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Home » Slow Cooker » Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes

October 21, 2020 By Sara 29 Comments

Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes

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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.

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 side dish. 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 side dish.

Crock pot mashed potatoes topped with pats of 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!

How do you make crock pot mashed potatoes?

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

Diced, peeled potatoes in a slow cooker.

Tips for slow cooker mashed potatoes

  • Cut your potatoes into similar sized pieces. This helps to make sure that all the potatoes finish cooking at the same time.
  • 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.
  • 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 potatoes for up to 2 months in an airtight container. Thaw the potatoes in the fridge overnight, then reheat until warm.

Cooked potatoes with butter, cream cheese, salt and pepper.

Crock pot mashed potato 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, shredded cheese, 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 basil pesto for extra flavor.

A potato mashed in a pot of potatoes.

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?

I 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.

Crock pot mashed potatoes served with sliced turkey and green beans.

This recipe makes it easy to have flavorful and creamy 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 you’ll love

  • Crock Pot Baked Beans
  • Cheesy Pull Apart Bread
  • Broccoli Mac and Cheese
  • Fried Corn
  • Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes Video

Crock pot mashed potatoes topped with pats of butter and parsley.
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5 from 16 votes

Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes

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!
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword crock pot mashed potatoes, slow cooker mashed potatoes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Servings 10
Calories 323kcal
Author Sara Welch

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.

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

This post was published on September 25, 2019 and updated on October 21, 2020 with new content.

Filed Under: Side Dishes, Slow Cooker Tagged With: Mashed Potatoes, Thanksgiving

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Comments

  1. Gwen says

    February 1, 2021 at 11:01 am

    5 stars
    These came out delicious!

    Reply
  2. Cynthia Taffet says

    November 26, 2020 at 10:15 am

    happy Turkey Day! Can this recipe be halved for 5 servings instead of 10.Thank you for responding to your turkey breast recipe. making it this weekend

    Reply
  3. Del says

    November 20, 2020 at 9:13 am

    Hi! I’m wondering how much you think I could reasonably scale up this recipe in a 4.5 qt slow cooker?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      November 20, 2020 at 7:37 pm

      This recipe is for 5 lbs of potatoes, I think maybe you could go to 6 but otherwise it would be too many for that size pot!

      Reply
  4. JB says

    November 18, 2020 at 1:57 pm

    Can you substitute the heavy cream for milk?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      November 18, 2020 at 5:05 pm

      Yes that’s fine!

      Reply
  5. Catalina says

    October 29, 2020 at 9:40 am

    5 stars
    These mashed potatoes look so creamy! The best side dish!

    Reply
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With 3 young kids, dinner can feel like feeding time at the zoo! I'm a mom on a mission to create easy, healthy and family friendly recipes ...Read More
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