These Instant Pot mashed potatoes are perfectly creamy, full of flavor and are so easy to make! Pressure cooker mashed potatoes are the perfect side dish for an everyday meal or for a special holiday dinner.
I always use my Instant Pot to make mashed potatoes, it’s a one pot dish that’s always a huge hit with both kids and adults. Serve these mashed potatoes alongside a roasted chicken and some glazed carrots for a complete meal.
If you’ve never made mashed potatoes in your Instant Pot before, you’re missing out! The potatoes come out perfectly creamy every time and you can mash them directly in the Instant Pot, so no extra dirty dishes to clean.
How do you make Instant Pot mashed potatoes?
The first step is to peel and chop your potatoes. You can leave your potato pieces on the larger side. The potatoes go into the pressure cooker along with salt and water. I cook my potatoes on manual pressure and it takes just 10 minutes until they’re tender and ready to be mashed.
I keep things simple and mash my potatoes with some milk, butter, salt and pepper. That being said, there are so many different ways to customize your mashed potatoes.
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes Variations
- Cream Cheese Potatoes: Add 3 ounces of cream cheese to the recipe
- Cheddar Bacon Potatoes: Add 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup cooked, crumbled bacon
- Roasted Garlic Potatoes: Add 1/4 cup roasted garlic cloves, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup parsley
- Bacon Ranch Potatoes: Add 2 tablespoons ranch powder, 1/2 cup cooked crumbled bacon and 3/4 cup shredded cheese
How do you mash potatoes?
The easiest way to mash potatoes is with a potato masher. If you want super smooth potatoes, you can also try using a potato ricer. Another alternative is you can beat your potatoes with a hand mixer. Just be sure not to put your potatoes in the food processor – if you try it that way, you’ll end up with gluey potatoes that aren’t pleasant to eat.
What is the best potato for mashed potatoes?
I use Russet potatoes in this recipe, which in my opinion, is the best potato for mashed potatoes. You can also use Yukon Gold potatoes with good results. I wouldn’t recommend using other varieties of potatoes like red potatoes because they are waxier and can turn pasty when mashed.
Instant Pot mashed potatoes are the perfect addition to any holiday meal, primarily because they don’t take up any oven or stove top space, leaving you plenty of room to make your turkey, sides and desserts. These potatoes are on our table every Thanksgiving and they always get rave reviews!
More easy side dishes
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Russet potatoes peeled and quartered
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk heavy cream or half and half can also be used
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons sliced chives optional
- butter for serving optional
Instructions
- Place the potatoes, water and salt in an Instant Pot.
- Put the lid on, turn the valve to seal, then set the Instant Pot for manual high pressure for 10 minutes.
- When the timer goes off, release the pressure by turning the valve to vent.
- Add the milk, butter and pepper to the Instant Pot. Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes to desired consistency. You can add more milk if needed, one tablespoon at a time.
- Alternatively, you can transfer the contents of the Instant Pot to a mixer to whip your potatoes.
- Taste your potatoes and add more salt if needed.
- Spoon the potatoes into a serving bowl. Top with additional pats of butter and sliced chives if desired.
Janelle says
So delicious, thank you! This is the only way that I make mashed potatoes for holidays, now: frees up a burner on the stove and they keep warm beautifully! Glad to find a recipe that doesn’t require draining the water: keeps you from losing the water-soluble vitamins. I make it as-written for holidays or company, and reduce the butter a bit for weeknight meals. Added a sprig of rosemary from the garden last time (took it out before mashing) … so good!
Jenny Barnes says
Wow these turned out amazing! Thank you so much. I am definitely going to use this recipe from now on! We eat mashed potatoes at least once a week in my house.
Elyse says
If I’d like to prepare a day ahead, would you advise reheating on cooktop or in the oven? Would like to keep as moist as possible.
Sara says
I’d reheat on the stove over low heat!
Elyse Elconingoldberg says
Thank you! Will let you know how they turn out…….
