Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
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This easy recipe for Crockpot Mashed Potatoes is a creamy, velvety crockpot side dish made even more delicious with herb-infused butter. This easy, hands-off recipe is perfect for the holidays and requires no boiling!
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours on HIGH
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Servings: 10 to 12
What I Love About This Recipe
It isn't a holiday like Thanksgiving without mashed potatoes, and these Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes take this classic side to the next level.
I love that this recipe is as practical as it is delicious. The slow cooker does all the work, freeing up valuable stove space while you focus on the rest of the meal. Just chop the potatoes, add water, and let them cook to tender perfection.
What makes them truly special is the garlic-herb-infused butter - simple to make, yet it adds a fresh, aromatic flavor that makes every bite taste like comfort and celebration.
If you love potatoes as much as I do, you might also enjoy my Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes or Easy Scalloped Potatoes - both are cozy, classic sides that pair beautifully with almost any main dish.
Jump to:
Key Ingredients
- Potatoes: Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes are best. Russets create light, fluffy mashed potatoes, while Yukon Golds lend a naturally buttery flavor and creamy texture - both work beautifully in the slow cooker.
- Butter: Adds richness and smooth texture. Stir some in while mashing, then melt a little more over the top before serving for that irresistible, glossy finish.
- Milk or Cream: Creates the creamy consistency everyone loves. Start with about a cup, adding more as needed until the mashed potatoes are smooth and soft.
- Sour Cream: A small scoop adds tang and depth of flavor, giving these crockpot mashed potatoes an extra-creamy, restaurant-style texture.
- Garlic and Herbs: Fresh rosemary, thyme, or a couple of garlic cloves infuse the butter with savory, aromatic flavor as they cook - simple and so good.
How to Make Slow Cooker or Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
- Step 1: Toss the chopped potatoes, 2 tablespoon cubed butter, salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder in a 4-6 quart slow cooker. Add water, cover, and cook on HIGH until the potatoes are fork tender (about 3-4 hours) or on LOW for 6-7 hours. Stir every hour until potatoes are fork-tender.
- Step 2: Once the potatoes are tender, use a potato masher to mash them until mostly smooth. Add the milk (starting with 1 cup and adding more if needed) and the sour cream.
- Step 3: Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the smashed garlic cloves and the sprigs of rosemary and thyme. Let them steep gently in the melted butter for a few minutes, then remove the garlic and herb sprigs.
- Step 4: Stir the herb-infused butter into the mashed potatoes, using as much as desired. Taste and add more salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with chopped fresh chives.
Instant Pot Option
Want a quicker version? Place the chopped potatoes in an Instant Pot with about 4 cups water, cook on steam for 12 minutes, drain, then proceed with the mash and finish steps as above.
Variations
- Cheddar & Chive: Stir in 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar just before serving and top with extra chives.
- Loaded Baked Potato Style: Mix in 4 oz crumbled cooked bacon and ¼ cup sour cream (in place of or in addition to the ½ cup) and sprinkle extra bacon and chives on top.
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes: Swap in sweet potatoes (peeled and chopped) for the russets; reduce cook time slightly.
- Herb Swap: If you don't have rosemary and thyme, use 2 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley + 1 teaspoon chopped fresh chives in the butter instead.
Serving Suggestions
These slow-cooker mashed potatoes pair beautifully with:
- A buffet or potluck where you need a hearty, make-ahead side dish requiring minimal final steps.
- An herb-roast turkey or easy prime rib for holiday occasions.
- Simple weeknight mains like baked chicken breast, pork chops, or salmon-especially when you want to keep the sides easy.
Recipe FAQs
Most potatoes cook until tender in about 4 hours on HIGH or 6-7 hours on LOW, depending on your slow cooker's size and heat level.
Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes are ideal-they're starchy, mash easily, and create a smooth, creamy texture. Waxy potatoes (like red) hold their shape and result in a slightly chunkier mash.
Once mashed, set the slow cooker to Warm, add a few pats of butter over the top, and cover. Stir occasionally, adding a splash of milk or cream to maintain a creamy consistency.
Prepare the potatoes, mash with butter and cream, then refrigerate up to 2 days. On serving day, reheat in the slow cooker or oven with a splash of milk to loosen and refresh.
Warm gently on the stove, in a slow cooker, or in a covered dish at 350°F for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding a bit of milk or butter if needed.
More Potato Recipes to Try
- Easy Sweet Potatoes Anna
- 12 BEST Mashed Potatoes Recipes
- Maple Slow Cooker Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Easy Instant Pot Potato Salad
- Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
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Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 pounds potatoes like red, yellow, or white (russets)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 3/4 cup water or broth
- 1/2 cup butter plus 2 tablespoons, divided
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 3-4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 garlic cloves smashed
- 1/4 cup milk or cream to taste
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives snipped
Instructions
Cook the Potatoes
- Peel and chop the potatoes into 1-inch pieces. In the bottom of a 4-quart slow cooker, add the potatoes, 2 tablespoons of cubed butter, 1/2 teaspoon salt, onion powder, and garlic powder. Add 3/4 cup of water (or broth), cover, and cook on HIGH until the potatoes are fork tender, about 3-4 hours or on LOW for 6-7 hours. Stir several times during cooking.
Herb Infused Butter
- Melt 1/2 cup butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the smashed garlic cloves, and sprigs of rosemary and thyme. Let the herbs steep in the melted butter for a few minutes while the potatoes finish cooking. Remove garlic cloves and the herb sprigs. Set aside.
Mash the Potatoes:
- Using a potato masher, smash the potatoes until they are smooth. Add the milk and sour cream to the potatoes; add more as necessary. Mix in the herb-infused butter and season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with chives.
Notes
- Instant Pot: If you want to save yourself time and cook the potatoes in the Instant pot, simply place the chopped potatoes in the Instant Pot (affiliate link), cover with water (about 4 cups), and cook on the steam setting for 12 minutes. Drain and continue with the recipe.
- Potatoes: Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes work best for creamy, fluffy mashed potatoes. Russets create a lighter texture, while Yukon Golds give a naturally buttery flavor.
- Water: Add just enough water to cover the bottom of the slow cooker (about 1 cup). Too much can make the potatoes watery.
- Butter: For the richest flavor, use real butter - salted or unsalted both work. Stir some in while mashing, then drizzle the rest over the top before serving.
- Milk or Cream: Start with 1 cup, adding more as needed for a smooth, creamy texture. Warm the milk slightly before adding if you prefer an extra silky mash.
- Garlic and Herbs: Fresh rosemary, thyme, or a couple of garlic cloves add savory depth as the potatoes cook. Remove the herbs before mashing for a clean flavor.
- Keep Warm Tip: Once mashed, switch the slow cooker to Warm, add a few pats of butter on top, cover, and stir occasionally to keep the potatoes fluffy until ready to serve.
- Make Ahead: Prepare and mash the potatoes up to 2 days in advance. Reheat in the slow cooker or oven with a splash of milk to refresh the texture.
- Freezing: Mashed potatoes freeze surprisingly well! Cool completely, portion into airtight containers, and freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat gently with a little extra butter or cream.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
This is one of the easiest ways to make mashed potatoes, especially if you’re saving stovetop space during the holidays. It’s delicious and hands-off cooking!