Less than 30 minutes to make the best mashed potatoes in the world (or you could say in your world)! Yes, you read that right. We’re making perfectly fluffy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes with options to customize it to your liking. Read on for my tried and tested tips and tricks for fool-proof fluffy mashed potatoes every time!
Why make mashed potatoes in Instant Pot?
Not only does it take less than 30 minutes to make perfect mashed potatoes in Instant Pot, you can also keep the potatoes warm, if you’re not serving it right away. Plus, just ONE pot is required!!
You can make fluffy mashed potatoes without using an electric mixer. Russet potatoes yield the fluffiest mashed potatoes, but because they’re drier potatoes they require more milk/liquid.
Notes from recipe testing:
I’ve tested this recipe multiple times with different water amounts and came to conclusion that 1 cup of water is the perfect amount for 6qt Instant Pot. No need to drain the liquid once potatoes are cooked.
Read on for more tips to make the best mashed potatoes!
5 mistakes you’re making when you make mashed potatoes:
- You’re stirring potatoes too hard and too fast, overworking potato starches and making glue-y mashed potatoes. This mostly happens when you use an electric mixer. Better options are trusted potato masher or a potato ricer.
- You’re not mashing the potatoes right away when they’re hot. Cooled potatoes don’t mash into creamy smooth texture, they turn out lumpy and glue-y.
- You’re skimping on fat. Butter adds that luxurious richness to mashed potatoes. Don’t skip it! Nothing beats butter, but if you’re out of butter, use heavy cream in place of milk and add mayo, or cream cheese.
- You’re not salting water when cooking potatoes. When you cook the potatoes in salted water, you’ll need way less salt later on, and the mashed potatoes will be so much more flavorful!
- You’re using wrong variaty of potatoes for the consistency you want. Do you want creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy? Choose the potatoes wisely. Read on and find out what type of potatoes to choose.
What kind of potatoes to use for mashed potatoes?
I believe any kind of potato will work for mashed potatoes, but depending on your desired mashed potatoes texture, you may choose one variety over another.
- Russets or other high starch potatoes, like baking potatoes, yield fluffier mashed potatoes.
- Red potatoes are waxy and low in starch, and they make creamier mashed potatoes.
- Yukon gold and long white potatoes are medium in starch.
Customize your mashed potatoes with different flavors
- No butter? No problem. You can use heavy cream in place of milk and butter. Or add mayo, or cream cheese.
- To make tangy mashed potatoes, add about ¼ cup buttermilk.
- For a nice kick, try adding a little bit of horseradish. Start with 1 tablespoon and add more to taste.
- To add extra richness, add couple tablespoons of mayo.
- For extra indulgent mashed potatoes, add some shredded cheddar cheese.
- For color and more flavor, add fresh herbs.
Other amazing add-ins: browned butter, sour cream, roasted garlic.
Other flavors to add to your mashed potatoes (for more ideas, read below):
- Cream cheese (about ½ cup for 2lbs potatoes)
- Buttermilk (about ¼ cup for 2lbs potatoes)
- Sour cream (about ¼ cup for 2lbs potatoes)
- Mayo (2 tablespoons for 2lbs potatoes)
- Horseradish (1-2 tablespoons for 2lbs potatoes)
Can I freeze leftover mashed potatoes?
Ultimate Guide to Best Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 lbs russet potatoes 6-7 medium russets
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt more to taste
- 1 cup water or low sodium chicken stock
- 1 cup warm milk I use whole milk, but any kind would work
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Wash and peel the potatoes. (Peeling is optional.) Cut the potatoes into chunks for even cooking.
- Place potatoes in Instant Pot. (I use this 6Qt Instant Pot)
- Add 1 cup of water (or low sodium chicken stock) and salt.
- Cover and set it to Manual for 8 minutes at high pressure. (NOTE: It took about 11 minutes for my Instant Pot to come to pressure.)
- Do quick release the pressure and carefully open the lid.
- Add milk, butter, pepper and garlic powder. (No need to drain the liquid.) Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes into a smooth texture.
- If not serving right away, cover the Instant Pot and set it to “Keep Warm”.
Notes
Nutrition
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full nutrition disclosure.
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Reader's Reviews
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
I love that it is so easy to make! Yummmy!
Shinee says
Thank you, Toni!!!