Best Way To Store And Use Instant Pot Potatoes
If you’re storing your cooked taters for later use, be sure to bring them to room temperature. Then, store them in a zip-top bag or airtight container, making sure to squeeze as much air as possible. They will keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
Potatoes don’t love the freezer, since they lose moisture there. But, if you toss them in some butter or oil, they will retain their texture. It’s best to defrost them in the fridge for a day before reheating.
Pre-cooked potatoes can be reheated in the microwave, crisped in the air fryer, or roasted in the oven. They can be used cold in potato salads or reheated and mashed with butter and milk/stock to make mashed potatoes.
How Do You Make Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
The first step is to peel and chop your potatoes. You can leave your potato pieces on the larger side. The potatoes go into the pressure cooker along with salt and water. I cook my potatoes on manual pressure and it takes just 10 minutes until theyre tender and ready to be mashed.
I keep things simple and mash my potatoes with some milk, butter, salt and pepper. That being said, there are so many different ways to customize your mashed potatoes.
Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes With Your Instant Pot
I think potatoes are best cooked the day you want to serve them.
However, to simplify things, you can cook them a few hours before you wish to eat them. After mashing, return them to your cooking pot on the keep warm setting, or transfer them to a crock pot set to the lowest setting.
Be sure to spray the pot with nonstick cooking spray or rub on a little oil to prevent sticking.
If theyll be warming for a few hours, add a little more milk on top of the potatoes in the pot to make sure the tops dont dry out.
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What Does Mashed Potatoes For A Crowd Mean
This Instant Pot mashed potatoes is designed for a crowd. This recipe is intended for 12 or more servings. This means that its perfect for big dinner parties, or holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. Whats perfect about this recipe is that it allows you to use your stovetop for other things. Throw the potatoes into the pot, then use the time and space for other things youre preparing!
This recipe uses 6 pounds of potatoes, which is 2 large bags. It can take quite a while to peel them all, so you may want to enlist some help to speed up that part.
Tricks For Smooth And Creamy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Use the right mashing tool For perfect, lump free mashed potatoes, I highly recommend using a ricer or a food mill instead of a traditional masher.
If youre in a hurry, you can use your KitchenAid mixer. But you need to be really carefuloverwhipping your potatoes can make them gluey and youll still be likely to have some lumps.
Butter first. Another tip is to stir in the room temperature butter before adding the warm liquids to the mashed potatoes.
When Im in a hurry, Ill warm the butter and milk together. However, if you add room temperature butter and stir them in before adding warm liquid, . This will prevent the mashed potatoes from absorbing as much liquid so theyll stay dry and fluffy.
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Making Mashed Potatoes In The Instant Pot
Making mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot honestly couldnt be easier!
Your first job is to wash and peel the potatoes.
The next step is to cut the potatoes. Cut the potatoes into half, and then quarter each half. Youll end up with 8 cubes, roughly the same size. Repeat with the remaining potatoes.
I made an entire 5 lb bag of potatoes at the same time! Worked like a charm.
Add 2 cups of water to the Instant Pot and add in all of your cubed potato chunks.
Cook on Manual HIGH for 6 minutes, Quick Release the pressure. Drain any water that is left over.
Now it is time to doctor up these mashed potatoes! You can add in any extras youd like, I am a simple and creamy mashed potato kind of gal.
With the 5 lb bag of potatoes, I like to toss in a stick of butter, salt and pepper and a little bit of heavy cream
Use either a potato masher or an electric hand mixer to mash the potatoes until they are no longer lumpy.
Be careful to insure you do not over mash/mix the potatoes. Over mashed potatoes will turn gluey. Only mash or mix just until it is no longer lumpy.
These mashed potatoes are great as a side to some BBQ Chicken or doused with gravy.
How Long Does It Take To Cook The Potatoes In A Pressure Cooker
It actually doesnt take very long to cook potatoes in the pressure cooker. Now, for mashed potatoes in instant pot, I only set the timer for only 6 minutes so they are soft enough to mash.
Now if you want your potatoes a bit firmer for a chunkier mashed potatoes I would set the timer for only 4 minutes. Either way you are going to have amazing potatoes.
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The Ultimate Comfort Food
I am excited to share these simple to make, instant pot mashed potatoes with you! I love them with just about everything from meatloaf to;island style pork;to or beef tips!
