Creamy, buttery garlic and herb mashed potatoes made right in the slow cooker! These are the easiest, best tasting mashed potatoes you will ever make!
It’s baaaaaack! Slow cooker mashed potatoes are making a new appearance here on the CDLC blog. My original Slow Cooker Mashed Potato recipe is by far the most popular recipe on this entire blog. Apparently y’all are as obsessed with ridiculously easy and perfectly creamy mashed potatoes as I am. You and me, we’re two peas in a pod I tell ya.
Which is why I just know that you are going to l.o.v.e. this new slow cooker mashed potato recipe. Today we’re adding butter and garlic and bright herbs to a classic side dish so you know it’s gonna be good.
Now let’s break it down. All you do is add some chopped red potatoes to your greased slow cooker. That’s step one. And I’m just going to answer your question now because I know that it’s coming – NO you don’t not need to add any liquid to the pot. Just the potatoes. Pretty cool huh? Plus you can leave the skins on! Red skins in my mashed potatoes make me swoon.
After 2-3 hours of cooking on high (or 5-6 on low) you add the rest of the ingredients. ALL of them. Just dump them in, no need to be graceful about it, we’re about to make a mess anyway.
Now get your hand mixer out and whip those babies up until they’re pretty smooth but still have some chunks of potato throughout. I just pulse the mixer until I get the texture I want. These potatoes are not meant to be perfectly smooth – they are real potatoes, not instant potatoes. Let them keep a bit of texture!
If you want, you can also use a masher. It’s totally up to you. But be sure to check out my tips for perfect mashed potatoes – if you aren’t careful you can end up with “gluey” mashed potatoes. I’ve never had this happen to my potatoes but enough people have been disappointed in their own mashed potatoes that I’ve included some great tips for avoiding that crisis.
And that’s it! Seriously. Perfectly buttery herb mashed potatoes that you made in the crockpot so you didn’t even have to take up any stove or oven space. Thanksgiving is saved.
What people are saying about these Slow Cooker Buttery Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes
“Tiffany, these were fantastic! I have always had trouble making mashed potatoes from scratch and had settled for the microwaveable Bob Evans mashed potatoes since my potatoes always came out horribly . I also hate to dirty up so many dishes having to boil potatoes. I made this for Thanksgiving this year and everyone raved about them. I doubled the recipe and omitted the basil due to personal preference. Girl, this was HEAVEN! Thank you so so much for making my life a little easier & tastier!” – Gladys
“I made the original mashed potato recipe at Thanksgiving and just made these potatoes for dinner. These were seriously the best potatoes I’ve ever had in my life. I’m not much of a cooker, so I seriously can’t believe how easy these were to make and how delicious they are!” – Kyleigh
“I made these last night, and they were freakin’ delicious! I would use half the amount of salt next time (they were a little too salty), but otherwise I wouldn’t change a thing. I also didn’t have a gluey problem.” – Alex
“My mashed potatoes will never be the same! I can’t believe I am just now discovering this method of making mashed potatoes. Held up all the flavors and so much easier to make! It made our Thanksgiving meal that much better. Will make crock pot mashed potatoes from now on! Thanx!” – Amber
Slow Cooker Buttery Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds red potatoes - washed and chopped into 2-inch pieces, (you don't need to peel them)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup sour cream - (or plain greek yogurt)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley - (or 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes)
- ½ teaspoon dried or fresh basil
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup milk
Instructions
- Add chopped potatoes to a greased slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or 5-6 hours on low.
- When potatoes are cooked and fork-tender, add all remaining ingredients (let the butter melt for a couple of minutes). Use a hand mixer or a masher to mash the potatoes. (*see note) Serve warm.
Notes
**This recipe can easily be doubled for large groups – just increase the cooking time by 1-2 hours.
**Although I have never had this happen to my potatoes, I have heard some people complain of “gluey” potatoes after mashing. For help on making perfect, never-gluey mashed potatoes, head to my Tips for Making Perfect Mashed Potatoes page.
