Marianne Martinez
Making mashed potatoes in a crock pot pressure cooker is a convenient and tasty way to prepare this classic dish. Using a pressure cooker means you can avoid boiling over, steaming up your kitchen, and having to watch the pot. You can also prepare the potatoes in advance and keep them warm in the crock pot until you're ready to serve. This method is ideal for holiday meals, such as Thanksgiving, when you might have multiple dishes cooking at once. The crock pot pressure cooker method is also versatile, allowing you to use different types of potatoes, such as Russets or Yukon golds, and add various ingredients like butter, milk, garlic, and herbs to suit your taste.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cooker | Crock pot, slow cooker, electric pressure cooker |
| Potato varieties | Russet, Yukon gold |
| Potato preparation | Peeled, chunked, quartered |
| Add-ins | Butter, garlic, salt, pepper, heavy cream, milk, sour cream, cream cheese, oregano, rosemary, parsley, chives |
| Cook time | 3-5 hours |
| Temperature | High |
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What You'll Learn
Prep the potatoes
Preparing the potatoes is the first step in making mashed potatoes in a crock pot pressure cooker. You can choose to peel the potatoes or leave the skins on for added texture. If you prefer peeled potatoes, peel them and cut them into cubes, quarters, or chunks. The size of the potatoes matters more for the cooking time than the fullness of the pot. Russet potatoes are a good choice for mashed potatoes as they mash up beautifully and have a high starch content, resulting in fluffy mashed potatoes. You can also use Yukon gold potatoes or a mix of russets and Yukon golds for a combination of flavour and fluffiness.
If you are preparing the potatoes ahead of time, you can pre-peel and quarter them and store them in water to prevent browning. You can also boil the potatoes to your desired level of doneness and store them in the refrigerator. This will simplify the process when you are ready to cook the mashed potatoes.
When you are ready to cook, add the potatoes to the crock pot or pressure cooker. You can also add some water to the pot, especially if you are using a crock pot. The water will help to generate steam and cook the potatoes evenly. If you are using a pressure cooker, you only need to wait for a small amount of water to come to pressure, so the potatoes will cook faster.
Additionally, you can add other ingredients to the potatoes during the preparation stage. Butter, garlic, salt, and pepper are common additions that enhance the flavour of the mashed potatoes. You can also experiment with different herbs and spices, such as dried oregano, dried rosemary, or fresh parsley. These ingredients can be added directly to the crock pot or pressure cooker along with the potatoes.
Overall, preparing the potatoes for mashed potatoes in a crock pot or pressure cooker is a straightforward process that involves peeling, cutting, and seasoning the potatoes to your desired taste and texture.
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Slow cook the potatoes
Slow cookers are a great option for mashed potatoes, as they require minimal preparation and free up your stovetop for other dishes. You can also prepare the potatoes ahead of time and keep them warm in the slow cooker until you're ready to serve.
To slow-cook your potatoes, start by peeling and cutting your potatoes into cubes or quarters. If you're short on time, you can do this step the night before and store the potatoes in water to prevent browning. Russet potatoes are a popular choice for mashed potatoes due to their fluffy texture, but you can also use baby potatoes, which will cook faster.
Next, grease the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray or a little oil to prevent sticking. You can then add your potatoes, along with a small amount of water, milk, or broth to the slow cooker. Some recipes also suggest adding butter, garlic, and seasonings like salt and pepper at this stage for added flavour. Cover the slow cooker and cook the potatoes on high heat for 3 to 5 hours, or until they are very tender.
Once the potatoes are tender, you can add in additional ingredients like sour cream, heavy cream, milk, and spices to make your mashed potatoes rich and creamy. Then, use a potato masher or an electric mixer to mash the potatoes right in the slow cooker. If you prefer, you can scoop the potatoes into a separate bowl for mashing and then return them to the slow cooker.
Finally, stir in some warmed milk and melted butter to adjust the consistency of your mashed potatoes. You can then put the lid back on and set the slow cooker to warm until you're ready to serve.
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Mash the potatoes
Once the potatoes are tender, it's time to mash them. You can do this directly in the slow cooker with a potato masher, or in a separate bowl. If you're using a separate bowl, pass the potatoes through a ricer before transferring them back into the slow cooker.
When mashing the potatoes, slowly add liquid until you reach your desired consistency. You can use milk, heavy cream, or sour cream. For an even creamier texture, use butter and warmed milk. If you're using butter, melt it in a separate saucepan over low heat before adding it to the potatoes.
If you've added garlic to your potatoes, remove the cloves before mashing. You can also scoop out any browned bits from the sides of the pot, though some people like to leave them in for flavor.
After mashing, return the potatoes to your cooking pot on the keep-warm setting, or transfer them to a crock pot set to the lowest setting. Spray the pot with nonstick cooking spray or rub on a little oil to prevent sticking. If the potatoes will be warming for a few hours, add a little extra milk to the top to prevent them from drying out.
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Add dairy and flavourings
Once your potatoes are tender, it's time to add dairy and flavourings. Turn off your slow cooker or switch it to the warm setting. You can add a stick of butter, or if you prefer, melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat before adding it to the potatoes. You can also add milk, cream, or sour cream. For an even richer flavour, use heavy cream instead of milk. If you want to add extra flavour, you can simmer the butter, cream, and garlic with a sprig of rosemary before adding it to the potatoes.
If you're using milk, you can add it directly to the slow cooker during the cooking process, or you can add it after the potatoes are cooked. If you're using milk, add it slowly as you mash until you reach your desired consistency. You can also add salt and pepper to taste. For a more creative touch, add dried oregano, dried rosemary, or fresh parsley.
If you're reheating mashed potatoes, you can add a little extra milk on top to prevent them from drying out.
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Reheat and serve
When it comes to reheating and serving mashed potatoes, there are several methods you can use to ensure they retain their creamy texture and flavour. One option is to use a slow cooker or crock pot, which can keep your mashed potatoes warm for several hours without drying them out. To do this, spray the inside of your crock pot with cooking spray or rub a little oil on the bottom to prevent sticking. Transfer your mashed potatoes to the crock pot and set it to the lowest setting or "keep warm" setting. If you're keeping the potatoes warm for a few hours, add a little milk on top to prevent them from drying out.
Another option is to use the "pot-in-pot" method with your Instant Pot. Place 1 to 2 cups of water and a trivet in the bottom of your cooking pot. Then, place your mashed potatoes in a separate pot or container on top of the trivet. The time needed to reheat your mashed potatoes will depend on the amount you're reheating. For a single portion, start with one minute and adjust as needed.
You can also reheat mashed potatoes in the microwave, especially if you're concerned about presentation. Simply heat them in the microwave according to the instructions, and then transfer them to a nice serving dish. This method ensures that your mashed potatoes look and taste great.
Additionally, if you're reheating store-bought mashed potatoes, you can steam them in an Instant Pot. Place the mashed potatoes in a casserole dish with milk, cream, or butter on top. Then, put the casserole dish on an Instant Pot trivet and steam on high for about 10 minutes.
Furthermore, if you're reheating small quantities of mashed potatoes, you can use the traditional method of reheating them in a saucepan. Simply place the desired amount of mashed potatoes in a saucepan and heat them over low heat, stirring occasionally, until they reach your desired temperature.
Remember, when reheating mashed potatoes, it's important to stir them occasionally to ensure even heating and prevent scorching. By using these methods, you can enjoy delicious, warm mashed potatoes any time you like.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes around 3 hours to cook mashed potatoes in a Crock-Pot pressure cooker. However, the time may vary depending on the amount of mashed potatoes being cooked.
Russet potatoes are a good option as they have a high starch content and make fluffy mashed potatoes. Yukon gold potatoes are also a good choice as they have a buttery flavor. Using a mix of both types of potatoes can result in flavorful and fluffy mashed potatoes.
Ingredients such as butter, milk, heavy cream, sour cream, garlic, salt, and pepper can be added to mashed potatoes in a Crock-Pot pressure cooker. For added flavor, herbs such as dried oregano, dried rosemary, or fresh parsley can be included.
