Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes are super creamy and easy to make. Whether you’re looking for a foolproof Thanksgiving side dish or an accompaniment to your Air Fryer Filet Mignon, this recipe will surely become a favorite!
Slow cooker mashed potatoes have completely changed the way I handle big holiday meals. I love that I can toss everything in my crockpot and forget about it while I focus on other dishes, like Air Fryer Turkey Breast, Healthy Green Bean Casserole and Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese. Because let’s be real, there’s never enough oven or stovetop space on Thanksgiving day!
These are creamy, dreamy, and so easy that even a beginner could pull them off. And they’re not just for the holidays, I make them on busy weeknights to go with Slow Roasted Chicken or Lemon Pepper Salmon, and we always go back for seconds.
Why You’ll Love this recipe
- Time saver: Cooking mashed potatoes in a slow cooker frees up your time to prepare other dishes or take a nap. Hey, why not?
- Make ’em yours: Add your favorite toppings and garnishes, such a sour cream, cheddar cheese, or chives. I top mine with Air Fryer Bacon!
- Foolproof: This side dish is so simple, anyone can master it, no need to juggle multiple pots!
- Make ahead: Make these crock pot mashed potatoes ahead and let your slow cooker’s warm setting keep them perfectly ready for serving!
Ingredients you will need
This potatoes recipe uses just 7 simple ingredients that come together for a delicious, homemade taste everyone will love. Here’s the lineup!
- Potatoes: Yukon Gold potatoes are the best for mashing, giving you an ultra-creamy texture every time.
- Butter: This is essential in any mashed potato recipe to add rich flavor and a tender texture. You can use salted or unsalted butter.
- Chicken broth: Adds extra savory flavor and creaminess!
- Dill: Brings a fresh, earthy, and slightly sweet note to the dish. Feel free to use other favorite herbs!
- Garlic cloves: The perfect savory addition. For a sweeter, caramelized flavor, roast it before adding. Or if you’re really a garlic girlie, give Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes a try!
- Sour cream: The secret ingredient for the smoothest, creamiest mashed potatoes.
- Milk: Whole milk is a must for this recipe. Milk with less fat will make the mashed potatoes less creamy.
*For a detailed list of instructions, ingredients and measurements, please reference the recipe card below.
Substitutions
- Potatoes: You can use russet potatoes if you want your mashed potatoes to have a softer consistency. However, I don’t recommend red potatoes as they are too waxy.
- Vegan: Use vegan butter, vegetable broth, vegan sour cream, and almond or dairy free milk to make this recipe vegan.
- Greek yogurt: A great substitute for sour cream if it’s what you have on hand.
- Cream cheese: Also a great substitute for sour cream.
- Heavy cream: Use in place of milk for an even creamier texture.
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds yukon gold potatoes peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup butter
- 3 tablespoons chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- kosher salt and pepper to taste
- chives, for garnish
Instructions
- Start your slow cooker on high heat and place butter and chicken broth in the bottom. Allow it to start melting while you chop your potatoes.
- Add potatoes and top with garlic and dill. Cover and cook for 3-4 hours on high heat. The cook time will vary greatly depending on the size you cut your potatoes. Cook until soft and easily mashed with a fork.
- When soft, add sour cream and milk. Then using an electric hand mixer directly into the slow cooker pot, mash the potatoes.
- Add more milk if texture is still too thick. Season with salt and pepper, top with chives and serve!
Notes
- I like to stir in an additional 3 tbsps of butter right after mashing the potatoes.
Substitutions
- Potatoes: You can use russet potatoes if you want your mashed potatoes softer. However, I don’t recommend red potatoes as they are too waxy.
- Vegan: Use vegan butter, vegetable broth, vegan sour cream, and almond or dairy free milk to make this recipe vegan .
- Greek yogurt: A great substitute for sour cream if it’s what you have on hand.
- Cream cheese: Also a great substitute for sour cream.
- Heavy cream: Use in place of milk for an eve creamier texture.
Nutrition
How to Make Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
No need to boil, strain, or drain, this slow cooker mashed potatoes recipe keeps it simple and mess-free. Just toss everything in, let it cook, and mash to creamy perfection!
Step 1: Prep the slow cooker. Start the slow cooker on high heat and place the butter and chicken broth at the bottom, allowing it to melt while you peel and cut the potatoes into 1-inch cubes.
Step 2: Cook the potatoes. Add the chopped potato chunks to the slow cooker, top with herbs, and cook for 3-4 hours or until fork tender and the potatoes are soft enough to mash.
Step 3: Mash the potatoes. Add the sour cream and milk. Mash the potatoes using an electric hand mixer or potato masher directly in the slow cooker.
Step 4: Serve. Stir in more milk until you get your desired texture. Season with salt and pepper, top with chives or finely sliced green onions and serve.
Recipe FAQs
By adding the butter (and letting it melt) and chicken broth to the slower cooker first, you’re ensuring you’ll get moist mashed potatoes!
It depends on if you’re cooking your potatoes on high or low, but this recipe calls for 3-4 hours on high heat.
Yes, they can! But if you follow the recipe timing you should be okay!
Yes! The slow cooker will cook the raw potatoes perfectly. Just make sure to remove the peels and chop the potatoes into 1-inch cubes before placing them in the slow cooker.
Helpful Tips
Here are some of my top tips, so you end up with perfect mashed potatoes every time!
- Choose the right potatoes: Yukon Golds are ideal for mashing because they’re naturally creamy and buttery.
- Cut evenly: Chop potatoes into uniform pieces so they cook at the same rate.
- Don’t skip the broth: Cooking potatoes in chicken broth adds depth and richness to every bite.
- Warm your dairy: Use warm milk and melted butter so the potatoes absorb them easily without getting gummy.
- Mash gently: Over-mashing can make potatoes gluey, use a potato masher or ricer for the best texture.
- Season well: Taste as you go and add salt and black pepper gradually for perfectly seasoned potatoes.
- Keep them warm: Use the slow cooker’s warm setting to hold them until serving without drying out.
Serving Options
Here are some tasty serving ideas for slow cooker mashed potatoes:
- Classic comfort: Pair with roasted turkey, chicken tenders, or meatloaf for a traditional dinner.
- Holiday feast: Serve alongside other favorite side dishes like stuffing, corn casserole, and cranberry sauce.
- Gravy lover’s dream: Top with rich homemade gravy or a simple pan sauce.
- Shepherd’s pie: Use as a topping for a cozy shepherd’s pie or cottage pie.
Love the slow cooker? try these recipes.
- Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
- Slow Cooker Carrots
- Slow Cooker Ribs
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Crock Pot Steak Fajitas
If you tried these Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes or any other recipe on my blog please leave a 🌟 star rating and tell me how it went in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!
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This was delicious, will definitely be making it again!
I’m going to make this tomorrow looks so good. Do you you cook on the low temp or the high temp? Thanks and can’t wait to try it.
Hi! I cook the potatoes on high until they are easy to pierce with a fork.
Just in time for Thanksgiving! These looks so creamy and delicious. Can’t wait to try this method!
Any easy recipe. Great way to free up the stove and let the slow cooker do all of the work for you.
This is such an easy recipe for mashed potatoes! I’m glad to have some “set and forget” sides that I can make for Thanksgiving dinner this week!
I had no idea you could do mash potatoes in the slow cooker. Game changer for easy ways to cook.
I had never thought to add chicken broth to mashed potato and it works so well! Came out lovely and creamy and really nice consistency.