Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

Creamy, cheesy Crockpot Mashed Potatoes are the perfect accompaniment to any meal. They are SO easy to make – especially for busy holidays!

Crockpot Mashed Potatoes are an easy take on everyone’s favorite version of potatoes – mashed potatoes!! If you’re a fan of these, you’ll also love our Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Loaded Mashed Potatoes!

Close up image of crock pot mashed potatoes in white bowl.

potatoes made in the slow cooker

I love coming home to something warm and delicious in the slow cooker, and what could be better than homemade mashed potatoes?

These cheesy Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes are the perfect accompaniment to any fall meal, and so incredibly easy to make. They’re creamy, smooth, and savory.

The cheese adds so much delicious flavor, and the garlic adds a great depth of flavor without being overpowering at all. Because it cooks so long with the potatoes, it gets nice and mellow, and so delicious.

Slow cooker mashed potatoes would be super fun for a Thanksgiving side dish, but they’re easy enough to make for a weeknight dinner. Cheesy garlic mashed potatoes for the win!

How to Make mashed potatoes in a crock pot

The beauty of most slow cooker recipes is that the prep work is minimal!

Throw everything into the crockpot, then wait patiently for a few hours until everything is thoroughly cooked. Sometimes this is the hardest part of the recipe. 😉

PREP. Peel and chop the potatoes into one inch pieces.

COOK. Add the potatoes and garlic to a slow cooker, pour the chicken broth over the top. Add the bay leaf and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.

MASH. Drain the potatoes, reserving the cooking liquid. Mash the potatoes with the milk and butter until mostly smooth. Add cooking liquid as needed to achieve desired consistency.

SEASON + SERVE. Stir in the sour cream, salt, pepper, and cheese. Serve warm and enjoy!

So simple!!

Mashed potatoes made in slow cooker.

Ingredient tips

Chicken broth. Trust me, using chicken broth instead of water adds a delicious depth of flavor to these garlic spuds. If you choose, simply use water. 

Stove top. This same recipe can be made on the stove top. Add the cubed potatoes, chicken broth, garlic and bay leaf to a large pot. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and cook for 15-20 minutes. Complete step 2 as written.

Types of potatoes. I used Russet Potatoes, but Yukon Golds will also work in this recipe. Stay away from waxier potatoes like red potatoes. Be sure to cut the potato cubes the same size so they cook evenly. 

Don’t over do it.

  • Over cooking will result in a soupy mash. Check doneness by sticking a fork directly into one of the cubes. If it slides right in without resistance, they’re done.
  • Over mixing will create a gluey texture, instead of the desired fluffy mash. Once you have drained the potatoes, use a potato masher or potato ricer, and mash to the desired texture. If needed, briefly use an electric mixer to get a smooth whip. 

Want more Flavor?

Flavor. The mashed potatoes are already beautifully seasoned, so I hesitate adding anything else. If desired, season the mashed potatoes with:

  • a bit of salt and pepper
  • add extra cheddar cheese
  • mix in parmesan cheese
  • top with parsley or chives
  • top with Mashed Potato Gravy
Creamy mashed potatoes made in crock pot on spoon.

Serving and storing Tips

Mashed potatoes go great with everything, but here are some of our favorite main dishes we like to serve them with:

STORE these potatoes in an air-tight container, in the fridge, for up to 5 days.

FREEZE. These mashed potatoes can be frozen, because they have some fat (butter and sour cream), which helps them keep that creamy consistency. Store in an airtight container in the freezer.

Thaw. Let the potatoes thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Crockpot Mashed Potatoes topped with shredded butter and chopped parsley.

for more great potato recipes, try:

Crockpot Mashed Potatoes Recipe

5 from 11 votes
Creamy, cheesy Crockpot Mashed Potatoes are the perfect accompaniment to any meal. They are SO easy to make – especially for busy holidays!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 278 kcal
Author Lil’ Luna

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs russet potatoes
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 4 c chicken broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3/4 c milk
  • 3 TB butter
  • 1/2 c sour cream
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 c shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions
 

  • Peel and chop the potatoes into one inch pieces. Add the potatoes and garlic to a slow cooker and pour the chicken broth over the top. Add the bay leaf and cook on low 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  • Drain the potatoes, reserving the cooking liquid. Mash the potatoes with the milk and butter until mostly smooth. Add cooking liquid as needed to achieve desired consistency. Stir in the sour cream, salt, pepper, and cheese. Serve warm and enjoy!

Head over to The Baker Upstairs to see more delicious recipes from her!

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About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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Comments:

  1. I’m just going to go ahead a put my crock pot on the counter for the season. So many great ways to use it.

  2. I can’t wait to try this recipe out. I always throw a large Thanksgiving party and the mashed potatoes take so much time right before the party starts {when I am usually flipping out, so having them slow cooking would be a huge help.

  3. How have I never made mashed potatoes in the crock pot? I just may need to make this happen tonight!

  4. My daughter looooooves mashed potatoes … and I love how easy this recipe is in the slow cooker! Even better, cooking side dishes like this in the slow cooker really frees up stovetop and oven space when you’re pulling together big holiday meals – total lifesaver!

  5. Hi there!…

    I have little, to NO skills in the kitchen, which is why I decided to choose mashed potatoes for an upcoming thanksgiving potluck I’ll be attending… Figured I can’t mess up mashed potatoes, right?!… :::crosses fingers::: Anyway, Just curious as to how many people this recipe (3lbs of potatoes) should feed?

    And if I were to bump that up to say 5lbs of potatoes, how much should I adjust the recipe? Any help will be GREATLY appreciated!… Thanks!

  6. 5 stars
    I love any recipe that uses a crockpot. It feels like its doing all the work for me. These mashed potatoes are cheesy and creamy. WHat could be better?

  7. Want to try these for my family’s thanksgiving feast! Curious of what constitutes a serving size for this recipe though. For 3 lbs of potatoes, it’s 8??? Is it about 1-2 cups’ worth? Please clarify my confusion 😊

    1. Yes, it’s a little over a cup per serving. I mean, that can adjust depending on if you are feeding adults or kids… but for the recipe, it’s a little over a cup.

  8. 5 stars
    These mashed potatoes are wonderful. Sometimes I add Parmesan cheese to them when I cook an Italian roast. Keeps the stovetop free for other dishes😊

  9. Any kind of a potatoe dish is a favorite in our home. I always have a bag ready for anything. I love these mashed potatoes.