Rebecca says
I reheat mine in the instant pot. Easy peasy! By stacking the pans made for the job you can warm u0 more than one dish at a time.
Jason Cowan says
how large is a serving, if I’m measuring on a kitchen scale?
Sara says
It’s 1 cup!
Byenia says
Made this recipe tonight with Russet potatoes and left the skins on. Used heavy cream in place of milk. Turned out perfect! Thanks!
christina says
Delicious! I added a sprinkle of garlic powder and onion powder as well to add a bit more kick, but it wasn’t really necessary. Definitely will remake this recipe!
Chenai chisvo says
I enjoy your cooking !
Michelle says
These were a hit! I got comments from every person at my Thanksgiving dinner that they were amazing!
And sooooo easy with little clean up.
Thanks!
Molly says
Thank you for the great recipe! My goal was to make them today (Tuesday) for reheating on Thanksgiving (Thursday) . I read the comments and your replies about increasing the amount of potatoes and followed your suggestions and cooked five pounds. It was great that they didn’t come out waterlogged as in a traditional boiled recipe. Strangely, the bottom of the potatoes were starting to burn and yet the batch could have used one more minute of cook time for better tenderness. Luckily I did your QR after the 10 minutes or it would have been bad. Maybe using a steamer insert might have prevented this. (I have a 6 qt. IP Ultra, btw.) Luckily by ricing the potatoes I saw the bottom before it was too late. Had I just started mashing them in the insert the batch would have been ruined. Just wanted to add this comment for anybody else contemplating increasing the batch size…think about something to keep the potatoes off the bottom of the insert. I’ll follow your recipe again many more times for normal dinners, it is a keeper and I’m confident your recipe will reheat beautifully. Thank you again!
MichW4 says
Thank you for this comment!!! Making them early for Thanksgiving tomorrow too and will add an insert!
Lisa Gordon says
Can you double this recipe for a 6 quart pot?
Sara says
Yes that’s fine!
Athy says
I’d like to add the variations especially with cream cheese and the garlic. Do I add those with potatoes during the pressure cooking or afterwards?
Sara says
Cream cheese would be added after they’re cooked. Raw garlic would get added with the raw potatoes and cooked in the Instant Pot with the potatoes. Roasted garlic would be added after they’re cooked.
Athy says
Thank you for your response! What about the parsley? Raw or cooked?
Stephanie says
If i want to double the recipe, do i double the water, milk, butter ect ?
Sara says
Increase the water by 1/2, double everything else!
Peggy says
Can you use your electric mixer in the instant pot?
Sara says
I would transfer to a separate bowl so that you don’t scratch up your pot.
Kathleen Graler says
What size IP is this recipe for? I have a 3 Qt and wasn’t sure if this would work in that size.
Sara says
That should work, just make sure the pot is only about 75% full so that the air can circulate.
Jacki says
If increasing the batch size, would you suggest increasing the water at all or just increasing the amount of milk/cream/half & half? I will be making these for Thanksgiving. Thank you!
Sara says
I would increase the water by 1/2 the amount. So for example instead of doubling the water, you’d add 1/4 cup more.
Jacki says
Thank you!
Jo says
Would you extend the cook time if doubling the batch?
Sara says
I would keep the cook time the same.
Stefanie says
Did we mash the potatoes into the water?
Sara says
Yes that’s correct.
Cheryl says
Can you leave in insta pot to stay warm ? Or do they dry out and what setting to keep them fresh and warm? I’m
Sara says
Keep them covered on warm!
Amber Brehmer says
would this recipe work with double or tripling the recipe
Sara says
Yes that should be fine!
CJ says
How much water do I add if I’m tripling the potatoes?
Sara says
1 cup of water!
Tricia says
These were awesome and so creamy! I used 1/2 milk and 1/2 heavy cream. Delish.
Alisha says
This recipe was so easy and so good. I drained the water left over after cooking.. not sure if it was necessary but they turned out great. I used half milk and half heavy cream. Will use this again!