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This easy Crockpot mashed potatoes recipe is creamy, dreamy, and buttery! They’re no-boil and no-drain, which means holiday entertaining and weeknight dinners are that much less stressful.
Try my Easy Stovetop Mashed Potatoes or Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes for other cooking methods.
Why you’ll love it
These slow cooker mashed potatoes are creamy, buttery, thick, restaurant-style mashed potatoes. I would not describe them as light and airy, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. They’re destined to be the star of your Thanksgiving or Christmas feast and are equally fabulous for potlucks or any old dinner.
It’s worth it to cook mashed potatoes in the Crockpot since it frees up valuable stovetop space when you’re cooking a big meal or need an easy side dish. They’re also super simple to make since they’re no-boil and no-drain mashed potatoes. Your slow cooker does most of the work, and you mash them right in it without any hassle!
What you’ll need
- Potatoes – the classic varieties for mashing are either Yukon Gold or Russets. They’re starchy, meaning you’ll get the correct texture and they won’t end up gummy.
- Chicken broth – it adds another savory dimension and is a great way to keep in the moisture, especially if you’re not serving them for a few hours. Use vegetable broth if you need these to be vegetarian.
- Salt – it’s important to be generous to bring out all the flavors
- Heavy cream – for that indulgent richness
- Butter – mashed potatoes is one place where butter is a must!
- Garlic – savory goodness. You could leave it out if you’re not a garlic fan, though.
Pro tip
I wouldn’t recommend using an electric mixer. Using a good old-fashioned handheld wire masher ensures you won’t overwork the potatoes. Nobody likes gluey mashed potatoes, so I make sure I can control the consistency and texture! Plus you don’t have to clean up more appliances.
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- A classic hand-held masher is the way to go for mashed taters.
- This is the Crockpot model I use.
- Mincing garlic cloves with a garlic press makes it way easier since it’s fast and you avoid sticky fingers, and this butter dish has measurement markings on it for ease.
How to make slow cooker mashed potatoes
This is an overview, and full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
- To your Crockpot, add the broth and salt. Set the temperature to high. Meanwhile, clean and chop the potatoes, then place in the slow cooker and stir.
- Cook on high until soft. Our kitchen hasn’t tested, but 6 to 8 hours on low should work fine, stirring a few times for even cooking. When they’re about ready, heat through the cream mixture in a saucepan until warmed through.
- Slowly pour it into the Crockpot while mashing the potatoes, taking care to not overwork them. There’s no need to drain any excess broth. Season with extra salt if needed. Set it to “keep warm” until ready to serve!
Substitutions and variations
- You can use red potatoes if that’s all you can find, but be extra careful to not to over-mash them since they’re a waxy potato and generally not the best for this.
- If you want to substitute the cream with half-and-half or milk, you can, but mashed potatoes are the place to go all-out, and real cream can’t be beat. The taste and texture just won’t be as rich with a lower fat alternative. I wouldn’t recommend skimping on the butter either.
- Feel free to peel the potatoes if you prefer. I often like leaving the skins on for a more rustic texture and variation. Just make sure to scrub them well if you go that route.
What to serve with Crockpot mashed potatoes
- You can garnish with fresh chopped scallions, chives, or parsley if desired along with an extra pat of butter. Freshly grated parmesan? Why not! I love my Brown Gravy best.
- For an easy complete meal, pair them with Smothered Chicken or Creamy Bacon Pork Chops and a veggie like Easy Roasted Green Beans.
- If it’s a holiday side dish, you’ll want to check out my Christmas and Thanksgiving recipe collection for favorites like Jiffy Corn Casserole and the Best Mashed Sweet Potatoes.
Leftovers and storage
- If you plan on eating these mashed potatoes the same day, I recommend keeping them in your slow cooker on the “keep warm” setting. Just give them a stir prior to serving, and you’ll be good to go.
- For the next day or even the day after that, you can either reheat them in the Crockpot or in a covered pot on the stove over fairly low heat. Once they’re warm, I re-mash them and add a bit more butter and cream to bring them back to their former glory.
- I don’t recommend freezing mashed potatoes.
I hope you’ll love these easy slow cooker mashed potatoes! Questions? Ask me in the comments below, or leave me a review if you made ’em. You can also find me on Instagram.
Make Ahead Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 5 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes cut into 1" pieces
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon salt + more to taste
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
- 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
- 4 cloves garlic minced
Instructions
- Add the broth and salt to your slow cooker. Turn the heat on high.
- Prep your potatoes. I don't peel them, but you can if you wish. I cut them into roughly 1" pieces. Add them to your Crockpot.
- Give the potatoes a stir. Cover and cook for 3-3.5 hours or until the potatoes are nice and tender.
- When the potatoes are close to being done, add the cream, butter, and garlic to a small saucepan. Warm it through over medium heat until the butter is melted and the garlic infuses the mixture.
- Mash the potatoes right in the Crockpot (don't drain the broth). Gradually pour in the cream mixture as you go along. Be careful not to overwork the potatoes so they don't end up gluey. Season with extra salt & pepper as needed. If you're making these ahead, use the "keep warm" setting and give them a stir prior to serving.
Notes
- Serves 8-10 depending on how much people eat.
- I recommend using either Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes.
- See the blog post for more tips/tricks/recipe notes.
- This is the 7-quart Crockpot I used to make these potatoes. It was fairly full, so I wouldn’t go smaller than a 6-quart.
- Want to make these in your Instant Pot? Here’s the recipe.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I first tried these potatoes when hosting a small gathering. They were awesome and took the stress away from getting the meal made. I liked them so much, I made them again for our Christmas dinner. Not only do they make the dinner easier, but they taste great. Everyone loved them! This will be my only way to make mashed potatoes when preparing a large meal!
That’s great!! 😀
I made these potatoes for Thanksgiving, so easy and a big hit! I used 3 1/2 lbs of potatoes so I cut back just a bit on the broth, garlic and cream but went full in on the butter. They were so tasty, my husband said they were the best he’s ever had. I will make this again for sure.
I’m thrilled they were a hit!! Thanks so much for your review! XO
Made these for the first time for Thanksgiving. My mom was skeptical about not draining the potatoes, but I asked her to ‘trust the process’. I am so happy I did! Everyone raved about these potatoes, and my sister stated they were the best she’d ever had! They will be my new go-to mashed potatoes. Thank you!!
That’s awesome!! 😀 Thanks for letting me know, Jen!
I plan on making these for Thanksgiving today. I also had a block of cream cheese and some sour cream that happened room temperature. My family loves this.
Happy Thanksgiving, Meretta!
I want to make these. Can I prepare the potatoes day before , then put in crock pot Thanksgiving morning?
Hi Becky! See the “leftovers & storage” section of the blog post.
Hi,
I really want to make this recipe for a Friendsgiving I am attending on Monday night. However, I work outside of my home and the timing wouldn’t work out. Should I make them tomorrow and somehow reheat them Monday when I get home? Or could I put the crockpot on low for a certain number of hours on Monday?
Thank you!
Hi Gina! There’s a tip in the “leftovers & storage” section of the blog post that should help. 🙂 Not sure how long timing would be on low so I am reluctant to suggest a time without experimenting a bit. Hope you have a great Friendsgiving!
These were such a hit at our family Thanksgiving and I loved how easy they were to make!
Thank you so much, Lissie!!