Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes are creamy, smooth, delicious and easy to prepare. No boiling or saucepan/stovetop cleaning required with this side dish. The Instant Pot gets this easy mashed potato recipe done in 30 minutes!
My mom is a great cook and many of her recipes appear here on this blog (her Meatloaf and Chicken Rice Bake are two of my faves!). Something she is known for is making the creamiest, dreamiest mashed potatoes known to humankind. Every time I make mashed potatoes I think of her, knowing mine will never turn out as delicious as hers. But my family loves mashed potatoes. So I set out to improve.
I recently dusted off my Instant Pot which has sadly been hanging out on the floor of my pantry for far too long and I gave Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes a whirl. Guess what?! I will NEVER make mashed potatoes another way again. The Instant Pot makes mashed potatoes quickly (only 15 minutes of steaming) and easily, with minimal clean-up.
Pressure cooking potatoes produces a super smooth mashed potato recipe. No hard lumps that won’t mash down. We typically boil potatoes on the stove top and every single time there are pans and lids and grimy surfaces to clean afterward. NO MORE OF THAT! Throw everything into one tidy little pot, press a few buttons and your creamy potato side dish is DONE. It’s a dream come true!
WATCH THIS QUICK VIDEO TO SEE HOW EASY IT IS TO MAKE INSTANT POT MASHED POTATOES!
Enjoy the step-by-step video tutorial we have created for this recipe! Our goal is to make your time in the kitchen as easy as possible and to ensure that your version of this recipe is a success. See our full collection of cooking and baking videos on YouTube!
HOW TO MAKE MASHED POTATOES IN AN INSTANT POT
STEP 1
Peel and quarter 7 to 8 large red or russet potatoes. Place the trivet inside the pot and add the potato pieces. Pour 4 cups of water over the top and add 4 cloves of halved garlic. Secure the cover and set to high pressure. Select the STEAM setting and set timer for 15 minutes. It will take the pot approximately 15 minutes to come to pressure. When the time is done, set to VENTING (quick release) and wait for the float valve to drop. Remove the lid and drain the potatoes.
STEP 2
Pour the potatoes back into pot or into a separate large mixing bowl. Add 1/2 cup salted butter, 4 ounces cream cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and 1/2 teaspoon salt and mash until creamy. Serve immediately!
RECIPE TIPS: MAKE THE BEST INSTANT POT MASHED POTATOES
In the past I’ve been tempted to use a blender or immersion blender to achieve a super smooth consistency for my potatoes. Do not be tempted to try this! Your mashed potatoes will turn into a gluey, sticky mess when they are over-mixed.
Make this a super easy recipe and go simple! Place a simple pat of butter over these babies just before serving.
Use a potato ricer instead of a masher if you have one!
WHAT POTATOES TO USE FOR PRESSURE COOKER HOMEMADE MASHED POTATOES
Typically Russet potatoes are transformed into mashed potatoes, but Yukon gold potatoes also work great and my personal favorite is red potatoes because they are extra soft, buttery and flavorful.
More important than variety is the way you cook your potatoes to prepare them for mashing, as well as which ingredients you mix them with. Steaming potatoes in an Instant Pot is the perfect way to prep potatoes for mashing and it also saves you time and clean-up! You come out with creamy mashed potatoes – it’s a win-win!
CAN YOU FREEZE MASHED POTATOES
Stir in butter and/or sour cream before freezing in order to retain as much of that fluffy texture as possible. Allow the mashed potatoes to completely cool before freezing. Place in a shallow container in an even layer and wrap tightly with foil. Place into a resealable freezer bag and freeze for 1 to 3 months. Thaw potatoes overnight in the fridge before reheating and serving.
HOW MANY CALORIES IN MASHED POTATOES
Minus the butter and any other toppings that might get incorporated into your creamy side dish, 1 cup of plain mashed potatoes contains approximately 215 calories.
HOW MANY CARBS IN MASHED POTATOES
Minus the butter and any other toppings that might get incorporated into your creamy side dish, 1 cup of plain mashed potatoes contains approximately 35 grams of carbohydrates.
CAN DOGS EAT MASHED POTATOES
Minus the added ingredients, regular mashed potatoes are completely safe for dogs to consume unless your dog has diabetes.
WHAT TO DO WITH LEFTOVER MASHED POTATOES
Freeze them! (See note above for freezing instructions.)
Use them to make your next Shepherd’s Pie.
Serve pot roast over top of them.
Throw them into a Thanksgiving Stromboli along with the rest of your leftovers!
WHAT TO PUT IN MASHED POTATOES
My favorite ingredients to mash with potatoes are butter and roasted garlic. Here are a few other delicious options:
Sour cream
Greek yogurt and/or milk
Salt and Pepper
Cream Cheese
Chopped chives
Cayenne pepper
Paprika
Shredded cheddar or Feta crumbles.
OTHER DELICIOUS THANKSGIVING SIDE DISHES
Plain ol’ (but very delicious) Mashed Potatoes can be made the day before and heated before serving.
Homemade Cranberry Sauce can also be made a day ahead. Be sure to press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the sauce before refrigerating.
Make the dessert ahead of time to save yourself a ton of time! These TOTALLY DELICIOUS Pumpkin Bars stay perfectly fresh when stored in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Creamy Crockpot Corn and Crockpot Mac and Cheese are two holiday hit recipes that can simmer in your slow cooker while you get everything else done in the kitchen!
Green Bean Casserole is a Thanksgiving favorite that your guests cannot go without!
BEST RECIPES TO MAKE IN AN INSTANT POT
The list of recipes you can make in an Instant Pot is endless! It can act as a slow cooker, saute pan, steamer, rice maker, yogurt maker and pressure cooker. It can cook soup, chili, pasta, meat, potatoes, veggies, cake, beans and so much more. Here are a few of my favorite Instant Pot recipes:
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 7-8 large red or russet potatoes peeled and quartered
- 4 cups water
- 4 cloves garlic halved
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 4 oz. cream cheese
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp. salt
Instructions
- Place trivet inside Instant Pot and add potato pieces. Pour water over the top and add garlic. Secure cover and set to high pressure. Select STEAM setting and set timer for 15 minutes. It will take the pot approximately 15 minutes to come to pressure. When the time is done, set to VENTING (quick release) and wait for the float valve to drop. Immediately remove cover and drain potatoes.
- Pour the potatoes back into pot or a separate large mixing bowl. Add the butter, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese and salt and mash until creamy. Serve immediately!
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