Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

5 from 9 votes
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This recipe for Instant Pot mashed potatoes is my new favorite way to make mashed potatoes. It frees up your stovetop for other things and the potatoes come out perfectly fluffy and smooth. 

Featured with this recipe
  1. Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes Ingredients
  2. How to Make Mashed Potatoes in the Instant Pot
  3. What to serve with Instant Pot Potatoes
  4. Frequently Asked Questions
  5. Storing Mashed Potatoes from the Instant Pot
  6. Main Dishes That Pair Perfectly with Mashed Potatoes
  7. How to Make Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
  8. Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes Recipe

I love finding new things to cook in my Instant Pot, and these mashed potatoes are no exception. It is such an easy recipe. You can seriously drop the potatoes and water in the pot and forget about it until the timer goes off. I especially like this method because it frees up your stove for other things. On big holidays like Thanksgiving, I need all the stovetop space I can get.

This is the perfect side dish for lots of weeknight dinners too. Instant Pot mashed potatoes recipe just took mashed potatoes to the next level of ease. Have all your flavor, texture, and creaminess from potatoes with the ease of using an instant pot appliance. It is perfect for those busy nights to set the Instant Pot or when you are feeding a crowd. You can’t go wrong with this easy-to-make side dish!



Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes Ingredients

Mashed potatoes can’t be any easier! Only five ingredients create the most smooth and creamy mashed potatoes with loads of flavor. The Instant Pot will do all the work and boil the russet potatoes then combine the remainder ingredients for an amazingly delicious mashed potato side dish!

  • Russet potatoes – For mashed potatoes, we always use Russet potatoes. They hold up the best while they cook, and then they mash perfectly.
  • Milk – Creamy and delicious liquid that smooths out the potatoes when blended.
  • Butter – Every potato needs butter! It is the best way to give that rich and decadent flavor combination.
  • Sour cream – This will thicken the potaotes as well as add intense flavor.
  • Garlic powder – Give these potatoes just a bit of garlicky taste. The powder is the best way to distribute the garlic flavor throughout the mashed potatoes since they are creamy and smooth in texture.

How to Make Mashed Potatoes in the Instant Pot

This is a great side dish that everyone loves! It is the perfect way to have soft and creamy mashed potatoes in minutes. The Instant Pot does all the work! First, peel and cut the potatoes, add water, and relax while the pressure cooker does its job. Mash together extra flavors, and fresh herbs, then serve. It is that simple!

  1. Prepare – Peel the potatoes and cut them into quarters. Place potatoes into the Instant Pot and cover with water. Add salt.
  2. Instant pot – Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to sealing. Cook on Manual at high pressure for 10 minutes. When the timer goes off, turn the Instant Pot off and quickly release the pressure.
  3. Drain and mash – Drain the potatoes and return them to the Instant Pot. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or with a hand mixer.
  4. Combine – In a small bowl, combine the milk and the butter. Microwave for about 40 seconds. This helps the milk not to curdle or to cool the potatoes down too much. Slowly add in the butter/milk mixture until the potatoes reach desired consistency.
  5. Mash – Stir in the sour cream, salt, and pepper. Serve immediately.

“I love my instapot but I’ve never made potatoes in it! This made the process super easy!! Thanks for sharing.”

-Laura R.

What to serve with Instant Pot Potatoes

These mashed potatoes are so creamy and delicious that you could almost eat them plain, right out of the bowl. However, if you’re like our family, you will want to smother your mashed potatoes with gravy. Try our Turkey Gravy, Beef Gravy, or Chicken Gravy. These mashed potatoes would also be great as a base for our Loaded Mashed Potatoes. Top them on a homemade Shepherd’s Pie or turn them into potato cakes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long to boil mashed potatoes in the instant pot?

For smaller potatoes, cook at high pressure for about 8 minutes. Medium potatoes cook at high for 10 minutes. Large potatoes need to cook at 12 minutes.

Can you overcook potatoes in the Instant Pot?

