New in 2019 – ABK’s Free Thanksgiving Ebook, with printable timeline checklist, grocery list, more recipe links for ABK Thanksgiving favorites and additional Thanksgiving tips to help you keep everything running smoothly!
If you are like me, no matter the size of your kitchen, when Thanksgiving rolls around, it never seems big enough. There are never enough cooking surfaces, oven space or counter space to fit all of the dishes you are hoping to serve piping hot, at the same time for your Thanksgiving feast.
So many dishes, so little space.
Enter the humble and oft forgotten slow cooker. Dump the potatoes in, add a little water and salt. and in about 4 hours. BAM. You’re in business.
It really is that simple.
Amazing.
Why didn’t I think of this years ago??
Why doesn’t my keypad have multiple emojis so I can insert the – bewildered, embarrassed, and now totally happy emoji face parade??!! I’m sure you can picture those faces.
Happy days are here again my friends.
One less dish to keep warm on the stove or in the oven!
Happy cooking.
Here’s a fantastic gravy recipe to go with your mashed potatoes- Simple Pan Gravy
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 5 lbs red potatoes, scrubbed, cut into fourths (I leave the peels on)
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2- 3/4 cup butter, cut into tablespoons
- half and half, about 1 1/2 -2 cups
- 1 cup sour cream, optional
- pepper and more salt if needed
Instructions
- Place potatoes in large 6-7 quart slow cooker or crock pot. Pour in water. Sprinkle salt over potatoes.
- Place lid on slow cooker and set on high heat. Don’t lift the lid! Cook for about 4 hours.
Leaving the insert (bowl) in the slowcooker do the following:
- Do not drain the potatoes. Place the butter in with the potatoes. Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes and butter together. Add the half and half (about 1 1/2 cups). Continue to mash until desired consistency. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of half and half, if needed. Add sour cream (if using) and mix well. Taste and add more salt and a little pepper if desired.
- Turn the heat to warm and keep warm until ready to serve for up to two hours. If needed, just before serving, add additional milk or half and half and fold the potatoes
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Be sure to leave a comment and give this recipe a rating, letting me know how you liked it. I’d love to see a photo, tag @abountifulkitchen on Instagram!
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Kiersten Nelson
These have been a game changer for Thanksgiving! The red potatoes are delicious and it’s sooo nice not having to peel them. Cooking them in a Crockpot is brilliant and I will never go back! It saves so much time and precious stove space. You will not regret trying these!
I have also tried both ways, and was surprised to find I prefer them without sour cream. Once the potatoes are prepared, I like to add extra pats of butter to the top and let them melt while waiting to serve. Yum!
Jessica
These have become a Sunday dinner staple. I love learning from you and thank you for helping me feed my family
Cass King
Sooooo tasty. I did about a cup of 1/2 and a couple scoops of sour cream and turned out perfect.
SC
I have a small family. Would I need to make any adjustments to this recipe (e.g., cooking time) if I make half the amount?
Si Foster
Hello!
No adjustments need to be made to the cooking time. Just half al of the ingredients.
Hope this helps!
XO
Si
Megan
I tried these (double recipe with peeled russets) and the potatoes and the top browned really badly. The end result tasted pretty off – any ideas?
Si Foster
Hi Megan,
I have made this recipe countless times and never had this problem, even when doubling the amount. Maybe the potatoes were old?
So sorry!
Si
Jodi Wood
Si, can I cook potatoes in crockpot and wait til the next day to mash? Would you just warm up again in crockpot? I need to save time.
Si Foster
Hi Jodi, yes you can go ahead and cook them in the crockpot and mash tomorrow! Thanks for reading ABK,
xo
Si
Jodi Wood
Thanks again and Happy Thanksgiving in Spain. Love watching your adventures! Be safe!
Morgan
Hi there! Can I make these with just regular russet potatoes?
abountifulkitchen
Yes, this recipe works well with Russets! I suggest removing most of the skin.
