Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes Grandma’s Way
The secret to mashed potatoes lies in the right floury potato (the russet), a potato ricer and, of course, indulgent fats such as cream and butter. Slow Cooker meals are the best.
Here is Mashed Potatoes and all the options prepared my Grandma’s way.
As you all know I learned how to cook from my Grandmother.
And this Irish lady knew all about potatoes.
Although she never used a crock pot to cook and keep them warm, I know she would have done them that way in a hot minute.
Grandma always had 4 burners going at once and at least 2 items in the oven on Holiday mornings.
She did make most of her sides the day before.
And she knew how to cook for an army!
I bet you haven’t given much thought to using the crock pot as an additional burner.
If you cook for a crowd then you need to get serious about your crock pot.
These are the INGREDIENTS you will need:
- 5 Lbs Russet Potatoes, chopped
- 3 Cloves Garlic, optional
- 1 Tsp Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon Fresh ground black pepper
- 3.5 Cups Milk
- 1/2 Cup Unsalted butter
These are the INSTRUCTIONS for preparation:
- Lightly grease the slow cooker insert with butter or cooking spray.
- Peel the potatoes and chop into small pieces about 1 inch to a side. The smaller the potatoes, the faster they will cook.
- Transfer the potatoes to the slow cooker.
- Smash the garlic cloves, if using, and drop on top of the potatoes. Stir in the salt and a generous quantity of black pepper.
- Pour in 1 1/2 cups milk and stir the potatoes once.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook 4 to 5 hours on HIGH or until the potatoes are very tender and soft.
- Turn the heat to WARM.
- When the potatoes are done, melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat.
- Stir 2 cups milk, or a mixture of milk and cream, into the melted butter and warm gently over low heat.
- If you used garlic but don’t want the potatoes super garlicky, remove the garlic cloves and discard. Use a spoon to scoop out and discard any browned bits on the sides of the pot. Use a potato masher or ricer to mash the potatoes right in the pot.
- Taste and season with additional salt or pepper if desired.
- To keep the potatoes warm, leave in the covered slow cooker on the WARM setting for up to 4 hours.
These mashed potatoes take absolutely no time from your schedule once you have them started.
And they will keep your potatoes warm for up to 4 hours.
No more last minute trying to get the potatoes, canned veggies, gravy or rolls all finished at the same time.
And then you need to worry about the potatoes getting cold after 10 minutes!
You can’t get more simple or organized than this.
Your mashed potatoes wil be ready when you are.
And they will still be warm when the last person gets to the head of the buffet!
I have 5 crock pots of varying sizes just for this very reason.
I am never good at multi tasking through a large get together!
Enjoy! Please come back and let me know how YOU customized your Potatoes and Gravy.
Few Things to Be Aware Of:
Depending on how long you cook the mashed potatoes, the milk will probably begin to caramelize and brown around the edges of the pot, the way it does on top of a baked potato gratin. You can scrape away this browned milk, but you can also leave it in and it’s actually quite delicious.
The final recipe here, too, is one for rich, creamy, holiday-style mashed potatoes. But you don’t have to add the butter and milk; you can of course just use the basic method and mash up the plain potatoes for a lighter dish.
Dairy-Free Potatoes:
You can also cook the potatoes in chicken or vegetable broth instead of milk.
Lighter Mashed Potatoes:
This recipe is for Perfect Mashed Potatoes and they are quite rich and creamy. But of course you don’t need to add the butter, milk, or cream. You can simply cook the potatoes and then mash them without additional dairy.
Potato Add-Ins:
I like to switch up the flavor and color of my mashed potatoes. I add rutabaga, or use a mix of Yukon Gold and russet for color and flavor. This is easy in the crock pot. Just cut up the potatoes or another root vegetable and cook along with the main bulk of the potatoes.
I have some great tips on getting the most from your crock pot at How Not To Make The Worst Crock Pot Meal Ever.
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes Grandmas Way
Ingredients
- 5 Lbs Russet Potatoes, chopped
- 3 Cloves Garlic, optional
- 1 Tsp Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon Fresh ground black pepper
- 3.5 Cups Milk
- 1/2 Cup Unsalted butter
Instructions
- Lightly grease the slow cooker insert with butter or cooking spray.
- Peel the potatoes and chop into small pieces about 1 inch to a side. The smaller the potatoes, the faster they will cook.
- Transfer the potatoes to the slow cooker.
- Smash the garlic cloves, if using, and drop on top of the potatoes. Stir in the salt and a generous quantity of black pepper.
- Pour in 1 1/2 cups milk and stir the potatoes once.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook 4 to 5 hours on HIGH or until the potatoes are very tender and soft.