If youre not familiar with the Instant Pot, its an easy to use an electric pressure cooker. Learn more about the Instant Pot here .
More Mashed Potato Favorites
Instructions
- Fill Instant Pot pot with 1 inch of water in the bottom, maximum 1 ½ cups water.
- Peel and chop the russet potatoes.
- Place potatoes in Instant Pot.
- Add salt, put the lid on top of the Instant Pot, and turn to close the lid.
- Set the valve to sealing.
- Press the MANUAL button. Press the +/- button to set to 12 minutes.
- Let the IP do its job. It will take a little while for the Instant Pot to come to pressure. At which time it will start counting down.
- When it counts to zero, it should beep. At this time, turn the valve/ vent to Venting. Immediately turn the steam release handle back to the Sealing position at the first sign of spattering. Quick Release should ALWAYS be closely attended.
- Once the pressure cooker has vented, open it, and add the milk and butter, as well as salt and pepper to taste.
- Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes right in the pot.
Nutrition Information
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Can You Cook Mashed Potatoes In An Instant Pot
Why do people love the Instant Pot so much?
Speed. The Instant Pot is about cooking food faster than it would be using other methods.
That’s the power of pressure. It’s ability to increase the boiling point of water, cooking food faster.
Think of anything you boil. Would it be better to do in the Instant Pot? Let’s explore one food today that is often boiled – potatoes. And why are they boiled? Well for mashed potatoes of course.
How To Make Mashed Potatoes In An Instant Pot
Quick tip: Don’t overwork your potatoes in the mashing process or they could turn gummy. Mash them just enough to get a smooth, creamy final product.
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Why Make Mashed Potatoes In The Instant Pot
Although the Instant Pot can cook these potatoes in 10 minutes, that amount of time doesnt include how long it takes the Instant Pot to get up to pressure, which can take nearly 10 minutes of additional time.
Here are some advantages to making mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot that have nothing to do with time:
-I like to free up the stove for making the main meal. When I make mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot, its being handled on the side. Out of site, out of mind.
-I dont have to guess or continue to test when the potatoes are ready. The Instant Pot times the 10 minutes of pressure cooking time for me so that I dont have to worry or think about it.
-The Instant Pot automatically switches to warm once the pressure cooking is done, so I dont have to; babysit the potatoes and can get to mashing them up when Im ready.
-The pot is big enough to hold a ton of potatoes!
What Are The Best Potatoes For Mashed Potatoes
I like to use Russet or Yukon gold potatoes for classic mashed potatoes. They have a buttery flavor and are higher in starch, making fluffier mashed potatoes. Waxy potatoes, like red potatoes or some white varieties, can become gluey when mashed. If you are going to mash them lightly, pretty much any variety will work. I particularly like red potatoes cooked and mashed with the skins on.
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The Best Way To Make Mashed Potatoes In The Instant Pot
September 20, 2018 by Laura
This post may contain affiliate links which wont change your price but will share some commission.
Sometimes a girl thinks she is onto something when she learns to make Mashed Potatoes in the Instant Pot. Then her friend Leesa is like, Girl, you have to try it my way instead. And then you try making Mashed Potatoes Leesas way and you fall down dead.
How is it that the best foods we all love can actually taste even better when we tweak a few ingredients and methods? Can it be that these Mashed Potatoes take so little effort to make? And is it actually possible that making Mashed Potatoes in the way I am about to describe actually;adds more nutrients to this delicious dish?
Yes. So these potatoes are better tasting AND better for us, all without any extra work. Hoorah!
What Is The Best Potato For Mashed Potatoes In The Instant Pot
Ive had success with many types of potatoes:
- Russet potatoes
- Yukon potatoes
- Red potatoes
Besides some variations in taste and texture, the timing will be adjusted slightly for each type. Russet potatoes need a bit more time because they are larger, and red and yukon potatoes dont need quite as long because theyre smaller.
Russet potatoes are the standard potatoes used for mashed potatoes but I love Yukon potatoes as well.
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Cooking Tips For Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
1. Choose the Right Potatoes
Not all potatoes are created equal. If you want fluffy mashed potatoes, stick with starchy potatoes like Russets or Yukon Golds. We used Russet potatoes for this recipe.
2. Use Steamer Rack
Placing the quartered potatoes on the steamer rack rather than directly in the inner pot will further failproof the pressure cooking process.
