• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Feels Like Home™ logo

  • Shop
    • Christianity Downloads
    • Family Downloads
    • Food & Cooking Downloads
    • Hobbies & Crafts Downloads
    • Learning Downloads
  • Blog
  • Family
    • Parenting
    • Holidays & Celebrations
    • Marriage
    • Kids activities
      • Kids Crafts
      • Christmas Crafts for Toddlers & Preschoolers
      • Christmas Crafts for Kids
      • Christmas Crafts for Tweens & Teens
    • Learning
      • Reading & Writing
      • STEM
  • Faith
    • Bible Study
    • Encouragement
  • Recipes
    • Comfort Food
    • Eating after Bariatric Surgery
    • Gluten-Free
    • Recipes for Foodie Kids
    • Quick & Easy Weeknight Meals
  • Health
    • Mental Health
      • Hobbies & Crafts
      • Self-Care
    • Physical Health
      • Bariatric Surgery
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • SHOP
  • RECIPES
  • FAMILY
  • FAITH
  • HEALTH
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    See More:   Comfort Food Gluten-Free Holiday Meals Raising Foodie Kids Recipes for Beginners Side Dishes Vegetarian

    Last Modified: Nov 14, 2022 by Tara Ziegmont 12 Comments

    The Best Rich & Creamy Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes

    135FacebookMessenger128PinterestTwitterWhatsAppEmail
    263
    SHARES
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    With sour cream and cream cheese mixed in, these Crock Pot mashed potatoes are delicious, rich, and creamy. Thanks to the slow cooker, they are easy to make ahead and simply heat on the holiday morning - couldn't be easier!

    A bowl of Mashed potatoes made in a crockpotPin

    You will not ever make creamier mashed potatoes than these. The sour cream and cream cheese give them a smooth texture and and give them a rich flavor.

    The very first time we ever made this recipe (on Thanksgiving day - always try the recipe before the holiday!), we made a giant mistake: we didn't pre-cook the onion, thinking that it would cook in the slow cooker. Unfortunately, that meant that our rich and creamy slow cooker mashed potatoes had crunchy raw onion in them.

    Mashed potato fail.

    We learned our lesson that Thanksgiving and always sauté the onions ahead of time.

    And our onion-hating kids don't even know that these have onions in them because the onions sort of disappear.

    What you'll need to make slow cooker mashed potatoes

    Equipment

    You will need standard kitchen equipment for this recipe, including a sharp knife and cutting board, a small skillet, and a 6-quart Crockpot or other slow cooker. You'll also need a potato masher, of course.

    Ingredients

    • Chicken broth - Enough to cover the potatoes in the pot, for 3 pounds of potatoes, about 2 quarts of broth.
    • Potatoes - I think yellow Yukon Golds are the best potatoes for this recipe because they are creamier than white potatoes, but a lot of people prefer classic russet potatoes because they're starchier and hold up better.
    • Cream cheese - You'll soften this before you use it, so it would be okay to leave it out on the counter for a couple of hours before you need it.
    • Sour cream or Greek yogurt - Greek yogurt tastes almost exactly the same as sour cream, so I go with the lower calorie and lower fat yogurt.
    • Evaporated skim milk - This is half of a small can.
    • 1 small onion - You want to dice this onion as small as possible (mince it even, if you can), and you will also pre-cook it in some butter before adding it to the potatoes.
    • Kosher salt & pepper to taste
    • Milk & unsalted butter - This is to thin the potatoes after they've been in the slow cooker for a few hours.

    How to use the slow cooker for mashed potatoes

    You have two options here, make the potatoes on the stovetop and use the slow cooker to keep them warm or to make the potatoes entirely in the Crockpot.

    It doesn't matter which way you go. Both work really well. This mashed potatoes recipe is so awesome that you can't go wrong either way.

    To make the mashed potatoes on the stove top and use the slow cooker to keep them warm

    1. Add the diced potatoes to a large pot of chicken broth. Bring to a boil and cook until fork tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and mash.
    2. In the meantime, sauté the diced onion in 2 tablespoons of butter in a small skillet until onion is translucent and beginning to brown. If you skip this step, the onions will be crunchy in your finished potatoes, and nobody wants crunchy onions in their potatoes.
    3. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, evaporated milk, cooked onion, salt, and black pepper until blended. Add to mashed potatoes and mix well.
    4. Transfer mashed potato mixture to the crock pot. We use a 6-quart crock pot, and the potatoes half fill it.
    5. Can be cooked on low up to 4 hours or on the keep warm setting for longer. Re-moisten with milk and butter if needed.

