Last Updated on February 25, 2022 by Anne-Marie

There's nothing easier than crockpot mashed potatoes when you're busy with cooking during the holidays.

Why this recipe works

When making these creamy Crockpot Mashed Potatoes, your slow cooker does all the work for you!

That's perfect when you're super busy with holiday cooking. 

Just a warning though. This creamy mashed potato side dish recipe is so tasty that it will have your family asking for these special mashed potatoes all the time.

Of course, it makes the ideal side dish for a variety of meals. See 35 Side Dishes to Serve with Chicken Cordon Bleu.

How to make mashed potatoes in a crock-pot

1. Prepare your Russet potatoes by washing and peeling them.

First, give them a good rinse. Then peel off the skin.

Did you know you can remove any eyes (or sprout, as they're sometimes called) with the round loop near the top of a Y-shaped vegetable peeler?

Yes, that’s what that little loop thing is for. But you can also use a paring knife, of course.

2. Line the slow cooker crock with a slow cooker liner. These are a real time saver, especially with sticky mashed potatoes.

Nothing worse than having to soak your crockpot overnight to get the crusty cooked on mash off your crockpot!

3. Cut the peeled potatoes into chunks. Then place them into your crockpot.

4. Pour chicken broth over potatoes.

5. Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours, until potatoes are fork-tender.

6. Remove potatoes from crock pot. Make sure to reserve the broth as you’ll need this to make the mashed potatoes.

7. Return to potatoes to the crock. Mash with a potato masher. (Or use an immersion blender or hand mixer.)

8. Add seasonings, cream cheese, and butter. Mash some more.

9. Add milk. Mash some more. Add in some broth if needed to get the desired consistency.

Serve them up!

What are the best potatoes to use in crockpot mashed potatoes?

You should use russet potatoes in recipes for crock-pot mashed potatoes.

They're the starchiest type of potatoes, so make fluffy and smooth mashed potatoes.

White, Yukon gold and red potatoes aren't as starchy and need more mashing to get as creamy.

However, you do need to peel russet potatoes since they have thick skins.

The nice thing about small white, Yukon gold and red potatoes is that they have thinner skins. You can skip peeling them if you don't mind skin in your mashed potatoes.

Can crockpot mashed potatoes be made ahead of time?

YES! Crock-pot mashed potatoes can be cooked the day before serving.

You can cook up the potatoes in your slow cooker. Then mash them up and store the mashed potatoes in the refrigerator in a covered container.

When you're ready to serve them up, just reheat the mashed potatoes on the stovetop with the reserved chicken broth, if needed, to moisten the potatoes.

Then add the seasonings, cream cheese, and butter. Mix until the ingredients are combined.

Finally, add in the milk and any of the reserved chicken broth as needed to get the desired consistency.

How to make dairy free slow cooker mashed potatoes

Here are some easy dairy-free substitutions:

● Use a vegan (no dairy) butter spread instead of butter.

● Use plain soy, oat, or coconut milk instead of cow's milk. (Plain almond milk would be too bitter.)

● Use vegan cream cheese or vegan tofu sour cream instead of cream cheese.

How to make gluten free crockpot mashed potatoes

If you're gluten free (or any guests or family members are) make sure to check the label of the chicken broth or stock you’re using for any gluten.

Many popular brands of chicken broth are now certified to be gluten free.

However, this changes from time to time. So always double check the label!

How to make a vegan recipe for mashed potatoes in a crock pot

If you're vegan or have vegan guests or family members, here are the substitutions you can use to make this a vegan recipe:

● Use a vegan (no dairy) butter spread instead of butter.

● Use plain soy, oat, or coconut milk instead of cow's milk. (You can also use only vegetable broth.)

● Use vegan cream cheese or vegan tofu sour cream instead of cream cheese.

(Check out this The 14 Best Substitutes for Cream Cheese article for other types of vegan cream cheeses.)

● Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

How to get the creamiest mashed potatoes in slow cooker

You may think you need to add more butter, half and half, or even whipping cream to your mashed potatoes to make them creamy.

Actually, it's about how you mash them.

A regular potato masher is fine. But to get the potatoes super creamy use an immersion blender and hand mixer.

Then add a little more broth or milk to get all those lumps of potato out of the mashed potatoes in your crockpot.

What can you add to crock-pot mashed potatoes?

• Serve salt, pepper, butter or sour cream on the side
• Add some pimento cheese (a southern favorite!)
• Mash in some roasted garlic
• Add in different shredded cheeses – cheddar, Swiss, Monterey Jack, Parmesan, etc.
• Sprinkle in different herbs like chopped chives and parsley
• Or treat yourself to loaded mashed potatoes with some bacon bits, sour and shredded cheese – oh my!

What do you serve with mashed potatoes in a crock-pot?

Obviously, crockpot mashed potatoes are terrific for holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter with recipes like Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe, Easy Instant Pot Ham Recipe (With 3 Glaze Recipes!) or Easy Crockpot Spiral Ham Recipe.

Check out the Best Gluten Free Thanksgiving Desserts Recipes and the Best Keto Thanksgiving Recipes for more delicious recipes for your holiday table.

You can also make this mashed potato crock-pot recipe anytime you want easy to make mashed potatoes. For example, this recipe is featured in The 27 Best Side Dishes to Serve with Meatloaf.

Try it with dinner recipes like:

• Marinated Chicken 
• Crock Pot Crack Chicken Recipe
• Herb & Lemon Pork Loin Roast
• Chicken Normandy
• Grilled Soy-Lemon Flank Steak
• Chimichurri Steak