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Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

These Instant Pot mashed potatoes come out creamy and delicious every time, with butter and sour cream, and chives, you’ll love them!

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes covered in butter and chives.

Who doesn’t love diving into some luscious, smooth, and creamy mashed potatoes?

These Instant Pot mashed potatoes make cooking this favorite side dish even easier; they’re ready in under 30 minutes! 

Using the Instant Pot to cook these mashed potatoes is a total game changer for the holiday season; making side dishes has never been so low maintenance and stress-free.

Cooking the potatoes in broth infuses them with even more delicious flavor, and mixing them with tangy sour cream, butter, bright chives, and earthy garlic, what’s not to love?

Trust me, once you try making your mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot, you’ll never cook them on the stove again!

Craving more mashed recipes? Try my Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes or my Spinach Parmesan Baked Mashed Potatoes.

Ingredients to make Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes on a table.

Ingredients for Instant Pot mashed potatoes

  • Yukon gold potatoes – I insist on this variety because it’s the creamiest and fluffiest kind of potato!
  • Stock – Cooking potatoes in the broth will give them even more flavor.
  • Garlic – Fresh is best! This will add a zippy and earthy flavor to our mashed potatoes.
  • Dairy – The combination of heavy cream, butter, and sour cream makes for the most decadent and smooth potatoes.
  • Chives – Chives bring a mild onion flavor.
  • Salt and pepper – Don’t forget to season your mashed potatoes well!
Chopped potatoes and garlic in the Instant Pot.
Cooked potatoes and garlic in the Instant Pot.

Different mix-ins

Not a fan of chives? Or maybe you’re not crazy about sour cream? No worries! Try adding any of these other great ingredients to your Instant Pot mashed potatoes instead:

  • Green onions
  • Fresh thyme
  • Mascarpone
  • Shredded cheese
  • Smoked paprika
Potatoes getting mashed with butter, sour cream and spices.
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes in the Instant Pot.

Making this dairy-free

If you’re lactose-intolerant, you can still achieve creamy, dreamy potatoes!

Switch out the heavy cream with your favorite milk substitute (making sure to buy the unsweetened variety,) and use plant-based butter instead of cow’s milk butter.

Peeled or Unpeeled potatoes?

Since I’m using thin-skinned Yukon gold potatoes I opted to leave the skin of the potato on. However, if you wanted to use Russet potatoes I would take off the skin since it’s a bit more tough.

I would also leave the skins on red potatoes and white potatoes.

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes in a white bowl with butter.

The best potato for mashed potatoes

Ok, so here is the thing – I love all potatoes and think most work really well for mashing.

Especially if you’re making instant pot mashed potatoes!

I have had delicious success with red potatoes, white potatoes, Russet potatoes, and of course, Yukon gold potatoes. Russets are of course the “traditional” potatoes used for mashing but I think the waxy variety makes a smoother richer mashed potato.

Trust me, you can’t go wrong with whatever you choose! Just know if you use Russet potatoes and don’t cut them small enough you may need to cook them for a few minutes longer.

Instant Pot FAQ

An Instant Pot is an electric multi-cooker that can be used to sauté, as a slow cooker, and of course, pressure cook.

There are a lot of horror stories about using old-fashioned stovetop pressure cookers but these are much safer and WAY easier to use.

They use high-pressurized steam to help cook meat and vegetables at a much quicker rate than traditional stovetop or slow cooker options.

Instant Pots are VERY easy to use and very safe. Don’t worry if you’re new to the electric pressure cooker world. You will absolutely LOVE it!

Instant Pot is a brand name electric pressure cooker. Since most people recognize the name “Instant Pot” and think of an electric pressure cooker it’s often easier to just title a recipe with IP in the name.

I have also used the crockpot version electric pressure cooker with equally delicious results.

This is the same as most people calling a plastic bandage a Band-aid or a tissue a Kleenex. Over time the brand names become synonymous with a type of product.

When a recipe calls to let your Instant Pot “natural release” it means your pressure cooker will naturally (and very slowly) release the pressure.

Many recipes call for the pressure cooker to naturally release for a period of time because this helps the recipe cook just a little longer.

Since the pressure cooker will be slowly losing pressure you do not have to do anything; it will eventually lose all its pressure and the lid will unlock.

When a recipe calls for quick release, this means you will manually be letting the pressure out of the Instant Pot.

You will have to turn the vent to the “venting” position and a bunch of hot steam will come out of the vent. It is very important that you do not put your hand in the steam as it is VERY HOT.

This will then immediately unlock the lid and the food can be served.

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes with melted butter and herbs.

Storage and leftovers

Any leftover mashed potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To reheat, simply put in a microwave-safe dish cover loosely with a damp paper towel, and heat for 2-3 minutes or until heated thoroughly. 

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes in a serving bowl.

More Instant Pot favorites

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

These Instant Pot mashed potatoes come out creamy and delicious every time, with butter and sour cream, and chives, you’ll love them!
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2-1/2 pounds small Yukon gold potatoes halved or quartered
  • 4 cloves garlic peeled
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 5 cups chicken stock
  • 2 cups sour cream
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon chopped chives
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions

  • Add potatoes, garlic, and kosher salt to the Instant Pot.
  • Pour in the chicken stock just until it covers the potatoes. This may be more or less than the 5 cups called for in the recipe.
  • Attach the lid and ensure the valve is in the “sealing” position.
  • Set the Instant Pot to the Pressure Cook Manual, high heat, for 25 minutes. 
  • When finished, manually release the pressure by switching the valve to "vent." Be careful hot steam will come out of the valve. When fully released remove the lid.
  • Save 1/4 cup of the hot stock from the Instant Pot and drain off the rest of the stock by straining it in a colander.
  • Add the potatoes back to the Instant Pot and add in the sour cream, heavy cream, and butter.
  • Mash until smooth. Use the reserved stock to help thin out the mashed potatoes to reach your desired texture.
  • Taste, season with kosher salt or black pepper, stir in the Italian seasoning and stir in the chives.

Notes

  • Use water in place in place of chicken stock.
  • Use vegetable stock in place of chicken stock.
  • Add more or less garlic depending on the flavor you’re craving.
  • The potatoes do not have to be finely diced or chunked so I like to use smaller potatoes sand either halve or quarter them depending on size. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 581kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 124mg | Sodium: 3966mg | Potassium: 975mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1342IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 168mg | Iron: 2mg
Course Instant Pot
Cuisine American
Keyword easy mashed potatoes, garlic mashed potatoes, instant pot garlic mashed potatoes, instant pot recipes, mashed potatoes in the instant pot
Did you try this recipe?Leave a comment and 5 star review!
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes pin for Pinterest.
Brandy

About Brandy!

I am a food lover and recipe developer bringing you delicious recipes that taste great and are easy to make! My food is inspired by travels around the world and my love of flavorful food. A list of things that make me happy: cats, Coke Zero, houseplants, and travel. Read more...

Recipe Rating




Shadi Hasanzadenemati

Tuesday 22nd of November 2022

It looks so delicious and easy!This is such an easy and delicious recipe, I cannot wait to make it again!

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