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.
Ernest Brown says
Perfect recipe I followed the instructions as is….just added more ingredients to it like adding cheddar jack cheese and a touch of seasoning and it turn out great will make this again
Janice says
When doubling the recipe do you need to increase the water as well?
Sara says
Yes you’ll want to increase the water to 3/4 cup!
Nancy says
This recipe was so simple, easy and delicious. My fiance loved it too and he is very picky.
karen george says
Can I freeze these?
Sara says
Yes that should be fine!
Shari Barnes says
I made these tonight and they were great! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Sara says
So happy to hear you enjoyed it, thanks for reporting back!
Christine says
This may be a silly question, but I’m still learning about my instant pot. Do I need to drain the water from the potatoes before adding the other ingredients? Thanks!
Sara says
No you don’t need to drain the water!
Amber says
This recipe looks like an amazing last minute addition to my Thanksgiving Meal. How far in advance of dinner should I make these? Mashed potatoes are best served warm in my opinion. I’ve never used an Instant Pot but been needing to purchase one. Please help!
Sara says
You can make these potatoes up to a day in advance, and then store them in a covered casserole dish and reheat them in the oven. I hope that helps! If you don’t have an Instant Pot yet, I do have this recipe which doesn’t use an Instant Pot: https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/loaded-mashed-potato-casserole/
Stephanie says
Can I make more than 2 pounds and still only have it take 10 minutes? Thinking of trying this for Thanksgiving coming up.
Sara says
Yes that should work just fine! If you’re using significantly more potatoes, you may want to up the cook time to 15-20 minutes, or you can just let the pressure release naturally because the potatoes will continue to cook in the pot while you wait for the natural pressure release.
Toughcookiemommy says
My older son loves mashed potatoes and I really like how savory this recipe looks. I’m sure he would love this if I made it for him.
Dani says
I had never houghtnof using my pressure cooker to make mash before. How clever! Thanks for the great idea!
Terri says
I keep hearing about insta pots. We love mashed potatoes and this recipe in the insta pot looks so easy and delicious!
anshul says
I .love mashed potatoes so much. I have developed around 15 styles to prepare mashed potatoes. This is a new addition in that list.
Melissa says
Oh this looks great …. unfortunately my family does not like it … but I do. So if this mother is alone once, I will definitely try this recipe. I wrote down the recipe … now hope that this mother has to cook for her alone … lol.
LiveLoveAndAdventure says
These look so good. I have never used and Instapot before but have wanted to get one. It looks like these mashed potatoes came out so good! I’ll have to try this!
Brittany says
I think we really need to get an instant pot! I am seeing so many delicious recipes out there! It seems convenient too! Thanks for the recipe! I love mashed potatoes!
Lauren Floyd says
You can’t go wrong with mashed potatoes, and keep the butter coming! I just love them.
Beth says
This looks super yummy and really easy. I haven’t made the plunge into buying an Instant pot yet but am thinking about it. Do you love yours? Is it really worth the money? Would love to learn more!
Sara says
I think it’s been worth it because it’s such a versatile tool – it’s a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker and more all in one machine! It’s a great way to get dinner on the table quickly.
Nayna Kanabar says
I love potatoes in any form so these mash potatoes I would relish. I love the lovely creamy texture of them. They would compliment any meal perfectly.
Alexandra says
A bowl of mashed potatoes has to be one of the best comfort foods possible. Sounds amazing! 🙂 Mmm, another great recipe.