    To make the mashed potatoes directly in the Crockpot

    1. Add the potatoes to the slow cooker with plenty of chicken broth to cover them.
    2. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
    3. Drain the water from the potatoes and mash right in the crockpot.
    4. Sauté the diced onion in 2 tablespoons of butter in a small skillet until onion is translucent and beginning to brown. If you skip this step, the onions will be crunchy in your finished potatoes, and nobody wants crunchy potatoes.
    5. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, evaporated milk, cooked onion, salt, and pepper until blended. Add to mashed potatoes in the slow cooker, mix well, and cover with the lid.
    6. Can be cooked on low an additional 4 hours or use the keep warm setting for longer. Re-moisten with milk and butter as needed.

    One additional note about using the CrockPot for mashed potatoes

    When you put mashed potatoes in the CrockPot, they tend to get thick. Be prepared to thin them back out with heavy cream or half and half (whole milk will work in a pinch) and melted butter. I've also heard of people thinning them with chicken broth, but I prefer cream.

    What kind of potatoes should you use for Crockpot mashed potatoes?

    I love Yukon Gold potatoes, and that's what I use for mashed potatoes any time I make them. You can certainly use russets or another type of potato, although I don't think red potatoes or fingerling potatoes would mash as well. You can peel Yukon golds if you want to, but I wash mine thoroughly and leave the skins on. If you're using russets, make sure to peel them.

    Do you have to peel the potatoes for Crock pot mashed potatoes?

    If you want the lightest and creamiest potatoes, then yes, you will need to peel them.

    If you're using Yukon Gold potatoes, you can leave the skins on as long as you don't mind the slightly chewy texture they'll give the finished mashed potatoes. You'll notice the skins, but they are soft and easy to chew. I personally don't mind them.

    If you're using Russet potatoes, you will definitely want to peel them. Russets have a tough outer skin that isn't very pleasant, especially in mashed potatoes.

    Tips for the best Crockpot mashed potatoes

    Make sure all of the potato pieces are cut the same size and cut them small. When the potatoes are different sizes, they will cook at different rates, and some will end up being overcooked while others may be undercooked. Keeping them all the same size ensures even cooking and a nicer consistency.

    Make sure you drain the chicken broth before mashing the potatoes! If you don't, they will be soupy.

    I know that some people use a hand mixer to mash their potatoes, but this typically results in a gummy potato mess because it mucks up the starch. Stick to the potato masher for smashing the potatoes. You can do this right in your Crockpot.

    Make sure you're using enough salt. Potatoes soak up salt and need a lot more than you think to make them taste good. Add some salt, taste test, and add some more if you think they need it. You might have to add it 3-4 times or more. Undersalted potatoes are bland and sort of flavorless.

    How much mashed potatoes should you plan per person?

    When serving a big holiday meal, the general rule of thumb is ½ pound of potatoes per person with no leftovers. However, these potatoes are really really good, and in my experience, people eat more than that, so you should probably plan for a bit extra so that you don't run out.

    How many potatoes can I fit into my slow cooker?

    5 pound of potatoes will completely fill a smaller 3-quart slow cooker to the top. 10 pounds of potatoes will completely fill a larger 6-quart slow cooker to the top.

    As I said above, I put 5 pounds of potatoes in my 6-quart slow cooker because then I have room to stir without spilling potatoes over the edge.

    Can this recipe be made ahead?

    Absolutely! You can make these mashed potatoes up to 3 days ahead of time. Simply store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and toss them back into the Crockpot about 4 hours before it's time to serve. As I've said above, you will likely need to thin them with milk and melted butter as mashed potatoes get thicker when they sit.

    You can also freeze mashed potatoes. Again, store them in an airtight container, and they should stay fresh for 2-3 months. To serve, you'll need to let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight, and then you can heat on the stovetop or in the slow cooker (again, on low for 4 hours).

    Can you use an electric mixer to whip the potatoes?

    I guess you technically can, but it's going to make your potatoes have a gummy and weird texture as opposed to the fluffy and creamy texture the recipe intends. Yukon gold potatoes get nice and soft after cooking, and they are not hard to mash with a regular potato masher like this one.

    How do you store leftover Crockpot mashed potatoes?

    You can keep these potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You will most likely need to add additional milk and/or melted butter to thin them for reheating. Mashed potatoes get kind of thick and clumpy when they're kept in the refrigerator. This can't be helped.

    Slow cooker mashed potato variations

    I love this recipe just the way it is, but you can also doctor it up a bit.

    Garlic mashed potatoes - Add 6 cloves of garlic to the potatoes when you first put them into the Crockpot. Mash the cooked garlic with the cooked potatoes, and stir well to ensure the garlic is evenly distributed.

    Ranch mashed potatoes - Mix a few tablespoons of ranch dressing mix with the potatoes right after mashing. Alternately, you can leave out the sour cream and evaporated milk and replace them with one cup of prepared ranch dressing.

