Crockpot Mashed Potatoes are one of the easiest and best side dishes for any dinner or holiday. These slow cooker mashed potatoes are the perfect easy Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter side dish. So much flavor and none of the fuss. Creamed potatoes for the win!

crockpot mashed potatoes with pats of butter

This post may include affiliate links that earn us a small commission from your purchases at no extra cost to you.

What’s in this Crockpot Mashed Potatoes Recipe?

This garlic mashed potatoes recipe is a special version of a classic and they are oh-so creamy! They are cooked with whole roasted garlic to soak up all the flavor possible. Just look at all that garlic and butter. Mmmm!! I’m in love with these crockpot mashed potatoes!

  • Potatoes: I like Yukon Gold potatoes for their buttery flavor and texture. Russet or Idaho potatoes also work well!
  • Garlic: Adds all that roasty, toasty, garlicky goodness!
  • Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and flavor to the potatoes.
  • Salt + Pepper: Enhances the natural flavor of the potatoes.
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the potatoes.
  • Milk: Adds richness to the potatoes and helps make them silky smooth.

Pro Tip: Bring the milk to room temperature (or slightly warm it) to help it combine more easily!

Variations on Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

  • For dairy-free mashed potatoes, use dairy-free butter, milk, and cream! You can also use some of the starchy cooking liquid from the potatoes in place of the milk or cream.
  • For cheesy mashed potatoes, add ½ cup of your favorite cheese!
  • For loaded mashed potatoes, add cheese, chopped cooked bacon, and chives.
  • For ranch mashed potatoes, add a packet of ranch seasoning.
  • For herby potatoes, feel free to add some of your favorite chopped herbs.
Potatoes, garlic, and butter in a crock pot
Email This Recipe
Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Can you cook mashed potatoes in a slow cooker?

Yes! Making slow cooker mashed potatoes is so easy because you can set everything up, let them cook, and forget about them for a while. Just throw the potatoes in and they’ll take a few hours to cook.

Should you boil potatoes before slow cooking?

There’s no need to boil potatoes before cooking them in the crockpot!

Why add butter before milk in mashed potatoes?

If you add the butter first, it will infuse the potatoes with rich, buttery flavor. If you add it at the same time as the milk, the potatoes will absorb the milk and not the butter, leading to a less buttery tasting dish.

Should butter be melted before adding to mashed potatoes?

You can add cold, room temperature, or melted butter to the potatoes. It really doesn’t matter!

Is it better to add cold milk or warm milk to mashed potatoes?

I prefer to use room temperature or slightly warmed milk, as this will help keep the potatoes nice and hot!

Can you put too much milk in mashed potatoes?

Yes! Add the milk a little at a time; otherwise, you may end up with runny or gummy potatoes!

Can you make mashed potatoes and put them in a crockpot to keep warm?

The great thing about these potatoes is that once they’re done cooking, you can turn the heat down low to keep them warm until everyone is ready to eat. Even better if you made these ahead of time, you can let them warm in the crockpot while the rest of the food is being made.

creamy mashed potatoes in a slow cooker

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover crockpot mashed potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a Dutch oven over medium-low heat or in the microwave on high for 1 minute.

How to Freeze

Scoop 1-cup mounds of mashed potatoes onto a lined baking sheet and freeze uncovered until solid, about 1-2 hours. Transfer to an airtight container or Ziplock bag to store for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these slow cooker mashed potatoes with Thanksgiving turkey and classic Thanksgiving side dishes, Easter dinner, or Christmas dinner. Or add them to a simple weeknight meal, like Swedish meatballs, Cracker Barrel Meatloaf, Crockpot pork chops, or beef tenderloin.

creamy crockpot mashed potatoes in a wooden serving bowl

5-Star Review

“Thanksgiving is way gone, but these mashed potatoes still sound delicious! genious idea making them on the crockpot, they look so creamy and tasty! love this” – Albert Bevia

