How to Make Mashed Potatoes In The Instant Pot

by Melody Thacker, in How To, Recipes (No Comments)

You won’t believe how easy it is to make mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot® or any electric pressure cooker.  This recipe includes several variations so you can make the perfect mashed potatoes to compliment your meal.

Mashed potatoes are the ultimate comfort food. They are the perfect side dish for main courses starring meat, poultry, fish, or seafood. Mashed potatoes are delicious all on their own, or topped with butter or gravy, or whatever you like. For your convenience, you’ll find a printable version of the recipe farther down the page. Plus additional tips for making perfect mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot.

How to Make Mashed Potatoes In The Instant Pot®

Instant Pot® Mashed Potatoes Recipe

To make traditional mashed potatoes, skip the add-ins and use butter and cream.

Our family’s favorite is garlic mashed potatoes. For a strong garlic flavor add chopped, or minced, or pressed garlic after the potatoes are cooked. This is our preferred method. If you want a milder garlic flavor add the garlic cloves to the potatoes before cooking.

Herb mashed potatoes are a delicious change from plain potatoes. We like to make them with sour cream or cream cheese. Try garlic and Italian seasoning or garlic and chives.

Are you needing a low-fat version of mashed potatoes? Omit the butter and use skim or low-fat milk.

Ingredients for mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot:

• 3 lbs. potatoes, wash, peeled if desired, and cut into equal-sized chunks (about 3 inches)
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1 tablespoon Watkins chicken soup and gravy base
• Watkins Sea Salt, to taste
• Watkins black pepper, to taste

Add one or more of the following to make either garlic mashed potatoes or herb mashed potatoes if desired:

• 3 to 5 large garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
• 1 teaspoon Watkins organic Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Watkins organic parsley
• 1 teaspoon Watkins organic chives

When mashing potatoes add your choice of:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• ¼ cup heavy cream or
• 1/4 cup milk or
• 1/4 cup sour cream or
• 4 oz. cream cheese, cut into chunks

Directions to make mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot:

1. Combine potatoes, water, and soup base in Instant Pot®’s inner pot. Season with salt and black pepper, and stir to combine. For garlic mashed potatoes add the cloves now for a mild garlic flavor. Cover with the lid and lock it into place. Switch the vent to “Sealing” and set the “Manual” setting to 8 minutes.
   
2. When the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.
   
3. Carefully remove the lid and add butter, plus either milk, heavy cream, sour cream, or cream cheese. Add your desired herbs now for herb mashed potatoes. You can also add minced or pressed garlic now if you didn’t add it before cooking. 
4. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or immersion blender until almost smooth, but still slightly chunky. Taste and season with additional salt and black pepper, if desired.
   
5. Transfer to a serving bowl, and garnish with parsley if desired, and serve immediately. Enjoy!
   

Prep time: 12 minutes
Cook time: 8 minutes
Natural Release: 10 minutes
Serves: 4-6

Additional Tips For Making Instant Pot® Mashed Potatoes

Don’t I need to drain potatoes? No, because you only use 1/2 cup of water you can mash the potatoes into the seasoned cooking liquid. I think it retains more nutrients and flavor. This recipe was tested in a 6 quart Instant Pot. If you use a different size you may need to adjust the amount of water and increase it for larger pressure cookers.

Do I need to peel the potatoes? No, but you can peel them if you want. We like to leave the skin on for added fiber and nutrients. Be sure to cut off any blemishes or green areas.

What type of potatoes can you use? The best potatoes for mashing are Russets, yellow-fleshed like Yukon Gold, or red varieties like Pontiacs or Norland.

Help, my potatoes aren’t cooked or they got overcooked!  Be sure to cut your potatoes into equal-sized pieces. For the 8 minutes cooking time in this recipe chunks of approximately 3 inches will ensure perfectly cooked potatoes. The age of the potato can also affect the cooking time and results, for example, new potatoes will cook quicker and get watery.

Why does this recipe call for 3 to 5 cloves of garlic? The flavor of fresh garlic can vary greatly. Cooked garlic is more mellow and milder. It can also depend on the size of the cloves, the variety, and the location where it’s grown.

This recipe doubles well if you need to feed a crowd (more than 6 people). There’s no need to double the water. Cooking time remains the same, it is based on the size of the potato pieces. It will take a bit longer for the pressure cooker to come to pressure because there are more contents.

I use, love, and recommend Watkins herbs and spices because they are of exceptional quality, reasonably priced, and never disappoint. To be transparent you should also know that I’m an Independent Watkins Consultant. I will receive a commission when you order through me. I appreciate your support!