Nutrition
This is my first time using our crockpot and I’m doubling the recipe and using golden Yukon potatoes. How big should the potatoe pieces be?
i made these the other day in prep for thanksgiving and they are AMAZING ! one question- is it possible to make them the day before? and if so, what is your suggestion for reheating? Thanks!
Hi Anne! Yes you could make them the day before (always best fresh but I totally make things ahead of time when I can!) You could keep them in the crockpot, cover it and put it in the fridge if you have room, then reheat right in the slow cooker. You could also put it all in a casserole dish and reheat in the oven for a couple hours on very low temp. I have also used the microwave too but for smaller batches, usually leftovers. Hope this helps!
Can I make this recipe the traditional way by boiling potatoes in a pot? The reason I ask is because I want to make it for Thanksgiving but my slow cooker isn’t big enough to fit as much as I need it to. If I can, do all of the measurements stay the same?
By the way, what does this do different compared to boiling them in a pot?
Hi Ali! This recipe just allows you to free up stove and oven space! Also, you can keep them warm for a while and serve them right from the slow cooker. You could definitely follow the recipe ingredients and cook the potatoes on the stove though!
Glad to know! Thank you so much!
Could I make the recipe double + half (5 pounds potatoes, 10 T butter etc) in a 6 qt crockpot?
How long should I allow for the potatos to cook? Once everything s combined, can it all just sit in the crockpot on low until it’s served?
Hi Anne, I would error on the side of more cooking time and keep an eye on them after an extra hour or two. You can always keep them covered with the slow cooker on warm til you’re ready to serve!
What size Slow Cooker did you use?
When I make a single batch, I use a 4 quart slow cooker.
Thank you! I am making this for Thanksgiving!
Looks absolutely amazing! I think I’ll have to give this one a try for Thanksgiving 😉
This recipe is fantastic! I think I just found a new favorite way to make mashed potatoes. So easy too! Thank you!
Two things for other readers….
I cut the salt and pepper in half and it seemed like the perfect amount to me- and I even love my things salty!
Also, I cooked them on high and will do the low option next time. I had a number of potatoes that got a little burnt and that was after about 2 1/2 hrs. I just cut off the burnt part and we still enjoyed this delicious recipe, so it wasn’t a huge deal, but I think the low setting is probably the way to go.
Are you sure it’s OK to use your electric mixer right in the crock pot?
I haven’t had any issues with it!
These were very, very good, and incredibly easy
These are terrific potatoes! I used peeled Yukon Gold potatoes and a potato masher. One tsp. of salt was perfect for my family since we were having a meat dish with gravy. Some of the potatoes got a little browned while cooking (this started a couple hours into the five hour cooking time, on low), but it didn’t affect the overall flavor. I know I will be making these potatoes again and again. Thank you!
Hello! If I am cutting this recipe in half (as I am only cooking for 2) what should I adjust the cooking time to? Thank you! I look forward to making this!
Hi Kim – I actually always make a full batch of this even if it’s just for me and my husband and then keep half in the fridge or freezer for leftovers cause they keep pretty well! If you definitely want to half the recipe though you probably will need half to two thirds of the cooking time. When the potatoes are very easily pierced with a fork, they’re ready!
So I just cook the potatoes only in the slow cooker and when they’re done, add the rest of ingredients… correct?
Yep just like the recipes says!
i just bought the Miracle Dough cookbook. It didn’t download. How can I get it? Thanks
Hi Gail! Sorry for any frustration with the download process! Just shoot me an email at tiffanyazure(at)yahoo(dot)com and I’ll help you get it all sorted out!! 🙂
Could you substitute heavy whipping cream for the milk for a creamy texture? Does anybody have any experience with this substitution for this recipe?
Hi Haley! You could definitely substitute heavy cream – they’ll be more rich but that’s not a bad thing! 🙂
Made these tonight, best mashed potatoes I have ever eaten!