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The most perfect, make-ahead Slow Cooker Cheesy Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes. Made simply and easily in the slow cooker with cream, fresh herbs, a little garlic, salted butter, and melty Gruyere cheese. Each bite is perfectly smooth, creamy, and so delicious. The secret? Cooking the potatoes together with the cream. This method makes for the creamiest and most flavorful mashed potatoes. You can make these in the slow cooker, instant pot, or on the stove. They’re perfect for making ahead of time for easy entertaining!
It just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without a double serving of mashed potatoes. For my family, the mashers are just as important, if not more important, than the turkey. But really it’s the meal altogether. You can’t do a turkey without a side of gravy and really good mashed potatoes, you know? It’s classic, and it’s what we all want the most on Thanksgiving Day.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, we’re exactly two weeks out and planning is very much underway! I didn’t intend to share so many Thanksgiving focused recipes this week, but somehow it ended up that way. And you know, I think that’s OK! From what I’ve gathered from you guys, you’re really trying to hammer out your Thanksgiving Day to a T. And I’m happy to be providing some new recipes to do that!
And guys? These mashed potatoes, I think they’re debatably my favorite Thanksgiving focused recipe I’ll be sharing this month. It’s not that they’re some crazy new out-of-the-box flavor, but more the ease of cooking these, and their DELICIOUS outcome. These are hands down, the BEST mashed potatoes I’ve ever shared with you guys.
I know, everyone says everything is the “the best”, but these really are. Let me explain.
The secret to these potatoes?
The secret is to cook the potatoes together with the cream, the garlic, and the herbs. This means no boiling the potatoes, no extra steps, and nothing fancy. It turns out that creating almost perfect mashed potatoes is actually really easy.
A few years back I had made mashed potatoes and cooked them together with the milk. At the time, I didn’t think much of it. I was just trying to make mashed potatoes the easiest way possible. Adding the milk right to the slow cooker seemed like a great idea. The only thing was, when I shared the recipe with you guys, some of you mentioned your concern for the milk potentially curdling. In fear of the recipe not working for some, I retested it minus the milk. And it’s a great mashed potatoes recipe…but it’s not the best.
Fast forward to today. I’ve learned a lot more about cooking, and I know way too much about the potato. Two things you need to know? Potatoes actually release so much flavor when they boil in water. So when you drain out the water, you’re actually losing a lot of flavor. Second, when making mashed potatoes, water is the thing you want to avoid the most. Excess moisture will give you grainy mashed potatoes, and let’s be real, no one wants that.
And that all brings me to this mashed potato recipe. When I was thinking about what to share this month, for some reason I thought back to those potatoes I had cooked in milk. I remembered they turned out so well for me. They were creamy, flavorful, and so close to perfect. When I thought back to that, I decided to test out something new. Instead of just milk, what if I cooked the potatoes in cream? And…with the herbs and the garlic too?
And in the slow cooker for ease?!
It all sounded interesting, so I went for it, and yeah, I think you’ve guessed the outcome. I got near perfect mashed potatoes, and yes, I am so excited to share them with you guys. Just in time for Thanksgiving.
The quick and easy details.
First things first, you can make these mashed potatoes in the slow cooker, the instant pot, or on the stove. I love the slow cooker best, since I can keep them warm for hours after I’ve made them.
Combine the potatoes with the cream. Add the herbs and a good amount of garlic. Add a parmesan rind if you have one for even more delicious flavor. Then slow cook until the potatoes are tender. You can go low and low for six hours, or cook on high for four hours. Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them, BUT be sure to save the cream. You’ll need it!
Now, a new discovery of mine? The potato ricer. it’s key to making ultra-smooth mashed potatoes. Do you have to have a potato ricer? No, a good ole masher works too. But if you want the smoothest mashed potatoes, get a ricer.
Rice the potatoes right back into the slow cooker, then add the cream back, along with butter and melty gruyere cheese. Now cook until the cheese is melted…and that’s it. You’ll have the most perfect, flavorful, and creamiest mashed potatoes.
Honest these are the BEST. Classic, but with amazing flavor and texture.
The added bonus is just how easy they are to make, not to mention the fact that using the slow cooker frees up precious stove-top and oven space. Win, win for Thanksgiving Day!
To sum it up, these mashed potatoes are really as close to perfect as it gets. Both in the way that they’re cooked and in the way they taste.
I am SO excited to make them again for Thanksgiving. I’m crossing my fingers that these are going to be on all of your Thanksgiving menus! Or maybe even sooner for an easy weeknight dinner side dish. These would be great with pot roast, short ribs, and Coq au Vin.
Also..they’s pretty darn good just by the spoonful! ?
Looking for other easy Thanksgiving potato recipes?? Here are my favorites:
Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole with Sweet ‘n’ Savory Bacon Pecans
Crispy Rosemary Butter Roasted Potatoes
Cheesy Potato Casserole with Buttery Ritz Crackers
Lastly, if you make these Slow Cooker Cheesy Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Slow Cooker Cheesy Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 760 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 4 pounds yukon gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 8 fresh sage leaves, plus more for serving
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme, plus more for serving
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 parmesan rind (optional)
- 6 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 cup shredded gruyere cheese (or use more!!)
