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Creamy, cheesy crock pot mashed potatoes are the perfect accompaniment to any meal. They are SO easy to make – especially for busy holidays!

Crock pot 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.

We love them!

We all love potatoes, especially Mashed Potatoes.

Throw them in the crock pot, and we love them even more! Here’s why:

  • Great for busy holidays. When there is a lot of food to make for days like Thanksgiving and Christmas, it’s great to have sides made in the slow cooker.
  • Delicious. The cheese adds so much delicious flavor, and the garlic adds a great depth of flavor, and they simply taste amazing!
  • Simple. The slow cooker does most of the work, and we love it!

These Crockpot Mashed Potatoes would be super fun for a Thanksgiving side dish, but they’re easy enough to make for a weeknight dinner

Ingredients

  • russet potatoes – We us Russet Potatoes, but Yukon Golds will also work in this recipe. Stay away from waxier potatoes like red potatoes.
  • minced garlic
  • chicken broth
  • bay leaf
  • milk – we recommend 2% or higher
  • butter
  • sour cream
  • salt and black pepper
  • sharp cheddar cheese – or your favorite cheese

How to Make Mashed Potatoes in CrockPot

  1. PREP. Peel and chop the potatoes into one-inch pieces.
  2. COOK. 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 for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
  3. MASH. Drain the potatoes, reserving the cooking liquid. Mash the potatoes (with a potato masher) with the milk and butter until mostly smooth (they should be tender and easy to mash). Add cooking liquid as needed to achieve desired consistency.
  4. SEASON + SERVE. Stir in the sour cream, salt, pepper, and cheese. Serve warm and enjoy!

Make them 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.

Ingredient Tips

Don’t overdo 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. Use a potato masher or potato ricer for desired texture.

For more flavor, consider adding:

  • more salt and pepper (or even garlic salt)
  • add extra cheddar cheese or Parmesan cheese (or even cream cheese)
  • top with parsley, chives or crumbled bacon
  • top with Mashed Potato Gravy

Serve these with; How to Roast a Turkey, Pot Roast Recipe, Ritz Cracker Chicken

Creamy mashed potatoes made in crock pot on spoon.

storing Tips

MAKE AHEAD Yes, keep them in the refrigerator, and when ready to serve, simply reheat them in the crockpot on the “warm” setting until heated through. You may need to add a splash of milk or broth to restore the creamy consistency.

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:

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5 from 17 votes

Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes

By: Lil’ Luna
Creamy, cheesy crockpot mashed potatoes are the perfect accompaniment to any meal. They are SO easy to make – especially for busy holidays!
Servings: 8
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 4 hours
Total: 4 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 3 pounds russet potatoes
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ¾ cup milk
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Save This Recipe!
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!

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!

Video

Notes

MAKE AHEAD Yes, keep them in the refrigerator, and when ready to serve, simply reheat them in the crockpot on the “warm” setting until heated through. You may need to add a splash of milk or broth to restore the creamy consistency.
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.

Nutrition

Calories: 278kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 36mg, Sodium: 803mg, Potassium: 867mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 400IU, Vitamin C: 18.2mg, Calcium: 175mg, Iron: 1.8mg

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

Additional Info

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
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Head over to The Baker Upstairs to see more delicious recipes from her!

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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Recipe Rating




33 Comments

  1. Olivia says:

    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.

  2. CHERYL SHIRA says:

    5 stars
    I use good cheeses in there also

  3. Jane Parshey says:

    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😊

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      That’s a fun idea! Thanks for sharing. So happy to hear you enjoy the potato recipe!

  4. Kimi says:

    5 stars
    I love making my potatoes this way! So easy. Thanks

  5. Becca conrad says:

    5 stars
    Who knew you could make mashed potatoes in the slow cooker? So glad I found this recipe. They’re amazing!!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Isn’t it the greatest little trick? So glad you love the recipe!

  6. Linda Dutson says:

    5 stars
    I love how you can cook mashed potatoes in a slow cooker. They are loved at my home ❤️

  7. Allayna Decker says:

    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. Lil'Luna Team says:

      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. Joni says:

    5 stars
    Love how easy these are to make! Such a time saver. My family loves potatoes.

  9. Olvia says:

    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?

  10. Joy says:

    5 stars
    These were creamy & so good!! Making them in the crock pot came in so handy, since I didn’t have a lot of time.