- Turn the heat to WARM.
- When the potatoes are done, melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat.
- Stir 2 cups milk, or a mixture of milk and cream, into the melted butter and warm gently over low heat.
- If you used garlic but don’t want the potatoes super garlicky, remove the garlic cloves and discard. Use a spoon to scoop out and discard any browned bits on the sides of the pot. Use a potato masher or ricer to mash the potatoes right in the pot.
- Taste and season with additional salt or pepper if desired.
- To keep the potatoes warm, leave in the covered slow cooker on the WARM setting for up to 4 hours.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients used.
Conversion Information We get a lot of requests to help with conversions especially between various countries like Canada, the U.K. and Australia. These tables should help you make those conversions. For your convenience we have included a Conversion Chart.
Disclaimer Unless indicated recipes influenced by cookbooks, magazines or family traditions.
I am going to save this recipe for my coming new year celebs, looks like I can make my guests want to get around asking for recipe #BloggersPitStop
I hope they will! You will love the ease of the prep. Have a great week!
Your gravy recipe is just like Grandma’s. Why mess with perfection. Very nice of your to share it with the measurements.
Thanks! It is a favorite in our home, too. Have a great week!
I need to add this to my list for next year. Thanks. Thanks for joining the To Grandma’s House We Go link party! Your post has been pinned!
i hope to get to try these mashed. Enjoy!
I love the idea of utilizing the slow cooker for the mashed potatoes. Among other things it frees up oven space for Thanksgiving.
That and not having to worry about burning or keeping them warm. it is definitely a win win!
These will be great Mashed Potatoes for any season! Thanks so much for sharing with us at our Thanksgiving Edition of Full Plate Thursday! Hope you have a great week and come back soon!
Miz Helen
I love mashed potatoes so this version is a must for me! Have a great week!
I never even thought of using the crockpot for potatoes but I will definitely try the mash recipe
The one with the onions s my top pick. Reminds me of shepherds pie. Enjoy!
Both of these mashed potato recipes sound amazing! I’ve just got a slow cooker so I will have to try one of these for my Christmas mashed potatoes!
Lianne | Makes, Bakes and Decor
I can’t give these mashed a higher vote. It is so wonderful not to have to babysut them when all the last minute details of the meal need to be attended to. Enjoy!
Oooh slow cooker mash! That is something I have never tried, this is going on my to try list! x
It is such a pleasure to make those last minute mashed in the slow cooker. Have a great week!
Looks yummy! Thanks for sharing at Friday Frenzy Link Party! PINNED!
Thanks for the pin Kelly. #FridayFrenzy Have a great week!
Both these variations on Slow Cooker Mashed potatoes sound terrific, Marilyn! I love the idea of stirring the caramelized bits into the potatoes for flavour! The gravy looks wonderful too. There really is nothing like homemade from scratch gravy. Thank you so much for sharing and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party. I hope you and yours have had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!
Thank you so much April! I love the part of adding onions to the mashed too. Makes them a cut above the rest. #HearthandSoul Have a great week!
Wish I’da seen this before Thanksgiving Dinner! I’m definitely pinning it for next year: anything that frees up my stove top is a win in my book!
Thanks Michelle! I am glad you like the idea. i visited your blog and connected on FB. Love your theme! have a great week.
I had no idea this was even a possibility, good to know. Thanks.
I am glad you liked it. I found if you want to cook anything you can find a crock pot recipe for it! Have a great week!
I always struggle with gravy. It’s either all lumpy or too watery. Now I know why it’s lumpy, looks like I use too little fat. Thanks for that Marylin and for the recipe on your to make mash in a slow cooker. That’s a game changer. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving dear lady.
I am glad this recipe is useful for you. Some of the simplest dishes have the hardest tricks to discover! My holiday was lovely. I hope you have enjoyed your week!
Never thought of doing mashed potatoes in the slow cooker – but this looks delicious. Thanks for sharing on BloggersPitStop#101
Thanks Claire. I hope you get the opportunity to try the crock pot on your mashed potatoes! Have a wonderful week.
You had me at slow cooker then threw in mashed potatoes – will you blog marry me? lol 😉
Seriously, these look delicious, can’t wait to try them. Thank you. Dropped by from #BloggersPitStop today but always happy to be here. 🙂
Hope this weekend treats you kindly. 🙂
I will blog marry you id you do the grocery shopping and dishes! LOL. I am glad you like the recipe. What a time saver asnd I never have to baysit them as I am finishing up the last minute tasks. Happy Holidays!
