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Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Hassle-free and easy, Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes are creamy, smooth, and infused with gorgeous garlic flavors. You need this quick, and seriously delicious, approach to this classic side dish today!

Flat lay view of a large bowl of mashed potatoes

Why Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Gosh I love potatoes.

Cheesy potatoes, roasted potatoes, bacon potatoes, hasselback potatoes…you name it, I pretty much love it!

Yet it took me this long to put together the very first mashed potatoes recipe for the blog.

But seriously, this is kinda how it works. I only publish what I can truly stand behind. And it took me a while before I truly settle on a mashed potato recipe that is amazing, has the perfect texture, and is simple enough I would want to make again and again.

In addition to being super yummy, this is made in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker because it cooks so much faster and you can be more hands off when it is cooking.

Also, if you are making this during the holidays, using an Instant Pot or pressure cooker is an incredible way to free up stove top space.

Don’t have an Instant Pot? I have stove top option for you, too. Scroll and keep reading!

A bowl of garlic mashed potatoes with Instant Pot in the background

In short, here’s what you are looking at:

  • Easy to make!
  • Incredibly flavorful! We are talking about real buttery garlicky goodness.
  • Smooth and creamy texture. Thank you heavy cream! Heavy cream is an important ingredient that makes this super creamy and smooth. If you substitute it for milk, it works as well but the potatoes will come out more ‘grainy’.
  • Save and freeze well! Always a BONUS!!!!

How to make mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot or pressure cooker

I will have to admit, ever since I first made mashed potatoes in an Instant Pot, it’s hard to go back to the stove top method.

The Instant Pot just makes everything much easier, quicker, and less messy overall.

I don’t typically remove potato skin when I make this because I like the texture of it in my mashed potatoes. And let’s face it, it makes my life a lot easier to not have to peel potatoes.

Closeup view of a bowl of mashed potatoes made with an Instant Pot

Wash and scrub russet potatoes, then cut potatoes into smaller pieces.

Add potatoes and submerge 2/3 of it with water in an instant pot. Then pressure cook on high for just 10 minutes! That’s right. 10 MINUTES!

Side note: it does take 10-15 minutes for the Instant Pot to build up pressure, so be sure to build in time for that as well.

While potatoes are cooking in the Instant Pot, crush the garlic cloves. Yes, all 8-10 cloves of it, and be prepared for garlicky goodness! 🙂

Cook heavy cream and crushed garlic in a pot on the stove top until it comes to a boil, then let it simmer for a few minutes before removing from heat.

Drain access water once potatoes are done, then mashed potatoes using a potato masher. If you don’t have a potato masher, use a electric mixer.

Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes in a bowl with a wooden spoon in the background

Then add these yummies to mashed potatoes and mix well:

  • Heavy cream mixture infused with garlic flavors
  • Melted salted butter
  • Salt to taste
  • Sugar – just a little bit of it to further open up the flavors!

What type of potatoes to use for mashed potatoes?

I typically use russet potatoes, yukon gold or other starchier potatoes, but you can also use red potatoes if you prefer those.

Tips and tricks for making Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

  • Remember to move valve to seal position when pressure cooking
  • If you don’t have a potato masher, use an electric whisk to mash potatoes.
  • At the end, taste the potatoes and add salt to taste. If you like your potatoes creamier, add more heavy cream as needed. Always taste and adjust to get it exactly the way you like it!
A bowl of mashed potatoes

Can you make this without an Instant Pot?

Yes, absolutely! You can cook this on the stovetop as well.

To cook potatoes on the stove top instead of the Instant Pot, submerge potatoes in water and bring to boil on stovetop. Add salt. Lower to medium low heat and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until potatoes are soft and can be pierced through with a fork.

Happy cooking, all!

Leftover Mashed Potatoes

Have leftover mashed potatoes? Don’t throw them away (or eat them 200 times!) – instead repurpose them by making Mashed Potato Soup! Such a hearty and flavorful soup recipe using mashed potatoes and ready under 15 minutes!

DID YOU ENJOY THIS RECIPE? Please comment below and give us a 5-star rating! This will help others find this recipe on Google and Pinterest. We very much appreciate your help! 🤍

Other Potato Recipes

Are you a potato lover? JOIN THE CLUB!!! Here are more potato recipes for your potato-loving heart and stomach! 😉

A bowl of mashed potatoes

Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Creamy, smooth mashed potatoes infused with garlic butter. The classic side dish recipe made easy (and extremely tasty!) with the Instant Pot!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 10 people
Calories: 225kcal
Author: MinShien

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs russet or yukon gold potatoes
  • 3-5 cups water
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 8-10 cloves garlic
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp chopped parsley
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • Wash and scrub potatoes. Cut potatoes into large pieces, make sure they are around the same size.
  • Add potatoes to Instant Pot and submerge 3/4 of the potatoes in water. Add 2 tsp of salt.
  • Pressure cook on high for 10 minutes. Make sure to move valve to sealing position when pressure cooking.
  • Crush garlic cloves. Heat a pot on medium heat on stove top, then add heavy cream and garlic cloves and bring it to boil. Lower heat to medium low and cook for another few minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Release pressure on Instant Pot when pressure cooking is done. Drain potatoes.
  • Smash potatoes until they are smooth (I typically do this in the Instant Pot itself), then add heavy cream and garlic mixture, 2 tbsp butter, sugar, and salt to taste. Mix well.
  • Transfer to a serving plate and sprinkle with chopped parsley and add the other 1 tbsp of butter to the top of potatoes. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 225kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 515mg | Potassium: 598mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 490IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Take a pic and tag me at @joyous.apron, or hashtag #joyousapron on Instagram!

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Recipe Rating




2 Comments

  1. Allie Chatham says:

    5 stars
    I used this recipe for our Thanksgiving mashed potatoes, and it turned out great! Everyone else loved it. I loved that I didn’t have to peel the potatoes. The Instant Pot made it so easy. I’ll be making these again soon.

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      Yay! So happy to hear that! 🙂 I love cooking mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot too !