Crockpot Mashed Potatoes are an easy, hands-off way to enjoy creamy, velvety mashed potatoes. Seasoned with garlic and parmesan, these slow cooker mashed potatoes are not only the easiest way to prepare mashed potatoes but also one of the tastiest!
No holiday meal is complete without mashed potatoes, especially Thanksgiving Dinner.
But my stovetop potato recipe can be a pain to make on the holidays. Everyone is rushing this way and that. The turkey needs to be 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.
But because this recipe is hands-off and can be kept warm for hours in the slow cooker, it's perfect for busy holidays or entertaining or to prep before heading off to a weeknight soccer game.
Reasons to Love Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
- Hands-off recipe. You do not have to boil your potatoes or watch closely to ensure they don't overcook. There is no draining either! That makes making mashed potatoes in your slow cooker an incredibly easy, hands-off approach.
- Can be prepared in advance. Once mashed, you can keep these potatoes on warm for up to 4 hours without drying out.
- Super Creamy. You don't need to worry about dried-out, lumpy, or gummy mashed potatoes with this recipe! With my tips, you can make the creamiest, fluffy, buttery crockpot mashed mashed potatoes with minimal effort!
- More flavorful. With just a few simple ingredients, potatoes are cooked up to tender perfection, while absorbing a rich buttery broth while cooking. Finished with garlic and Parmesan, these slow cooker mashed potatoes are so flavorful they may steal the show!
- Perfect for the holidays. Reserve precious stovetop space to prepare other sides like Cranberry Orange Sauce, Green Beans Almondine, or Stovetop Mac and Cheese.
Notes on Ingredients
- Potatoes: For the best results, use Yukon Gold potatoes. They not only have a creamy, buttery texture, but they do not release as much starch when cooked in the crockpot, making the final result absolute perfection.
- Broth: The potatoes absorb the flavor of the cooking liquid, so you want to use low-sodium store-bought or homemade vegetable broth, homemade chicken stock, or Instant Pot chicken stock, instead of water to cook the potatoes.
- Cream/Milk: Use half and half, cream, or milk of any fat percentage for a creamy finish to these slow cooker mashed potatoes.
- Parmesan: Freshly grated parmesan cheese adds a nutty, salty finish to these crock-pot mashed potatoes, but feel free to omit them for a more classic flavor.
- Garlic: I like to add fresh garlic cloves to the slow cooker to slowly cook and add flavor, but if you are not a fan of garlic, simply omit the garlic cloves. You can also use 2 teaspoons of garlic powder in place of the garlic cloves.
- Salt: Salt is a MUST for potatoes to be flavorful. The amount needed will depend on how salty the stock you use is and whether or not you add Parmesan cheese. Start with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and add more to taste after mashing potatoes.
Recipe Modifications
- Flavoring: You can keep the flavor of these crock pot mashed potatoes basic by omitting the leaving out parmesan and garlic. Or you can take these mashed potatoes over the top and make Loaded Mashed Potatoes by omitting the parmesan and garlic and stirring in shredded cheddar cheese, cooked crumbled bacon, and chives after cooking and mashing the potatoes with cream.
- Dairy-Free Option: If you would like to enjoy this recipe but are dairy-free, 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.
How to Make Mashed Potatoes in the Crockpot
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the 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.
- Mash Potatoes. After slow cooking, use a handheld potato masher, not a mixer, which can make the potatoes gummy, to mash the potatoes into the cooking liquid until smooth.
- Add Warm Cream. Warm the cream slightly in the microwave, before adding it to the slow cooker. This helps keep the potatoes from seizing up, which can happen if you add cold cream. Stir in the sour cream and parmesan if using.
- Keep Warm. Unless you are planning to serve the potatoes immediately, set the slow cooker to the warm setting, for up to 4 hours.
Storing Leftover Mashed Potatoes
Refrigerate: Leftover cooled mashed potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat the potatoes in a heat-safe bowl with a bit of broth or milk, covered with a damp paper towel, 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.
Creative Leftover Recipes: You can also use leftover mashed potatoes to make recipes like Potato Cakes, Pierogi Lasagna, or Thanksgiving Egg Rolls. Absolutely delicious!
Serving Suggestions
Crockpot mashed potatoes are the obvious choice for holiday meals alongside Pineapple Glazed Ham, a New York Strip Roast, or Roasted Turkey, as they make pulling off a big meal easy. But don't just reserve these potatoes for the holidays, they deserve to be enjoyed with weeknight or Sunday dinners.
- Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
- Homemade Rotisserie Chicken
- Ribeye Steak
- Chopped Steaks with Mushroom Gravy
- Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham
- Easy Homemade Beef Stroganoff
- Instant Pot Turkey Breast
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 your comments!
Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
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 butter
- ½-1 cup warm milk or half and half or cream
- ½ cup 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.
- Add in ½ cup of the warm milk and parmesan and stir to combine. Stir in the ½ cup of sour cream. If needed, add up to an additional ½ cup 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.
