Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes are light, fluffy, and delicious! Pressure-cooking potatoes is the easiest and fastest way to make the best mashed potatoes every time. You will never make them on the stovetop again!
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Why This Method Works
If you love mashed potatoes as I do, this recipe will change your life! You will never make them on the stovetop again. Cooking potatoes in the Instant Pot is faster and you don't have to watch them. They are light and fluffy and the best thing is, I don't have to boil them on the stove for 30 minutes. It takes longer to peel the potatoes and cut into chunks than cook them in the Instant Pot! You have to try this recipe!
The Instant Pot keeps proving to me that it is quite an essential countertop appliance. I use it every day. I was already blown away by how quickly I can cook Instant Pot Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and now these Mashed Potatoes. Serve them with Chicken Thighs for a delicious dinner!
Instructions:
- Start by peeling and cutting the potatoes into large chunks. Place potatoes in Instant Pot. Add enough water to cover them by about 1".
- Close the lid and set the valve to sealing position. Press the "manual" or "pressure cook" button and set timer to 7 minutes.
- When the pressure cooker is done, carefully turn the valve to vent ( this is called quick pressure release).
- Drain the potatoes and return to the IP insert or place in a mixing bowl. Add half and half, salt and pepper and if desired, dill or chives and sour cream. Mash with a potato mashed to desired texture.
Two methods of cooking:
I tried two methods for making mashed potatoes in the pressure cooker: steaming and cooking in water. Here is my experience:
- steaming potatoes: I steamed them using the steam basket insert and while the potato chunks were perfectly cooked, they turned into a very thick and not fluffy at all mixture when mashed. They will be perfect for a potato salad (and that's what I did for my Dill Pickle Potato Salad) but not for mashed potatoes.
- cooking potatoes in water: The second method is to simply place cut-up potatoes in water, just enough to cover them, and cook that way. When the Instant Pot beeps, do a quick pressure release. Drain the potatoes and place them back in the IP. Add butter, milk, or half and half and seasoning. Mash and serve!
What potatoes to use?
The best potato for mashed potatoes is Russet or Idaho kind. They have more starch than other varieties. Golden or red potatoes are better for salads, so keep those for another time.
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Variations:
- I love adding sour cream for a little tang in flavor and of course, dill or chives. Just like that, in not much time, you can make the best mashed potatoes and have the side dish on the table.
- To jazz up these mashed potatoes, add caramelized onions as I did in my new Caramelized Onions Mashed Potatoes recipe!
- for a dairy-free/vegan option use almond milk and olive oil. The potatoes will be creamy and delicious!
- add roasted garlic for more flavor and turn these mashed potatoes into the best BBQ side dish!
Helpful Tips!
- The cooking time depends on how big are the potato chunks. I cut mine into 1" pieces and set the timer to 7 minutes. If you cut potatoes into quarters, adjust the time to 10 minutes OR cut them into ½" pieces and cook for 4 minutes. The bigger the chunks, the longer the cooking time.
- To make dairy-free or vegan mashed potatoes, use almond milk and olive oil instead of half and half and butter. They'll be just as creamy and delicious!
- To add more flavor, try adding caramelized onions or roasted garlic to your mashed potatoes.
Leftovers and reheating:
If by any chance, you happen to have leftovers of mashed potatoes, I highly recommend my Leftover Mashed Potato Cakes, my new Polish Potato Dumplings or my Mashed Potato Casserole. Both are delicious and my favorite recipes for using up leftovers.
To reheat mashed potatoes, simply set the IP to saute setting, add milk or heavy cream to potatoes and stir often until heated through.
More Instant Pot side dish recipes:
Check out my Instant Pot Guide for Beginners, filled with all the info you need to get started with your new appliance! Seeing BURN message on your IP? Read my Instant Pot Burn Message post to learn why and how to save your dish.
If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 lbs russet potatoes , peeled, cut into 1" chunks
- 3 cup water
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ⅓ cup half and half or milk
- ¼ cup sour cream , optional
- salt and pepper
- chopped dill , optional
- chopped chives , optional
Instructions
- Place potatoes in Instant Pot. Add enough water to cover them by about 1".
- Close the lid. Set the valve to "sealing".
- Press MANUAL button. Press the +/- button to set to 7 minutes. The IP will start cooking.
