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My go-to, make-ahead Crockpot Cheesy Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Onions. Made simply and easily in the crockpot with cream, salted butter, onions, and melty Gruyere cheese. Each bite is perfectly smooth, creamy, and so delicious. This method makes for the creamiest and most flavorful mashed potatoes. You can make these in the crockpot, instant pot, or on the stove top. Theyโre perfect for making ahead of time for easy entertaining!
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I just could not do Thanksgiving without perfect mashed potatoes. After all, theyโre everyoneโs favorite side dish, right? My brothers are mashed potato fanatics. They say the only reason they love turkey and gravy is thanks to the forkful of mashers they add with each bite.
And while I definitely have other mashed potato recipes on the site, this is the family favorite. The crew really loves a cheesy, buttery potato with just the right amounts of onions. Not overpowering, but just right.
These are their perfect potatoes. I think I got the ratios just right! Theyโre now labeled as โfireโ mashed potatoes.
Clearly, we love these potatoes.
After many years of trying all the ways to cook my mashed potatoes, Iโve decided that using the slow cooker is my favorite. When in a time crunch, I use the instant pot or stove top, but the crockpot is my ideal cooker.
I do mine a little differently than most.
Here are details
Most recipes for potatoes in the crockpot donโt have you cook the potatoes in water, then drain. Theyโll tell you to cook in milk or broth. But I just donโt find that to work as well.
Peel the russet potatoes. I then add the potatoes to the crockpot, add water, add garlic, and salt, then cover and let them slow cook for a few hours or up to all day.
Once the potatoes are fork-tender, I drain them and add them back to the dry, but still hot crockpot bowl. I set the crockpot to low, then cook onions. The key is to allow the potatoes to sit in the hot crockpot to dry off. Reducing the moisture gives you a creamier texture to these tasty potatoes!
While the potatoes sit, I make the onions.
A lot of mashed potato recipes call for onion powder. But I wanted to add a little more of a fresh onion flavor that wasnโt overpowering, but just right.
I love using caramelized onions for an onion flavor thatโs more mellow.
I first caramelize them down in a bit of butter. Then I like to add some wine to help them caramelize a little faster. Next, just a little fresh thyme, sage, salt, and pepper. Plus lots of butter, which is key for any good potato dish.
When it comes to mashing the potatoes, I donโt do anything fancy, just mash them with a potato masher and call it a day. But you do you, if you love a super smooth, whipped potato, try using a potato ricer or hand-mixer instead.
Once I have the potatoes mashed, I add cream, sour cream, the caramelized onions, butter and melty gruyere cheese. Continue letting the potatoes cook until the cheese is melted. And thatโs it, youโll have the most perfect, flavorful, and creamiest mashed potatoes.
Classic, but with amazing flavor and cheesiness.
Serve these up warm with a little added sage for color.
Iโm excited to not only share this recipe with you guys but also with family and friends. My brothers have all agreed, these are one of their favorite potato dishes.
When you win over the brothers, all is good!
The next question is, what willย youย be pairing these crock pot mashed potatoes with? The obvious answer for Thanksgiving is turkey. But come December, over here it will be myย roasted beef tenderloin. Great with steak, pork, or any weeknight dinner.
Looking for other easy Thanksgiving sides?? Here are my favorites:ย
Crispy Parmesan Thyme Sweet Potato Stacks
Sweet Potato Casserole with Sweet โnโ Savory Bacon Pecans
Easiest No-Boil Brie Mac and Cheese
Lastly, if you make these Crockpot Cheesy Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Onions, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, donโt forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Crockpot Cheesy Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Onions
Ingredientsย
- 5 pounds Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 2 cups water
- 2-4 cloves garlic
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter
- 1-2 yellow onions, thinly sliced or chopped
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
- 8 sage leaves
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 โ 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded gruyere cheese
Instructionsย
Crockpot
- 1. In the bowl of your crockpot, combine the potatoes, water, garlic, and salt. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours, until the potatoes are fork tender. Set the crockpot to low or warm. 2. Drain the potatoes, then add them back to the crockpot. Let sit, uncovered while you caramelize the onions. 3. Melt together 4 tablespoons butter and the onions in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the wine and continue to cook another 5 minutes until the onions are deeply caramelized.4. Add 4 tablespoons butter, the thyme, and sage, and season with salt and pepper. Cook another 2 minutes, then remove from the heat.5. Mash the potatoes with a masher. Add the cream and sour cream, adding more cream until your desired consistency is reached. Season the potatoes with salt and pepper. Stir the onions in with the butter and cheese, cover, and cook another 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and creamy. Keep the potatoes covered, on warm, for up to 4 hours.
