Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes are even easier with the help of your slow cooker! Infused with the tanginess of cream cheese and the savory of chicken broth, these potatoes are perfect for busy weeknights or when you have company coming over. They go along with all your dinner time favorites.
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There's not much that's more comforting than a warm bowl of mashed potatoes. Now you can make everyone's favorite potato recipe more easily, with the help of your slow cooker!
These are the best mashed potatoes because they're made with cream cheese, which makes them extra rich and creamy, and chicken broth, for an additional layer of flavor and comfort!
Whether you whip them up for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner or for a weeknight meal, we're confident this is one recipe you'll come back to over and over!
Need more slow cooker side dishes to try? I feel 100% certain you will love this Crock Pot corn casserole and Crock Pot stuffing too!
Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Potatoes Recipe
- Better Flavor. These are the BEST Crock Pot mashed potatoes ever! It's the chicken broth that adds a unique layer of flavor, making them ultra comforting and oh-so-delicious!
- Extra Creamy. These aren't just your ordinary mashed potatoes. These are mashed potatoes with cream cheese!! This ingredient makes them extra rich and creamy with a hint of tangy flavor.
- No Oven or Stove Needed. It's a great way to free up valuable stove space on busy weeknights or when you have company coming over.
- Cooks and Keeps Warm. The crock pot not only cooks the mashed potatoes but helps keep them warm. This is perfect for holidays and occasions where you're serving a crowd or want to keep them warm on a buffet.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Russet Potatoes: These are the best potatoes to use for mashed potatoes because they can be found anywhere and have a classic potato flavor. Yukon golds also work pretty great for creamy mashed potatoes. Avoid red potatoes which are waxy and won't have that creamy and fluffy texture.
- Chicken Broth: I use low-sodium broth to keep the salt in check. It's the hint of chicken flavor in the mashed potatoes that takes them to the next level.
- Milk: Thins out the mashed potatoes while keeping them smooth and creamy.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds a rich buttery flavor that is classic in any mashed potato recipe.
- Cream Cheese: For extra creaminess and a slight tang giving your potatoes a little something extra. For a lower-fat, higher-protein option, use Greek yogurt instead.
- Dried Seasonings: A mix of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper balances and enhances the dish's overall flavor. You can also use sauteed fresh garlic and onions instead of the dried.
Flavor Variations
There are a few ways that you can change up the flavor of these slow cooker mashed potatoes:
- Add shredded cheese. Try it with cheddar, mozzarella, or Parmesan!
- Salty and smoky. Stir in some cooked and crumbled bacon for a salty and smoky flavor.
- Richer flavor. Use half and half or heavy cream in place of the milk for even more decadence.
- Roasted garlic. With its ultra savory and slightly sweet flavor roasted garlic adds another layer of flavor that's great for mashed potatoes.
- Spicy. Make them spicy by stirring in some diced jalapeños, green chilies, or red pepper flakes.
- Fresh Herbs. For a herbaceous flavor, stir in some chopped fresh parsley, rosemary, or thyme to your mashed potatoes.
- Vegetarian. Use vegetable broth or water in place of the chicken broth. Keep in mind that this will change the flavor of the dish, so you may want to add additional seasonings to taste.
How To Make Mashed Potatoes in a Crock Pot
- Step 1: Prepare the potatoes. Peel your washed potatoes with a vegetable peeler and chop into 1-inch cubes.
- Step 2: Cook the potatoes. Add the chopped potatoes along with the chicken broth to your slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours, until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Step 3: Add the cream and seasonings. Add the milk, butter, cream cheese, and dried seasonings to the cooked potatoes. Use a potato masher or hand mixer to whip until smooth and creamy.
- Step 4: Serve and enjoy. Plate with your favorite side dishes or main course while hot and enjoy!
⭐️ Hint: Keep the Mashed Potatoes Warm In A Slow Cooker
The slow cooker is an excellent way to keep your mashed potatoes warm so they are ready to go when you're ready to eat! This is an excellent solution for larger groups and holidays!
To keep mashed potatoes warm in a slow cooker, set it to the "warm" setting after they are done cooking. This will help prevent them from scorching or drying out on the bottom. Be sure to give them a stir every 30 minutes or so to rotate the heat.
Storing & Freezing
- Storing: Cooled leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days or in the freezer for up to three months. The consistency may change when frozen.
- Reheating: Reheat them on the stove over low heat or in the microwave. You may need to add a splash of milk or cream to get them back to the desired consistency. If frozen, thaw them out in the fridge overnight.
Serving Suggestions
These crockpot mashed potatoes with chicken broth are the perfect side dish to any main meal! In our house, we love them for holidays but also for hearty weeknight meals, especially with this Crock Pot meatloaf or my easy Mississippi chuck roast.
For holidays, like Easter and Christmas, they're great with this brown sugar glazed ham or slow cooker turkey breast.
Recipe Tips
- Adjust the Flavor. After cooking and mashing, give your potatoes a taste and adjust the flavors to your taste.
- Size Matters. Cut all of the potatoes roughly the same size to ensure they all cook evenly and at the same time.
- Don't Overmix. This can make them gluey. Mix just until smooth.
- Adjust the Consistency. If your mashed potatoes are too thick, add additional milk as needed to thin out to the desired consistency.
Recipe FAQs
You can certainly make them ahead of time, but keep in mind that they may not have the same consistency when reheated. I recommend making them no more than a day in advance and storing them in the fridge until ready to serve.
Sure! Return the mashed potatoes to the crock pot and heat on high for up to an hour. Add more milk to rehydrate the potatoes and make them creamy again. Stir every 10 minutes or so and add more milk as needed. Continue cooking until your mashed potatoes are heated through.
Of course! There is lots of nutrients in the peel which might make this an attractive option. This makes your potatoes a bit more rustic and not quite as creamy. Without the peel, the potatoes will be smoother and creamier. Make sure you scrub your potatoes very well if you plan to leave the skins on as dirt often hides in the nooks and crannies of potatoes.
If you find that your mashed potatoes are too runny, place them back in the slow cooker on WARM until they have reached the desired consistency.
Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 5 lbs russet potatoes (Peeled and cut potatoes into 1-inch chunks)
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 4 oz cream cheese softened and cut into cubes
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- In a 6-quart slow cooker, add potatoes and chicken broth.
- Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours, until potatoes are tender.
- Add the milk, butter, cream cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Using a hand masher or hand mixer, mash potatoes until smooth.
- Serve while hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust the Flavor. After cooking and mashing, give your potatoes a taste and adjust the flavors to your taste.
- Size Matters. Cut all of the potatoes roughly the same size to ensure they all cook evenly and at the same time.
- Don't Overmix. This can make them gluey. Mix just until smooth.
- Adjust the Consistency. If your mashed potatoes are too thick, add additional milk as needed to thin out to the desired consistency.
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is an estimate. It may vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact ingredient numbers, I recommend calculating them with your preferred nutrition calculator.
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