The New York Times was mocked on social media for tweeting a "two-ingredient" mashed potatoes recipe, back in 2021, with four ingredients and—worst of all—no butter.

The tweet included an illustration showing a recipe with four ingredients: potatoes, sour cream, salt, and pepper.

While many Twitter users called out The New York Times for the inaccurate ingredients count, others called the recipe "an abomination" for its lack of butter.

The recipe was first shared by the newspaper two years ago and calls for two pounds of russet potatoes, a quarter cup of sour cream, salt, and pepper.

"These mashed potatoes may be the simplest Thanksgiving side there is," the New York Times tweeted.

These mashed potatoes may be the simplest Thanksgiving side there is. https://t.co/eSZkaXqEnI pic.twitter.com/zS9N21dlXg

— The New York Times (@nytimes) November 18, 2021

That’s 4 ingredients

— Patricia D’èdit (@Lady__Aga) November 18, 2021

This is SWILL. No butter? Nonsense.

— Stiffler’s mom (@kristiecsu) November 18, 2021

This is four ingredients. And also an abomination.

— Josh Jackson (@VancityJax) November 18, 2021

For a mashed potatoes recipe WITH butter, check out the below from Bordbia.ie.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

- 1.5kg (3¼lb) floury potatoes (such as Rooster), peeled and cut into even-sized chunks
- 120ml (4fl oz) milk
- 75g (3oz) butter sea salt and freshly ground black pepper snipped
- Fresh chives, to garnish

Place the potatoes in a large pan of salted water. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 15–20 minutes, until the potatoes are tender without breaking up. Drain and return to the pan over low heat to dry out.

Mash the potatoes or pass them through a potato ricer or vegetable mouli if you want a really smooth finish. Heat the milk in a small pan or in the microwave. Using a wooden spoon, beat in the butter until melted, then beat the warm milk into the potatoes until you have a smooth, creamy mash. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve at once garnished with the snipped fresh chives.

* Originally published in 2021, updated in 2023.