Ella Walter
Preparing mashed potatoes in a crock pot is a convenient way to make a tasty side dish without the hassle of boiling or steaming potatoes on a stovetop. This method is particularly useful when preparing a large holiday meal, as it frees up space on the stove and allows you to make the dish in advance. The crock pot is also versatile, allowing you to make everything from simple mashed potatoes to loaded mashed potatoes with cheese, bacon, and green onions.
How to cook mashed potatoes in a crock pot
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Potatoes, Butter, Milk, Sour Cream, Salt, Pepper, Chicken Broth, Garlic, Chives, Oregano, Rosemary, Parsley |
| Preparation | Wash, peel and cut potatoes into cubes. Boil potatoes in chicken broth. Drain potatoes and put back into the crock pot. Add butter, milk, and seasoning. Mash potatoes with a potato masher. |
| Cooking Time | 3-5 hours on high, 6-7 hours on low |
| Serving | Garnish with chives and serve directly from the crock pot. |
| Storage | Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. |
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What You'll Learn
Crockpot mashed potatoes: ingredients
Ingredients
The ingredients you will need for crockpot mashed potatoes are:
- Potatoes: It is recommended to use starchy potatoes such as russets or Yukon gold potatoes, as they give a nice texture to the mash. You can also use baby potatoes, which will cook faster.
- Butter: This adds richness and creaminess to the mashed potatoes.
- Dairy/Milk: Milk or other dairy products such as heavy cream or sour cream can be added to make the mashed potatoes creamier and richer.
- Chicken broth: This adds flavour and moisture to the potatoes.
- Seasonings: Salt and pepper are commonly used to season mashed potatoes, but you can also add dried herbs such as oregano and rosemary, or fresh herbs such as chives or parsley.
- Optional ingredients: For a more indulgent dish, you can add cream cheese to make the mashed potatoes extra creamy and rich. You can also add minced garlic for a garlic mashed potato dish.
Note: You can choose to peel the potatoes or leave the skins on for added texture and presentation.
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Preparing the potatoes
To prepare the potatoes, start by washing them. You can choose to peel the potatoes or leave the skins on for added texture and presentation. If you decide to peel them, use a vegetable peeler or a small knife to carefully remove the skins. Once peeled, cut the potatoes into cubes or 1-inch chunks. The size of the chunks can vary depending on your preference and the desired cooking time. Smaller pieces will cook faster, while larger pieces may take longer.
After cutting the potatoes, you can season them with salt and pepper. This step is optional but adds flavor to the potatoes. You can also add other seasonings or herbs, such as dried oregano or dried rosemary, to enhance the flavor further.
Next, place the potatoes into the crock pot. You can use a 6-quart crock pot or adjust the size according to the amount of potatoes you are cooking. Add a small amount of liquid to the crock pot, such as water, chicken broth, or milk. The liquid helps to cook the potatoes and adds moisture.
At this point, you can also add butter to the crock pot. Cut the butter into cubes or thin slices and distribute it evenly over the potatoes. You can use salted or unsalted butter, depending on your preference. Adding butter will make the mashed potatoes richer and creamier.
Cover the crock pot with its lid and set it to cook. The cooking time will depend on the size of your potato chunks and the desired tenderness. For fork-tender potatoes, cook them on high heat for 3-5 hours or on low heat for 6-7 hours. Check the potatoes periodically to ensure they are cooking evenly and adjust the heat or cooking time as needed.
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Cooking the potatoes
Next, place the potatoes into the crockpot or slow cooker. Add water, chicken broth, butter, garlic, and seasoning such as salt and pepper. Give everything a good stir to coat the potatoes evenly. Cover the crockpot and cook on high heat for around 3-5 hours, or until the potatoes are tender. You can check this by piercing a potato with a knife or fork; if it slides in easily, the potatoes are ready.
Once the potatoes are cooked, carefully drain the excess liquid. Place the potatoes back into the crockpot and add in the remaining ingredients, such as butter, milk, cream, sour cream, and spices. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher until they reach your desired consistency. If you prefer smoother mashed potatoes, you can use a ricer to pass the potatoes through before returning them to the crockpot.
You can adjust the consistency by adding more milk or dairy to make the mashed potatoes creamier. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and garnish with chives or other herbs.
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Adding dairy and other ingredients
When making mashed potatoes in a crock pot, you can add dairy and other ingredients to enhance the flavor and texture. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for adding these ingredients:
Dairy Options:
- Milk: Whole milk or other varieties can be added to the crockpot to keep the potatoes moist and creamy. You can warm the milk beforehand and add it to the potatoes gradually until you achieve your desired consistency.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is a classic ingredient in mashed potatoes. Melt the butter before adding it to the potatoes, and use as much or as little as you prefer.
- Cream: Heavy cream or sour cream can be added for extra richness and tanginess. Start with a small amount and gradually increase until you reach your desired texture.
- Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese can be added to the potatoes for an extra creamy and indulgent dish.
Other Ingredients:
- Broth: Chicken broth is commonly used to cook the potatoes, adding flavor and moisture. You can also use vegetable broth or any other type of broth that complements your meal.
- Seasonings: Salt and pepper are essential for enhancing the flavor of mashed potatoes. You can also add dried herbs like oregano and rosemary, or fresh herbs like parsley or chives.
- Garlic: Minced or whole garlic cloves can be added to the crockpot for a savory kick. Remove the cloves before mashing if you don't want an overpowering garlic flavor.
- Spices: Feel free to experiment with various spices to elevate your mashed potatoes.
Remember, the beauty of using a crockpot is that you can make the mashed potatoes ahead of time and keep them warm until ready to serve. You can also customize the ingredients and seasonings to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.
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Serving and storing
When serving mashed potatoes, you can add a garnish of chives or fresh parsley. You can also top them with shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and sliced green onions to make 'loaded mashed potatoes'.
Mashed potatoes can be served straight from the crockpot, but some people prefer to heat them in the microwave and then serve in a separate bowl for better presentation.
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To make ahead, follow the recipe and store in an airtight container in the fridge, then warm them in the crockpot a few hours before serving. To keep the potatoes warm for a few hours before serving, leave them in the crockpot on the warm setting with the lid on to prevent them from drying out.
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Frequently asked questions
Cut and peel the potatoes, then add them to the crockpot with some butter, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add a bit of water and cook for 3-5 hours. Once the potatoes are tender, add milk, sour cream, and spices, then mash and serve.
Yes, you can make mashed potatoes in a crockpot ahead of time. Simply follow the recipe and store the potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge. Then, warm them in the crockpot before serving.
Russet potatoes are a good option for mashed potatoes in a crockpot because they mash up beautifully and give a nice texture to the dish. You can also use baby potatoes, which will cook faster and result in creamy mashed potatoes.
To make your mashed potatoes creamier, you can add milk, butter, sour cream, or heavy cream. You can also try adding cream cheese for extra creaminess and flavour.
After mashing the potatoes, set the crockpot to warm and cover it with a lid to keep the potatoes hot and prevent them from drying out until you are ready to serve them.
