This Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe will become your go-to method for making creamy mashed potatoes in under 30 minutes. With just seven simple ingredients like potatoes, butter, garlic, and sour cream, this side dish is perfect for the holidays such as Thanksgiving / Christmas or any meal.
Take a look at our 50+ Vegetarian Thanksgiving recipe collection.
Creamy garlic mashed potatoes made in Instant Pot
Using the pressure cooker mashed potatoes method, you can achieve a smooth, fluffy and creamy texture every time. Customize these easy mashed potatoes with herbs or cheese for extra flavor.
My Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes are quick and easy to make. They are an ideal choice for Thanksgiving mashed potatoes, Christmas mashed potatoes, or a comforting side for your favorite Sunday casseroles and pies. Don't worry about leftovers—you can use them to make my Instant Pot Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie.
A simple side dish like this mashed potatoes or masala smashed potatoes can have that WOW factor in flavor when made perfectly.
Tips for Making the Best Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Choose the Right Potatoes: I always pick a starchy variety, like Russet or Yukon Gold in the U.S, or Maris Piper and King Edward in the U.K. The key to creamy mashed potatoes is keeping them hot before mashing.
Avoid Over-Mashing: I avoid using a hand blender—it turns them gluey. Instead, I use a potato masher or ricer.
Add Butter Early and After: I like to add butter first, then mash the potatoes, and finally stir in more butter before serving. Always taste as you go to avoid over-seasoning.
Infuse Flavor: Garlic, rosemary, or your favorite herbs make the dish more delicious than plain mashed potatoes.
For variations: add heavy cream / double cream instead of sour cream and mix. They are still creamy and delicious!
Make perfect garlic mashed potatoes in Instant Pot
- Peel and chop russet, Yukon gold, or Maris Piper potatoes into quarters. Add the potatoes and garlic to the steamer basket.
- Pressure cook: Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot and then place the steamer basket inside. Seal the lid and turn the valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 5–8 minutes, then quick release the pressure. Drain the potatoes and set them aside.
- Add butter: Heat the Instant Pot, then add butter. Allow it to melt, then let the garlic infuse.
- Mash and add cream: Cancel the sauté mode, then add the potatoes and mash until creamy and smooth. Add sour cream, season with salt and pepper, and mix well.
- Serve: Finally, add more butter and some chives, and serve.
Manual Pressure cooker mashed potatoes
If you are making mashed potatoes with garlic in a manual pressure cooker, the method is similar to the Instant Pot. Cook the potatoes for 3 pressure whistles, then turn the cooker off and allow them to release the pressure naturally.
Following these simple techniques will ensure your mashed potatoes do not turn out like a gloopy paste.
Storing Garlic Mashed Potatoes Instant Pot
In the fridge: Store the mashed potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat them thoroughly before serving, and consider adding a dollop of butter and some fresh herbs for extra flavor.
In the freezer: For longer storage, transfer the mashed potatoes to a freezer-safe container, label it, freeze and they can be enjoyed for up to six months.
Got plenty of leftover garlic mashed potatoes?
- Try turning them into something delicious! You can make an Instant Pot Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie or a Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie with Quorn nuggets.
- Or, get creative and whip up some easy bubble and squeak cakes. If you want them to use for breakfast, try making mashed potato waffles or mashed potato pancakes.
- Make Indian Aloo tikki ( mashed potato cakes)
These options are a fantastic way to repurpose those mashed potatoes into entirely new meals!
What to serve with Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes?
Garlic mashed potatoes are fantastic on their own, but they also make an excellent side dish for holiday mains, such as air fryer whole roasted cauliflower or air fryer cauliflower and broccoli cheese.
Pair them with a variety of toppings to elevate the dish and suit your taste. Mashed Potatoes Toppings:
- Fresh herbs such as rosemary, parsley or cilantro
- Shredded cheese such as parmesan or cheddar cheese
- Caramelized onions
- Air fryer Sun-dried tomatoes
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- Herby basil pesto without pinenuts
- vegan coriander pesto
- Salt and pepper
- No cook Pickled Jalapeños
How to make vegan garlic mashed potatoes instant pot?
Follow the recipe method as in the recipe card below. Make simple swaps such as swap butter for dairy free butter. Instead of sour cream, use dairy free cream.
Recipe FAQ's
I usually pressure cook my potatoes on HIGH for about 5 to 8 minutes in the Instant Pot, depending on their size. It takes around 12 minutes to build pressure, so the total cooking time is about 20 minutes. If I'm using a manual pressure cooker, I cook the potatoes for 3 pressure whistles and then let the pressure release naturally.
Quick-release involves releasing the steam after cooking. I carefully turn the valve from the STEAMING to the VENTING position, which creates a strong jet of steam. Once the steam has fully released and the float valve drops, it’s safe to open the lid. I always use a spatula to turn the valve to keep my hands safe!
I recommend scrubbing and washing the potatoes before peeling them for the best texture—smooth, creamy, and fluffy. However, if you don’t mind a different texture or slight color change, you can leave the skins on.
Choosing the right potatoes is essential for fluffy mash. I prefer starchy varieties like Russet or Yukon Gold in the USA and Maris Piper or King Edward in the UK.
I typically plan for about ½ pound of potatoes per person. So, if I’m serving six people, I’d need about 3 pounds (or 1.36 kg) of potatoes.
I don’t recommend using an immersion blender, as it can turn your mash into a glue-like paste. Instead, I prefer using a potato ricer or a good old-fashioned potato masher for that perfect texture.
Absolutely! I transfer them to a freezer-safe container, label it, and enjoy them later.
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Garlic Mashed Potatoes made in Instant Pot recipe below
Ingredients
Ingredients for Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- 2 lbs Potatoes 1 Kg
- 3 + 2 tablespoon Unsalted Butter
- 5 cloves Garlic minced
- ½ cup Sour Cream
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoon Chives chopped
- 1 Cup Water
Instructions
Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Pressure Cook the Potatoes
- Pour 1 Cup of water to the instant pot insert. Place the peeled, chopped potatoes inside the steamer basket and place it inside the instant pot insert. Pressure Cook at HIGH PRESSURE for 8 minutes, followed by QPR.
- Remove the steamer basket with potatoes and allow the water to drain and set it aside.In the meanwhile, discard the water in the instant pot insert.
- Prepare Mash Potatoes
- Press SAUTE button. Once the indicator beeps HOT, add butter & garlic.. Allow it melt. Press CANCEL.
- Add the potatoes to the melted butter mixture and begin mashing with potato masher.
- When its half way done, add sour cream and mash again until smooth and creamy.Season with salt & pepper to taste.
- Taste and Season with more salt and pepper if needed. Transfer to a serving bowl, add a blob of butter, garnish with chives. Enjoy them on its own or as a holiday side dish.
Hob Method for Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Add potatoes to a pot of salted water . Cook until tender approximately 15 minutes. Fork test the potatoes for its doneness., Drain.
- Heat butter, minced garlic over low heat in a sauce pan until butter is melted. Mash the potatoes well with a potato masher or potato ricer. Add the melted butter mixture along with sour cream and mix the potatoes well until mashed potatoes are smooth,creamy and delicious. Season with salt and pepper as needed. Taste and add more blob of butter if you would enjoy.
Video
Notes
- PS: To deglaze the pan, add a splash of milk if needed.
- If you find your mashed potatoes too hard or clump like, add a splash of milk and mix it well.
- Reheat the spud mash before serving, if you are making it ahead of time.
- For variation, You can add cream cheese to this mash. But if you would like to make it with just milk, you can leave our sour cream from the recipe and just use milk.
Serman says
I’m trying mashed potatoes for the first time in the instant pot. Loved it. Thank you.
Nisha says
I love pot garlic mashed potatoes! They look amazing!