Transform your side dish game with the easiest and most delicious Instant Pot mashed potatoes! Say goodbye to soggy, over-drained spuds and hello to perfectly fluffy, creamy, and flavorful mashed potatoes every single time. Our foolproof, no-drain method simplifies the process, making this recipe an absolute game-changer. Whether you’re preparing a festive holiday feast or a simple weeknight dinner, these pressure cooker mashed potatoes are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser and become your new favorite go-to. Best of all, you don’t even need to peel the potatoes, saving you precious time and effort!
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Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes Video Tutorial
Watch our quick video tutorial to see just how simple it is to achieve ultra-creamy, fluffy mashed potatoes without any fuss. This video guides you through the entire no-drain method, ensuring your Instant Pot mashed potatoes turn out perfect every time, whether for a holiday spread or a casual weeknight meal.
Why This Instant Pot Mashed Potato Recipe is a Must-Try
This isn’t just another mashed potato recipe; it’s a culinary revelation that will change the way you think about preparing this classic side dish. Here’s why our Instant Pot mashed potatoes stand out:
- Unbeatably Fluffy and Creamy: Achieve that dreamy, smooth texture you crave with minimal effort. Our no-drain mashed potatoes technique ensures the potatoes absorb all the flavorful broth, resulting in a rich, velvety consistency that pairs beautifully with everything from Blackstone griddle steak to roasted chicken.
- The Ultimate Comfort Food, Simplified: There’s an undeniable warmth and satisfaction that comes with a generous scoop of perfectly mashed potatoes on your plate. This recipe delivers that profound comfort without the usual kitchen chaos, making it accessible even on the busiest evenings.
- Foolproof Cooking with Your Instant Pot: Harness the power of your trusty Instant Pot to eliminate guesswork and ensure consistent results. This foolproof method works brilliantly even with unpeeled potatoes, significantly reducing prep time and removing the need for draining.
- Effortless, Hands-Off Preparation: The process couldn’t be simpler: add your ingredients, set the pressure cooker, mash, and stir. That’s it! Your Instant Pot handles the hard work, freeing you up to focus on other parts of your meal or simply relax.
- Healthier Twist: By pressure cooking the potatoes directly in broth, they effectively steam, resulting in a dish that can be lower in calories and fat compared to many traditional stovetop versions that often involve excessive butter or heavy cream for moisture. This makes for a lighter, yet equally satisfying, option.
Looking for a variation? You may also enjoy our Instant Pot mashed red potatoes for a slightly different flavor and texture profile.
🎯 Pro Tip: Mastering Your Instant Pot
Before you embark on your pressure cooking journey, it’s always wise to read your Instant Pot owner’s manual. While cooking times are generally consistent across brands, operational nuances can vary. Familiarizing yourself with your specific model ensures a smooth and safe cooking experience.
If you’re new to the world of pressure cooking, we highly recommend diving into our comprehensive guide, How to Use the Instant Pot 101. For both beginners and seasoned Instant Pot enthusiasts, our Tips & Hacks for the Instant Pot offers invaluable insights to maximize your appliance’s potential.
Ingredient Essentials and Savvy Substitutions
Creating exceptionally fluffy mashed potatoes requires just a handful of straightforward, wholesome ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need, along with some great substitution ideas to fit your dietary needs or preferences:
- Potatoes: The star of the show! For the best creamy and fluffy mashed potatoes, we recommend Yukon Gold potatoes or Russet potatoes. Yukon Golds offer a naturally buttery flavor and creamy texture, while Russets are wonderfully starchy, breaking down easily for a light, airy mash. Feel free to use your favorite mashing potato!
- Chicken Broth: This is crucial for both flavor and moisture in our no-drain method. It infuses the potatoes with savory depth as they cook. For vegetarian or vegan versions, readily substitute with vegetable broth. Beef broth can also be used for a richer, more robust flavor profile.
- Heavy Cream: The secret to achieving that luxurious, velvety texture. A splash of heavy cream elevates the richness and creaminess of the mash, making it truly irresistible.
- Butter: Adds a delightful richness and classic savory flavor that’s synonymous with mashed potatoes. Ghee, margarine, or a good quality olive oil can be used as alternatives for a dairy-free or different flavor profile.
- Chives (Optional): Freshly chopped chives add a beautiful pop of color and a mild, oniony freshness that brightens the dish. Feel free to experiment with other fresh herbs like parsley or dill.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning to taste. Start with a moderate amount and adjust as needed after mashing and mixing.
