The holidays can be so hectic and busy, but there’s something so nostalgic about a home-cooked Thanksgiving or Christmas meal. Turkey, ham, green beans, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce—the list goes on! These Crockpot Mashed Potatoes are the perfect make-ahead side dish. With only four simple ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll get creamy, flavorful mashed potatoes every time.
Whether you’re hosting a big holiday dinner or just craving comfort food, these Crockpot Mashed Potatoes are sure to become your new go-to recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Mashed Potatoes Recipe
You’ll love this recipe because it’s so easy! Just add four simple ingredients to your slow cooker and let it do all the work for you. The result? Creamy, flavorful mashed potatoes without the stress.
Even better, it’s made with wholesome ingredients and can be prepared in advance for a no-stress Thanksgiving or Christmas meal. Plus, leftovers are delicious in so many ways—use them to make shepherd’s pie, potato-crusted quiche, mashed potato soup, or crispy potato cakes.
Here’s why you’ll love this recipe even more:
- Effortless: No need to babysit a boiling pot of water.
- Perfect for holidays: Keeps your stovetop free for other dishes.
- Make-ahead friendly: Reheat easily without losing flavor.
- Family favorite: Everyone loves creamy mashed potatoes!
This pairs well with my Corn Bread Recipe.
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- Equipment Needed for Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
- Ingredients, Substitutions, and Why They Work
- How to Make Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
- What Potatoes Are Best for Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
- Recipe Variations
- Make-Ahead Tips
- How to Store and Reheat Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Directions
- FAQs About Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
- Final Thoughts
- More Easy & Delicious Holiday Recipes
- Cooking With Lori Recipes
- Rustic Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Equipment Needed for Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Before you start, gather these simple kitchen tools:
- Slow cooker 3.5 qt or larger – To cook the potatoes to perfection.
- Large spoon – To stir ingredients and mash as needed.
- Measuring cups and spoons – For accurate measurements.
- Knife and cutting board – To chop the potatoes into even pieces.
Ingredients, Substitutions, and Why They Work
These simple ingredients make the most flavorful Crockpot Mashed Potatoes:
- 3 lbs potatoes - Use Yukon Gold (skin on) for their creamy texture, or a mix of Yukon Gold and Russet for a perfect blend of rich and fluffy. (Peel the Russets before cooking.)
- ¼ cup butter – Adds richness and helps create smooth, creamy potatoes. You can substitute with vegan butter if dairy-free.
- ½ cup water – Creates gentle steam to cook the potatoes evenly. You can substitute with chicken broth for added flavor.
- 1 teaspoon salt + ¼ teaspoon pepper – Simple but essential for perfect flavor.
- 1 ½ cups milk or heavy cream (warmed) – The warmth helps absorb smoothly into the potatoes. Substitute with chicken broth or almond milk for a dairy-free version.
See recipe card for full directions.
How to Make Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Step 1: Prep the slow cooker: Rub olive oil on the bottom and sides to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Chop potatoes: Rinse well, leave skin on Yukon Golds, peel Russets, and cut into 1½-inch pieces.
Step 3: Cook: Add potatoes, butter, water, salt, and pepper. Cook on high for 3–4 hours or low for 7–8 hours, until tender. Stir half way through but be sure to do this step quickly.
Step 4: Mash and finish: Add warmed milk, mash or beat until creamy (don’t over mix), season to taste, and serve warm.
Hint: Opening a slow cooker releases a large amount of heat so do this step quickly.
What Potatoes Are Best for Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
When it comes to what potatoes are best for mashed potatoes, Yukon Golds are the top choice for their creamy, buttery texture. They create rich mashed potatoes without needing a ton of butter or cream.
For a lighter, fluffier version, combine Yukon Gold and Russet potatoes. Russets are high in starch and make the mash airy and smooth—but be sure to peel them first. The combination gives you the best of both worlds!
Recipe Variations
There are so many fun ways to change up these Crockpot Mashed Potatoes:
- Dairy-Free: Use chicken broth instead of milk and vegan butter instead of dairy butter.