Instructions
Slow Cooker
- 1. In the bowl of your slow cooker, combine the potatoes, parmesan rind (if using), heavy cream, milk, sage, thyme, and garlic. Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 6-8 hours, until the potatoes are fork tender. Switch the slow cooker to warm 2. Drain the potatoes, reserving all of the cream. Discard the thyme, sage, and parmesan rind (if used). Press the potatoes through a potato ricer, adding them back to the slow cooker. Alternately, you can add the potatoes back to the slow cooker and mash with a potato masher. 3. Add 1 1/2 cups of the reserved cream and the butter. Continue to add more of the cream until your desired consistency is reached. Season the potatoes with salt and pepper. Stir in the cheese, cover, and cook another 15 minutes, or until melted and creamy. Keep the potatoes covered, on warm, for up to 4 hours.4. Serve the potatoes topped with additional fresh herbs and butter.
Instant Pot
- 1. In the bowl of your instant pot, combine the potatoes, parmesan rind (if using), heavy cream, milk, garlic, and sage. Cover and cook on low pressure for 15 minutes. Release the steam. Switch the instant pot to warm.2. Drain the potatoes, reserving all of the cream. Discard the thyme, sage, and parmesan rind (if used). Press the potatoes through a potato ricer, adding them back to the instant pot. Alternately, you can add the potatoes back to the instant pot and mash with a potato masher. 3. Add 1 1/2 cups of the reserved cream and the butter. Continue to add more of the cream until your desired consistency is reached. Season the potatoes with salt and pepper. Stir in the cheese until melted and creamy. Keep the potatoes covered, on warm, for up to 4 hours.4. Serve the potatoes topped with additional fresh herbs and butter.
Stove-Top
- 1. In a large dutch oven, combine the potatoes, parmesan rind (if using), heavy cream, milk, garlic, and sage. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat and cook 20-25 minutes, until the potatoes are fork tender. 2. Drain the potatoes, reserving all of the cream. Discard the thyme, sage, and parmesan rind (if used). Press the potatoes through a potato ricer, adding them back to the warm pot. Alternately, you can add the potatoes back to the pot and mash with a potato masher. 3. Over low heat, add 1 1/2 cups of the reserved cream and the butter. Continue to add more of the cream until your desired consistency is reached. Season the potatoes with salt and pepper. Stir in the cheese, cooking until melted and creamy. 4. Serve the potatoes topped with additional fresh herbs and butter.
This post was originally published on November 12, 2020
So what are the instructions to make them ahead of time?
I have a dairy sensitivity. Do you think all for part of the cream can be substituted with coconut milk/cream?
Hey Marliese,
Yes, that will work! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I gave this recipe a try, but I don’t think I’ll be repeating it. I think the Parmesan rind was a mistake here—it broke down and added an odd texture and gave the potatoes a strange taste. It’s also extremely messy to strain the milk out of the slow cooker. I’m going to stick with just boiling the potatoes in water and adding hot milk/cream. Was worth a shot!
Hi Mandie! I am sorry about that! Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help! xTieghan
Hi! I am wondering how far in advance I can make these? How long will they keep? And do you suggest I make the entire recipe and then store in the refrigerator up until I’m ready to serve them? Thank you for your help!!
Hey Carley,
You can make these 1-2 days ahead of time. I would store in the fridge and then reheat the day of in the slow cooker or bake in the oven. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Just made these as a “practice run” for thanksgiving dinner. Came out perfectly delish! Question though- I have quite a bit of the potato-cream left over. I hate to waste it. What can I make with it?? Thanks ??
Hey Julie,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am glad you enjoyed! I would save it for your next round:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This. Recipe. Is. Good.
Hubs and I are trying to narrow down the menu for our Thanksgiving for two, so we tried this out tonight. We halved the recipe, used the Instant Pot method, and used a potato masher. Potatoes came out creamy, savory, cheesy, and so full of flavor.
So happy to utilize one of our Instant Pots for a recipe (yay to saving stove and oven space).
Thanks so much for a great recipe!!
Hi Katie! I am so happy these turned out so amazing for you!! Thank you so much for trying them! xTieghan
I was super excited about these. Thankfully, I did a trial run on these before bringing them to a party. They’re pretty bland. They’re not bad, but they need a lot of doctoring to really have flavor.
Hi Casey! I am sorry these did not turn out as expected for you.. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan! If I make these a few days in advance, do you prepare the full dish and then simply warm them the day of thanksgiving? I will use a crockpot. Should I save any extra cream not used? I’ve had horror stories with water logging potatoes in the past and want to make sure these turn out if made in advanced 🙂
Thanks! – Melissa
Hey Melissa,
Yes follow the recipe as is and then reheat in the crockpot or oven, yes save the cream if you have extra:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Do you think these could be made the day before? And reheated in the oven?
Hey Shelby,
Yes that works! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
These sound delicious and noticed on your Thanksgiving tops post that you can make them ahead. If I make them in the slow cooker, the day before, what is the last step to complete before putting them in the fridge? Thanks!
Hey Kathleen,
I would finish them all the way through and then just reheat the next day. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Look no further for your crowd-pleasing, show-stopping mashed potato recipe. These are so incredibly good, everyone will ask for the recipe and want leftovers to take home – so make plenty!
Thank you so much Kylee! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
This looks FANTASTIC ? Is there any way of replicating the recipe with dairy free alternatives?
Hey Maria,
Sure you can use your fave dairy free substitutes. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
So with the Parmesan rind, will it not melt in the slow cooker? And should I put the entire rind in or chop it up into smaller pieces?
Hey Hannah,
You want to put in the entire rind, do not chop it as you will remove it at the end of cooking:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan! Do you have any dairy free substitutions for the cream and cheese in this recipe? Thank you!
Hey Nancy,
You could use full fat canned coconut milk and a vegan cheese. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Can I double this recipe?
Hey Trina,
Yes, but you will want to do two batches, doubling will not fit in the crockpot. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan