Make Ahead Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes

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Make Ahead Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes are one of the best ways to make mashed potatoes.  Seriously!  I will never make them any other way again. Great flavor and great taste and it saves room and time versus classic mashed potatoes. This is one of the best mashed potato recipes.

A bowl of make ahead crock pot mashed potatoes.

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Dinner is not the same without mashed potatoes for the holidays. The best part about this recipe is you can make the potatoes in advance and keep the mashed potatoes warm until dinner is served.

Mashed potatoes in the crock pot are an easy way to get a leg up on holiday prep. This recipe is perfect if you love mashed potatoes but you don’t have a lot of stove space to spare. The potatoes are always perfect.

Why these Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes are the Best

These potatoes are incredibly easy to make and they stay warm in the slow cooker. Everything is done right in the slow cooker (this is my favorite slow cooker) and they turn out Pinterest perfect.  Every single time. And, they’re super simple to make.

You don’t have to take up precious stove space during busy holidays.  Or baby sit a pot of boiling water on the stove top.  With this recipe, you just set it and forget it.

Why This Slow Cooker Mashed Potato Recipe is a Keeper

The secret to creamy Crock Pot mashed potatoes is using a potato ricer.  If you’ve never used a potato ricer, you don’t know what you’re missing!  This is, hands down, the easiest way to get smooth, lump-free, creamy crock pot mashed potatoes. And, you don’t end up with gluey mashed potatoes.

 This is the potato ricer I use and I love it!  But is a little heavy so you may want to check out this one. Or, you can always mash with a potato masher.

  • 10 Minute Prep: This recipe is so quick and easy to prep no need to boil and simmer.
  • Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry or the fridge.
  • Family Friendly: It is a great way to make mashed potatoes for a crowd.
  • Adaptable: Can make it low-sodium or dairy free.

If you’re looking for more potato recipes, try these Roasted Spicy Sweet Potatoes, Whipped Mashed Potatoes and Loaded Cheesy Mashed Potatoes. This is definitely a favorite crock pot recipe.

This is the perfect side dish for this ground beef skillet recipe.

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Should you let your potatoes sit before mashing?

A spoonful of the mashed potatoes.

Let them sit for three to five minutes, then mash. This will allow any excess water to dry off, further preventing soggy, watery mashed potatoes.

Ingredient Notes for Make Ahead Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

Potatoes, butter and cream for the crockpot mashed potatoes.
  • Butter: Use unsalted butter. This will allow you to adjust the amount of salt for your potatoes.

See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.

Recipe Variations and Substitutions for Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes

  • Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Add some fresh garlic to these wonderful mashed potatoes.
  • Baking Powder: Just a pinch of baking powder added to the cooked potatoes can help make them extra fluffy.
  • Cooking variation for Mashed Potatoes: Make these potatoes in the Instant pot.

Special Equipment Needed to Make Mashed Potatoes Ahead of Time

Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Creamy mashed potatoes can be made with the help of these tools. They will make perfect mashed potatoes every time.

  • Crock Pot: Free up oven space by using the crock pot for this easy recipe. Not only does it cook the mashed potatoes, but it keeps the potatoes warm.
  • Ricer: A potato ricer for the creamiest texture and fool-proof mashed potatoes. You can use a potato masher or hand mixer if you do not have a ricer.

How to Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

These are the basic steps for making . Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.

The crock pot for the make ahead crock pot mashed potatoes.

STEP 1: Peel the Potatoes

Prepare mashed potatoes by peeling and cutting potatoes and place the cubed potatoes right into the crockpot insert. Then pour enough water over the potatoes to cover and then add salt. The key is to completely cover them with water since the potatoes will turn brown.

STEP 2: Cook the Potatoes

Next, cover and cook on high for three to four hours or put the crockpot low for 6 hours. When the potatoes are fork tender, drain in a colander and then mash the potatoes and then stir in butter, half and half, sour cream, salt and pepper. You can add more half and half to reach your desired consistency. Finally, if you’re keep in slow cooker on “warm” setting until ready to eat.

Recipe FAQs for Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Use potatoes with a high starch content, like Russets, red potatoes or yukon gold potatoes to make this recipe.

First, place the potatoes in a microwave-safe dish. Always add a splash of liquid (to keep them moist) and gently stir. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap then heat at half power for 1 minute. Stir and repeat until warmed through.

Try adding sour cream, greek Yogurt, or cream cheese. Also cheese such as Cheddar, parmesan, or gouda. Finish with more butter and fresh herbs to the mash potatoes.

A finished bowl of the side ish.

Expert Tips for Making This Make Ahead Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes Recipe

The best buttery mashed potatoes are easy to make and wonderful to make ahead and reheat. Here are some hints to make this easy side dish even better. The mashed potatoes are creamy.

  • Liner: Use disposable slow cooker liners to make clean up a breeze.
  • Warm: Always add warm sour cream, butter mixture and half and half or whole milk to get the creamiest mashed potatoes.
  • Cheese: Add cheddar or cream cheese for classic cheesy potatoes!
  • Spices: Mix it up with different spices such as garlic! It all depends on your potato preference! Garlic Cloves add great flavor for garlic mashed potatoes.
  • Top: Make extra special for Christmas by adding chives or green onions on top of the potatoes. Or top with bacon and shredded cheese for loaded mashed potatoes.
  • Broth: Replace the water with vegetable broth or chicken broth for the simple to make recipe.

What to Serve with Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes
4.89 from 18 votes

Make Ahead Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes

Yield: 6 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 8 hours
Total: 8 hours 10 minutes
Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes are the BEST way to make mashed potatoes.  Seriously!  I will never make them any other way again. Great flavor and great taste and it saves room and time.
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Ingredients

  • 3 pounds Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
  • Water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup Butter
  • ¼ cup Sour cream
  • cup Half and half
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • ½ teaspoon Black pepper

Instructions

  • Put potatoes in the bowl of a slow cooker.
  • Pour enough water over the potatoes to just cover them.
  • Add salt.
  • Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours, or until the potatoes are soft.
  • When potatoes are done, mash the potatoes to your desired consistency.
  • Stir in butter, half and half, sour cream, salt and pepper. You can add more half and half to reach your desired consistency.
  • Keep in slow cooker on “warm” setting until ready to eat.

Expert Tips

 
  • Type of Potatoes: Use potatoes with a high starch content, like Russets, red potatoes or yukon gold potatoes.
  • Ricer: A potato ricer for the creamiest texture and fool-proof mashed potatoes.
  • Liner: Use disposable slow cooker liners to make clean up a breeze.
  • Warm: Always add warm sour cream, butter and half and half or whole milk to get the creamiest mashed potatoes
  • Cheese: Add cheddar on top for classic cheesy potatoes!
  • Spices: Mix it up with different spices such as garlic! It all depends on your potato preference

Estimated Nutritional Information

Calories: 300kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 872mg | Potassium: 994mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 390IU | Vitamin C: 13.2mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 1.9mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

10 thoughts on “Make Ahead Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes”

  1. THIS! You just made Thanksgiving at the Meyer’s (remember Jack?) that much easier! Thank you! Keep the recipes coming!

    Reply
  2. Hi, Christina, these sound so good! Do you drain the water off of the potatoes before mashing them, or is most of it absorbed, or ? Thank you!

    Reply

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