Instant Pot Creamy Mashed Potatoes The Soul Food Way
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Mashed potatoes are a soul food staple, and the Instant Pot makes them easier and creamier than ever! No more waiting for water to boil or juggling multiple pots or pans. And the potatoes cook in half the time, perfectly tender and ready to mash!
Is an Instant Pot good for mashed potatoes?
With this recipe, the potatoes cook up tender in a flavorful broth right inside the Instant Pot, then get whipped with butter, milk, and heavy cream for that rich, velvety finish. The result? Classic Black folks’ creamy mashed potatoes with all the soulful flavor and comfort you love, ready in a fraction of the time.
How long do you cook potatoes in the Instant Pot?
Potatoes cook in just 10 minutes in the Instant Pot, compared to 25 minutes for traditional stovetop mashed potatoes. Pressure cooking potatoes is fast, foolproof, and they’re perfectly tender every time!
What is the trick to making good mashed potatoes?
The trick to making really good mashed potatoes is doing it the soul food way, seasoning them beyond just butter, salt, and pepper. Think layers of flavor that make each bite rich, thick, and creamy, with that soulful touch that turns a simple side dish into the standout star of the table!
Ingredients
The heart of soul food mashed potatoes starts with potatoes, Yukon Golds or reds, for their buttery flavor and fluffy texture. Instead of plain water, they’re simmered in savory chicken stock to build flavor from the start. Then comes the creamy blend of heavy whipping cream and milk, plus plenty of butter for richness. Finally, a soulful touch of seasonings and herbs ties it all together, making every bite smooth, flavorful, and unforgettable!
How to make
Making soul food mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot is quick, easy, and full of flavor. Here’s a quick overview.
- Pressure cook the potatoes until tender.
- Mash until smooth and fluffy.
- Fold in the broth, milk, butter, and seasonings, then serve and enjoy!
Skin on or off?
Both work! Skins add rustic texture (and extra nutrients), while peeled potatoes make a smoother mash. Many soul food recipes, mine included, often keep the skins on for that hearty, homemade touch.
Do you need to pierce the potatoes?
No need to pierce the potatoes when using the Instant Pot. The pressure cooking steams them perfectly without any extra prep. Piercing is only necessary when baking potatoes, not when pressure cooking.
How much water for Instant Pot mashed potatoes?
You only need 1 cup of liquid. My soul food recipe uses chicken stock instead of plain water, so the potatoes cook and mash up with extra flavor built right in!
Do you mash the potatoes in the pot?
Yes! You can mash the potatoes right in the stainless steel inner pot for easy cleanup and to keep all that rich flavor in one place.
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Equipment
- Instant Pot electric pressure cooker
- Instant Pot trivet rack optional – comes with the Instant Pot
- Potato masher
- handheld electric mixer optional – to blend the mashed potatoes
Ingredients
- 3 pounds potatoes gold potatoes or small reds
- 1 cup chicken stock or vegetable stock for vegetarians
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- 4 tablespoons butter unsalted and melted
- 1 teaspoon seasoning Weber garlic and herb seasoning, or similar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup parsley fresh and finely chopped
Instructions
- Wash and scrub the potatoes thoroughly.
- Open the Instant Pot lid and place the trivet rack inside the stainless-steel inner pot. (Using the trivet rack is optional, but it helps keep the potatoes above the liquid, allowing them to steam instead of boil.)
- Add the potatoes to the pot.
- Pour the chicken stock over the potatoes.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the valve is up in the “sealing” position, and set the pressure cooker to high for 10 minutes.
- When the cooking time is finished, allow a natural pressure release for at least 10 minutes.
- To open the Instant Pot lid, carefully move the valve to “venting” and manually release any remaining pressure, if needed.
- Use an oven mitt to remove the trivet rack with the potatoes from the inner pot.
- Mash the potatoes inside the inner pot with a potato masher until they are smooth and creamy. Be cautious not to overwork the potatoes to maintain their fluffy texture.
- Add the milk, whipping cream, melted butter, garlic & herb seasoning, salt, pepper, and parsley to the mashed potatoes.
- Use a rubber spatula to gently fold and combine all the ingredients. (Optionally, combine with a handheld electric mixer.)
- Serve these creamy mashed potatoes directly from the inner pot, or transfer them to a serving dish and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
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This is the easiest way to make flavorful mashed potatoes like my mom’s recipe.