Name: Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 pounds Russet potatoes, peel and quartered; 1/2 cup cold water; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup sour cream; 6 cloves garlic, minced; 6 tablespoons butter; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons sliced chives; additional butter

Jump to Recipe

Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes are rich, creamy, and bursting with savory flavor. Best of all, they come together easily in the Instant Pot in less than 30 minutes!

Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes with sour cream in a white bowl with butter melting on top and a spoon inside the bowl

While main dishes are typically the star of any meal, I’m a huge lover of sides. One of my favorites? Potatoes! This starchy carb is so versatile — you can prepare and serve them in so many ways. Air fryer baby potatoes, easy air fryer ranch potatoes, and smashed potatoes in the air fryer are just a few.

And, you can’t forget about one of the most well-known spud recipes out there: mashed potatoes. Creamy, rich, and hearty, it’s one of my preferred ways to eat these filling veggies.

I love to eat mashed potatoes, but I don’t love how long traditional recipes can take to prepare and make. Introducing: Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes. They turn out so creamy, and the garlic adds the perfect flavor. Best of all, you’ll make everything right in the pressure cooker, so prep and clean-up are a breeze.

This is a wonderful addition to a large holiday meal, or even for a simple weeknight dinner. They go great with chicken, beef, ham, and another vegetable side…the possibilities are endless!

Here’s what I’m going to teach you in this post:

All of the ingredients you’ll need (spoiler alert, there are only 7) to make your Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes.
The exact settings and cooking times to use in order to get perfectly tender potatoes every time.
Answers to some common questions about preparing Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes, like how to prepare this dish ahead of time.

No more waiting forever for your potatoes to cook on your stovetop — when you use your Instant Pot, they’ll be ready to mash in just 10 minutes!

I made this recipe using my Instant Pot 6-Quart Duo Nova. It’s the perfect size for my family of four and makes releasing the steam so much easier than the standard Instant Pot.

Picture of all ingredients of recipe in bowls unprepared

How to Make Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes

STEP ONE: Before you get started, make sure that your potatoes are peeled and quartered. Then, place them in the inner pot of your Instant Pot along with some water and salt.

STEP TWO: Cook on Manual High Pressure for 10 minutes. Perform a quick release when the timer goes off and carefully remove the lid.

Collage of overhead shots in Instant Pot (cut potatoes in it, all ingredients added in it, hand mixer mixing them, finished potatoes)

STEP THREE: Add your sour cream, garlic, butter, and pepper to the IP. Using a potato masher or a hand mixer, mash the potatoes to your desired consistency. You can feel free to add more sour cream, butter, and salt to taste if needed.

STEP FOUR: Place the Instant Pot mashed potatoes in a serving bowl, garnish with more butter and parsley, and enjoy!

Pressure cooker garlic mashed potatoes in a bowl with butter melting in front of an Instant Pot

Can You Prep The Potatoes Ahead Of Time?

Absolutely! This can be especially helpful if you plan on serving them at a holiday meal like Thanksgiving. The most time-consuming part of this recipe is peeling and cutting the potatoes.

You can do so up to 12 hours before you plan on making them in your IP. Simply store them in a large bowl or pot filled with water, being sure to completely submerge them.

Place them in the fridge, then pull them out and drain when you’re ready to make your dish.

What Are The Best Tools For Mashing Potatoes?

There are many different ways (and tools to use) to mash your potatoes. Here are my recommendations:

A hand mixer is going to be one of the easiest ways to quickly mash and combine your potatoes.

Using a potato masher is also a great option. Pressure cooking the potatoes makes them very soft and easy to work with.

A fork can also be used, but I would consider this method a last resort. The potatoes will still mash easily, but it’s going to take more time and effort.

Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Poateos in a bowl with butter melting in it and spoonful of mashed potatoes being taken out

What Seasonings Are Good In Mashed Potatoes?

I like to keep things simple for my Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes recipe. Garlic is, of course, a must. In addition to that, I usually just add a bit of salt and pepper, plus some fresh parsley as a garnish.

You can also mix in some roasted garlic made in the air fryer instead!

If you like spicy food, you could add a bit of cayenne or chili powder. You could also add some onion powder for an even more savory flavor.

How Can I Thicken My Mashed Potatoes?

If you follow my recipe closely, your Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes will become perfectly creamy and thick.

That said, if you end up with runny results, you can always add a thickening agent like cornstarch or all-purpose flour. Add about a tablespoon at a time until you get your desired consistency.

Overhead shot of Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes with Garlic in a bowl with melted butter and Instant Pot in the corner

Other Instant Pot Side Dish Recipes You’ll Love:

Love using your Instant Pot or Air Frying? Join our newsletter! You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or join our free Facebook Air Frying Community.

Yield: 8 servings