These crock pot mashed potatoes are diced Russet potatoes that are simmered in the slow cooker, then mashed with butter and cream cheese for a decadent and delicious side dish. Making mashed potatoes in the slow cooker is so easy, you’ll never use the stove top method again!

When I’m making a big meal, I try to use my slow cooker as much as possible to free up oven and stove top space. I often make slow cooker creamed corn, slow cooker glazed carrots, and these ultra creamy crock pot mashed potatoes.

Crock pot mashed potatoes topped with butter and parsley.

Mashed potatoes are a must-have for any special occasion. These crock pot mashed potatoes are my all time favorite, because they require minimal prep work, yet come out perfectly every time. You’ll have everyone asking you for the recipe!

These potatoes are perfect for holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. When you make these for a special occasion, check out some of my favorite Christmas recipes like broccoli casserole, Instant pot ham and cranberry Jello salad.

Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes Ingredients

To make this crock pot mashed potatoes recipe you will need potatoes, chicken broth, heavy cream, butter, cream cheese, salt, black pepper and parsley.

Ingredients including spuds, chicken broth, cream, butter and cream cheese.

How Do You Make Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes?

To get creamy and smooth crock pot mashed potatoes, start with peeling your Russet potatoes. Dice the peeled potatoes and place them in a crock pot with some chicken broth. The potatoes and broth cook together for a few hours until the potatoes absorb the broth and become fork tender. Drain any remaining broth and add in butter, cream cheese, cream and seasonings to the slow cooker. Mash everything together until the potatoes are smooth and creamy. Give the potatoes a sprinkle of chopped parsley, then and serve and enjoy.

Step by step process shots showing how to make this recipe in the slow cooker.

Tips For The Perfect Dish

  • You can use a potato masher, a hand mixer, or potato ricer to mash potatoes. Don’t use a food processor, it will make the potatoes gummy. A potato ricer will give you the smoothest consistency and texture.
  • There is no need to boil the potatoes, the get tender in the crock pot.
  • Mashed potatoes can be made up to 3 days before you plan to serve them. Reheat your potatoes on the stovetop or in the oven.
  • You can freeze mashed potato leftovers for up to 2 months in an airtight container. Thaw the potatoes in the fridge overnight, then reheat until warm.
  • These potatoes are perfect for holiday meals, and pair so well with an Easter ham and roasted green beans.

Quick Tip

Cut your potatoes into similar sized pieces. This helps to make sure that all the potatoes finish cooking at the same time.

A masher in a slow cooker full of potatoes.

Recipe FAQs

How long can you hold mashed potatoes in a slow cooker?

You can keep your finished mashed potatoes warm in the crock pot for up to 2 hours before you plan to serve them. Choose the “warm” setting on your slow cooker.

What is the best potato for mashing?

The best potatoes for mashing are starchy potatoes like Russet and Yukon Gold potatoes. I personally like to use Russet potatoes for that classic mashed potato flavor. However, you can get good results with Yukon Gold potatoes or even a mixture of Russet potatoes and Yukon Gold potatoes. Avoid red potatoes and fingerling potatoes which are waxier and don’t mash as well.

How do you store mashed potatoes?

You can store any leftover mashed potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. Sometimes when I make these potatoes in advance, I store them in a covered casserole dish. I simply place the casserole dish in the oven to warm the potatoes right before we’re ready to eat.

Can you put raw potatoes in a slow cooker?

It is completely fine to put raw potatoes in a slow cooker. Just make sure that they’re mostly submerged in liquid so that they will cook evenly.

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Crock pot mashed potatoes on a plate with turkey, green beans and gravy.

Flavor Variations

These potatoes are fantastic as-is, but you can add other flavors to customize them to your tastes.

  • Garlic Potatoes: Feel free to add minced fresh garlic or whole roasted garlic cloves to the potatoes while they cook in the slow cooker.
  • Sour Cream: Use sour cream instead of cream cheese for a different flavor profile.
  • Mix-Ins: Add other flavorings such as chives, green onions, ham or diced cooked bacon. You can mix them into the mashed potatoes or sprinkle them on top.
  • Herbs: Swap out the parsley for dill or chives. You can even stir in a spoonful of Italian seasoning for extra flavor.
  • Cheese: Add your favorite mild cheese like shredded cheddar cheese or grated parmesan cheese.
  • Potatoes: While I like Russet potatoes since they mash up fluffy, for creamier mashed potatoes you could use Yukon gold potatoes.

This recipe makes it easy to have flavorful mashed potatoes. Give it a try, you’ll be amazed at how good mashed potatoes can taste with such minimal effort.

More Side Dish Recipes

Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes Video

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5 from 40 votes

Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes

AuthorSara Welch
Crock pot mashed potatoes topped with butter and parsley.
These crock pot mashed potatoes are diced Russet potatoes that are simmered in the slow cooker, then mashed with butter and cream cheese for a decadent and delicious side dish. Making mashed potatoes in the slow cooker is so easy, you'll never use the stove top method again!
Time
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time4 hours
Total Time4 hours 20 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Serves 10

Ingredients 

  • 5 pounds Russet potatoes peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup butter cut into slices
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened and cut into cubes
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Instructions 

  • Place the potatoes and chicken broth in a crock pot.
  • Cover the crock pot and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours, until potatoes are tender.
  • Drain the broth from the crock pot.
  • Add the butter, cream cheese, salt, pepper and heavy cream to the slow cooker. Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes until they're smooth and creamy.
  • Sprinkle with parsley, then serve.

Notes

  1. Cut your potatoes into similar sized pieces. This helps to make sure that all the potatoes cook evenly in the same amount of time.
  2. You can use a potato masher, a hand mixer, or potato ricer to mash potatoes. Don’t use a food processor, it will make the potatoes gummy.
  3. Mashed potatoes can be made up to 3 days before you plan to serve them. Reheat your potatoes on the stovetop or in the oven.

Nutrition

Calories: 323kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 66mg | Sodium: 777mg | Potassium: 1042mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 763IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 2mg

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I appreciate all the “hands off” recipes I can get, especially when I’m prepping big meals for the holidays, thank you!

  2. 5 stars
    Made a mashed potato appetizer bar with these mashed potatoes! I had been looking for a crook pot recipe that would stay warm for hours and this one is perfect!

  3. 5 stars
    I have never thought to use a slow cooker for mash potatoes before. Great way to keep the stove free for other elements. This looks so creamy and tasty – can’t wait to try!

  4. 5 stars
    Mashed potatoes are my absolute favorite and it’s interesting to see how different people make them with some unique twist or the other. I love that you’ve used chicken broth to flavour the potatoes. Now I just have to use this tip! Thank you for posting this recipe!

  5. I would like to try this method for a potluck dinner. Do you know if mashed potatoes could be left on warm setting in a crockpot for a couple hours once they are prepared? Thanks!

  6. 5 stars
    I agree with you, I love russet potatoes! This is such a great idea making the potatoes in the crock pot! Definitely freed up some of my time!