Description
This Crockpot Mashed Potatoes recipe offers a hands-off approach to creamy, flavorful mashed potatoes infused with fresh herbs and garlic. Slow-cooked to tender perfection in a crockpot, these mashed potatoes are enriched with butter, cream cheese, and warm milk for a smooth and luscious texture. Perfect for holiday dinners or comforting weeknight meals, this recipe yields a large batch to serve a crowd with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes and Broth
- 3 pounds Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
Herbs and Seasonings
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Dairy
- ½ cup (1 stick) butter, cubed
- 4 ounces full-fat cream cheese, cubed
- ½ cup warmed whole milk
To Taste
- Additional salt and pepper (to taste, if needed)
Instructions
- Add Potatoes and Broth: Place the peeled and cut Russet potatoes into the crockpot. Pour the chicken or vegetable broth evenly over the potatoes to provide moisture for cooking.
- Add Seasonings: Add the minced garlic, chopped fresh parsley, thyme, rosemary, kosher salt, and black pepper to the crockpot. Stir gently to combine the ingredients evenly with the potatoes and broth.
- Cook: Cover the crockpot with its lid and cook on LOW heat for 6-8 hours or on HIGH heat for 3-4 hours. The potatoes are done when they are very tender and can be easily pierced with a fork.
- Mash Potatoes: Once cooked, add the cubed butter and cream cheese directly into the crockpot. Using a potato masher or handheld electric mixer, mash the potatoes gently until your desired consistency is reached. Be careful not to over-mix to prevent the potatoes from becoming gluey.
- Add Milk: Gradually stir in the warmed whole milk to the mashed potatoes. Continue mixing gently until the milk is fully incorporated and the potatoes achieve a creamy texture. You may use less or all of the milk depending on your preferred consistency.
- Season and Serve: Taste the mashed potatoes and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve the mashed potatoes hot as a comforting side dish. Enjoy!
Notes
- For vegetarian option, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Do not over-mix the potatoes after cooking to avoid a gluey texture.
- You can prepare the potatoes on HIGH for a quicker cook time if you are short on time.
- Warm the milk before adding to avoid cooling down the potatoes.
- Fresh herbs add a vibrant flavor but can be substituted with dried herbs if needed, adjusting quantities appropriately.