Recipe Card

Crockpot Mashed Potatoes Recipe

4.58 from 50 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 4 hours
Total: 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Becky Hardin
crockpot mashed potatoes with pats of butter
This Crockpot Mashed Potatoes recipe is filled with garlic and butter. Your Thanksgiving cooking will be so much easier with these garlic mashed potatoes.
Save this recipe!
Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you, plus new recipes weekly!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Ingredients 

  • 3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
  • 1-2 bulbs garlic the top ¼ cut off
  • ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper optional
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (½ stick)
  • ¼-½ cup milk

Optional Garnishes

Instructions 

  • Spray a crockpot with cooking spray and set it to high heat.
  • Peel and cut the potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Rinse the potatoes under cold water (this removes some of the starch).
    3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
  • Transfer the potatoes to the crockpot and nestle the garlic on top of the potatoes. Drizzle the chicken broth on top and sprinkle the potatoes with salt and pepper.
    1-2 bulbs garlic, ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 3-4 hours, or until potatoes are tender.
  • Remove and mash the garlic. Add the garlic and butter to the potatoes and mash the potatoes until smooth. Try not to over mix the potatoes or they will turn gummy. Mix in the milk to the desired consistency.
    4 tablespoons unsalted butter, ¼-½ cup milk
  • Garnish with chopped chives or parsley and pats of butter if desired.
    Chopped fresh chives, Unsalted butter

Video

Becky’s Tips

  • Cut the potatoes as evenly as possible so that all of the chunks cook at the same rate.
  • For extra smooth potatoes, pass them through a ricer before mashing.
  • Heat the dairy before adding it to your potatoes to help it combine more easily.
  • Avoid overmixing your potatoes; otherwise, they will come out gummy.
  • Don’t add all of the dairy at once. It’s easier to mix it in slowly, and this will prevent overmixing.
  • Nutritional information does not include optional garnishes.
Storage: Store crockpot mashed potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Calories: 385kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 8gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 615mgPotassium: 1501mgFiber: 8gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 383IUVitamin C: 69mgCalcium: 77mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

More Mashed Potato Recipes We Love

 

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.58 from 50 votes (46 ratings without comment)
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

14 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Gail Kraeyveld
Gail Kraeyveld
August 12, 2018 12:11 pm

Your Corckpot Mashed potatoes look good, along with other recipes. Just wish if I want to “P” it, the “Red P” was in the uper top left corner of the recipe. I have already read everyting & just want to pin the recipe. Is there anyway you can do that? Dont want to have to scroll all the way through everything to get to it. Other recipe sites do it. Thank & can’t wait to try some of recipes. Gail K

Jason
Jason
January 30, 2018 10:35 am

These potatoes look delicious. Thanks for sharing.5 stars

Albert Bevia
Albert Bevia
January 30, 2018 8:23 am

Thanksgiving is way gone, but these mashed potatoes still sound delicious! genious idea making them on the crockpot, they look so creamy and tasty! love this5 stars

Shari Giarraputo
Shari Giarraputo
November 21, 2017 11:40 pm

I was wondering if once the timer is done. Can I leave the cover on and Leave it on warm for a few hours before I can serve it or make it closer to dinner time. Can I use a potato ricer or is a hand masher best? Thank you so much.

Shari Giarraputo
Shari Giarraputo
November 22, 2017 12:14 am
Reply to  Becky Hardin

Thank you so much. Making a lot of your recipes. I’ll let you know how they turn out.
Enjoy!!!

MolliE
MolliE
November 20, 2017 11:14 pm

Do you roast the garlic before adding it to the slow Cooker? Excited to make thEse for thanksgiving!

Penny davidson
Penny davidson
November 15, 2017 11:51 am

These look amazing! Might have to use this recipe for Thanksgiving!5 stars

LYNDA SHILHANEK
LYNDA SHILHANEK
November 7, 2017 10:22 am

I LOVE this dish the potatoes are served in.
Any information on where I can buy it??
The potatoes are beyond delicious!! I just made them!5 stars