Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes with Skin

I am completely obsessed with how creamy and delicious these mashed potatoes turned out in my Instant Pot. I have been wanting to try mashed potatoes in my pressure cooker for a while now. This Instant Pot Skin On Mashed Potatoes recipe significantly reduces the time and effort required by using a much-loved kitchen gadget.

Creamy, hearty, and delicious, mashed potatoes are a satisfying side dish for celebrations and mid-week suppers alike. But while mashed potatoes only require a few simple ingredients to get them tasting just right, there is a fair amount of prep and cooking time involved. Using the potato skin will pack in additional texture plus a whole load of extra nutrients like potassium and vitamins B and C. Not only that, but you’ll also get much more fiber in your meal (around half of a potato’s fiber content is from the skin alone).

Choosing the Right Potatoes

You can use any kind of potato for this recipe, though Russets or Yukon Gold produce excellent results. Both make for a fluffy mash that is packed with flavor, with a starchy flesh that works perfectly for this dish. Waxier varieties like Red Potatoes have firmer flesh. They will still taste delicious but will require a lot more mashing to reach the desired creamy consistency.

Russet potatoes are considered the best potatoes for making mash, as they have high starch contents which make the fluffiest mash. Yukon Gold potatoes make for a more classic and dense mashed potatoes as they have a slightly lower starch content. They will also make your mash more creamy as they have a delicate creamy taste to them. You will most likely have Yukon Golds lying around as they are a good all-purpose potato for all dishes.

This recipe does not require peeling, which completely cuts out a step of the usual process. We leave the skin on the potatoes as it makes almost no difference to the taste and texture of the dish but it shaves off all that peeling of potatoes that I never have time for! As long as the potatoes are cooked for long enough the skins will be super soft and almost disappear into the mash when you are mashing it up. Potato skins are also a great source of some vitamins, fibre and Iron! All the more reason to keep them in your meal.

Cream, Butter, and Flavor

The addition of heavy cream and butter to these Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes elevates the humble potato into something satisfying and delicious. Letting the butter and cream come to room temperature before you add them to the potatoes is key. This ensures that they won’t make the dish cold and also helps them to mix with the mash more easily.

Mashed potatoes work best with simple seasonings like salt, pepper, and garlic powder. These all help to enhance the flavor of the butter without overpowering the mild potato. For something extra special with an additional hit of flavor, you could even mix in some finely chopped, roasted garlic in place of garlic powder or even some freshly grated parmesan cheese.

If you have used salted butter instead of regular, be sure to give your mashed potato a taste before you add your seasoning. The potatoes will also have absorbed the salt from the water during cooking so it could be easy to accidentally add too much.

Healthier Alternatives

If you would like a healthier alternative you can always use low-fat cream cheese, crème fraîche, or milk instead of cream. Or, you could omit the cream and butter and drizzle in some extra-virgin olive oil instead.

Ingredients

• 2 Pounds White Potatoes, Washed And Quartered (or 3 pounds Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes)
• 2 Cups Water (or 1 cup water, or 4-5 cups water depending on method)
• ¼ Cup Butter, unsalted (or 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter)
• ¼ Cup Sour Cream (optional, but adds creaminess)
• ¼ Cup 2% Milk, warm (or 1 1/2 cups water, or 2 cups half-and-half or whole milk)
• 1 Tsp. Salt (or 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more as needed)
• ¼ Tsp. Ground Pepper (or Freshly ground black pepper (optional))
• ¼ Tsp. Ground Nutmeg (optional)
• 3 garlic cloves sliced or roughly chopped (optional, for infused butter)
• 2 Tbsp. fresh herbs roughly chopped (optional, for infused butter)
• 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon paste (optional)

How To Make Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes (Skin On)

This recipe is designed for an Instant Pot, making the cooking process quick and efficient.

Preparation

1. Wash and scrub the potatoes under running water to clean.
2. For even cooking, slice the potatoes into ½ inch (1.2cm) rounds, or quarter them. If leaving skins on, simply cut off any imperfections or eyes.

Cooking the Potatoes

1. Place the prepared potatoes into the bottom of the Instant Pot.
2. Cover with water (ensure potatoes are submerged or at least 1 inch of water is present).
3. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the water.
4. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to seal.
5. Cook on manual pressure (or high pressure) for 8 to 10 minutes. (Note: If doubling or tripling the recipe in a 6 or 8-quart Instant Pot, the cooking time remains the same).
6. When the timer goes off, turn the Instant Pot off.
7. Perform a quick release of the pressure from the pot. If using a steamer basket, you can use a kitchen towel over the vent to prevent starchy water from spewing everywhere.

Mashing and Seasoning

1. Drain the potatoes and return them to the Instant Pot insert (rinsed and dried, or a separate mixing bowl).
2. Add the remaining salt, pepper, garlic powder, butter, milk, and sour cream to the potatoes.
3. Mash the potatoes to your desired consistency. For a smoother mash, you can use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer on the lowest speed. Avoid using an immersion blender or food processor, as this can make the potatoes gummy.
4. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Add more milk, butter, or cream if you prefer a thinner consistency.

Optional Garlic Herb Butter Infusion

1. If desired, after draining the potatoes, return the empty Instant Pot inner pot to the Instant Pot.
2. Press "Sauté" and add the butter. Once melted, add the sliced garlic cloves and fresh herbs.
3. Allow the flavors to infuse the butter for about 5 minutes.
4. Remove the garlic pieces and herbs.
5. Return the drained potatoes to the pot with the infused butter. Proceed with mashing and adding other ingredients.

Keeping Mashed Potatoes Warm

The Instant Pot's "Keep Warm" function is ideal for keeping mashed potatoes at the perfect serving temperature. To do this:

1. Wash and dry the Instant Pot insert to remove any cooking starch.
2. Generously butter the bottom and sides of the insert.
3. Add a splash of milk or half-and-half to the bottom of the pot.
4. Spoon the mashed potatoes into the pot but do not stir initially.
5. Cover with a glass lid or the Instant Pot lid (ensure the sealing valve is in the open/venting position if using the pressure cooker lid).
6. Turn on the "Keep Warm" setting.
7. Gently stir the potatoes every 20 to 30 minutes to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Storing Leftover Mashed Potatoes

Any leftovers should be allowed to cool before transferring them to an airtight container. They will keep in the fridge for 3-5 days. While it’s possible to freeze mashed potatoes, it’s not recommended as it can adversely affect both the texture and taste of the dish.

Reheating Mashed Potatoes

Reheating your Instant Pot skin-on mashed potatoes is simple:

• Microwave Method: Transfer the mashed potatoes to a microwave-safe bowl. Cover and reheat in increments of 5 minutes, stirring after each heating session.
• Stovetop Method: Once thawed, transfer the mashed potatoes to a suitable pot and reheat over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add more milk, butter, or cream if needed. Season to taste if necessary.
• Oven Method: Thaw the mashed potatoes in the refrigerator. Transfer to a baking dish, cover with aluminum foil, and reheat at 330°F (165°C) for about 45 minutes, or until heated through. Add more milk, butter, or cream if needed and season to taste.

Serving Suggestions

Mashed potatoes are a versatile side dish that are most at home with hearty meat dishes like sausages, pork chops, steaks, or stews, topped with a delicious gravy to bring the meal together. For a lighter option, you can also serve your Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes with some lightly fried fish filets and a herby lemon sauce. However, these mashed potatoes go with pretty much anything, making them a great addition to any kitchen repertoire.

Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving)

tags: #instant #pot #mashed #potatoes #skin #on