Marilyns Treats

Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes Grandmas Way

by 98 Comments

Way 1: Grandmas 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. Bonus: foolproof gravy #slowcooker #potatoes #gravy

Want more crock pot ideas? See my Foolproof Gravy, Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff, 3 Bean Firehouse Chili or Crock Pot Cocktail Smokies.

Way 1: Grandmas Mashed Potatoes

Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes Grandmas Way

Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes Grandmas Way. Hot, fluffy and no lumps.
5 from 13 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: comfort, holiday
Method: Slow Cooker
Skill Level: Basic
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Slow Cooker: 4 hours
Total Time: 10 minutes
Adjust Servings: 8
Calories: 388kcal
Author: Marilyn

Ingredients

  • 5 Lbs Russet Potatoes Chopped
  • 3-4 Cloves Garlic Optional
  • 1 Tsp Kosher salt
  • Fresh ground black pepper
  • 3 to 3.5 Cups Milk
  • .5 Cup Unsalted butter

Instructions

Peel and chop potatoes:

  • 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, obviously. Transfer the potatoes to the slow cooker.

Add the seasonings:

  • 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: Pour in 1 1/2 cups milk and stir the potatoes once.

Cook until tender:

  • 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.

Melt the butter:

  • When the potatoes are done, melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat.

Warm the dairy:

  • Stir 2 cups milk, or a mixture of milk and cream, into the melted butter and warm gently over low heat.

Mash the potatoes:

  • 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.

Slowly stir in the dairy:

  • When the potatoes are as smooth as you like, slowly stir in the warmed dairy and butter. The potatoes will look soupy at first but the potatoes will quickly soak up the liquid. Add an additional 1/2 cup of milk or cream if you want them to be even creamier.

Taste and season:

  • Taste and season with additional salt or pepper if desired.

Keep warm:

  • To keep the potatoes warm, leave in the covered slow cooker on the WARM setting for up to 4 hours.

Nutrition

Calories: 388kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g (19%) | Protein: 9g (18%) | Fat: 15g (23%) | Saturated Fat: 9g (45%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 40mg (13%) | Sugar: 6g
Tried this recipe?Mention @marilynstreats or tag #marilynstreats!

Enjoy! Please come back and let me know how YOU customized your Potatoes and Gravy.

NUTRITION DISCLAIMER

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.

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Comments

  5. Miz Helen

    November 27, 2017 at 1:37 PM

    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

    Reply

  7. Lianne

    November 27, 2017 at 7:17 AM

    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

    Reply

    • Marilyn

      November 27, 2017 at 1:06 PM

      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!

      Reply

  10. April J Harris

    November 26, 2017 at 10:25 AM

    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!

    Reply

  13. Michelle

    November 24, 2017 at 11:41 PM

    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.

    Reply

    • Marilyn

      November 25, 2017 at 9:43 AM

      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!

      Reply

  15. Donna Parker

    November 24, 2017 at 10:56 AM

    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. 🙂

    Reply

    • Marilyn

      November 24, 2017 at 12:09 PM

      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!

      Reply

  16. Jann Olson

    November 22, 2017 at 10:59 PM

    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

    Reply

  17. sue

    November 22, 2017 at 1:15 PM

    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. (:

    Reply

    • Marilyn

      November 22, 2017 at 7:27 PM

      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!

      Reply

    • Marilyn

      November 22, 2017 at 7:23 PM

      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!

      Reply

  19. Robin

    November 21, 2017 at 7:43 PM

    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!

    Reply

  21. Lucy

    November 21, 2017 at 11:21 AM

    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.

    Reply

    • Marilyn

      November 21, 2017 at 12:18 PM

      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!

      Reply

  22. Cat

    November 21, 2017 at 9:35 AM

    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!

    Reply

    • Marilyn

      November 21, 2017 at 10:13 AM

      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.

      Reply

  23. Pat

    November 20, 2017 at 10:54 PM

    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!

    Reply

  25. Daphne

    November 20, 2017 at 5:56 AM

    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

    Reply

  27. Natalie A

    November 19, 2017 at 8:38 PM

    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!

    Reply

  28. Lisa

    November 19, 2017 at 6:26 PM

    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!

    Reply

    • Marilyn

      November 19, 2017 at 8:08 PM

      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!

      Reply

  29. Cindy Richter

    November 16, 2017 at 12:11 PM

    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!

    Reply

    • Marilyn

      November 16, 2017 at 12:59 PM

      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.

      Reply

    • Marilyn

      November 16, 2017 at 10:59 AM

      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!

      Reply

  31. Chrissy

    November 16, 2017 at 8:51 AM

    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.

    Reply

  34. Jean | DelightfulRepast.com

    February 23, 2017 at 11:04 AM

    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.

    Reply

  37. Cristina at Ava's Alphabet

    February 11, 2017 at 11:18 PM

    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.

    Reply

  39. Nikki Frank-Hamilton

    February 11, 2017 at 2:06 PM

    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!

    Reply

  44. Beverly

    February 8, 2017 at 9:06 PM

    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

    Reply

    • Marilyn

      February 8, 2017 at 9:31 PM

      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.

      Reply

  48. Audrey

    February 6, 2017 at 1:54 PM

    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

    Reply

    • Marilyn

      February 6, 2017 at 3:18 PM

      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.

      Reply

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