Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Introduction

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes are the ultimate comfort food — creamy, buttery, and unbelievably smooth in just 20 minutes! There’s something magical about perfectly mashed potatoes, rich with the aroma of butter and garlic, melting in your mouth with every bite.

When life gets busy, the Instant Pot becomes your best kitchen ally. No more waiting for water to boil or hovering over a pot — this recipe gives you delicious, fluffy mashed potatoes with minimal effort and zero stress. I first tried making mashed potatoes in my Instant Pot on Thanksgiving morning, desperate to free up stove space. The result? The creamiest, silkiest mash I’d ever made — and I’ve never looked back!

Whether you’re hosting a family dinner, prepping for the holidays, or simply craving cozy comfort food, this Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes recipe will save you time while delivering classic homemade flavor. With simple ingredients, easy cleanup, and guaranteed perfect texture every time, it’s bound to become your new go-to side dish.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes Recipe

  • Quick & Easy: Ready in just 20 minutes.
  • Creamy & Fluffy: Perfect texture every single time.
  • Foolproof: No watching the pot or worrying about overcooking.
  • Customizable: Add garlic, cheese, or herbs for your own twist.
  • Make-Ahead Friendly: Reheats beautifully for holidays or meal prep.
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes in a white bowl topped with butter and herbs
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes in a white bowl topped with butter and herbs

Ingredients for Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs (900g) Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered (sub: Russet for fluffier texture)
  • 1 cup (240ml) water or chicken broth
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter (sub: olive oil for dairy-free)
  • ½ cup (120ml) whole milk (sub: heavy cream for extra richness or oat milk for dairy-free)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced.

Optional Add-Ins:

  • ½ cup shredded cheddar or parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp sour cream or cream cheese
  • Fresh parsley or chives for garnish

👩‍🍳 See our guide on how to mince garlic properly.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

🥔 Step 1: Prep the Potatoes

  1. Peel and cut potatoes into equal-sized chunks (1½ to 2 inches). This ensures even cooking.
  2. Rinse potatoes under cold water to remove excess starch for fluffier mash.
  3. Place potatoes, minced garlic, and 1 cup of water (or broth) into the Instant Pot.
Adding potatoes and garlic to Instant Pot for mashed potatoes
Adding potatoes and garlic to Instant Pot for mashed potatoes

⚡ Step 2: Pressure Cook

  1. Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to Sealing.
  2. Cook on High Pressure for 8 minutes.
  3. Once done, perform a Quick Release by turning the valve to Venting.
  4. Carefully open the lid — the potatoes should be fork-tender.
Instant Pot cooking mashed potatoes under pressure
Instant Pot cooking mashed potatoes under pressure

🧈 Step 3: Mash & Mix

  • Drain excess liquid from the pot. Return potatoes to the warm inner pot.
  • Add butter, milk, salt, and pepper.
  • Mash using a potato masher or hand mixer until smooth and creamy.
  • Adjust consistency by adding more milk if desired.
  • Taste and season with more salt, pepper, or butter to your liking.
Different styles of Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes with toppings
Different styles of Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes with toppings

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

These Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes pair beautifully with:

  • [Instant Pot Pot Roast] – tender beef with savory gravy.
  • [Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs] – juicy, flavorful protein pairing.
  • [Crispy Green Beans with Almonds] – for a crunchy veggie contrast.

Storage & Meal Prep

  • Fridge: Store in an airtight container up to 4 days.
  • Freezer: Freeze mashed potatoes in portions up to 2 months.
  • Reheating: Warm on the stove or microwave, adding a splash of milk to restore creaminess.

Nutrition Information (per serving)

  • Calories: 215
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 290mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Carbohydrates: 27g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg

Disclaimer: Values are estimates and vary by ingredients.


FAQ – Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes (Rank Math FAQ Schema)

Q1: Can I make Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes ahead of time?
Yes! Store in the fridge up to 4 days and reheat with a splash of milk.

Q2: Can I use red potatoes?
Yes — red potatoes give a slightly chunkier texture but taste great.

Q3: How do I prevent gluey mashed potatoes?
Mash by hand or on low speed to avoid overmixing.

Q4: Can I double the recipe?
Yes, but keep the same cooking time. Just don’t fill past the max line.

Q5: Can I add sour cream or cream cheese?
Absolutely — both make your Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes extra creamy and tangy.

Print
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Easy Shepherds Pie Recipe served in a casserole dish

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes – Easy 20-Minute Creamy Comfort Food


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  • Author: Merry Ava
  • Total Time: 45 mins
  • Yield: Servings: 6

Description

This Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe is ready in 45 minutes! Creamy, savory, and comforting — the perfect dinner for busy nights. Try it today!


Ingredients

For the Meat Filling:

  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (sub: ground lamb or turkey)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 medium onion, diced

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced ([see our guide on how to mince garlic])

  • 1 cup frozen peas and carrots mix

  • 2 tbsp tomato paste

  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 cup beef broth

  • 1 tsp salt

  • ½ tsp black pepper

  • 1 tsp dried thyme (optional)

For the Mashed Potato Topping:

  • 2 lbs (900g) russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 4 tbsp butter (sub: olive oil for dairy-free)

  • ½ cup milk (sub: oat or almond milk)

  • ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional but delicious)

  • Salt and pepper to taste


Instructions

  • Prepare mashed potatoes.

  • Cook meat filling with vegetables.

  • Assemble and bake until golden.

Notes

Make ahead for busy weeknights — it freezes beautifully!

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins

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External Resources

External Links (DoFollow):

Closing Section

And there you have it — your new favorite Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes recipe! 🥔✨
Creamy, quick, and absolutely foolproof, this dish is perfect for any weeknight meal or holiday feast.

If you make it, please ⭐ rate the recipe, 💬 leave a comment, and 📌 save it to Pinterest — it truly helps others find it too!

Happy cooking, and may your potatoes always be perfectly fluffy! 🧈

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