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Slow cooker and mashed potatoes don’t normally go together, but when you don’t like to cook, you go out on a limb and try new things. These Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes are the easiest side dish you’ll ever make. No boiling, no mess, and no juggling stove burners. Just creamy, buttery perfection made entirely in your crockpot.

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on purchases at no extra cost to you. A few of the images were created with AI tools — because I’m a real mom on a real budget, doing my best to make it all look pretty.

I’ve made mashed potatoes every way imaginable, stovetop, Instant Pot, even tried the “microwave hack” once (don’t recommend). But once I figured out how to make them in the slow cooker, I was hooked. It’s the ultimate hands-off holiday side dish. Everything goes right into the crockpot, and a few hours later you’ve got creamy, buttery mashed potatoes without boiling a single pot of water. It’s a game-changer if you don’t like to cook like me, or you’re short on time, short on patience, or just trying to keep your kitchen chaos to a minimum during the holidays.

Let’s Talk Ingredients

I have an unhealthy love for lazy genius recipe hacks. Truly an unhealthy love.

This is one of those recipes that proves you don’t have to do more to get more flavor. There’s no peeling over the sink for an hour or wondering if your water is boiling yet. You toss everything into the crockpot, stir it once or twice, and come back later to what tastes like you actually cared. Simple ingredients, zero stress, and maximum payoff, that’s my kind of cooking math.

Ingredients

5 pounds Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
½ cup butter (1 stick)
½ cup sour cream
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional: garlic powder, cream cheese, or shredded cheddar for extra flavor. I like to add Onion and Chive cream cheese to add a rich creamy flavor.

Shop My Kitchen Favorites

Want to make this recipe even easier? I’ve linked my go-to crockpot, potato masher, and kitchen utensils on my Christmas Recipe Benable List. Everything I actually use in my own kitchen, simple, reliable, and perfect for stress-free holiday cooking.

Instructions

Prep the potatoes.
Peel and chop your potatoes into large chunks and toss them right into your crockpot. No need to be fancy, just make sure they’re roughly the same size so they cook evenly.
Add the flavor base.
Pour in the chicken (or vegetable) broth and add your stick of butter. Cover and cook on high for 3–4 hours or low for 6–7 hours, until the potatoes are fork-tender and soft.
Mash directly in the crockpot.
Drain off a little liquid if needed, then mash the potatoes right in the crockpot using a potato masher or hand mixer (no extra dishes, my favorite part).
Make them creamy.
Add milk, sour cream, salt, and pepper, then stir until smooth and fluffy. If you like them extra rich, mix in a spoonful of cream cheese or sprinkle in some shredded cheddar.
Taste and adjust.
Give them a quick taste test, add a little more salt, pepper, or milk if needed. Keep on “warm” until ready to serve.
Serve and enjoy.
Top with a few butter pats or chopped parsley before serving. Your kitchen smells amazing, and your stovetop is still clean, that’s a win in my book.

Notes

Shortcut tip: Skip peeling if you’re using Yukon Gold potatoes, their skins are thin and add a rustic texture that makes these taste homemade.
Texture tweak: For extra creamy potatoes, swap part of the milk for heavy cream or stir in a little cream cheese.
Make-ahead magic: You can make these a day early! Just refrigerate and reheat in the crockpot on “low” with a splash of milk to bring them back to life.
Hosting hack: Keep them warm in the crockpot for up to 2 hours while you finish everything else, they stay perfectly creamy.
Flavor boost: Try roasted garlic or a sprinkle of cheddar on top if you want to make them feel extra special.

Shop My Favorites

You can find everything I used for this recipe, including my favorite crockpot, masher, and serving utensils, on my Christmas Recipe Benable List. It’s everything I actually use to keep holiday cooking simple, cozy, and cleanup friendly.

Wrapping Up

If you try these Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes, don’t be surprised if they steal the spotlight at dinner. They’re creamy, cozy, and the definition of comfort food, without the kitchen chaos. Whether you’re making them for Christmas dinner, Sunday supper, or just because you can’t face another pot to scrub, this recipe delivers every time. Be sure to save this one on Pinterest so it’s ready for the next time you want to look like you spent hours cooking (when really, your crockpot did all the work).