For a Vegetarian or Vegan Twist: Simply opt for vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Replace dairy butter with a high-quality vegan butter, and in place of heavy cream, use full-fat coconut cream (from a can, chilled to separate the cream) or your favorite unsweetened oat milk for a similar creamy consistency.
How to Master the Best Mashed Potatoes in Your Instant Pot
Our method for Instant Pot mashed potatoes is designed for maximum flavor and minimal fuss. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the fact that you can skip peeling, adding a rustic touch and extra fiber. However, if you prefer a completely smooth mash, go ahead and peel them – it’s all about personal preference!
- Prepare Your Potatoes: Begin by thoroughly scrubbing your potatoes under running water, especially if leaving the skin on. Once clean, chop them into large, uniform chunks. For medium potatoes, quarters are ideal; for larger ones, cut them into eighths. Consistent sizing ensures even cooking.
- Pressure Cook to Perfection: Transfer the prepped potatoes to the inner pot of your Instant Pot. Pour in the chicken broth. Secure the lid, making sure the sealing lever is in the ‘Sealing’ position. Select ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ (High Pressure) and set the timer for 7 minutes. Once the pressure cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes. This crucial step helps prevent the potatoes from becoming waterlogged. After 10 minutes, carefully initiate a quick release of pressure by turning the sealing lever or valve. Be cautious of the steam!
- Mash and Finish in the Pot: This is where the magic of the no-drain method truly shines! There’s no need to transfer the potatoes to a colander. Simply mash them directly in the Instant Pot using a potato masher. Don’t worry if there’s a bit of broth visible at the bottom; it will be fully absorbed as you mash and stir. Once mashed to your desired consistency, add the heavy cream and butter. Stir well until everything is incorporated and the potatoes are luxuriously smooth and creamy. Season generously with salt to taste, and if desired, garnish with fresh chopped chives and a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper.
🎯 Pro Tip: The No-Drain Magic Explained
It’s perfectly normal to see a small amount of broth pooling at the bottom of the Instant Pot after pressure cooking. Rest assured, as you begin to mash the potatoes, they will readily absorb this flavorful liquid, transforming into a wonderfully smooth and creamy mashed potatoes consistency. This absorption is key to the no-drain method‘s success, infusing every bite with rich flavor and ensuring a perfect texture without any watery residue.
Serve your Instant Pot mashed potatoes immediately while they’re warm and at their peak creaminess. If you have leftovers, allow them to cool to room temperature before storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. For best results when reheating, you might need to add a splash of milk or broth and a pat of butter to restore their creamy texture.
Perfect Pairings and Serving Suggestions
These versatile no-drain mashed potatoes are the quintessential side dish, elevating any meal from ordinary to extraordinary. Here are some of our favorite ways to serve them:
- Classic Comfort Dinner: Pair them with pan-seared chicken breasts and a rich, homemade gravy for a timeless and incredibly satisfying meal that everyone will love.
- Hearty Pork Chops: They are simply delicious alongside tender and juicy buttermilk-brined pork chops, where the creamy potatoes provide a wonderful contrast to the savory meat.
- Elegant Italian-Inspired Dish: For a bold, bright, and lemony flavor, serve them with our Cheesecake Factory copycat chicken piccata recipe. The fluffy mashed potatoes, alongside a fresh tahini kale salad, create a balanced and memorable dining experience.
- Holiday Feast Essential: These Instant Pot mashed potatoes are a must-have for any holiday spread, whether it’s Christmas or Thanksgiving. Their hands-off preparation means one less thing to worry about on a busy cooking day.
- Creative Toppings: Elevate your mashed potatoes with various toppings! Consider a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme, crispy bacon bits, shredded cheddar cheese, or even caramelized onions for an extra layer of flavor.
- Perfect with Roasts: A generous portion of these creamy potatoes is the ideal accompaniment to slow-roasted beef, lamb, or a succulent turkey.
Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Absolutely! This is a fantastic make-ahead dish, especially useful for holiday meal prep. After completing the initial cooking and mashing step (before adding cream and butter), allow the potatoes to cool completely. Transfer them into a gallon-sized freezer bag or an airtight container. They can be refrigerated for 1-3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw frozen potatoes in the refrigerator overnight. Then, reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding heavy cream and butter as per the recipe, mashing again to restore their creaminess.
No, you do not! One of the great benefits of our no-drain method is its simplicity. Just add the potatoes and broth directly to the bottom of your Instant Pot. The pressure cooking process, combined with the broth, ensures uniformly cooked, fluffy potatoes without the need for additional accessories.