Instant Pot
- 1. In the bowl of your instant pot, combine the potatoes, water, garlic, and salt. Cover and cook on high pressure for 14 minutes. Release the steam, drain the potatoes, then add them back to the instant pot. 2. Set the instant pot to warm. Let sit, uncovered while you caramelize the onions. 3. Melt together 4 tablespoons butter and the onions in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the wine and continue to cook another 5 minutes until the onions are deeply caramelized.4. Add 4 tablespoons butter, the thyme, and sage, and season with salt and pepper. Cook another 2 minutes, then remove from the heat.5. Mash the potatoes with a masher. Add the cream and sour cream, adding more cream until your desired consistency is reached. Season the potatoes with salt and pepper. Stir the onions in with the butter and cheese, cover, and cook another 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and creamy. Keep the potatoes covered, on warm, for up to 4 hours.
Stove
- 1. In a large dutch oven,ย combine the potatoes, 6 cups water, the garlic, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook 20-25 minutes, until the potatoes are fork tender. Drain the potatoes, then add them back to the pot.2. Finish as directed through step 3.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Family loved these. I used reds and russest because both needed to be used up and sharp cheddar because that was on hand. Best mashed potatoes I ever had. Thanks for a great recipe.
Hey Gail,
Fantastic! I appreciate you making this recipe, so glad to hear it was enjoyed!
Enjoy your weekend!
Made as a holiday side dish & everyone loved them. Will definitely make again. Delicious!
Hey there,
Happy Sunday! Big thanks for making this recipe and your comment, I love that it turned out well for you!
Used the stove top method for these and they came out perfectly! Everyone enjoyed them and there were no leftovers.
Hey Bridget,
Big thanks for making this recipe and sharing back. So glad it hit the spot!
Happy Holidays!
Do you keep the sage leaves whole?
Hi Alexis,
I do, yes:) Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Happy Holidays!
Just made these for Thanksgiving! I used white cheddar instead of gruyere because that’s what we had on hand. Still absolutely delicious!
Hey Renee,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad it was a winner! Happy Holidays!
If I make them the night before, how should they be stored overnight?
Hi Jeannie,
You will want to store in an airtight container:) Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Have a great Thanksgiving!
These are now my go to mashed potatoes. They are seriously delicious! Highly recommend!
Hey Jess,
Awesome! So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you! Thanks for making it!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Do you this could be made with mashed sweet potatoes for a savory taste instead of sweet?
Hi Heather,
Sure, I don’t see why not! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi! Thoughts on roasting the garlic to add in?
Hi Holly,
That would be delicious! Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it!
Have a great weekend!
Has anyone tried this with the potato skins left on?
Hi Michelle,
You could do that, they would just be a more rustic version. I hope you love this recipe!
If I am making these in the crockpot for Thanksgiving, how can I make them in advance? Or should I plan to start them early in the morning? Thanks.
Hi Rachel,
You can make them in advance and then warm in the crockpot starting in the morning. Just add more milk or cream as needed.
I hope you love this recipe! Happy Thanksgiving!
Can you use another cheese – my family is so picky….
Hey Deb,
Sure, you could really use any cheese that your family enjoys here:)
Please let me know if you give this recipe a try!
can I use something other than heavy cream?
Hi Susan,
You could use half and half or whole milk. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Canโt wait to try this for thanksgiving dinner next weekend! I was wondering, could they be made two days in advance? If so what would be the best way to reheat? Thank you so much in advance! ๐
Hey Kristy,
You bet, that will work nicely. You can reheat in the crockpot and add more cream if needed. I hope this helps!