Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes: The Easiest, Creamiest Recipe

Mashed potatoes are a classic comfort food that brings joy to the table. This dish is simple, delicious, and easy to prepare. But did you know that it’s also possible to make mashed potatoes in a crock pot? If you’ve never tried this method before, you’re in for a treat. The beauty of using a slow cooker is that it saves you time, effort, and delivers a creamy and fluffy texture that everyone loves.

The best thing about making mashed potatoes in a crock pot is that you can set it and forget it. Instead of boiling potatoes on the stove and watching closely for the perfect texture, you can simply add the ingredients to the slow cooker, turn it on, and let it do its magic. Plus, since the crock pot is a low-maintenance appliance, you can use it to cook other dishes while your mashed potatoes are warming up. So, without further ado, let’s learn how to make mashed potatoes in a crock pot and impress your family and friends with this tasty and hassle-free recipe.

Ingredients for Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes is a popular dish that is easy to make, and yet, yields delicious results. The use of a crock pot makes it even simpler since it requires minimal effort. Here are the ingredients required for making mashed potatoes in a crock pot:

1. Potatoes – 5 to 6 (Russet or Yukon gold)
2. Butter – 4 tablespoons
3. Salt – 1-2 teaspoons
4. Pepper – ½ teaspoon
5. Milk – ½ cup
6. Sour cream – ⅓ cup
7. Garlic – 1-2 cloves (minced)
8. Chives – 1 tablespoon (chopped)

Preparation of Potatoes

1. Peel and dice the potatoes into small chunks. Dunk them in a pot of cool water. Drain and rinse them using cold water after five minutes.
2. Transfer the potatoes to your crock pot pot.
3. Add water to the crock pot. The water should be slightly above the potatoes- then add butter in pieces over the potatoes, and season it using salt, pepper, and minced garlic.
4. Close the crockpot lid and cook at a low temperature for 6-8 hours.

Mashing the Potatoes

Once you confirm that the potatoes have cooked to the desired degree of softness, it’s time to mash them. Here are the simple and easy steps to follow:

1. Drain away excess water from the crock pot without necessarily getting rid of the potatoes.
2. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher until smooth.
3. Add sour cream to the mashed potatoes before adding milk. This will make it creamer.
4. Gradually, pour in the warm milk and whip the mashed potato mixture to your preferred creaminess.

Adding Extra Flavor and Toppings

At this stage, the mashed potatoes are now ready, and you can add some extra flavor before serving. This is an optional step if you want to add more taste to your mashed potatoes. Here are some topping ideas:

1. A sprinkle of chopped chives
2. Finely diced onions
3. Chopped bacon bits
4. Sautéed mushrooms
5. Grated Parmesan cheese
6. Chopped parsley or other herbs

Serving Your Delicious Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes

Now that your crockpot mashed potatoes are done, it’s time to serve them up. You can serve them in a number of different ways:

1. Serve them as a side dish to your main course.
2. Use the mashed potatoes as a base for your shepherd’s pie.
3. Add some chopped chicken or beef to the mashed potatoes and serve with gravy on top.
4. Serve them with a roasted meal like turkey to complement the savory flavors of the turkey.

Notes and Variations

There are plenty of variations to a standard mashed potato recipe, and the same goes for crockpot mashed potatoes. Here are a few tips and variations to keep in mind:

1. To make the mashed potatoes creamier, use half-and-half instead of milk or heavy cream instead of milk.
2. For more popular recipes, try using different herbs and spices to season the potatoes, like thyme or rosemary.
3. Add in some chopped vegetables to the crock pot mixture, such as carrots or celery, to add texture and an additional dose of nutrients to the dish.
4. Experiment with adding different cheeses to the mixture, like cheddar or mozzarella, to get different creaminess and flavor levels.

Closing Thoughts on Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes

Crock pot mashed potatoes give you the best of both worlds concerning taste and cooking convenience. You can spice them up or down depending on your taste preferences, and they cook slowly at a lower temperature, resulting in a savory and tasty dish. Try out this recipe at home for an irresistible and effortless meal that the entire family will love.

Ingredients

When it comes to making mashed potatoes in a crock pot, the first step is gathering all the necessary ingredients. You will need 2-3 pounds of Potatoes (Russet or Yukon gold works just fine), 1 and 1/2 cups of chicken or vegetable broth, 1/2 cup of milk, 1/2 cup of sour cream, 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, salt, and pepper.

Preparation

To start, peel and chop your potatoes into small chunks. Rinse them and add them to the crock pot. Then, pour the chicken or vegetable broth over the potatoes and season with salt and pepper. Make sure that the potatoes are fully submerged in the broth. Cover the crock pot with a lid and cook on high heat for 4 hours or low heat for 8 hours.

Adding Flavor

After the potatoes have cooked for the allotted time, it’s time to add flavor and creaminess. Add 1/4 cup of butter to the crock pot along with 1/2 cup of milk and 1/2 cup of sour cream. Mix everything together until the butter has melted and everything is combined. You can also add additional salt and pepper to taste.

Mashing the Potatoes

To mash the potatoes, simply use a potato masher or a hand mixer to mash them until they’re the desired texture. Be careful not to over-mash, as this can result in gluey potatoes. You want them to be creamy but still have some texture to them.

Serving

Once the potatoes are mashed to your desired consistency, they’re ready to serve. You can serve them as is or add additional toppings such as cheese, chives, or bacon bits. Mashed potatoes in a crock pot are perfect for holiday meals, potlucks, or family dinners.

Storage and Reheating

If you have leftover mashed potatoes, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat them, simply microwave them or warm them up in a pot on the stove over medium heat. You may need to add a little bit of milk or butter to make them creamy again.

Variations

Don’t be afraid to get creative with your mashed potatoes. You can add garlic, herbs, or cheese to give them extra flavor. You can also use sweet potatoes or cauliflower instead of regular potatoes for a healthier twist.

Troubleshooting

If your mashed potatoes are too thick, add more milk or chicken/vegetable broth until you reach your desired consistency. If they’re too thin, cook them for a bit longer without the lid or mash them a bit more. Remember, the key is to not over-mash them as this can result in gluey potatoes.

Conclusion

Mashed potatoes in a crock pot are a convenient and easy way to make a classic side dish. With just a few simple ingredients and some patience, you can have perfect mashed potatoes every time. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and enjoy this classic comfort food.

What You’ll Need to Make Mashed Potatoes in a Crock Pot

For your mashed potato in the crockpot recipe, you’ll need several ingredients, including:

Picking the Right Potatoes

When making mashed potatoes in a crockpot, choosing the right potatoes is essential. Opt for potatoes with a high starch content, such as Russets or Yukon Golds. They’ll give you a more consistent and creamier texture.

Prepping Your Potatoes

Before putting the potatoes in the crockpot, you need to prep them. Clean and peel them, then dice them into small pieces. The smaller the pieces, the faster they’ll cook.

Adding Flavor to Your Mash

For added flavor, you can add some garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper to your mashed potatoes. They’ll give them a mild but savory kick. And for a real indulgence, add shredded cheddar cheese once the potatoes are done. It’ll give them a deliciously cheesy taste.

The Best Cooking Time and Temperature

To make mashed potatoes in the crockpot, you’ll need to cook them for about 4 hours on the high setting or 8 hours on the low setting. The high temperature will result in a creamier texture, while the low setting will produce a firmer texture. You can also check for doneness by piercing the potatoes with a fork. If they’re soft, they’re ready to mash.

Now that you know the key factors in cooking mashed potatoes in a crockpot, you’re ready to cook up a tasty batch. With some prepping, seasoning, and cheese, you’ll have a crowd-pleasing dish that’ll keep you coming back for more.

Time to Dig In!

And that’s it! You’ve just learnt how to make delicious mashed potatoes in a crock pot! So easy, right? Now, you can enjoy creamy and flavorful mashed potatoes without having to spend hours in the kitchen peeling, boiling and mashing those potatoes. Whether you’re planning a family dinner or a special occasion, you can always count on this crock pot recipe to get the job done. Thank you for reading, and remember to visit us again for more mouth-watering dishes!