Description
The ultimate hands-off side dish: incredibly creamy, garlicky mashed potatoes made entirely in the slow cooker. Perfect for holidays or any gathering, these potatoes stay warm for hours and convert even the biggest skeptics.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5 pounds Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 8 ounces block cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
- 6–8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: chopped fresh chives, parsley, or smoked paprika for garnish
Instructions
- Prep the Potatoes: Peel all 5 pounds of russet potatoes. Cut them into 1-inch chunks. Rinse the cut potatoes in a colander with cold water until the water runs clear.
- Layer in the Crockpot: Place the rinsed potato chunks into a 6-quart slow cooker. Scatter the cubed butter, cubed cream cheese, and minced garlic on top. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
- Add the Liquid: Pour the 1/2 cup of chicken broth over the mixture. Do not add the milk yet.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours or on LOW for 7-8 hours, until potatoes are fork-tender.
- Warm the Milk: About 15 minutes before the potatoes are done, warm the 1/2 cup of whole milk in a microwave for 30-45 seconds until warm to the touch.
- Mash and Combine: Turn off the crockpot. Mash the potatoes right in the pot using a potato masher until desired consistency. Pour in the warmed milk and continue to mash until smooth and well combined.
- Final Seasoning: Taste and add more salt and pepper as needed.
- Keep Warm: Switch the crockpot to the ‘Warm’ setting. The potatoes will stay warm and creamy for up to 2-3 hours. Stir occasionally.
Notes
Do not add milk at the beginning; it can curdle. Rinse potatoes to remove excess starch and prevent gumminess. For best flavor, cook on LOW. Warm milk before adding to keep potatoes light and fluffy. Do not overmix or potatoes will become gluey.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours on HIGH or 7-8 hours on LOW
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (based on
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 480
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 6
Keywords: crockpot mashed potatoes, slow cooker mashed potatoes, garlic cream cheese mashed potatoes, easy mashed potatoes, holiday side dish, make-ahead mashed potatoes