Notes
Nutrition
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.
Carla
Thank you Kristen for this delicious recipe! Tried it yesterday, I left out the Parmesan cheese and I used heavy whipping cream. Very rich and creamy! Yum!
Kristen Chidsey
Wonderful to hear! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review, Carla.
Lindy
What size slow cooker?
Kristen Chidsey
This recipe is best made in a 6 to 8-quart slow cooker. Enjoy
Kim
Could you cut these potatoes up the night before and put water over them si they don’t turn brown and drain the water off before cooking?
Kristen Chidsey
Yes!!! Just be sure to salt your water as well.
Jennifer
Hi! When doubling this, would I just double the liquid as well? Also, is there a difference if I use regular table salt instead of kosher?
Thanks!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Jennifer! Tou double. You would want to double the liquid as well. If you don't have kosher salt, use half the amount of table salt and adjust after cooking if needed. It finishes saltier since the grains are much smaller. Enjoy!
Carla
Hello Kristen,
I bought regular vegetable broth because I couldn’t find low-sodium. Should I go back to another store to try to find low sodium or low sodium chicken stock instead? Looking forward to trying this recipe tomorrow, thank you!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Carla! There is NO need to rush back to the store! I would decrease the added kosher salt to 1/4 teaspoon and then add more to season after mashing if needed. Happy Thanksgiving!
Carla
Great, thank you for your prompt response! Happy Thanksgiving!
Kim
This sounds like a perfect recipe if I wasn't so lazy and didn't want to peel potatoes. Do you think this would work with the baby yukon golds, not peeling them, but making more of a 'smashed' potato?
Kristen Chidsey
Absolutely! As long as you aren't going for super smooth, it will be perfect. Happy Thanksgiving!
Mary
can you use an immersion blender?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Mary! You can, but I don't recommend using an immersion blender as it will overwork the potatoes and make them gummy. A handheld masher should do the trick.
Anna Blair
Can you use 5lb bag of russet potatoes?
Thank you!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Anna! You can, but the results will not be as creamy, as russets will release a lot of starch as they cook. For the best results, use Yukon Gold potatoes. They not only have a creamy, buttery texture, but they do not release as much starch when cooked in the crockpot, making the final result absolute perfection.
Rita
If you need to double the recipe do/ how would you adjust cooking time?
Kristen Chidsey
Hey there! Plan on adding 20-40 minutes to the cooking time and don't fill your slow cooker more than 3/4ths of the way full. Happy Thanksgiving.
Michelle Henry
What size crock pot is sufficient for this recipe?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Michelle! Amy slow cooker from 4 to 8 will work well with this recipe.
Lori
What would be your make ahead suggestions? Like a day before?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Lori! To make a day in advance, I would prepare the potatoes as suggested, then transfer them to a greased baking dish. Let cool, refrigerate, covered overnight. The next day, I would let the potatoes come to room temperature for 30-60 minutes and then Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes, uncovered. It is hard to reheat them successfully without burning or drying out using the crockpot.
Stacy
I haven’t tried these yet but I was wondering if they could be mashed using a ricer? That’s what I usually use for mashed potatoes.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Stacy! Yes, you can use a ricer for sure! I do that as well when I make russet potatoes, to get them super smooth. However, you will likely find it won't necessary, a masher will get these super smooth.
Bryn
Hi! Do you think I could use minced jarred garlic in place of garlic cloves? Thank you!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Byn! Yes it won't mellow out to give a sweet flavor, as whole cloves will, but it will still add flavor. I would use 2 teaspoons of minced garlic.
Holly
My family isn’t a fan of sour cream. What can I replace it with? I would love to try this for thanksgiving. Thanks.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Holly! The sour cream just adds a level of creaminess but is not overpowering in flavor. However, if you don't want to try it out, you could use room temperature, cubed cream cheese OR add in a bit more milk/cream to reach the right consistency. I hope you enjoy!
Georganne Vogt
Hello!
I was wondering if you need to mince the whole garlic cloves, or do you mash them while with the potato masher?
Thanks so much!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Georganne! I add whole peeled garlic cloves to the mashed potatoes and they will become soft and sweet as they cook and mash easily with a potato masher. enjoy!
Rachel
Can you double this recipe?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Rachel! If you have a large 6-quart crockpot, you should be okay to double this recipe. Just ensure you don't fill more than 3/4 of the way full. You also may need an additional 20-40 minutes of cooking time for everything to cook evenly.
Katie
These are so easy and perfect for when I want to feed lots of people!
Kristen Chidsey
Crockpot Mashed Potatoes are the BEST for crowds.
jess
this is the best and easiest way to make potatoes and this is a game changer for when I need to make thanksgiving dinner!
Kristen Chidsey
It is the BEST for Thanksgiving! So happy to hear you enjoyed the crockpot mashed potatoes, Jess!