Very yummy! I have to have mashed potatoes and gravy every once in a great while. I’ve never tried making them in a crock pot. Thanks for sharing your recipes with SYC. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving.
hugs,
Jann
These are so good and never burn!!i love my crock pot. Happy Thanksgiving.
Shared on our hospitality group page – some were stressing over gravy! You’re invited: WelcomeHeart,WelcomeHome FB group – all things hospitality for heaven’s sake. (:
Thank you for the share and ivite Sue! I went to the group and it says I have applied so I guess I need to wait to be approved. Thank you I am so excited! Have a great week!
We’re hosting our first Thanksgiving – doing everything. Gravy has me so nervous so I’ll try your recipe! Visiting from Whisk It Wednesday.
The trick is to keep stirring while it thickens. I use a whisk. Don’t use a mixer whisk attachment as it adds too much air. Add flour slowly so it doesn’t clump. Add a bit at a time because it thickens a minute or so each time you add the flour. Don’t be afraid! Have a jar or two on hand just in case of prepared gravy. You can also substitute corn starch for the flour. Some folks swear it is less likely to clump. You will do fine! Stir, stir, stir! Good Luck!
Thank you for sharing! I love using a slow cooker and I have never given mashed potatoes a thought! I look forward to trying this recipe for the holiday!
It was a life saver last year when I needed to save space and not have to worry about making those potatoes at the last minute. Enjoy! Have a great week.
I would not have thought of doing potatoes in a slow cooker. I guess that’s one way to free up some of the hob when making dinner
Thank Jacqui! It is a space saver. Have a great week.
I’ve never tried mashed potatoes in my slow cooker but these look great! Great to be able to make a side dish in the crockpot for the holidays, so convenient to use less oven space. I run the Slow Cooked Challenge linky if you wish to join in, it would be lovely to see you there.
Thank you Lucy for looking at my mashed potatoes recipe. I would love to join your party. Thanks for the invitation. I will add it to my pinterest board and blog directory. Have a good week!
I’d never have thought mashed potatoes would be something you could make in your crock pot. Anything that can free up your hob is always a good plan!
I love this method snce it can stay warm without burning, creates less dirty dishes, and eliminates the steam in the kitchen. I hope you get to use it! Have a wonderful week.
I am going to try your “ultimate mashed potatoes” for Thanksgiving, Marilyn. It sounds so good and keeping them warm in the slow cooker will be helpful while I heat up everything else.
Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
I just know they will be a big hit Pat. And you can’t beat NOT having to babysit them to stay warm so they don’t burn! Happy Thanksgiving!
Gravy is the bane of my existence, and every year I threaten to buy a can for Thanksgiving dinner. This year, I’ll use your recipe (and be thankful!).
Thank you Michele! You flatter me. Enjoy the gravy and Huge Thanksgiving blessings to you and your family.
Good Morning Marilyn, Oh my word, this is a triumph. I use my slow cooker quite a lot, but I would never have imagined that I could make mash potato using my slow cooker. I look forward to making my next batch of mashed potato using my slow cooker.
Thank you so much.
Have a lovely day and a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Best Wishes
Daphne
I hope you love the convenience as much as I do! Happy Thanksgiving!
I would have never thought of making mash in the slow cooker before. #mealplanningmonday
This method is excellent when you don’t need to watch an extra pan or need the burner. It eliminates the steam in the kitchen too! Happy Thanksgiving!
I have never cooked mashed potatoes in a slow cooker. It sounds like something I need to try out for the first time. I love mashed potatoes so much! I’m going to pin this recipe and try it out in the near future. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the pin Natalie! Let me know how they turn out! Happy thanksgiving.
Thanks so much Marilyn for these recipes. I just purchased a slow cooker and I want to make my Thanksgiving mashed potatoes in it this year as I have limited burner space. I’ve pinned your recipe and will give a try. Thanks also for hosting and have a very happy Thanksgiving!
Lisa, you are about to change the way you cook forever. That crock pot will make your home smell wonderful and have your meals ready when you are. I also love that when you have a few things cooking at the same time, you can cook and keep another dish warm. Since you can serve from the pot it also eliminates extra dishes! Enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving!
Slow Cooker mashed potatoes is genius! Why have I never thought of this?! This seriously makes my whole Thanksgiving so much better. Quick question though. Can I peel and store the potatoes somehow the night before I cook them or will it ruin the potatoes? Thanks!
Sure! I have put them in an air tight container no water. Then I rinsed them and dumped them in the crock pot. I do as much ahead of time as possible. Including setting the table! Enjoy.
I have to make these. Am a big fan of the slow cooker. Pinning! Over from Treats!
