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+ servings
mashed potatoes in a circle dish topped with butter and chopped chives

Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Amanda
These instant pot garlic mashed potatoes are super easy and especially creamy. Made with yukon gold potatoes, sour cream and an entire head of roasted garlic, this will be your new favorite way to make creamy mashed potatoes!
5 from 12 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 274 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 head garlic
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 3 pounds yukon gold potatoes
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • extra butter and chopped fresh chives optional

Instructions
 

Roasted Garlic

  • Preheat the oven to 400°.
  • Slice the top of third of the head of garlic off to expose the cloves inside. Place it cut side up on a piece of foil that is large enough to wrap up the head completely.
  • Drizzle the garlic with the olive oil and wrap the foil completely around the head of garlic to enclose it. Place the wrapped garlic in an oven safe dish and roast it in the preheated oven for 45-60 minutes until the cloves are golden brown and soft.
  • Let the garlic cool for 5-10 minutes and then remove it from the foil. Gently squeeze the roasted cloves from the outer skin by gently squeezing on the bottom of the head of garlic to remove them.

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

  • Cut the potatoes into one inch cubes and place them inside the inner pot of the instant pot with the water. Place the lid on, lock it in place and make sure the pressure valve is set to the sealing position.
  • Cook the potatoes on high pressure for 15 minutes and then carefully flip the pressure valve to the venting position to quickly release the pressure.
  • Add the roasted garlic cloves to the potatoes with the sour cream and butter and mash to the desired consistency.
  • Stir in salt and pepper and serve the potatoes topped with extra butter and chopped fresh chives, if desired. 

Notes

  • Depending on the size of the garlic, roasting will take anywhere from 45-60 minutes. Look for golden brown, soft cloves.
  • Cut the potatoes into similar sized cubes for quick, even cooking. 
  • Yukon gold potatoes have thin skin and do not need to be peeled prior to cooking. They can be peeled, if desired.
  • Don't forget to add the water with the potatoes to the instant pot as it is necessary to create the pressure. Don't worry about draining it after cooking time.
  • Make sure the sealing ring is fit snug inside of the lid before locking it onto the pot and securing the valve into the sealing position or it won't come to pressure.
  • When it's time to release the pressure, carefully flip the valve to the venting position. The steam will immediately come out in full force and make a loud noise. Keep your hands and face clear of the venting area to prevent burns.
  • Mash the potatoes to your desired consistency. If you like more texture to your potatoes, gently mash them. For a more smooth consistency, process the cooked potatoes through a potato ricer instead. Don't overmix or mash so the potatoes do not become gummy.
 

Substitutions and Variations

  • Potatoes - Red potatoes and russet potatoes may also be used, but cooking times and end texture may be different.
  • No Garlic - The roasted garlic may be omitted for plain mashed potato recipe.
  • Cheesy - Substitute the sour cream for ½ cup parmesan, cheddar, gruyere, goat or cream cheese.
  • Meat - Add ½ cup of cooked diced bacon or ham.
 

Alternative Cooking Methods

Stovetop - Steam potatoes in a steamer basket in a large pot filled with about an inch or two of water. Cover and bring the water to a boil over medium high heat and then lower the heat to medium low and allow the potatoes to steam for about 15-20 minutes until fork tender. Mashed the steamed potatoes with roasted garlic, sour cream, butter, salt and pepper.
Slow Cooker - Add the potatoes and water to a slow cooker with the butter. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. When the potatoes are fork tender, mash them to the desired consistency with the roasted garlic, sour cream, salt & pepper.
 

Make Ahead Instructions

The garlic can be roasted up to 3 days ahead of time. After it's done roasting, squeeze the cloves from the head and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
The potatoes can be cooked in the instant pot 24 hours ahead of time. Cool them completely and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The potatoes can be reheated in a covered pot or slow cooker over medium low heat with ½ cup of water. When they are warmed through, add the roasted garlic, sour cream, butter and salt and pepper and mash to the desired consistency.
 

Storage Suggestions

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Frozen mashed potatoes should be thawed completely in the refrigerator before heating and the consistency may not be the same as fresh. Leftovers can be reheated in a pot on the stovetop over low heat, in the oven or in the microwave. Additional liquid may be needed when reheating if the potatoes are dry.

 

Nutrition

Serving: 0.75cupsCalories: 274kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 4gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 316mgPotassium: 756mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 447IUVitamin C: 35mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 1mg
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