This Crockpot Mashed Potato recipe is the easy, hands-off way to enjoy creamy, velvety mashed potatoes. Seasoned with garlic and parmesan, slow cooker mashed potatoes are not only easy to make, but unbelievably delicious! Perfect for the holidays.

Crockpot mashed potatoes in serving bowl topped with parmesan, butter, and thyme.

No holiday meal is complete without creamy mashed potatoes, especially Thanksgiving Dinner.

But getting WARM creamy mashed potatoes on the table at the same time everything else hits the table can be quite a challenge.

The turkey needs carved, the homemade rolls need to be toasted, the stuffing needs pulled out of the oven, AND the potatoes need to be drained and mashed. It can feel a bit overwhelming.

The solution is easy. Make slow cooker mashed potatoes!

This recipe for crockpot mashed potatoes is hands-off, can be prepped hours in advance, and delivers incredibly creamy, buttery mashed potatoes. Perfect for a big holiday meal, entertaining, OR a weeknight family dinner.

For Perfect Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

Choose Yukon Golds. Yukon Gold potatoes are creamier and less starchy than russet potatoes, resulting in smooth, buttery mashed potatoes.
Cook in Broth. Use vegetable broth or chicken stock instead of water. Because this is a no-drain mashed potato recipe, the potatoes absorb the liquid and broth enhances the overall taste.
Use a Masher, Not a Mixer. A handheld potato masher keeps the potatoes fluffy and avoids a gummy texture.
Warm Cream Before Adding to Crockpot. This helps keep the potatoes from seizing up, which can happen if you add cold cream.
Hold Warm for 4 Hours. After mashing, you can keep the potatoes on warm in the slow cooker for up to 4 hours without them drying out.
Holiday-Friendly. Free up stovetop space for other sides like cranberry sauce or mac and cheese. Perfect for holiday gatherings.

How to Make Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the ingredient quantities and detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Cut the potatoes into 1-inch cubes. This will ensure your potatoes cook evenly and that your slow cooker mashed potatoes will be smooth and creamy.
Slow Cook Potatoes. Add potatoes, broth, salt, garlic, and butter to the base of your slow cooker. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-7 hours, or until potatoes are fork tender and mash easily.

Cubed potatoes, butter, broth, and garlic in crockpot.

Mash Potatoes. After slow cooking, use a handheld potato masher, not a mixer, to mash the potatoes into the cooking liquid until smooth and lump-free.

Crockpot filled with mashed potatoes after slow cooking.

Add Warm Cream. Warm the cream slightly in the microwave, before adding it to the slow cooker, then stir in the sour cream and parmesan cheese.
Serve OR Keep Warm. Unless you are planning to serve the potatoes immediately, set the slow cooker to the warm setting, for up to 4 hours.

Mashed potatoes in crockpot after adding milk and sour cream.

Recipe Modifications

Keep It Simple: You can keep the flavor of these crock pot mashed potatoes basic by omitting the leaving out parmesan and garlic.
Loaded Crockpot Mashed Potatoes: Omit garlic and parmesan from the recipe. After adding cream to the potatoes, stir in up to 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, ½ cup of crumbled cooked bacon and a few tablespoons of fresh chives.
Dairy-Free Option: Use additional broth in place of the cream, non-dairy butter in place of unsalted butter, and omit the parmesan. To replace the sour cream, you can use non-dairy sour cream, non-dairy plain yogurt, or simply add additional broth to loosen up the consistency a bit.

Serving Suggestions

For a Holiday Meal: Crockpot mashed potatoes are the obvious choice for holiday meals alongside Pineapple Glazed Ham, Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham, Instant Pot Turkey Breast, New York Strip Roast, or Roasted Turkey, as they make pulling off a big meal easy.
For a Weeknight Dinner: Crockpot mashed potatoes can and should be enjoyed with dinner any night of the week. They pair beautifully with Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin and Chopped Steaks.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate: Leftover cooled mashed potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When ready to reheat, place the potatoes in a heat-safe bowl with a bit of broth or milk to loosen, cover with a damp paper towel, and microwave in 60-second intervals until warmed through.
Freeze: Once fully cooled, transfer the potatoes to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 1 month. Defrost the potatoes in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat over low heat in a slow cooker or in an oven-safe dish at 300 degrees F until warmed through.
Leftover Mashed Potato Recipes: Use leftover mashed potatoes to make recipes like Potato Cakes, Crispy Potato Tacos , Pierogi Lasagna, or Thanksgiving Egg Rolls. Absolutely delicious!

More Favorite Holiday Side Dishes

Make your meals easier with this recipe for slow-cooker mashed potatoes. And be sure to leave a review if you give this recipe a try! I love to hear from you!

Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

This is an easy recipe for creamy, buttery slow cooker mashed potatoes that are seasoned with garlic and parmesan.

4.99 from 117 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 4

Total Time: 4 10

Servings:

Calories: 263kcal

Author: Kristen Chidsey

Ingredients

▢ 5 pounds Yukon gold potatoes peeled and diced into 1-inch cubes
▢ 3 cloves garlic peeled
▢ 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth or chicken stock
▢ ½-1 teaspoon kosher salt
▢ 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
▢ ½-1 cup milk or cream
▢ ½ cup full-fat sour cream
▢ ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan Cheese optional

Instructions

Place peeled, cubed potatoes and 3 peeled garlic cloves in the slow cooker. Add in 1 cup of broth, ½ teaspoon of salt, and 2 tablespoons butter and stir to combine.
Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-7 hours, or until potatoes are fork tender and mash easily. Do not drain off the cooking liquid.
Once the potatoes are tender, mash the potatoes with a hand-held potato masher until they are broken down.
Place 1 cup of milk or cream in a heat-safe glass container and microwave for 30 seconds to just warm slightly. Add in ½ cup of the warm milk and ½ cup parmesan cheese to the slow cooker and stir to combine. Stir in the ½ cup of sour cream. If needed, add up to an additional ½ cup or warm milk until the mashed potatoes reach the right consistency. Give a taste and add in additional salt if needed.
Serve immediately or keep on warm for up to 4 hours until ready to serve.

Equipment Needed

Slow Cooker (no bells and whistles, but gets the job done!)
potato masher (so easy to clean too!)

Notes

Broth: Use low-sodium vegetable broth or chicken stock.

Cream: Use half and half, cream, or milk of any fat percentage for a creamy finish to these slow cooker mashed potatoes.

Flavoring: Feel free to omit Parmesan and Garlic for a more classic recipe for crockpot mashed potatoes.

Dairy-Free Option: Use additional broth in place of the cream, use non-dairy butter, and omit the parmesan. To replace the sour cream, you can use non-dairy sour cream, non-dairy plain yogurt, or simply use additional broth to loosen up the consistency a bit.

Storage: Leftover cooled mashed potatoes can be stored in an airtight container for 4 to 5 days. You can also freeze the mashed potatoes in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month.

Reheating: I suggest reheating the potatoes with a bit of broth or milk to help keep the potatoes creamy. If frozen, defrost the potatoes in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat over low heat in a slow cooker or in an oven-safe dish at 300 degrees F until warmed through.

Nutrition

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

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This recipe for Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2022 and 2024 with new photos and a new video.

Comments

4.99 from 117 votes (104 ratings without comment)