These Crockpot Mashed Potatoes are the ultimate comfort food side dish! Creamy, dreamy, and packed with flavor, they’re the perfect addition to any meal. But the best part? Your slow cooker does all the work! Just toss in the ingredients, set it, and forget it. Hours later, you’ll have a batch of perfectly cooked potatoes ready to be mashed into fluffy perfection.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless cooking: Let your crock pot do the heavy lifting while you focus on other things.
- Creamy and flavorful: The combination of butter, cream cheese, and fresh herbs creates a rich and delicious flavor.
- Perfect for holidays and gatherings: This recipe makes a generous amount, making it ideal for feeding a crowd.
- Versatile: Serve these mashed potatoes as a side dish for any meal, or use them as a topping for shepherd’s pie or casseroles.
Ingredients for Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
This recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients to create the perfect mashed potatoes. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Russet Potatoes: The best choice for mashed potatoes due to their high starch content and fluffy texture.
- Chicken or Vegetable Broth: Adds flavor and moisture to the potatoes as they cook.
- Garlic: Adds a subtle savory note.
- Fresh Parsley, Thyme, and Rosemary: Fresh herbs create a bright and aromatic flavor.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: Enhances the overall taste.
- Butter: Adds richness and creaminess.
- Full-Fat Cream Cheese: Contributes to the creamy texture and tangy flavor.
- Warmed Whole Milk: Helps create a smooth and fluffy consistency.
- Additional Salt and Pepper: To adjust the seasoning to your liking.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
How to Make Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
Peel and cut the Russet potatoes into 1-inch chunks. Place the potatoes in the crock pot.
Step 2: Add the Broth and Seasonings
Pour the chicken or vegetable broth over the potatoes. Add the minced garlic, chopped parsley, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
Step 3: Cook
Cover the crock pot and cook on LOW heat for 6-8 hours, or on HIGH heat for 3-4 hours. The potatoes are done when they are very tender and easily pierced with a fork.
Step 4: Mash
Once the potatoes are cooked, add the cubed butter and cream cheese to the crock pot. Using a potato masher (recommended) or a handheld electric mixer, mash the potatoes gently until they reach your desired consistency. Be careful not to over-mix.
Step 5: Add Milk and Season
Gradually add the warmed milk to the mashed potatoes, stirring gently until fully incorporated and creamy. You may not need all of the milk, depending on your preferred texture. Taste the mashed potatoes and add additional salt and pepper if needed.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
Serve the mashed potatoes hot.
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Dried herbs: If you don’t have fresh herbs, you can use dried herbs in a pinch. Use one-third of the amount specified in the recipe.
- Make ahead: The mashed potatoes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to two days. Reheat gently in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in the slow cooker.
- Don’t over-mix: Over-mixing can make the potatoes gluey. Mash gently just until you reach your desired consistency.
How to Serve Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
- Classic side dish: Serve these mashed potatoes as a side dish for any meal, such as roasted chicken, steak, or pork chops.
- Holiday meals: They’re a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner table.
- Topping: Use them as a topping for shepherd’s pie, casseroles, or even baked potatoes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover mashed potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating
Reheat the mashed potatoes gently in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in the slow cooker until heated through. You may need to add a little additional milk or butter to maintain a creamy consistency.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of potato?
Russet potatoes are recommended for their fluffy texture, but you can use other types of potatoes, such as Yukon Gold or red potatoes.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes, you can use vegan butter and cream cheese alternatives, and plant-based milk.
My mashed potatoes are too thick, what should I do?
If your mashed potatoes are too thick, you can thin them out with a bit more warm milk or broth.
Can I add other flavors to the mashed potatoes?
Yes, you can add other flavors to the mashed potatoes, such as roasted garlic, caramelized onions, or cheese.
There you have it! A simple and delicious recipe for Crockpot Mashed Potatoes. I hope you enjoy it!
PrintCrockpot Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Crock Pot
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Crockpot Mashed Potatoes are a creamy and flavorful side dish that’s perfect for any meal. They’re made with simple ingredients and cooked low and slow in the crock pot for a hands-off approach.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, cubed
- 4 ounces full-fat cream cheese, cubed
- 1/2 cup warmed whole milk
- Additional salt and pepper (to taste, if needed)
Instructions
- Add Potatoes and Broth: Put the peeled and cut potatoes into the crock pot. Pour the chicken or vegetable broth over the potatoes.
- Add Seasonings: Add the garlic, parsley, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper to the crock pot. Stir to combine.
- Cook: Cover the crock pot with the lid and cook on LOW heat for 6-8 hours or HIGH heat for 3-4 hours. The potatoes are done when they are super tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- Mash Potatoes: Once the potatoes are cooked, add the cubed butter and cubed cream cheese into the crock pot. Using a potato masher, or handheld electric mixer, mash the potatoes (gently!) until they reach your desired consistency. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can make the potatoes gluey.
- Add Milk: Gradually add the warmed milk to the mashed potatoes, stirring gently until it’s fully incorporated, and the potatoes are creamy. You may not need all of the milk, depending on your preferred texture.
- Season and Serve: Taste the mashed potatoes and add additional salt and/or pepper if needed. Serve the mashed potatoes hot. Enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t Have Fresh Herbs? The flavor of fresh herbs really makes these potatoes delicious. However, dried herbs can be used in a pinch. Use one-third of the amount specified in the recipe if using dried herbs since dried herbs are more concentrated.
- Make Ahead of Time? The mashed potatoes can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to two days. Reheat them in the microwave, on the stovetop, or place them back into the slow cooker on LOW or the WARM setting. You may need to add a little additional milk or butter if needed to keep them a creamy consistency once reheated. The potatoes also do well placed on the warm setting once they’re cooked – so if they are ready before dinner time, just switch it over to warm for up to several hours.
- Don’t Over-Mix: Avoid over-mixing and mash the potatoes gently just until they reach your desired consistency. Using a potato masher instead of a hand mixer can help maintain the fluffy perfect texture and help you avoid over-mixing.
- Use Russet Potatoes for Best Results: Russet potatoes are the best potato variety to use for mashed potatoes. The high starch content and low moisture content allow them to break down easily, absorb the dairy products well, and help to create a fluffy texture when mashed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 300kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
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