Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes are so easy to make and free up valuable stove-top space. Creamy, buttery, and perfectly seasoned. Side dish recipes like this one deliver all the comfort and flavor you crave in a timeless favorite. They’re rich and fluffy with just the right balance of smooth texture and savory flavor. They’re perfect for potlucks and holiday dinners, or any night of the week.
Mashed potatoes are one of those foods that fit in anywhere, from Sunday dinners to holiday celebrations. What makes this recipe stand out is the way the slow cooker helps with timing; your side dish is ready when you need it, without juggling pots on the stove. It’s a simple way to take the stress out of mealtime while still serving a dish everyone loves.
During the holidays, my stove and oven get used more than I care to think about. Coordinating the times to ensure the meal is done on time can be tricky and a headache. I love to use my slow cookers to help save valuable oven and stove-top space.
Family favorites like Cheesy Green Bean Casserole and my sister-in-law’s Mac and Cheese recipes are standard to have on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Both were made in the slow cooker to save space in the oven for the turkey or ham. I even bake slow cooker rosemary dinner rolls in the small appliance.
So, it was a no-brainer to make this creamy and rich slow cooker mashed potato recipe for this past Thanksgiving. I don’t even know why I had never thought to do so before! Such a time-saver!
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
This recipe couldn’t be simpler to make. A little prep work and then you can easily forget about the potatoes for a few hours, returning to perfectly cooked potatoes ready to be mashed. There is no butter in this recipe; the creaminess comes from the cream cheese and sour cream added to the cooked potatoes. However, I like to add a bit of butter when I serve them, which just makes the potatoes even better.
Using the crock pot to make mashed spuds means you can keep them warm for a longer period of time. Plus, there is no boiling water or draining the potatoes.
You can easily leave some of the potatoes “chunky” if you are into that sort of thing. I grew up with chunky mashed potatoes, but my husband did not. Using an immersion blender (affiliate link) in the slow cooker is the perfect gadget for mashing the potatoes to your liking.
What to Serve with Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes go with just about any main course, which makes them a staple for family meals. Their creamy texture and rich flavor balance everything from hearty meats to lighter vegetable dishes.
- Best Oven Pot Roast
- Baked Chicken With Peach Sauce
- Easy Herb and Butter Oven Roasted Turkey
- Honey BBQ Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
- Easy Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham in Oven
No matter what you pair them with, these mashed potatoes round out the meal and make it feel complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes are the best for mashed potatoes. They both result in creamy mashed potatoes. Red potatoes are also a good choice.
Yes, you can! Prepare the mashed potatoes the day before, then store them covered in the refrigerator. Reheat in the slow cooker or on the stove with a little extra milk to keep them creamy.
Mashed potatoes freeze surprisingly well. Once cooled, portion them into freezer-safe containers and store for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently with a splash of broth or cream.
Timesaving Tips and Variations
Cooking mashed potatoes in the slow cooker already saves time, but there are a few extra tricks you can use.
- If you want to add cheese, do that when you are mashing the potatoes, so it will melt into the potatoes.
- Add fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme when you’re ready to serve.
- Keep the mashed potatoes warm by leaving the slow cooker on low. If your slow cooker has a warm setting, use that.
- If you’re looking for a stove-top version, my Easy Mashed Potatoes is our favorite and it has melty cheese, too.
- Leftovers are great to use in Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs.
- Save the potato skins to make this delicious snack of Rosemary Roasted Potato Peelings.
The best part is that each variation still delivers the creamy, comforting taste that makes this dish a family favorite.
Ingredients for Mashed Potatoes
The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity; just a handful of ingredients create the creamiest mashed potatoes. Most of the items are probably in your pantry and refrigerator already.
- russet potatoes
- chicken broth or stock
- Salt and black pepper
- garlic powder
- cream cheese
- sour cream
- milk
How to Make Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Step 1
For easy clean up, I like to spray the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Then you will add your chopped potatoes and chicken stock to the slow cooker. Season the potatoes with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours until the potatoes are tender.
Step 2
Using an immersion blender or potato masher, puree the potatoes once they are cooked.
Step 3
Add the cream cheese and sour cream, stirring until well blended. Add milk to reach your desired consistency.
Slow cooker mashed potatoes are a cozy, no-fuss way to bring comfort to the table. They’re creamy, flavorful, and always a hit whether it’s a holiday meal or a simple weeknight dinner. Once you try them this way, you’ll want to make them again and again.
Pair the fluffy potatoes with this Mini Turkey Meatloaves Recipe for a comforting, family-friendly meal everyone will enjoy.
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 5 pounds Russet potatoes, scrubbed, peeled, and cut into 2 inch chunks
- 1 cup chicken broth or stock
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1 8 ounce container sour cream
- ½ to 1 cup milk
Instructions
- Spray crock with nonstick spary for easy cleanup.Add your potatoes and chicken stock to the slow cooker. Season the potatoes with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or high for 3 to 4 until the potatoes are tender.
- Using an immersion blender or potato masher, puree the potatoes.
- Add the cream cheese and sour cream, stirring until well blended. Add milk to reach your desired consistency.
Notes
- If you want to add cheese, do that when you are mashing the potatoes so it will melt into the potatoes.
- Keep the mashed potatoes warm by leaving the slow cooker on low. If your slow cooker has a warm setting, use that.
Nutritional Disclaimer
“Blogghetti” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