- Loaded Potato Style: Stir in shredded cheese, crispy bacon bits, and top with extra cheese and chopped chives for a “twice-baked potato” vibe.
- Garlic Lovers: Add a few minced garlic cloves to the slow cooker for extra depth.
- Herbed Potatoes: Stir in chopped parsley, thyme, or rosemary before serving.
Make-Ahead Tips
You can absolutely make Crockpot Mashed Potatoes ahead of time! Prepare them up to two days in advance and store covered in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat in the slow cooker or microwave.
Keep in mind that mashed potatoes tend to dry out slightly after refrigeration, so you’ll want to stir in extra butter and warm milk or cream as you reheat. Don’t worry—it only makes them richer and more flavorful!
How to Store and Reheat Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat on the stovetop: Warm over low heat, stirring often and adding more milk or butter as needed.
- Reheat in the microwave: Heat in short intervals, stirring occasionally to prevent uneven heating and add more cream or milk and butter as needed.
Freezing Directions
Yes, you can freeze mashed potatoes! Portion them into Souper Cubes or freezer-safe bags, flatten, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating from Frozen
Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of milk or butter. If you’re short on time, reheat directly from frozen in a covered dish in the oven or microwave—just add extra cream to restore moisture.
Instant Pot Directions
To make Crockpot Mashed Potatoes in the Instant Pot:
- Add potatoes, butter, salt, pepper, and 1 C water to the pot.
- Close lid and set to Manual (High Pressure) for 8 minutes.
- Quick release the pressure, then add warmed milk and mash directly in the pot.
- Adjust seasoning to taste and serve immediately.
This method gives you perfectly tender, creamy mashed potatoes in under 30 minutes!
FAQs About Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Yes! Freeze in portions and reheat with added butter and cream for freshness.
Absolutely! Just make sure your slow cooker is large enough to handle the batch.
Yes, substitute butter and cream with chicken broth or plant-based alternatives.
Yes! Follow the Instant Pot directions above for a quick-cooking version.
Yes. Boil potatoes until tender, drain, add butter and warm milk, then mash until creamy.
Final Thoughts
These Crockpot Mashed Potatoes are creamy, comforting, and perfect for holiday meals or weeknight dinners. With only four simple ingredients and almost no hands-on time, you can have homemade mashed potatoes without the stress. Whether you serve them at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any time you crave comfort food, they’ll be a hit on your table—and even better as leftovers!
More Easy & Delicious Holiday Recipes
- Crockpot Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice
- Easy Gluten Free Cornbread
- Air Fryer Apple Cobbler
- Fall Hash
- Apple Crisp Cookies
- Easy Quiche
- Hot Spinach Dip
- Healthy Hot Chocolate
Cooking With Lori Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Rustic Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 3 lbs potatoes - skin on Yukon gold or a combo of Yukon and Russet. If using Russet then you need to peel those.
- ¼ C butter
- ½ C water
- 1 t salt
- ¼ t pepper
- 1 ½ C milk or heavy cream - warmed
Instructions
- Prep: Lightly coat the slow cooker with olive oil or nonstick spray.
- Chop: Rinse potatoes. Leave skins on Yukon Golds; peel Russets. Cut into 1½-inch pieces.
- Cook: Add potatoes, butter, water, salt, and pepper. Cover and cook on high 3–4 hours or low 7–8 hours, until fork-tender. Stir half way through cooking but do this quickly as to not let out too much heat.
- Mash: Add warmed milk or cream. Mash or beat until creamy (don’t overmix). Adjust salt and pepper to taste and serve warm.
Notes
Ways to Use Leftover Mashed Potatoes
- Make shepherd’s pie with seasoned ground beef and veggies
- Turn into crispy potato cakes or waffles
- Use as a topping for potato-crusted quiche
- Stir into creamy potato soup for extra richness
- Roll into croquettes or bake into a casserole