    Loaded mashed potatoes - Top the potatoes with shredded cheddar, crumbled cooked bacon, and chives.

    Parmesan mashed potatoes - Add a couple of handfuls of Parmesan cheese to the mashed potatoes, either as a topping or after mashing.

    Mix-ins - You can stir in any number of different goodies: crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, chives, or cubed ham.

    Add herbs - You can add fresh parsley, dill, or chives to the mashed potatoes or simply sprinkle one or more over the the top when you serve.

    What's wrong with my Crockpot mashed potatoes?

    What should I do if my mashed potatoes are too thick?

    This is the easiest problem to fix. Just mix in sour cream or milk, a little at a time, until the potatoes are the consistency you want.

    What should I do if my mashed potatoes are too runny?

    If your potatoes are just a little runny, you can cook them in your crockpot on high for an hour or so. That will cook off some of the excess liquid. If you need to do it in a hurry, you could put them in a large pot on the stove and do the same thing. Just be sure to stir them a lot so that they don't burn on the bottom.

    If the potatoes are really soupy, you're going to have to add a thickener. Instant mashed potato flakes are nice because they won't change the flavor of the potatoes. If you don't have any, make a slurry of cornstarch and water in a 3:1 ratio and mix that in until the potatoes are the right consistency.

    What should I do if my potatoes are lumpy?

    There's not a lot you can do about lumpy potatoes once they're mashed (although I personally prefer my potatoes lumpy), but you can prevent lumpiness by making sure all of the potatoes are cooked equally. Do this by:

    • Using enough chicken broth - It is absolutely necessary that all of the potatoes are totally submerged in broth when you cook them. Depending on the size and shape of your slow cooker, you may need more than 2-3 quarts of broth.
    • Make sure the potatoes are small and evenly cut - You really need to cut the potatoes into very small (1-inch) chunks, and it's really important that they're all the same size. If some are bigger, they won't be as tender and will make lumps in the mashed potatoes.
    • Make sure the potatoes are fully cooked before mashing - If the potatoes aren't tender enough, they won't mash properly and will have lumps.

    How do I fix gummy or gluey mashed potatoes?

    The short answer is you can't. Gummy potatoes happen when you overwork the starch in the potatoes, and you can't unwork it. Most of the time, gummy or overly sticky mashed potatoes are the result of trying to shortcut the process by using an electric hand mixer, blender, or food processor to do the mashing.

    Your best bet is to use those potatoes to make potato pancakes or potato soup because there's nothing you can do to improve them. Here's a YouTube video on how to repurpose gluey mashed potatoes.

    THE REST OF OUR THANKSGIVING MENU

    We don't get creative with our Thanksgiving menu. We like routines. We like the comfort of the same old food.

    • Roast Turkey
    • Creamy Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
    • Candied Sweet Potatoes
    • Roasted Vegetable & Cornbread Stuffing
    • Old-Fashioned Chestnut Stuffing Recipe
    • Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole
    • Traditional Green Bean Casserole
    • Fluffy Cranberry Fruit Salad with Pineapple
    • Homemade Orange Cranberry Sauce
    • Praline Pumpkin Pecan Pie
    • The Worlds' Best Pecan Pie
    • Couldn't Be Easier Cherry Pie
    • No Church Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

    And for the leftovers, try one of these delights:

    • Turkey & Stuffing Muffins
    • Turkey Enchilada Casserole
    • Turkey Salad
    • Turkey Quesadillas

    You can read more about my easy and traditional Thanksgiving menu.

    A bowl of food, with Mashed potato made in a slow cooker

    The Best Rich & Creamy Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes

    With sour cream and cream cheese mixed in, these Crock Pot mashed potatoes are delicious, rich, and creamy. Thanks to the slow cooker, they are easy to make ahead and simply heat on the holiday morning - couldn't be easier!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 4 hrs 50 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10 servings
    Calories 174 kcal

    Equipment

    • Crockpot
    • Potato masher

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes cubed
    • 2 quarts chicken broth
    • 4 oz low-fat cream cheese softened
    • 4 oz low fat sour cream or Greek yogurt
    • 3 oz evaporated skim milk ½ of a small can
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 1 small onion diced fine
    • Salt & pepper to taste
    • Milk & butter

    Instructions
     

    Stovetop instructions (use the Crockpot to heat/keep warm)

    • Add the diced potatoes to a large pot of water. Bring to a boil and cook until fork tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and mash.
    • In the meantime, sauté the diced onion in 2 tablespoons of butter in a small skillet until onion is translucent and beginning to brown. If you skip this step, the onions will be crunchy in your finished potatoes, and nobody wants crunchy onions in their potatoes.
    • In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, evaporated milk, cooked onion, salt, and black pepper until blended. Add mixture to mashed potatoes and mix well.
    • Transfer mashed potato mixture to the crock pot. We use a 6-quart crock pot, and the potatoes half fill it.
    • Can be cooked on low up to 4 hours or on the keep warm setting for longer. Re-moisten with milk and butter if needed.