Happy Thanksgiving,
xo
Si
VZ
would milk substitute be ok instead of 1/2 & 1/12 ?
abountifulkitchen
Vicki, Are you talking about powdered milk or an alternative milk such as coconut or almond milk?? I recommend sticking with half and half!
Recipe // thanksgiving inspiration and a chocolate mousse pie recipe | Armelle Blog
[…] to be making this as a side more than just at Thanksgiving. Si also shared with us some amazing Slow Cooker Mash Potatoes. I loved them, and they seem so easy to make, in the slow cooker, and keeping the skin on the […]
Sarah
I made these today for Easter dinner and they were perfect! I can’t believe how much easier they are than my normal go about with mashed potatoes. Thank you!
abountifulkitchen
Sarah, I love this recipe as well! It is hard to go back to any other method/recipe after you’ve made these! Thanks for your thoughtful comment 🙂
thanksgiving inspiration and a chocolate mousse pie … | Armelle Blog
[…] to be making this as a side more than just at Thanksgiving. Si also shared with us some amazing Slow Cooker Mash Potatoes. I loved them, and they seem so easy to make, in the slow cooker, and keeping the skin on the […]
Christy
How many people will this recipe serve? Thanks!
abountifulkitchen
Christy,
If you fill a slow cooker with mashed potatoes, and you have a lot of other sides (for holiday meals) this recipe safely serves 15-20.
Jen
I just found out we will be hosting t.day!! I was looking at recipes for slow cooker potatoes….but didn't really "trust" that they were divine. Seeing the recipe on your blog made my heart so happy today, I trust every recipe you list!!!! I have loved every single thing I have made!!! And I grew up in Farmington and live in WA now–but just knowing you are close to home makes me love reading your blog even more….thanks so much!!!!
Missy
If I want to use russet potatoes, do I still leave skin on or peel them prior to cooking or after they cook and before mashing? Thank you!!
Michelle
Same question! And is this recipe 5lbs of any kind of potatoe if we don’t want to use red? Thank you!!
Si Foster
Michelle,
Russet and white potatoes or red are the best potatoes for mashing. If you’re preparing for Thanksgiving, here’s my updated
How to Host Thanksgiving 101, with recipes my family loves! It includes a 6 day countdown, helping make preparing for Thanksgiving less stressful. Hope you enjoy!
xo,
Si
abountifulkitchen
Michelle,
I like to use red or white potatoes, but Russetts also work well!
Melanie
I did a trial run of these yesterday and they were perfect. I used russet and peeled them and they turned out great. What a fabulous time saver for the big day!
Trev and Shan
I'm wondering if there is another type of potato you can suggest instead of red potatoes. I live in Japan and I can't find red potatoes anywhere 🙁
abountifulkitchen
Trev and Shan,
Are russets available? Russets make awesome mashed potatoes. As the reader above you suggested, many people like Yukons. They are not my favorite. I think almost any type of potato will work. If you want to test the recipe out, just boil a single potato, peel and then mash with a little butter and half and half and test out the texture. Let us know what you decide! I have family in Okinawa and Tokyo. Such a beautiful country!
Shae Shae
Interested as to why you use red instead of like Yukon potatoes? I Always thought to stay away from red for the best/creamiest mashed potatoes?
abountifulkitchen
Hi Shae, I like russets the very best. But often, I have red potatoes in my home, so I used those for this recipe. I also like the red flecks of potato in my mashed potatoes. I'm not a fan of Yukons for mashed potatoes.
Phoebe
I'm for sure doing this! Nice to have the potatoes cooking out of the way!
Leslie
At a function the other night, they served mini Monte Christo sandwiches as h'orderves. They were delicious. Would you have a recipe? Thanks.
abountifulkitchen
That sounds delicious Leslie! I've made monte cristo's but not as an appetizer!
Nan T
Thanks for the best tip & recipe for mashed potatoes!!
Julie Winters
Brilliant! I'm doing this for sure! Thanks for making the Thanksgiving day load a little lighter!