Description
This recipe delivers the creamiest, most flavorful mashed potatoes made effortlessly in a crock pot. Slow-cooked russet potatoes blended with butter, chicken broth, cream cheese, and milk create a rich and comforting side dish perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 5 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and chopped into bite-size pieces
Dairy
- 1 cup unsalted butter (divided into 2 sticks)
- 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, cut into cubes
- ¼ cup milk
Other
- 1 (32-oz) container chicken broth
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the Potatoes: Peel and chop the russet potatoes into bite-size pieces to ensure even cooking and faster softening in the crock pot.
- Cook Potatoes in Crock Pot: Place chopped potatoes into a 6-quart crock pot. Season generously with salt and black pepper. Add one stick of unsalted butter and pour in the chicken broth. Cover with the lid and cook on LOW heat for 4 to 5 hours, until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Drain Excess Liquid: Once cooked, carefully drain the excess broth from the slow cooker, leaving only the cooked potatoes inside to avoid watery mashed potatoes.
- Mash and Mix: Add the remaining stick of butter, cubed cream cheese, and ¼ cup milk to the potatoes in the crock pot. Use a hand mixer or potato masher to mash the potatoes thoroughly until creamy and smooth, adjusting consistency as desired.
- Season and Garnish: Taste and adjust salt and pepper if necessary. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving, adding a touch of color and freshness.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use homemade chicken broth or low-sodium broth and adjust salt accordingly.
- To make this recipe vegetarian, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- You can prepare the potatoes a day ahead and reheat gently in the crock pot with a splash of milk to retain creaminess.
- Adding garlic powder or roasted garlic can enhance the flavor of these mashed potatoes.
- Using a hand mixer gives the mashed potatoes a smoother texture; a potato masher will result in a more rustic, chunkier texture.
