Marry This Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes recipe is a creamy and easy recipe, which is made with Russet potatoes and chicken broth for extra flavor. It’s the perfect make-ahead side dish for the holidays, a set-it-and-forget-it method that frees up your stovetop.
Jump to RecipeSlow Cooker Mashed Potatoes Ingredients
Simple, classic ingredients for the perfect holiday side.
- 3 lb. Russet Potatoes, peeled and cut into small chunks
- 1 cup Chicken Broth (or vegetable broth/water)
- 4 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter, cut into pats
- 1 1/2 tsp. Salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 cup Sour Cream
- Chives or Scallions, for garnish
- Heavy Cream or Milk, to taste (optional)
How To Make Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
A step-by-step guide to the easiest, hands-off mashed potatoes.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place the peeled and chunked potatoes in the insert of your slow cooker. Add the chicken broth, pats of butter, and salt. Stir everything together.
- Cook on High: Cover the slow cooker and cook on the high setting for 3 to 4 hours, until the potatoes are very tender and look fluffy.
- Mash the Potatoes: Mash the potatoes directly in the slow cooker using a potato masher or a large fork. For ultra-smooth potatoes, you can pass them through a potato ricer and then return them to the slow cooker.
- Add Creaminess and Garnish: Stir in the sour cream and any optional heavy cream or milk until you reach your desired consistency. Season with more salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve or Keep Warm: Garnish with fresh chives or scallions and serve immediately. Alternatively, you can turn the slow cooker to the “keep warm” setting to hold the mashed potatoes for a couple of hours until you’re ready to serve.
Recipe Tips
For the fluffiest, most flavorful slow cooker mashed potatoes.
- What are the best potatoes for mashing? Starchy potatoes like Russets or Idaho potatoes are the best choice for mashed potatoes. They break down easily and absorb the butter and cream beautifully, resulting in a light and fluffy texture.
- How to get the best flavor? Cooking the potatoes in chicken or vegetable broth instead of water infuses them with a deep, savory flavor right from the start.
- Can I make these ahead of time? Absolutely! That’s the beauty of this recipe. You can prepare them completely, then leave the slow cooker on the “keep warm” setting for up to 2 hours before serving, which is a lifesaver for busy holiday meals like Thanksgiving or Christmas.
- How to avoid gummy mashed potatoes? Gummy potatoes are usually the result of over-mashing or using a food processor or blender, which overworks the starches. A simple hand masher or a potato ricer is all you need for the perfect fluffy texture.
What To Serve With Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
The perfect main courses to pair with this classic, comforting side.
Mashed potatoes are a staple side dish for countless meals, especially:
- Thanksgiving Turkey or Christmas Ham
- Hearty Beef Stew or Pot Roast
- Crispy Fried Chicken or Chicken Fried Steak
- Meatloaf and Gravy
How To Store Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Keeping your leftovers creamy and delicious.
- Refrigerate: Store any leftover mashed potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: For the best results, reheat the mashed potatoes in a saucepan over low heat with a splash of milk or cream, stirring until smooth and hot. You can also reheat them in the microwave.
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per serving.
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Fat: 10 g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
For the classic, fluffy texture of mashed potatoes, peeling Russets is recommended as their skin is thick. If you prefer a more rustic, skin-on mashed potato, you could use a thin-skinned variety like Yukon Golds or red potatoes.
Yes. If you need more time, you can cook the potatoes on the low setting for 6 to 8 hours instead of high.
Yes, you can easily double this recipe as long as you have a large enough slow cooker (at least 6-quarts). The cooking time should remain about the same.
Try More Recipes:
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Course: Side DishCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy10
servings15
minutes4
hours250
kcalAn incredibly easy, hands-off method for making creamy and fluffy mashed potatoes in the slow cooker, freeing up valuable stove space for holiday cooking.
Ingredients
3 lb. Russet Potatoes, peeled and chunked
1 cup Chicken Broth (or vegetable broth)
4 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter
1 1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 cup Sour Cream
Fresh chives, for garnish
Heavy cream or milk (optional)
Directions
- Combine the peeled and chunked potatoes, chicken broth, butter, and salt in a slow cooker.
- Stir, then cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the potatoes are very tender.
- Mash the potatoes directly in the slow cooker with a potato masher until you reach your desired consistency.
- Stir in the sour cream and optional heavy cream or milk.
- Season to taste with additional salt and pepper.
- Garnish with fresh chives and serve immediately, or keep on the “warm” setting for up to 2 hours.
Notes
- Using starchy Russet potatoes will give you the fluffiest mashed potatoes.
- Cooking the potatoes in broth instead of water adds a significant amount of flavor.
- For the smoothest potatoes, pass the cooked potatoes through a potato ricer before adding the sour cream.
- This is the perfect make-ahead side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas to save stovetop space.