3. Food Mill vs. Potato Masher
Which tool is better for mashing potatoes is a matter of personal preference. They each produce a different texture of mashed potatoes . But for this recipe, we prefer to use the Food Mill.
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes Ingredients:
Before we get to the full recipe below, here are some quick notes about the ingredients you will need to make this Instant Pot mashed potatoes recipe:
- Potatoes:;I always like to use a 50/50 blend of Yukon Gold and Russet potatoes when making mashed potatoes, so that you get the perfect blend of buttery and creamy + fluffy and starchy flavors and textures. But feel free to use whatever kind of potatoes you prefer.
- Garlic:;This recipe is written with a mild amount of garlic. So if you would like to make garlicky mashed potatoes, I recommend doubling the amount.
- Cream cheese:;My go-to ingredient to make mashed potatoes perfectly tangy and creamy.
- Butter:;Also a must. Feel free to add in more if you would like your potatoes to be even more buttery.
- Milk: I typically make my potatoes with whole milk, which makes them plenty creamy. But if you would like even richer mashed potatoes, feel free to add in your desired amount of half and half or heavy cream instead.
- Sea salt and black pepper:;I cant stress enough how important it is to generously salt and pepper your mashed potatoes! If they taste bland, you definitely need more salt.
- Toppings:;If you would like to sprinkle some fresh herbs on your potatoes as a garnish , you cant go wrong with some chopped fresh chives or fresh parsley.
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Easy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
These Easy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes require no draining and only 7 minutes of cooking time!;
Is there anything quite as comforting as a bowl of buttery mashed potatoes? I dont think so! These Easy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes are quick easy and make the perfect side dish. It goes perfectly with Cajun Pork Chops or Buffalo Chicken Tenders!
This Instant Pot recipe is a little different from other Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes because it doesnt require draining. The potatoes cook with garlic cloves and chicken broth until tender then butter, milk and sour cream is added and they are mashed until perfectly creamy!;
Reasons To Love These Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- You can use russet potatoes or yukon potatoes .
- You can peel your potatoes, or leave the peels.
- Its ready to go in 30 minutes with very little fuss.
- It has amazing garlic herb flavor.
- But also, you can pick the herbs you like, and you can decide how much garlic, and basically its a choose your own adventure.
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The Best Mashed Potatoes In The Instant Pot
What takes these great Mashed Potatoes in the Instant Pot from good to BEST? Chicken broth. Indeed, instead of simply cooking our potatoes in water, then draining and adding milk and butter later we are going to cook the potatoes in chicken broth and milk. No draining needed! The nutrients and flavor absorb into the potatoes, we mash them and add butter and salt, then voila. Amazing Mashed Potatoes in the Instant Pot!
NOTE: Never fear the fat! These are full of good fats, so lets emphasize the GOOD in that sentence. Broth, real butter, and whole milk are all good, nourishing foods. Our brains need good fats for good health. So give a cheer for mashed potatoes that taste amazing and offer great nourishment too!
How To Cook Potatoes In The Instant Pot
A pressure cooker makes fast work of steaming a bunch of cubed potatoes, and I use them for all sorts of things all week long. My Instant Pot also beeps ten times in a row when its done, and I can hear it from just about anywhere in my little apartment so I know when my food is ready.
Using the pressure cooker doesn’t always save you time with these types of kitchen prep tasks, but I think it does make them more convenient. I actually keep my Instant Pot on the counter at all times because I use it nearly every day! Coco MoranteWhich Potatoes are Best in the Instant Pot? .
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A Ricer Is Your Friend
In the past, I have talked about potato ricers on this blog. They are your friend. By taking the time to put your potatoes through a ricer you break them down and keep them from getting gummy – we aren’t making bears!
If you don’t have that is fine. Just don’t work the potatoes too much. You can whip them quickly with a hand mixer if you want. The ricer also helps remove the skins if your not a fan of peeling potatoes.
How Do You Prepare Mashed Potatoes Ahead Of Time
If you are preparing food for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or another large family gathering, prepare these ahead of time!
To make the potatoes in advance, prepare the potatoes up to 2 days before serving and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat them by adding them to a slow cooker on low. It may be necessary to add a splash of milk and butter to smooth them out.
Prepare the potatoes up to two days before cooking: Peel and quarter the potatoes, then store in a large bowl or pot, covered in water. Leave them in water for no longer than 24 hours to avoid water-logging the potatoes.
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