Mashed potatoes are a must-have side dish for any holiday feast, Sunday dinner, or cozy meal, and this crockpot mashed potatoes recipe makes preparation effortless. With no boiling or draining required, everything comes together in the slow cooker, freeing up stove space for other dishes. These potatoes turn out creamy, buttery, and perfectly seasoned every time—plus, they can stay warm for hours, making them ideal for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any gathering.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ No Boiling Needed – Everything cooks right in the crockpot.
✅ Hands-Free Cooking – Set it and forget it while you prep other dishes.
✅ Creamy and Buttery – Perfect texture with rich flavor.
✅ Great for Meal Prep – Make ahead and keep warm for up to 2 hours.
✅ Easy to Scale Up or Down – Works for small or large batches.
Ingredients for Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Simple, wholesome ingredients come together to create the best creamy mashed potatoes.
Main Ingredients
- 5 pounds Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into 8 pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 cup whole milk, warmed (plus more as needed)
- Chopped fresh chives (for garnish, optional)
Optional Add-Ins for Extra Flavor
- ¼-½ cup sour cream, plain Greek yogurt, or cream cheese for a tangy twist
- Roasted garlic for deep, savory flavor
- Parmesan cheese for a rich, cheesy touch
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Step 1: Add Potatoes and Broth
- Place peeled and cubed potatoes into the slow cooker.
- Pour in chicken or vegetable broth for extra moisture and flavor.
Step 2: Slow Cook the Potatoes
- Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 7-8 hours, until the potatoes are soft and fork-tender.
- (Note: Cooking on low for too long may cause the potatoes to turn slightly gray, but they’ll still taste great.)
Step 3: Mash the Potatoes
- Use a potato masher to mash the cooked potatoes until smooth.
- Add butter, salt, and pepper, mashing until well incorporated.
Step 4: Stir in Warm Milk
- Gradually add warmed milk, ¼ cup at a time, stirring with a wooden spoon or a hand mixer until the desired creamy consistency is reached.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Step 5: Serve or Keep Warm
- Serve immediately, garnished with chopped chives (if desired).
- Or, keep the mashed potatoes warm in the slow cooker on the “Keep Warm” setting for up to 2 hours.
Tips for the Best Mashed Potatoes
🥔 Use the Right Potatoes – Yukon Gold potatoes give a rich, buttery texture, while Russets make fluffier mashed potatoes.
🧈 Use Room-Temperature Butter – Helps it melt evenly into the potatoes for a smoother consistency.
🥛 Warm the Milk – Cold milk can cool down the potatoes and affect the texture.
🔥 Don’t Overmix – Overworking mashed potatoes can make them gluey, so mix gently.
🧄 For Extra Flavor – Try roasted garlic, fresh herbs, or grated Parmesan.
How to Store & Reheat Mashed Potatoes
🥡 Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
❄️ Freeze: Freeze in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
🔥 Reheat: Warm on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of milk or butter to restore creaminess.
FAQs About Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Q: Can I make these mashed potatoes ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can make them up to 2 hours in advance and keep them warm in the slow cooker until serving.
Q: Can I use dairy-free milk?
A: Absolutely! Use almond, cashew, or oat milk for a dairy-free version.
Q: What’s the best way to mash the potatoes?
A: A potato masher gives a rustic texture, while a hand mixer creates extra smooth mashed potatoes.
Q: Can I double this recipe?
A: Yes! A 5-quart slow cooker can hold 1.5x the recipe, and a 6-7 quart slow cooker can fit double the batch.
Final Thoughts
These Easy Crockpot Mashed Potatoes are the ultimate hands-off side dish, perfect for holidays or weeknight dinners. With rich, buttery flavor and a creamy texture, they’re guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re making them for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a cozy meal, this recipe keeps things simple and stress-free. Try it today and enjoy the best mashed potatoes with minimal effort!
Short version
Easy Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 5 pounds Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
- ½ cup unsalted butter at room temperature, cut into 8 pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon pepper or to taste
- 1 cup whole milk warmed (plus more as needed for creaminess)
- Chopped fresh chives for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Place the potato pieces in the slow cooker and pour in the broth.
- Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours, until the potatoes are very soft and tender. (Alternatively, cook on low for 7-8 hours, but note that the potatoes may slightly gray.)
- Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes until smooth. Add the butter, salt, and pepper, mashing until well incorporated.
- Using a wooden spoon or large spoon, stir in the warm milk, ¼ cup at a time, until the potatoes reach the desired creamy consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper, if needed.
- Serve immediately or keep warm in the slow cooker (set to “”Keep Warm””) for up to 2 hours.
Notes
This recipe was tested in a 5-quart slow cooker.
1.5x the recipe (about 8 pounds of potatoes) will fit in a 5-quart slow cooker.
A double recipe (10 pounds of potatoes) will fit in a 6 or 7-quart slow cooker.
Cook Time Adjustments: If your slow cooker is full to capacity, you may need to slightly increase the cook time.
If making half a recipe, and the slow cooker is not very full, you may need to reduce the cook time slightly.