Yes, you certainly can, though the texture might be slightly less rich. If substituting milk for heavy cream, follow these easy modifications: after pressure cooking and the natural release, drain off any leftover broth, reserving it. Add about ½ cup of milk (whole milk works best for creaminess) in place of the heavy cream. Mash and stir. If the potatoes appear too thick, gradually add small amounts of the reserved broth until you achieve your desired creamy consistency.
Potato sizes can vary quite a bit, but typically, 6 medium potatoes weigh approximately between 1 to 1½ pounds (or 16 to 24 ounces). This amount yields a generous 6 servings of homemade mashed potatoes.
Absolutely! Garlic is a fantastic addition to mashed potatoes. You can either add garlic powder to taste when mashing, or for a more intense flavor, add 2-3 peeled whole garlic cloves to the Instant Pot along with the potatoes and broth. They will cook perfectly with the potatoes and mash right in for a delightful garlic-infused mash.
This recipe works beautifully in any model of electric pressure cooker, including Instant Pot Duo, Ultra, Nova, or even other brands like Ninja Foodi. The key is using the manual or pressure cook setting on high pressure.
Gummy mashed potatoes are usually a result of over-mashing. When potatoes are mashed too vigorously or for too long, their starches can overdevelop, leading to a gluey texture. Our Instant Pot method helps reduce this risk by cooking them perfectly, but be gentle when mashing. Use a hand masher instead of an electric mixer for best results.
More Delicious Potato Recipes to Explore
If you loved these Instant Pot mashed potatoes, you’re in for a treat! Potatoes are incredibly versatile, and we have many more recipes that highlight their delicious potential:
- Instant Pot Fried Potatoes: Perfect for a hearty breakfast or brunch.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs and Mashed Potatoes: A complete meal made easily in your Instant Pot.
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes in Instant Pot: For garlic lovers seeking an extra layer of flavor.
- Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes: A decadent, cheesy, and satisfying twist on the classic.
If you tried this Instant Pot mashed potato recipe or any other recipe on our website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Your feedback helps us grow and inspires other home cooks! Thanks for visiting!
No-Drain Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
By Renae Gerhardstein
Pin Recipe
Side Dish, Dinner
American
6 servings
5 minutes
27 minutes
32 minutes
235
Equipment
- Instant Pot (or any electric pressure cooker)
Ingredients
- 6 medium potatoes, scrubbed and cut in quarters (for large potatoes, cut into eighths)
- 1 ¼ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup heavy cream*
- 2 tablespoons butter
- fresh chives, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Add the potatoes and broth to the bottom of the Instant Pot (no trivet needed). Secure the lid, close the sealing lever, and cook at high pressure for 7 minutes.
- After the pressure cycle is complete, allow pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes. Then, carefully initiate a quick release by turning the sealing lever.
- You may see some broth at the bottom of the pot, but don’t worry—it will be fully absorbed as you mash the potatoes.
- Mash the potatoes directly in the pot using a potato masher. Stir in the heavy cream and butter until smooth and creamy. Season with salt to taste. Garnish with fresh chives and ground pepper, if desired. Serve warm.
Video
Notes
- Always review your Instant Pot owner’s manual before first use. While cooking times are generally consistent, operating procedures can vary between models and brands.
- If you are new to pressure cooking, we highly recommend consulting our Instant Pot 101 guide for foundational knowledge. Our Tips & Hacks for the Instant Pot also offers valuable insights for both new and experienced users.
- After pressure cooking, a small amount of broth will be visible in the pot. This is normal and by design for our no-drain method. As you mash, the potatoes will absorb this flavorful broth, resulting in a wonderfully smooth and creamy mashed potatoes texture.
Storing Instructions:
- Serve these mashed potatoes immediately while warm. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. For best reheating, you may add a splash of milk or broth and a pat of butter before gently warming.
Make Ahead Instructions:
- This dish is excellent for making ahead. After cooking and mashing the potatoes (before adding cream and butter), allow them to cool completely. Transfer to a gallon-sized freezer bag or an airtight container. Refrigerate for 1-3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw frozen potatoes in the refrigerator. Then, gently reheat, mash again, and mix with heavy cream and butter as outlined in the remainder of the recipe.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving
|
Calories: 235kcal
|
Carbohydrates: 38g
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Protein: 5g
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Fat: 8g
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Saturated Fat: 5g
|
Cholesterol: 24mg
|
Sodium: 230mg
|
Potassium: 943mg
|
Fiber: 5g
|
Sugar: 2g
|
Vitamin A: 264IU
|
Vitamin C: 45mg
|
Calcium: 35mg
|
Iron: 2mg
