When I think of a perfect food, I think of mashed potatoes. Light, fluffy, rich mashed potatoes. I love having them on the side of a juicy steak, with meaty brown gravy drizzled all over them. They are amazing as a side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. I love having them for breakfast! (Ha, just kidding). What I don't like about a standard mashed potato recipe is that it can be pretty time consuming and hands on. Plus, if you are making mashed potatoes as a Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish, they take up a burner on the stove! This is why I have come up with a recipe for Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes.
Please note, this post contains affiliate links which means I will receive a small commission on the sale of these items at no cost to you.
Why Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes?
If you already have an Instant Pot, you already know the answer to this question: BECAUSE THE INSTANT POT IS AWESOME! If you don't already have an Instant Pot, I highly recommend purchasing one of these time-saving bad boys. Not only does it save time, but it can do so much more than a slow cooker. I detail my favorite attributes of the Instant Pot in my Ultimate Holiday Shopping Guide.
Instant Pot mashed potatoes are so quick and easy - all you do is peel the potatoes (or not - it's up to you!), cut them into large chunks, place them in the Instant Pot with salted water and BAM! Your potatoes cook quickly, evenly, and thoroughly. No lumps, no worries!
When I am short on time, I use this mashed potato recipe to make the potato topping for my Ground Turkey Shepherd's Pie!
What Potatoes Are Best For Mashed Potatoes?
You know, a lot of people ask me this question and I think it depends on the texture you prefer when making mashed potatoes.
If you like light and fluffy mashed potatoes, russet potatoes are what I recommend. Russet potatoes have a high starch content, which also makes them the perfect potato for homemade French fries! And of course, russet potatoes make the best baked potatoes.
If you like creamy and velvety mashed potatoes, I think Yukon Gold potatoes would be best. Yukon Gold potatoes have a thin skin, which makes them great for making oven roasted potatoes.
If you prefer to keep the skins on for smashed potatoes, I would recommend red potatoes. Red potatoes roast well, too! They are also yummy in chunky potato salads.
Is It Healthy To Eat Mashed Potatoes?
Like most foods, mashed potatoes can be prepared in a "healthy" way and they can be prepared in an "unhealthy" way. Potatoes themselves are not the problem when it comes to nutrition - it is what you add to the potatoes that causes them to have a terrible reputation. According to Healthline, potatoes are a great source for vitamins and fiber and they contain almost no fat.
I am a firm believer in moderation when it comes to rich foods, like mashed potatoes. My favorite way to enjoy potatoes is using cream and butter. However, when I eat them using richer ingredients, I make the effort to eat a smaller portion of them when I'm watching my weight/health.
If you have a hard time eating the rich mashed potatoes in moderation, below are some ways to make your mashed potatoes healthier without sacrificing flavor:
- Instead of using heavy cream and butter, use chicken stock/broth/bone broth and skim milk to impart flavor and help the potatoes to fluff up with the hand mixer.
- If you want healthy add-ins, skip cheeses (cream cheese, shredded cheese, etc.) and skip creams (sour cream, crème fraiche, etc.) and fold in chopped fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage) instead. Or, you can roast a bulb of garlic for a punch of flavor! Who doesn't love garlic mashed potatoes?
- If you are not going for a truly organic and non-processed experience, I have made great potatoes using fat free half and half and I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. These substitutions create the classic butter/cream combination without all the fat and calories.
My Favorite Recipes To Cook With Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are so versatile and go so well with many entrees! Here are a few of my favorites:
- Healthy Oven "Fried" Chicken Nuggets
- Baked Chicken Thighs with Apple Cider Sauce
- Ground Turkey Shepherd's Pie
- Chicken Breasts with Homemade Pan Gravy
- Oven Baked Salmon
Essential Tools
Please note, this post contains affiliate links which means I will receive a small commission on the sale of these items at no cost to you.
All of my posts contain my recommendations for essential tools. I have researched these tools. Many of them are already in my kitchen. The ones that are not come highly rated. I do the research so you don’t have to and I only recommend high-quality tools.
If you are just starting to furnish your kitchen with tools or if you are looking to expand your kitchen toolkit, be sure to reference Expert Guide: Equip Your Kitchen for Less Than $200. This guide contains links to all of the equipment items I recommend for a basic kitchen set up.
My essential tools when making this recipe include the following:
Instant Pot
I think it is obvious why you might need an Instant Pot for my Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes recipe! In addition to making amazing mashed potatoes, the Instant Pot is a pressure cooker, sterilizer, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker, and more.
Hand Mixer
Some people like to use a potato masher or a stand mixer to mash potatoes. These methods are perfectly fine. However, I prefer using a hand mixer because I find that it makes my potatoes have a fluffier, lighter texture. I use this exact hand mixer in my kitchen and I love it!
Mixing Bowls
I always use a large mixing bowl when I make mashed potatoes. They are so strong and durable. They can hold large amounts of hot food without any problem. I cannot say enough good things about these bowls.
The Best Time-Saving Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 6 large russet potatoes peeled and quartered
- 6-7 cups water
- 1 tablespoon salt
- ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth warmed
- ½ cup heavy cream warmed
- 4 tablespoon butter unsalted, melted
- 2-3 sprigs rosemary or your herb of choice (optional)
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place potatoes in Instant pot. Completely cover with water (about 6-7 cups). Add 1 tablespoon salt.
- Cook potatoes on the steam setting of Instant Pot for 15 minutes.
- Place cooked potatoes in mixing bowl and add warmed chicken broth, cream, and melted butter.
- Using a hand mixer, whip the potatoes until there are no lumps. Fold in rosemary. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm. SO EASY, SO DELICIOUS!
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