- When the pressure cooker beeps, carefully turn the valve to vent ( this is called quick pressure release).
- Drain the potatoes and return to the IP insert or place in a mixing bowl. Add half and half, salt and pepper and if desired, dill or chives and sour cream. Mash with a potato mashed to desired texture.
Video
Notes
- I used russet potatoes as I like the texture the best. You can use Yukon gold or red potatoes too but the texture will be slightly different, thicker and not as fluffy.
- The cooking time includes the time the IP needs to come to pressure. For me that was about 5 minutes.
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.
Vivian Cannell says
Going to have to buy an Instant Pot-------tomorrow!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Yay! I hope you love it as much as I do, Vivian! 😀
Ann says
Hubby wanted a left over and potato salad for dinner. cooked cut up potatoes with eggs( in shells.) Ready in no times. Added my stuff and in frig. for the day. Turned out great.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thank you, Ann!
Carla says
I recently purchased an instant pot took it out of the box looked at it got scared and put it back! I really want to try it but I see recipes for bigger portions than what I need. How do I adjust cooking times for less? How would I know how long to cook my recipe for. Thank you
Audrey Kent says
Message to Carla: I felt the same way when I first got mine. Try some small stuff first, like the potatoes. I made chili my first time and it turned out great. They are really very safe if you don't over fill them. Even then they have built in safety measures to protect you. you will love it once you give it a try.
Sue says
I did exactly the same lol but know I’m learning to use it I love it what’s not to love about something that can make me a casserole in thirty mins brilliant will be making the mash potatoes on here later today. You won’t regret getting it out of the box I promise you and it’s not as scary as you think unlike traditional pressure cookers
Ashleigh says
Do you really only use 1 cup of water or do you have to use more? I was confused on your instructions.
Margo says
Would this recipe work if doubled for 8 people?
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Margo! Yes, as long as it fits in your pressure cooker. I have the Instant Pot DUO60 6 quart. I have not tested doubling the recipe in it but as long as you do not fill it past the 3 mark, it should work. If you have the larger IP, you are all set. I hope this helps!
Barb says
Hi! I have the 6qt Duo Alonso but I don’t have a Manual button. What button would I use instead?
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Barb! From what I know, Alonso pressure cooker is for stove top only. This recipe is created for a digital pressure cooker only. So sorry!
Kristina says
I have this model and it says "pressure cook" instead of manual on my Instant Pot.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thank you for sharing, Kristina!
Pat says
I usually make my mashed potatoes ahead of time then put in Crock-Pot on warm. Now that I have an IP I will follow your recipe and leave on warm.
Saves on last minute things to do.
Ann says
For the past several years, I've been using plain Greek yogurt in place of sour cream...in my potatoes, fajitas, chicken salad (I do 50/50 mayo/yogurt, etc. - all w/ great results, higher protein, better nutrition...& now I can make the yogurt in the IP!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Ann! That's fantastic! Yogurt is still on my list of recipes to try in the Instant Pot. I can't wait to try it!
Kristen says
I followed your directions and when i did the quick release it sprayed water everywhere. ..
Caitlin Eckert says
You can put a towel on it next time.
Michal says
One Instant Pot is not enough. We have too many things we want to make at once using it because it is such a time saver!! Though our IP did take about 10 minutes or longer to come to pressure, we followed your directions on the Instant Pot portion. My hubby just added his own ingredients for the remainder, since he is a buttermilk guy. The potatoes were cooked perfectly for mashing. He was very pleased with the results!! Thank you for the advice!!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
That's fantastic! I love adding buttermilk too. So delicious!
carrie says
These mashed potatoes look absolutely perfect! I need to get my hands on an Instant Pot already. 🙂
Joanie says
I still haven't purchased an Instant Pot yet but need to get on board, I'm sure. I love that you can make so many amazing recipes with them - these mashed potatoes look perfect and with the instant pot, so easy too!
Katerina says
mmm..these mashed potatoes looks really, reeeeally GOOD!!! YUM!!
Patricia says
Nice! I *seriously* have to get my hands on an instant pot 🙂 And, um, dill pickle potato salad?? YUM!
Krista says
This is great! Quick way to make some potatoes!
Michelle says
There are not many things better than a delicious bowl of mashed potatoes.
Jen says
What a time saver! Not having to use a burner will save me during the holidays too.