This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Mashed Potatoes are my favorite food, so I am thrilled to bring you this tested, perfected, foolproof Crockpot Mashed Potato recipe thatโs SO EASY! The potatoes are luxuriously rich and creamy, mashed with a customizable texture, and infused with buttery spices that will fill the dinner table with โMmmmmmmm!โ Youโll also find step-by-step photos, expert tips, and delicious variations to ensure perfect mashed potatoes every time.
SO easy! Add everything to the slow cooker and let it do the workโno boiling or draining required.
Luxuriously rich and creamy thanks to the perfect balance of butter, milk, and sour cream.
Potatoes simmered in seasoned broth (NOT bland water) to infuse every bite with savory goodness.
Butter melted into warm milk in the microwave blends seamlessly and evenly coats each potato with creamy richness.
Customizable textureโmash by hand and add more or less butter/milk mixture to achieve your ideal texture.
Crockpot Mashed Potato Recipe Ingredients
Letโs take a closer look at what you need to make this recipe (measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):
Russet potatoes: Russets are ideal for that fluffy, creamy texture. Please donโt use Yukon Goldsโtheyโre too waxy and dense, which makes the mashed potatoes heavier and less creamy.
Reduced-sodium chicken broth: Instead of cooking the potatoes in water, broth infuses flavor right into the potatoes as they cook.
Spice: Salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper are added at the beginning of cooking to build rich, savory flavor from the inside out.
Milk: This is added after the potatoes are cooked to make them creamy! You can use any milk, but 2% or whole will have a richer flavor. You can also use nonfat and add additional butter.
Butter: Use unsalted butter or reduce the salt in the recipe as needed. Use more or less as desired.
Sour cream: Adds tang and extra creaminess; start with less, then adjust to taste for the perfect balance.
How to Make Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Letโs take a closer look at how to make this recipe with step-by-step photos (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):
Step 1: Chop potatoes. Chop the potatoes into 1-inch pieces.
Step 2: Add potatoes. Lightly spray a 6- to 7-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Add the potatoes, broth, and spices.
Step 3: Cook until tender. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, or until the potatoes are very tender and can be easily mashed. Each hour, quickly stir the potatoes and replace the lid.ย
Step 4: Mash potatoes. Use a hand masher to mash the potatoes to your desired consistency.ย
Step 5: Melt the butter. Heat the butter and milk in a microwave-safe liquid measuring cup or bowl for 2-3 minutes in the microwave, until the butter is mostly melted. Then, stir it into the potatoes.
Step 6: Add sour cream. Stir in the sour cream and additional milk, if needed, to achieve the desired consistency.
Crockpot Mashed Potatoes Recipe Tips
Cut potatoes evenly. Uniform 1-inch chunks cook at the same rate, resulting in consistent texture.
Adjust consistency. Adjust the consistency by adding more or less milk/butter mixture as needed-you may not use all of it. For thicker potatoes, use less; for creamier potatoes, use more. You may also need to microwave additional milk.
Add the dairy while it is still warm. Add the butter/milk mixture while itโs still warm. If adding additional milk, also warm it before use so the potatoes remain smooth and donโt seize or become gluey.
Mash, donโt mix. You can mash the potatoes entirely or leave a few pieces whole for a rustic mouthfeel.
Cook the potatoes until tender. Test the potatoes for doneness by mashing with a fork. If theyโre not tender, you wonโt have creamy potatoes!
Make-ahead friendly
You can peel and chop the potatoes up to 24 hours in advance; keep them submerged in water in the fridge to prevent browning.
Keep warm in the crockpot. Once mashed, keep on Warm for up to 3 hours. Add a splash of warm milk before serving if they start to thicken.
Mashed Potatoes Crockpot Variations
Cheesy Mashed Potatoes: Stir in freshly shredded cheddar, Parmesan, Gruyรจre, or a blend after mashingโjust until the cheese is melted and creamy.
Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes: Replace some of the sour cream with softened cream cheese for extra tang and ultra-rich texture.
Herb Mashed Potatoes: Stir in fresh parsley, chives, thyme, or rosemary just before serving for an aromatic, elegant finish.
Loaded Mashed Potatoes: Fold in shredded cheddar, crisp bacon, green onions, and a dollop of sour cream for a delicious twist on a loaded baked potato.
Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes: Swap regular butter for nutty, golden brown butter to add deep, rich flavor with hints of caramel.
Make it Dairy-Free: Use plant-based butter and warm unsweetened almond or oat milk for a surprisingly rich, creamy dairy-free version.
How to serve Mashed Potatoes in Crockpot
Serve Crockpot Mashed Potatoes straight from the slow cooker on the Warm setting or transfer them to a warmed serving bowl, topped with melted butter, a sprinkle of fresh chives, and a crack of black pepper alongside some of our favorite mains:
โขTo Store: Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4โ5 days. โขTo Reheat: Warm over low heat on the stove or in the crockpot, stirring in a splash of milk or butter to restore creaminess. โขTo Freeze: Cool completely, then freeze in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Mashed Potatoes are my favorite food, so I am thrilled to bring you this tested, perfected, foolproof Crockpot Mashed Potato recipe that's SO EASY! The potatoes are luxuriously rich and creamy, mashed with a customizable texture, and infused with buttery spices that will fill the dinner table with "Mmmmmmmm!" Youโll also find step-by-step photos, expert tips, and delicious variations to ensure perfect mashed potatoes every time.
Servings: 10servings
Prep Time: 30 minutesmins
Cook Time: 6 hourshrs
Save This Recipe To Your Recipe Box
You can now create an account on our site and save your favorite recipes all in one place!
Add potatoes. Lightly spray a 6-7-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Add the potatoes, broth, and spices.
Cook until tender. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours or until the potatoes are very tender and can easily be mashed. Each hour, quickly stir the potatoes and replace the lid.
Mash potatoes. Use a hand masher to mash the potatoes to your desired consistency.
Melt butter. Heat the butter and milk in a microwave-safe liquid measuring cup or bowl for 2-3 minutes in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, until the butter is mostly melted.
Add butter/milk. Slowly stir the butter/milk mixture into the potatoes until you reach the desired consistency (you may not need to use all of it). Stir in the sour cream. Add additional warmed milk if neededโseason with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve. Enjoy immediately or keep on the warm setting for up to 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
Love these mashed potatoes. Just made them as a test run for Thanksgiving, they came out delicious and easy to make, they will be perfect! Now I will need to X8 the recipe next week.
Vivian W. says
The recipe does not address when to add the sour cream. Please advise. Thank you
Jen says
Thanks for catching that-updated! Itโs in step 5 after adding the butter/milk.
Stacy says
I tried these for my family on Sunday. I could not believe how easy they were to make, definitely a repeat!
Jen says
YAY! Thanks for being the first to review this new recipe. Iโm so pleased they were a hit!
Deb says
Love these mashed potatoes. Just made them as a test run for Thanksgiving, they came out delicious and easy to make, they will be perfect! Now I will need to X8 the recipe next week.
Jen says
Iโm so pleased they are โThanksgiving worthyโ Deb! Good luck with all those potatoes!!!!!!