashed potatoes?

In this recipe, mayonnaise adds richness, creaminess and a slight tang that balances the heavy cream and butter. You shouldn’t end up with potatoes that simply taste like mayonnaise.

What potatoes should I use for this recipe?

The recipe calls for russet potatoes. Their starchy texture makes them particularly well suited to a smooth, fluffy mash.

How many people does this recipe serve?

It makes 10 servings, so it’s a great mashed potato recipe for Thanksgiving, Christmas or another big family dinner.

Final Thoughts

I love a recipe with a good story, but it still has to taste great once it lands on the plate.

And these absolutely do.

Snoop Dogg’s mashed potatoes take something everybody already knows and loves and make it just unexpected enough to get people talking around the table.

The cognac is bold. The mayonnaise is surprising. The butter and heavy cream make everything unapologetically rich.

But the actual cooking technique is straightforward enough that anyone can pull it off.

That’s my kind of holiday mashed potato recipe.

If you’re looking for something decadent to put beside the turkey at Thanksgiving or your holiday roast at Christmas, give this one a go.

Trust me, folks. You’re going to want a big scoop.

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