Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes are an easy, hands-off way to make mashed potatoes. The potatoes cook while you prepare the other dishes!
Every holiday meal requires mashed potatoes, but they are also a great side dish for weeknight meals. They can be served with just butter, with gravy, loaded, or even as a base for beef tips or meatballs.
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How To Make Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Step One: Peel and Dice
For this recipe, I used russet potatoes because they are the best for mashing. If you want to make rustic mashed potatoes, use red potatoes and leave the skins on.
When dicing the potatoes, try to make them somewhat uniform in thickness so that they will all be done cooking at about the same time.
Step Two: Chicken Broth
After adding the diced potatoes to the slow cooker, you’ll need to add some liquid.
I like to use chicken broth because it adds flavor, but you can use an equal amount of water if you prefer.
Step Three: Butter
Cut the butter into cubes and add it to the diced potatoes.
Step Four: Cook
Cover and cook the potatoes on high for 4-5 hours until tender.
Some of the potatoes, especially around the edges, may brown a bit in spots, but it’s fine!
Step Five: Mash
Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes.
Step Six: Add Liquid
Add half of the whole milk to start with and add more later if needed.
You can also add one cup of sour cream, but my family prefers mashed potatoes without the sour cream, so I didn’t add it.
Step Seven: Beat
Use a hand mixer (or fork) to beat in the milk until smooth, but don’t over-mix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Making mashed potatoes in a crock pot is more hands-off and leaves another burner on the stove open for other dishes.
Yes, you can leave the skins on, usually made with red potatoes, and make rustic mashed potatoes instead.
Yes to all of them! You can make garlic mashed potatoes, loaded potatoes, or cheesy potatoes. Any seasoning or spices can be added right away so the flavor gets cooked in. Other ingredients like cheese or bacon can be added at the end.
Mine were not perfectly smooth. For the smoothest mashed potatoes, try using a potato ricer.
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Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 5 lbs russet potatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup whole milk
Instructions
- Peel and dice the potatoes.
- Put the diced potatoes, chicken stock, and butter in a slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours, until tender.
- Mash with a potato masher.
- Warm the milk in the microwave. Add 1/4 cup to the potatoes. Use a hand mixer to beat until smooth. Add additional hot milk as needed.
- Season with salt and pepper. Finish with your favorite toppings such as butter, gravy, sour cream, chives, or bacon bits.
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