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You MUST TRY these crockpot mashed potatoes! They are so creamy and delicious and super easy to make! Which makes them the perfect side for any meal.
The Scoop on Why These Potatoes Rule
- It’s basically hands-off! Toss the potatoes in the crockpot and let it do the work while you tackle the rest of your day.
- Fewer dishes = happy you! Everything cooks in one pot, which means less mess and more time to actually enjoy dinner.
- You’re in control! Like them chunky, smooth, or whipped? You get to decide to mash, mix, or rice them however you love best.
A Reader’s Review
Fantastic! Made them today for Thanksgiving, and this is how I’ll always make mashed potatoes from now on. Great and easy! Thanks
Slow Cooker Mashed Potato Ingredients
- Broth Swap: Chicken broth or vegetable broth can replace water, but the potatoes may turn beige.
- Milk or Cream: Milk or heavy cream can replace half & half, but warm it first so the potatoes absorb it quickly and don’t get gluey.
- Potatoes: Use russet potatoes for classic creamy mash, or Yukon Golds for a richer flavor. Chop into ½–1 inch pieces—smaller chunks cook faster.
- Liquid: The potatoes don’t need to be submerged. Just add enough to steam. They’ll absorb what’s left when mashed along with the half & half.
- Garlic Mashed: Add a few cloves of garlic to the crockpot with the potatoes.
- Loaded Mashed: Stir in bacon, chives, shredded cheddar cheese, and sour cream before serving.
How to Make Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
If you want to save time and energy during the holidays, make this crockpot mashed potatoes recipe. The best part is they stay warm right in the crockpot until you’re ready to serve!
- Add to Crockpot & Cook: Add the peeled and diced potatoes and water to a 5-quart crockpot. Cover and cook for 4-5 hours on LOW, until the potatoes are very soft.
- Mash and Serve: Once cooked, add the half-and-half, butter, salt, and pepper to the soft potatoes. Use a hand potato masher, hand mixer, or potato ricer to mash the potatoes to your desired consistency. Overmixing makes them gluey. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Switch the crockpot to the WARM setting before covering and keeping warm for up to 2 hours.
Alyssa’s Pro Tip
Stirring: During the cooking time, stir once or twice to prevent browning, but avoid lifting the lid too often. This will prolong the cooking time and potentially cause the potatoes to brown.
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Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 5 pounds peeled and diced Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes ½-1-inch dice
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup warm half and half
- ½ cup melted unsalted butter
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add 5 pounds peeled and diced Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes and 1 cup water to a 5-quart crockpot. Cover and cook for 4-5 hours on LOW, until the potatoes are very soft.
- Add 1 cup warm half and half, ½ cup melted unsalted butter, 1 ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper to the soft potatoes, then use a hand masher, hand mixer, or potato ricer to mash the potatoes to your desired consistency. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Switch the crockpot to the WARM setting before covering and keeping warm for up to 2 hours.
Video
Notes
- Keep mashed potatoes warm in the crockpot for up to 2 hours.
- Add extra half & half, ¼ cup at a time, if they thicken as they sit.
- Cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Peel and chop potatoes up to 24 hours in advance.
- Place in a large bowl, cover with cold water (at least 1 inch above potatoes), and cover with plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate until ready to cook.
- Drain well and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel before adding to the crockpot.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Make it a Meal!
Whether you are making crockpot mashed potatoes for your Thanksgiving feast or to serve with porcupine meatballs on Tuesday, these potatoes will be the perfect fit. I have come up with a couple of other recipes that you can use to make your meal complete!
I’ve been cooking mashed potatoes in the crock pot for years, especially holidays, and they are the best mashed potatoes ever. But I don’t use chicken broth, ,just a couple of Tabl. of water to start a steamy environment, and a couple of tabl. of butter. Borh of them help keep the bottom moist so that the potatoes won’t stick. Without all the usual boiling liquid, the potatoes have more much potato flavor. I mash them in the pot, and turn to the WARM setting, which will keep them at the perfect serving temp for 2 hours. No steamy kitchen. No dangerous pouring of boiling water. No rushing around the last minute trying to mash the potatoes while getting other things on the table. If potatoes start to turn color, just give them a stir, or if you want, add a bit of butter and parchment paper over the top.
The potatoes turned brown in the crockpot and tasted terrible.
what if I don’t have the chicken broth
Can these be made the day before then just reheat?
Yes they can!
What can I use in place of chicken broth.
Do you add water to chicken broth? To cover the potatoes?
It appears that the broth is not drained off before mashing with the rest of the ingredients. Is that correct?
Has anyone tried this with yellow potatoes? Russets are not my favorite for mashed potatoes, but maybe this cooking method makes them preferable to other varieties?
I use a lot less water, and no broth, which I think is the best way for serving mashed, waxy style potatoes or Yukon Gold. My crock pot has a tight fitting lid, and so I only need 2 tabl. of water to get the environment steamy for them to cook in. No need to cover the potatoes with liquid. Just mash with your seasonings and milk or cream, or broth right in the pot, and turn the crock pot setting to WARM. It will keep the potatoes at a nice serving temperature for 2 hours. You might want to stir the potatoes every hour, so that they cook more evenly. If your potatoes start to discolor, just add some butter to the top and put parchment over them.
Can you use milk in the place of the half-and-half?
Yes you definitely can!
If I want to make a triple batch, what size
crock pot do I need? 15 Quart?
Yes, a 15 quart crock pot would have plenty of room!
Can I half the recipe to serve 4?
Sure!
These were a BIG hit in my house. I’ve used the original recipe, and since then have changed it up with additional ingredients like chives, bacon, fresh garlic, etc., and stick to this cooking method. Perfect each time. Still make the original recipe too, just like an occasional different flavor concoction. Much thanks!!
Should the liquid be covering the potatoes? Or 1 cup really is all it needs?
1 cup is all that you need!
Fantastic! Made them today for Thanksgiving, and this is how I’ll always make mashed potatoes from now on. Great and easy! Thanks
Unfortunately my potatoes got oxidized while in the slow cooker. I will boil a new batch and transfer them to the crock pot after mashing. The oxidized ones will be frozen for potato bread.
What does that mean ? I am planning on making them tomorrow for thanksgiving .I do not have an extra bag of potatoes. Is there any way to avoid that happening or why do you think it happened ?
It means they turned black.
Such great information for a blogger I am a professional blogger thanks