To avoid overcooking potatoes, make sure to remove them right after the timer goes off. Most of the time potatoes are ready in less than 15 minutes.

What kind of potatoes are best in the instant pot?

There are several types of potatoes and most of them are great. I choose to use the russet potatoes because they are a strong and thick type of potato that can withstand the pressure cooker. Yukon gold potatoes, red potatoes, or sweet potatoes are all great options but are softer and wouldn’t need to pressure cook as long.

Should I peel my potatoes before adding them to the instant pot?

Then there’s the other big question, to peel or not to peel? For this recipe, I decided to peel them, just because that is how my family prefers them. I don’t think the peels would make a difference in the Instant Pot.

Why are my instant mashed potatoes rubbery?

If there is too much starch in your mashed potato mixture, the texture tends to turn into a rubbery and gummy mashed potato. For a fluffy mash use a hand mixer, potato ricer, or potato masher.

Are potatoes healthy for you?

Yes! Potatoes are rich in vitamin C which is an antioxidant. Potatoes have been known to be a life-saving food during scarce times. They are full of fiber and don’t have saturated fat and are low in sodium. Potatoes do have carbohydrates to help keep you full.

Read Next:27 BEST Instant Pot Recipes

Storing Mashed Potatoes from the Instant Pot

It is hard to believe that there would be any mashed potato leftovers but if there are you can place them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for five to seven days long. When ready to reheat place in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.

Main Dishes That Pair Perfectly with Mashed Potatoes

Even though I do LOVE mashed potatoes and would eat them as a meal, you probably need a main dish to go with them. Try some of our favorites!

How to Make Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

5 from 9 votes
This recipe for Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes is my new favorite way to make mashed potatoes. It frees up your stovetop for other things and the potatoes come out so fluffy and smooth. 
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Video

Equipment

  • Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Peel the potatoes and cut into quarters. Place potatoes into the Instant Pot and cover with water. Add salt (I usually add about 1 teaspoon at this point).
    Instant Pot Potatoes in Water
  • Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to sealing. Cook on Manual at high pressure for 10 minutes. When the timer goes off, turn the Instant Pot off and quick release the pressure.
    Adding lid to cook Instant Pot Potatoes
  • Drain the potatoes and return them to the Instant Pot. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or with a hand mixer.
    Mashing Instant Pot Potatoes
  • In a small bowl, combine the milk and the butter. Microwave for about 40 seconds. This helps the milk not to curdle or to cool the potatoes down too much. Slowly add in the butter/milk mixture until potatoes reach desired consistency.
  • Mash in the sour cream, salt, and pepper. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • If you can’t serve right away, turn the Instant Pot back on to the Keep Warm setting.
  • Store leftovers refrigerator in an airtight container for five to seven days long.
  • When ready to reheat place in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1gCalories: 298kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 6gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 103mgPotassium: 1006mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 389IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 76mgIron: 2mg

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About the author

Kelsey Crist

Kelsey lives in Washington with her husband, Alex, and two cats, Diana and Nova. Her happy place is in the kitchen listening to an audiobook and trying new recipes. When she's not in the kitchen you can find her hiking, shopping at Trader Joe's, or playing Animal Crossing. Her favorite food is pasta and Alex loves when she makes Homemade Oreos.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I’ve made this recipe and we have loved it! We added a scoop of better than bouillon at the end. It turned out delicious! Have you ever doubled the recipe? I’m wondering if the cook time changes and by how many minutes?

    1. We have not doubled the recipe so I can’t say. A scoop of butter than bouillon sounds like a delicious addition though! I’ll have to try that next time!

  2. 5 stars
    I am a bit afraid of my Instant Pot because I haven’t had much come out well but I am going to try your mashed potatoes recipe this year. Definitely a time and space saver for the best holiday dinner ever!

  3. 5 stars
    I love my instapot but I’ve never made potatoes in it! This made the process super easy!! Thanks for sharing.

  4. 5 stars
    So glad I found this recipe. My son was begging me for mashed potatoes and these were incredible!