Crockpot Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Heavy Cream

Name: Crockpot Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Heavy Cream
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 240 min
Total time: 250 min
Ingredients: 3-4 pounds Yukon gold potatoes (peeled and cubed); 1 1/2 cups chicken broth; 1-2 teaspoons seasoned salt (to taste); 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1 garlic bulb (top cut off); 1/2 -3/4 cup heavy cream; 6 tablespoons butter

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Crockpot Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Heavy Cream are perfectly creamy, buttery, and infused with rich garlic flavor. Just toss your ingredients into the crockpot, let it do the work, and in a few hours, you’ll have the best mashed potatoes that will have everyone asking for seconds. Whether it’s a holiday feast or a cozy family dinner, these garlic mashed potatoes are sure to impress!

My family loves potatoes and after years of making everything from cheesy potatoes to traditional mashed potatoes, I have found the best way to make garlic mashed potatoes. Adding to the crockpot not only keeps the cooking process simple but is key to keeping mashed potatoes warm until serving.

You will quickly learn that you don’t need to devote hours to make creamy mashed potatoes. Instead, follow the instructions in this recipe to prep in under 10 minutes.

You can also try my Pesto Roasted Potatoes featuring perfectly roasted potato wedges, seasoned with the irresistible taste of pesto or Sloppy Joe Sweet Potatoes, and Loaded Sweet Potato Skins.

Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Potatoes

Effortless and Hands-Free: Slow cookers make potato prep incredibly easy. Simply add the potatoes and other ingredients, set the timer and let them cook without needing to monitor or stir.
Tender and Delicious: Crockpot mashed potatoes come out smooth and creamy every time, making them ideal for serving to impress any guest. Plus, the potatoes absorb more flavor, resulting in a tasty dish.
Great for Feeding a Crowd: Slow cookers are perfect for cooking mashed potatoes in bulk for large gatherings. It can keep potatoes warm until serving time, which is especially convenient for holiday meals or parties.

Ingredients

Yukon gold potatoes: Use Yukon golds for rich mashed potatoes that are creamy and buttery. The starch content of these potatoes is ideal for mashing.
Chicken broth: You can also use vegetable broth.
Salt & pepper
Garlic bulb: Trim off the top of the bulb before adding to the slow cooker.
Heavy cream: For a lighter version, consider 2% or whole milk.
Butter

diced potatoes in a crockpot with broth being added

diced potatoes in a crockpot with seasoned salt being added

How To Make Potatoes in the Crock Pot

STEP ONE: Combine the potatoes and seasoning. Begin by adding the cubed potatoes to the crockpot. I prefer to peel the potatoes; however, you can also opt to cube with the peel on for added texture.

Pour in the chicken broth, seasoned salt, and pepper. Adjust the seasoning based on taste preferences. Then, give everything a good stir to ensure the potatoes are well coated with the broth and seasonings.

Next, add the whole garlic bulb to the potatoes. You will want to trim the top off to expose the cloves. This will infuse a garlic aroma and flavor through the recipe (and your home!). Finally, cover the slow cooker with the lid to trap in the heat and steam.

diced potatoes in a crockpot with a garlic bulb added

mashed potatoes in a crockpot being mashed

STEP TWO: Cook. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. Once the potatoes are tender, add the heavy cream and butter.

Use a potato masher or hand-held mixer to mash right in the slow cooker, making sure to not over-mix. If the potatoes are too thick, add more cream to thin out to desired consistency. Add more salt to taste if needed.

Tips and Recipe Notes

Be careful not to overmix potatoes or they can become gummy. It is best to mash gently and stop once creamy and smooth.
You can add a crockpot liner to the slow cooker to make clean up easier.
When cubing the potatoes, try to make all roughly the same size so they cook evenly.
Russet potatoes can also be used to make mashed potatoes, keeping in mind that the texture may vary slightly.
Make dairy-free by using unsweetened soy milk and a dairy-free butter substitute. It is best to choose brands that you enjoy the taste of as they will influence the overall flavor of the potatoes.
Turn into loaded garlic mashed potatoes by serving alongside shredded cheese, diced jalapenos, chives and crumbled bacon bits.

How To Serve Crockpot Garlic Mashed Potatoes

If serving around the holidays, roasted chicken, Old Bay Turkey or baked ham is a classic and comforting pairing. Grilled, baked or gravy-smothered pork chops also pair extremely well with mashed potatoes for a holiday meal.

I lean on steak, roast, or meatballs to round out a meal with mashed potatoes when served during the week. Paired with a sauteed or roasted vegetable, you can easily make a balanced, hearty meal.

These garlic mashed potatoes also go well with vegetarian options such as stuffed portabella mushrooms, Lentil Bolognese or a rich vegetable stew. Use vegetable broth in place of chicken broth when making this recipe to keep the entire meal vegetarian.

FAQs

Do you have to peel the potatoes?

No, peeling the potatoes is completely optional. Keeping the skin on will add more texture and nutrients to the recipe. Be sure to wash thoroughly before dicing. If extra creamy mashed potatoes are desired, I recommend peeling the potatoes.

Is this recipe gluten free?

Yes! This recipe is naturally gluten-free (and can be made dairy-free). It is best to double check all your ingredients for hidden sources of gluten.

The mashed potatoes are dry, how do I fix this?

Depending on how long the potatoes are kept on warm in the crockpot, you may need to add milk or broth. This is especially necessary when reheating to keep the potatoes creamy.

My potatoes are gummy, what happened?

If the potatoes end up gummy, they were likely overmixed. In the future, mix until creamy then stop to prevent the gummy consistency.

Storage Instructions

In the Refrigerator: To store leftovers, first, allow the potatoes to cool to room temperature. Then, transfer them into an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag, removing as much air as possible. You can refrigerate mashed potatoes for up to 3-4 days.

In the Freezer: If you want to store them for a longer period, place them in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. The texture of the potatoes may be altered when reheated, but adding a little extra milk or butter to restore their creaminess is a helpful tip.

How to Reheat: Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through. Be sure to stir them occasionally during reheating to ensure even warming.

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