    Crockpot only instructions

    • Add the potatoes to the slow cooker with plenty of chicken broth to cover them.
    • Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours. Drain the broth from the potatoes and mash right in the crockpot.
    • Sauté the diced onion in 2 tablespoons of butter in a small skillet until onion is translucent and beginning to brown. If you skip this step, the onions will be crunchy in your finished potatoes, and nobody wants crunchy potatoes.
    • In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, evaporated milk, cooked onion, salt, and pepper until blended. Add to mashed potatoes in the slow cooker, mix well, and cover with the lid.
    • Can be cooked on low an additional 4 hours or use the keep warm setting for longer. Re-moisten with milk and butter as needed.

    Notes

    Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes are part of my pre-planned holiday meal in How to Host a Stress-Free Holiday Meal, an ebook available now in my shop. It will hold your hand through the planning process and do everything for you except cook the food! It includes recipes, shopping lists, a list of necessary tools, pots, and pans, and even ideas for setting the table.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 174kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 100mg | Potassium: 670mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 206IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Pin it for later!Follow @FeelsLikeHome or tag #FeelsLikeHomeBlog!
    135FacebookMessenger128PinterestTwitterWhatsAppEmail
    263
    SHARES

    More Holiday Meals

    • Leftover Turkey Enchilada Casserole - Great Way to Use Leftover Turkey
    • Spicy Baked Brie with Apricot Jam
    • Buttered Lemon Shrimp with Old Bay
    • Crockpot Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. a49erfangirl says

      November 06, 2009 at 12:10 pm

      These sound delicious!! I have a recipe that uses hash browns but they are cheesy potatoes and I normally make them at Christmas. I think I just might have to try these for Thanksgiving this year.

      Reply
    2. [email protected]' Mimi says

      November 06, 2009 at 11:18 pm

      I love the richness evaporated milk gives mashed potatoes. Unfortunately, I am the only one who would eat those. The other people in my house have no idea what tastes good and will not sour cream or cream cheese. But i will keep it in mind for family reunions and church dinners.

      Reply
    3. FeelsLikeHomeBlog says

      November 07, 2009 at 6:23 am

      That is a real shame! They don't eat sour cream OR cream cheese? I would say try to sneak it in, but these do have a rich flavor that is a little reminiscent of cream cheese. I think they'd catch on. What a bummer!

      Reply
    4. Christi E says

      November 24, 2009 at 6:20 pm

      Tara- I am excited to try out this recipe for our dinner on Thursday! 🙂

      Reply
    5. FeelsLikeHomeBlog says

      November 25, 2009 at 4:02 am

      Let me know how you like it! It's my all time fave for mashed potatoes!

      Reply
    6. FeelsLikeHomeBlog says

      November 25, 2009 at 12:02 pm

      Let me know how you like it! It's my all time fave for mashed potatoes!

      Reply
    7. Tara @ Feels Like Home says

      November 18, 2010 at 12:05 am

      This will easily feed 10 people with enough left overs to feed you through the weekend.

      Reply
    8. Tara @ Feels Like Home says

      November 18, 2010 at 12:05 am

      This will easily feed 10 people with enough left overs to feed you through the weekend.

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Tara.

    Harrisburg PA mom blogger Tara Ziegmont
    I am passionate about helping women to care for themselves and their families physically, emotionally, and spiritually by making time for what matters most through a combination of delectable recipes, Christian inspiration, and family fun. If you're tired of feeling so weary and uninspired, you're in the right place. I'm so glad you're here!
    Read more about me...

    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram LinkedIn email me subscribe

    Popular Recipes

    • Cheeseburger Soup from Taste of Home
    • Cracker Barrel Copycat Fried Apples
    • Sweet Balsamic Pork Roast in the Instant Pot
    • Couldn't Be Easier Cherry Pie

    Food with an Instant Pot in the background

    AS SEEN ON

    a list of the websites where Tara Ziegmont has been featured

    Popular Bible Studies

    • A Grateful Heart - 2 week printable study
    • 10 Bible Verses on Anger
    • 13 Bible Verses on Disappointment
    • 50 Bible Verses Every Christian Should Know
    • 10 Bible Verses to Overcome Worry

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions

    As seen on

    a list of the websites where Tara Ziegmont has been featured

    Contact Tara


    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure policy.

    Copyright © 2022 Feels Like Home Blog

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    SettingsAccept
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT