We don't use the word "BEST" that often, but when we do you better bet that it's going to be the best. And these Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes really are the BEST. This recipe will give you the most flavorful and creamy mashed potatoes you have ever made. If you don't want to become the "mashed potato person" in your family, then don't make these!

With the Instant Pot, you can skip all the usual hassles of mashed potatoes. No babysitting a pot of boiling water, no draining heavy, steaming liquid, and no extra dishes. The potatoes pressure cook to perfection in just 11 minutes, and then you simply add your butter, sour cream, cream cheese, garlic and milk right into the pot and mash. Easy, fast, and mess-free.
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OMG!!! WOW!!! BEST!!! Made the instant pot mashed potatoes, they are awesome! Told my wife you gotta try this, she gave me a high 5 with smiles! – Dan
What You’ll Need For Mashed Potatoes In the Instant Pot
Don’t skip a single ingredient for this Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes recipe, they all blend together for a perfect mashed potato:
- Russet Potatoes
- kosher salt
- cream cheese
- butter
- sour cream (could use a plain Greek yogurt)
- milk or half & half
- 1 garlic clove
How To Make Mashed Potatoes In Instant Pot

Step 1
Place the russet potato chunks in the Instant Pot. Pour in ยฝ cup water and 2 teaspoon kosher salt.

Step 2
Pop the lid on and do an 11 minute cook time. Then finish with a quick release of pressure.

Step 3
BEST PART… NO NEED TO DRAIN THE LIQUID!!! Add the sour cream, cream cheese, and butter to the potatoes. Blend with a hand held mixer.
Mom’s Tip: save a pot and blend them up right in the Instant Pot!

Step 4
Add 2 tablespoon milk and 1 minced garlic clove and mix again.
Taste for extra seasoning (salt, pepper or butter), then revel in how good the mashed potatoes are that you are about to serve!!
Listen To The Recipe
Best Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes Variations
Doubling The Recipe
You can absolutely double this recipe, just make sure not to overfill your Instant Pot. There should be a max fill line on the inside of the metal liner.
When doubling you DO NOT NEED TO DOUBLE THE TIME. Simply double the ingredients.
Recipe Card Tip For Doubling: An easy way to do this is by hovering over the “servings” in the recipe card, a slider will appear and you can slide it up and down for your serving amount. The ingredient amounts will change based on how many people you are serving.
How To Store Leftover Mashed Potatoes
Freezing Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Have you ever purchased frozen mashed potatoes at the store? They come in these convenient little pucks that you sautรฉ in a pan with water. Guess what?! You can freeze your homemade mashed potatoes too!
Simply scoop the cooled Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes with a small ice cream scoop or large spoon onto a baking sheet. Make sure to pick a pan that will fit in the freezer.

Freeze the pucks and then transfer them to a freezer safe bag or container. They will be good in the freezer for about 3 months.
To Thaw
To “thaw” frozen mashed potatoes for serving, place the frozen pucks in a non stick skillet over low heat, add a couple tablespoons of water or milk.
Pop the lid on and sautรฉ/simmer for about 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until they are thawed and creamy.

Add extra butter, milk, and/or salt for desired consistency and taste.
Another option is to thaw in the fridge overnight and then place in a baking dish, top with butter and cream, cover with foil, and pop in a 350 degree oven until they are heated through.
What To Serve With This Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes Recipe
When you are serving a crowd, especially during the Holidays, it is hard to know how many potatoes to cook! Use this to make sure you have the right amount of mashed potatoes every time!
- Plan on making ยฝ lb of potatoes per person. Therefore this recipe will feed 6 people because it is 3 pounds of potatoes.
Gravy
These mashed potatoes are absolutely flavorful enough to stand on their own!!!!!!! But if you want to add a gravy you can definitely do that. If you don’t have a roast or bird that will provide drippings for gravy, here are two excellent “no dripping” gravy recipes:
- Gravy without Drippings
- Instant Pot Gravy
- Turkey Gravy without Drippings
- Homemade Brown Gravy
- Mushroom Gravy
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes make a perfect side dish! Here are some of our favorite main dishes to serve with mashed potatoes:
They also make a great serving base for some other recipes.
- MOST POPULAR – serve Chicken & Gravy over these mashed potatoes.
- Serve Swedish Meatballs over mashed potatoes.
- Or make these Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs!
- Use these mashed potatoes to cover a Turkey Shepherd’s Pie.
- This Instant Pot Coq Au Vin is AMAZING spooned over mashed potatoes.
More Mashed Potato Recipes!

Mashed Potatoes In the Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 3 lbs russet potatoes - washed peeled and cut into 2-3 inch chunks
- ยฝ cup water
- 2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 oz cream cheese - , softened
- 4 tablespoon butter
- ยฝ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoon milk or half & half
- 1 garlic clove - , minced
Instructions
- Wash and peel the russet potatoes. Cut each potato into 2-3 inch chunks.
- Place all the potatoes in the pot and then pour ยฝ cup water over the potatoes, sprinkle 2 teaspoon kosher salt over top.
- Pop the lid on and close the pressure valve. Set the pot to cook on high pressure, manual mode for 11 minutes .
- Do a quick release. No need to drain any liquid!
- Add the sour cream, cream cheese, and butter to the potatoes. Mix the potatoes with a hand held mixer until it is well combined and creamy. (you can do this right in the Instant Pot!)4 oz cream cheese, ยฝ cup sour cream, 4 tablespoon butter
- Add in the milk and minced garlic clove. Mix again with the hand held mixer.2 tablespoon milk or half & half, 1 garlic clove
- Taste for additional seasoning (salt, pepper, butter)
- These are flavorful enough to serve by themselves as a great side dish!!! Or you can add gravy, there are two no dripping gravy recipes linked below.
Recipe Tips and Notes:
Add extra butter, milk, salt and desired for consistency and taste. Another option is to thaw in the fridge overnight and then place in a baking dish, top with butter and cream, cover with foil, and pop in a 350 degree oven until they are heated through. NO DRIPPING GRAVY RECIPES: GRAVY WITHOUT DRIPPINGS INSTANT POT GRAVY RECIPE