Creamy, cozy, and ridiculously easy, these crockpot mashed potatoes are a weeknight and holiday lifesaver. Just toss everything in, let them cook low and slow, and mash when you’re ready.

Creamy mashed potatoes in a slow cooker, topped with melted butter and chopped chives, with a wooden spoon resting inside.

I make these crockpot mashed potatoes more than I should admit, since these creamy potatoes basically cook themselves while I’m busy prepping other dishes. Bonus is that everyone loves this comfort food side dish and it’s one of those recipes I don’t have to think about.

Whether it’s a busy weeknight, Thanksgiving feast, or Christmas dinner, these homemade mashed potatoes are easy to make, budget friendly, no fancy equipment needed, and absolutely crowd-pleasing.

I tend to cook them in advance and reheat just before serving which is perfect for holiday prep (or meal prep) which means more oven space for your roast stuffed turkey breast, or roast chicken, or other sides.

Table of Contents

Simple Ingredients And Variations

Bonus is that this recipe simple, but you can switch it up depending on what you have on hand:

Potatoes: I love a mixture of russet for fluffiness or Yukon Gold for buttery richness. Avoid using waxy red potatoes.
Butter: I prefer using unsalted, so I can control the salt level.
Broth. I tend to use a low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth. You can use water instead.
Heavy cream: I tend to use heavy cream for extra indulgence but you can use half and half or even some milk.
Cream Cheese. This is the secret to the rich and creamy texture. Plus this helps to stabilize the mashed potatoes, preventing them from becoming overly watery when reheated. Sour cream will work too.
Seasonings: Salt and pepper are my go toes, but things like garlic powder or pureed roasted garlic, or herbs like fresh thyme, parsley or chives works too.
Make dairy free with olive oil and plant-based milk to your preference.
Optional toppings: Chives, bacon bits, shredded cheese, and freshly grated or parmesan are all fab.

Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!

For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.

A serving bowl filled with fluffy mashed potatoes, garnished with a pat of butter and sprinkled with fresh chives.

Bintu’s Recipe Tips

I’ve learned a few things over the years that make these creamy mashed potatoes turn out perfectly every time:

Chop evenly: Cut the potatoes into similar small pieces so they cook faster and more evenly. I suggest 1 inch chunks.
Season well: Potatoes soak up salt, so don’t be shy.
Warm your milk/cream: This helps the potatoes stay silky smooth.
Mash gently: Use a hand mixer, potato masher, or ricer and mash just until smooth and creamy. I like the hand masher for a rustic look.
Don’t overdo it: Over-mixing turns potatoes gummy and nobody wants that.
Adjust texture: If things feel too thick, stir in a splash of warm milk or cream.
Hands off the lid: Resist peeking! Lifting the crockpot lid too often drops the temperature and slows down cooking.
Easily scaled up: Feeding a crowd? Double or triple the recipe as long as your slow cooker can handle the batch.
Keep warm safely: You can leave them on “warm” for up to 2 hours before serving.

Prep Ahead For Thanksgiving or Christmas And Storage

Peel & chop the day before: Store potatoes in a bowl of cold water in the fridge overnight which will keep them from browning.
Cook ahead if you want: Make the full mashed potatoes a day or two early, then reheat in the crockpot with a splash of cream or milk.
Use the “warm” setting wisely: Once mashed, keep them in the crockpot on warm for up to 2 hours, while you juggle turkey and all the other sides.
Add extra butter or cream before serving: It freshens them up and makes them taste like you just made them.
Bring a backup splash of milk: Mashed potatoes thicken as they sit, so loosen them just before serving if needed.
Store – Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Overhead view of crockpot mashed potatoes, creamy and smooth, finished with melted butter and chopped green chives.

Serving Ideas

These are versatile enough to pair with anything:

Holiday meals: This make a great side dish for Thanksgiving mains, Turkey, honey glazed ham, roast beef, chicken meatloaf etc.
Weeknight dinners: Creamy chicken florentine , cranberry meatbealls, or roasted vegetables.
Cozy gatherings: Go well with Sunday dinners or potlucks including with this Copycat Wendy’s Chili and these lick your fingers clean Crockpot Ribs.

More Slow Cooker Recipes You May Like

Did you make this recipe? Then I would love to hear how it turned out. Please leave a comment and star rating below. And I really appreciate you sharing this recipe with your family and friends. Enjoy every mouthful 😊🍲 – Bintu

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