Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

If you’re looking for an easy, delicious way to make mashed potatoes, you’ve got to try this Instant Pot mashed potatoes recipe! It’s quick and easy to make, and the results are absolutely delicious. Once you try making mashed potatoes in an Instant Pot, you’ll never go back to the old way again!

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How to make mashed potato in an Instant Pot

When it comes to holiday side dishes, mashed potatoes are a classic. But making them can be time-consuming, especially if you’re doing it all from scratch.

This year, save yourself some time by using an Instant Pot to make your mashed potatoes. Instant Pot mashed potatoes are creamy and delicious, and they’ll free up your stovetop for other dishes.

Plus, they’ll be ready in a fraction of the time it would take to make them the traditional way.

Scroll down for the printable card for this Instant Pot mashed potato recipe, or read on for all the details!

What goes in Instant Pot mashed potato

Potatoes: Choose a floury, all-purpose type of potato for fluffy mashed potato. Russet potatoes, Maris piper, Sebago, red potatoes, or Yukon Gold potatoes are all ideal.

Water: you need enough to cover the potatoes, around 3 cups.

Salt to cook the potatoes: This helps to season them while they are cooking and speeds up the cooking process.

Butter and milk (or heavy cream): You need a little of something creamy to offset the starch of the potatoes and stop them from being dry.

Salt to season the potatoes: Season the mashed potatoes to taste once the potatoes and other ingredients are mashed together.

Other flavors you can add to mashed potato

• Garlic: add one of two cloves of minced garlic, or ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder.
• Cream cheese or sour cream to add a more tangy flavor. Goes really well with a sprinkling of chives or sliced green onions.
• Make cheesy mash by adding ½ cup of shredded cheddar. Try adding some bacon bits and ground black pepper for and extra tasty version!

How to make the BEST Instant Pot mashed potato!

It’s a very simple recipe but there are a few specific steps and tips:

1. Cut potato into equal-sized pieces.
2. Place the potatoes in the Instant Pot bowl and cover with water. If you have a metal steamer basket, set the potatoes in this inside the Instant Pot bowl to make draining them easier once they are cooked.

3. Pressure cook on HIGH in salted water. Salting the water means the potatoes will be seasoned all the way through. The potatoes should be very, very soft when they have finished cooking.
4. Drain the potatoes, and return to the Instant Pot stainless steel bowl and mash with butter and milk or cream.

5. Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes until creamy and fluffy, or put them through a potato ricer. You can use a stick blender or a hand mixer for extra creamy mashed potato, but be careful not to over-do the mashing as it can make the mashed potatoes heavy and gluey.
6. Instant Pot mashed potato will keep warm for a while in the Instant Pot. Put the lid back on, but leave it switched off.

How to serve mashed potato

So my favorite way to serve this mashed potato is as a side to just about anything, and completely slathered in this amazing gravy (made from stock).

But, one of the great things about mashed potato as a side dish is that you can get creative by adding new ingredients to make it your own. Here are some fun ideas to try:

• Top with butter and sprinkle with fresh chives
• Add ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese and stir through
• Stir through some goat cheese

Serve it alongside your favorite air fryer steak, slow cooker pulled pork, or roast chicken.

>> Related article: What Goes with Mashed Potatoes?

Storage and reheating

If you have any leftover mashed potatoes, store it in an air tight container in the refrigerator and use within three days. You can also freeze it for up to two months.

Reheating in the microwave for around 2-3 minutes on high until piping hot. Stir it and microwave for an extra minute or two if needed.

Instant Pot Mashed Potato Recipe Card

You may also like:

• Instant Pot steamed dumplings
• Instant Pot Brown Rice
• Instant Pot Chicken and mushroom risotto
• Air fryer roast potatoes