I know you will love these. My crock pot is plugged in all winter. I never go anywhere due to the cold so the OCD about have an appliance on all day doesn’t bother me as much! Have a good holiday!
Why have I never tried this? What a great way to get the potatoes done for that big holiday meal without taking up stove space or having to stand over the pan. Definitely trying this! I like my potatoes more rustic so I don’t peel and I fell in love with Rachael Ray’s mixins of bacon and roasted garlic I tried a few years ago so I’ll probably stick with that.
I am going to spice them up this. Bacon and garelic sound wonderful!!! And just a secret I leave the skin on to!
How silly that I never once thought to make mashed potatoes in a slow cooker. IT is a great idea. Thank you.
I only do it when my oven is in use and so are all 4 burners. And it uses less pots, too! Have a lovely week.
These recipes are right on time! They expand the options for handling extra guests at holidays. Thanks so much! Looking forward to trying these!
So glad I could help Pam! timing is everything. I am all for convenience and less cleanup! Have a lovely week!
Marilyn, I can’t mash the potatoes in my slow cooker because it has a Teflon-type coating, but I could cook them in it, dump them out to mash, and then return them to the slow cooker. Definitely want to try it. But no garlic for me, I’m allergic.
It sounds like a plan jean! Let me know how it turns out! Have a great day.
What a super easy way to make a dish that has always seemed to stump me just a bit. Thanks for sharing this with us at The Mommy Monday Blog Hop…
You are welcome. Tiffany. I am glad you like it! Happy Valentine’s Day.
Marilyn! Such helpful tips, we all love using our slow cookers for everything.
Thanks for sharing with Smell Good Sunday, and you are featured again!
http://jaytriedandtrue.blogspot.com/2017/02/smell-good-sunday-7.html
You are always so sweet! I love your party. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Thank you, Marilyn! I love the idea of making mashed potatoes in the slow cooker. And you have included such great tricks and tips as well. Pinned and sharing. Thank you for joining us at Family Joy Blog Link-Up Party. I hope you will join our next party starting Sunday at noon EST.
You are very welcome. I am glad the tips may help! Happy Valentine’s Day.
What a neat idea! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Thanks Jess.Happy Valentine’s Day.
Marilyn, if there’s one thing we love in the winter it’s mashed potatoes! Warms you up and fills you at the same time. I’ve never tried them in a slow cooker, but this sounds like a great way to keep a burner open on the stove for other things!
I am so lazy. No frenzied after prerp, keeping them warm, or storing dish! I hit the jackpot this Thanksgiving! Happy Valentine’s Day.
I love anything I can prepare in the slow cooker!!!
I love mine for anything! Thanks Angela and have a great day!
Over the years I’ve made lots of things in my slow cooker but never mashed potatoes. Thank you!
It was truly genius at Thanksgiving. Dump them and forget them. Let me know if you try it!
Perfect for Thanksgiving and other holidays where I never seem to have enough burners. Thanks for sharing at Together on Tuesdays; Pinned!
My thinking exactly! Have a greatweek!
Looks so tasty! Visiting from #ThursdayFavoriteThings
Thanks Carol! Have a great week.
Your mashed potatoes look great. My Mom used to make hers on the stove and then keep them warm in the crockpot. If she only knew she could actually make them in the crockpot from the beginning. We didn’t know you then, too bad.
Hugs,
Bev
I just needed the stove space and also had too many “last minute” items so I threw them in there. I need to remember that treick for those big buffets! Thanks Bev.
Your mashed potatoes look so good. Thank you for sharing your recipe at the Snickerdoodle Create~Bake~Make link party!
Thank you so much Sharon! Have a great week.
Yum! These look great! I’ve never made slow cooker potatoes!! I can’t wait to try them!
Thanks Caitlin. They are great when you need the stove space or the last minute time!
This is the perfect comfort food for these cold winter days. Thanks for this great recipe Marilyn.
I am glad you found it useful Mary. I hope you had a great birthday!
I usually just make them on the stove because I am only cooking for 3. Well, my 8 year old usually eats enough for 2 so… Maybe I should try to make them in the slow cooker.
Thanks for sharing your tips on #FridayFrivolity
I liked the slow cooker option for Thanksgiving, etc. I have one oven and a split shelf so I gert the main dish and one side in it. Then I have 4 burners. The slow cooker doesnt require a burner, keeps them warm and no last minute prep. And it stores the potatoes right in it, so one bowl!! Otherwise I just make them on the stove at the last minute. The more I can do ahead of time, the happier I am! Thanks Audrey! Have a great week.
Sounds great – have a great week and Thanks for sharing on the What’s for Dinner link up!
Thank you Helen. You too!