Make perfectly fluffy, unbelievably flavorful garlic mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot – with no need to drain! Our nearly effortless, foolproof pressure cooker mashed potatoes recipe includes chopped garlic, butter, and sour cream. Blend pantry staples together with tender potatoes (no peeling necessary!) to create a rich and satisfying side dish. Pair with your favorite mains for a comforting dinner that will please everyone at the table!
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What You’ll Learn in This Post
- Why This Is The Best Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- Is There A Difference Between An Instant Pot And A Pressure Cooker?
- Ingredients Needed For No-Drain Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes With Garlic
- Kitchen Tools Needed
- Recipe Tips and Mashed Potato Variations
- Frequently Asked Questions
- the Easiest, Best Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- More Delicious Instant Pot Potato Recipes You’ll Love
Why This Is The Best Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Using the Instant Pot is hands-down the best no-fuss method to cook the fluffiest, most delicious mashed potatoes.
The Instant Pot steams the potatoes with very little liquid. Steamed potatoes are light and fluffy, compared to boiled potatoes which may become water-logged.
So, this recipe is easier and even healthier than traditional stovetop mashed potatoes with garlic!
Cook these pressure cooker mashed potatoes with the potato skin on (without peeling), depending on your preference. Plus, there is no draining needed.
Simply add chopped potatoes and broth to the pressure cooker and let the IP work its magic. Then release the pressure, mash the potatoes right in the pot, and mix in minced garlic, butter, and tangy sour cream.
The most incredibly flavorful Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes are ready in just over 30 minutes, with barely any effort needed.
They’re great to let cook hands-free as you work on the rest of dinner. Then serve with nearly any of your favorite, deliciously cozy main dishes… from weeknight family dinners to holidays and special occasions, these perfect potatoes are always a hit!
Love mashed potatoes? You will also love our no-drain mashed potatoes, Instant Pot mashed red potatoes, and smashed potatoes.
Is There A Difference Between An Instant Pot And A Pressure Cooker?
Pressure cookers are countertop devices that quickly cook food with pressurized steam. They cut cook time down to a fraction when compared to oven or stovetop recipes.
Instant Pot is a brand of an electric pressure cooker, similar to Ninja Foodi, Yedi, Chef IQ, and Crock-Pot Express. Like these kitchen tools, the IP is simply a very popular model in the line of available pressure cookers.
So, all Instant Pots are pressure cookers – but not all pressure cookers are Instant Pots.
New to the wonderful work of pressure cooking? Be sure to check out my guide for How to Use the Instant Pot 101!
Ingredients Needed For No-Drain Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes With Garlic
- Potatoes – Yukon gold potatoes or russet potatoes, or your favorite potato for mashing can be used. Leave the skins on or peel the potatoes – your choice!
- Broth – We used chicken broth, but vegetable or beef broth will work too.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic is best, but if you don’t have any on hand, use garlic powder instead. Or use roasted garlic for an extra rich, mellow garlic flavor.
- Sour cream – this gives the potatoes a nice tangy flavor. You can also substitute sour cream with heavy cream, half and half, or buttermilk. Or lighten up the dish even more by using low-fat Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
- Butter – adds richness and flavor. You can use ghee, margarine, or olive oil instead of butter if desired.
- (Optional) Chives – to garnish, if you like.
Looking for an Instant Pot potato recipe to feed a crew? Our Instant Pot loaded potato casserole recipe uses 5 lbs of potatoes!
Kitchen Tools Needed
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How to Make the Best Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Seriously, this is the easiest recipe to make traditional-style mashed potatoes! There are no worries about the pan boiling over on the stovetop, over boiling the cut potatoes and turning them to mush, or draining a pot of boiling water.
Pressure cooker mashed potatoes are my favorite way to make creamy potatoes, and they will become yours, too.
With this recipe, you can mash the potatoes right in the pot without draining them, or use a hand mixer for creamy, whipped potatoes.
Here are the three simple steps for how to make the best garlic mashed potatoes:
- Add the potatoes, chicken broth, and garlic to the Instant Pot. Cook at high pressure for 7 minutes.
- Leave the pressure cooker alone for 10 minutes (for a natural pressure release), then do a quick release. Broth visible at the bottom of the pot, but it dissapears once you mash the potatoes.
- Mash potatoes with a potato masher right in the pot or remove potatoes to a serving bowl to use a hand mixer for even creamier whipped potatoes. Stir in sour cream and butter. Top with fresh chives and ground pepper, if desired, before serving.
Recipe Tips and Mashed Potato Variations
- Make this an Instant Pot cheesy garlic mashed potatoes recipe by mixing in 1/4 cup of cheese with the garlic, butter, and sour cream. Try shredded cheddar, parmesan, or Colby Jack cheese.
- Looking for a simple, no frills but still wonderfully flavorful mashed potato recipe? Try our classic Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes. It uses the same easy, no drain method!
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely these potatoes are a great make-ahead dish. After step one, allow the potatoes to cool. Place them into a gallon-sized freezer bag and refrigerate for 1-3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
To serve, thaw the frozen potatoes in the refrigerator. Then reheat, mash, and mix with heavy cream and butter per the remainder of the recipe.
Nope! Just add the potatoes and broth to the bottom of the pot for fluffy, evenly cooked potatoes.
As potato sizes can vary, I estimate that 6 medium potatoes weigh around 1 1/2 pounds (or 24 ounces). I used 6 potatoes as the measurement in this recipe for 6 servings.
the Easiest, Best Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 6 medium russet potatoes, Yukon gold, or red, scrubbed and cut in quarters (for large potatoes, cut into eighths)
- 1 ¼ cup chicken broth
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped fine or minced (substitute with 1 teaspoon dried garlic powder, if needed)
- 1/4 cup sour cream (substitute with heavy cream or half-and-half)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- fresh chives, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Add the potatoes, chicken broth, and garlic to the bottom of the Instant Pot (don't use the trivet). Add lid, close sealing lever, and cook at high pressure for 7 minutes.
- After the pressure cycle is complete, allow pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes, then initiate a quick release by turning the sealing lever.
- There will be broth visible at the bottom of the pot, but once you mash the potatoes, it will be completely absorbed.
- Mash potatoes with a potato masher right in the pot or remove potatoes to a serving bowl to use a hand mixer for even creamier whipped potatoes. Stir in sour cream and butter. Top with fresh chives and ground pepper, if desired, before serving.
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More Delicious Instant Pot Potato Recipes You’ll Love
- Loaded Potato Casserole for Instant Pot or stove top (uses 5 lbs of potatoes)
- Instant Pot Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole
- Instant Pot Smashed Potatoes
- Ranch Chicken and Potatoes pressure cooked
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes (Easy, No Drain Method)
- Instant Pot Turkey Tenderloin with Potatoes and Gravy
- Pork Tenderloin With Potatoes and Gravy