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These Slow Cooker Spuds bring creamy, cheesy goodness to your table with way less work. They cook in a tasty mix of broth and milk until they're super soft, ready for mashing right in the pot. The Parmesan adds a nice savory kick, and sour cream makes them incredibly smooth. They're great for parties since you can set them up and walk away, giving you time to focus on other dishes.
Whenever I make these potatoes, everyone asks for my secret. It's all about slow cooking and picking the right stuff to put in them.
Key Ingredients Breakdown
- Pick Russet or Yukon Gold for the smoothest results
- Use low-sodium broth so you can control the salt
- Good Parmesan gives subtle flavor without taking over
- Fresh chives add a nice pop of color
Make sure your dairy isn't cold from the fridge - it'll mix in better and keep everything warm.
Step-by-Step Cooking Guide
- 1. Get your potatoes ready first.
- Take the skin off and chop them into even chunks about 1-1.5 inches big - they need to be similar sizes to cook right. Wash the chunks under cold water to get the starch off, then drain them well. This helps avoid sticky potatoes later. Put them in your 6-quart slow cooker.
- 2. Add 1 cup of low-sodium chicken broth and 1 cup of room temp milk over the potatoes.
- Throw in some garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and stir it all gently so everything gets coated. Don't mix too much or they'll get starchy. Put the lid on tight.
- 3. Let them cook on HIGH for about 3½ to 4 hours.
- After 3 hours, stick a fork in the biggest pieces - they should be soft but not falling apart. Try not to lift the lid too much or they'll take longer. If they're not done, give them another 15 minutes and check again.
- 4. When they're tender, toss in room temp butter right into the pot.
- Start mashing while the butter melts. For really smooth potatoes, you can use a hand mixer on low, but be careful not to overdo it. Scrape the sides and bottom often so everything gets mixed evenly.
- 5. Gently mix in room temp sour cream and freshly grated Parmesan.
- They should blend in easily without much mixing. Taste it and add more salt or pepper if needed. The flavors will keep developing as they sit. Sprinkle fresh chives on top right before you serve them.
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My grandma always dropped in an extra spoon of butter at the very end to make them shine.
Keeping Them Fresh
You can keep them warm in the slow cooker on LOW for up to 2 hours before eating. Leftovers can go in the fridge for about 4 days in a sealed container. To warm them up, add a splash of warm milk and heat slowly on LOW in your slow cooker or microwave. Stir now and then so they stay smooth.
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Tasty Serving Ideas
Put them in a warm bowl so they stay hot longer. Make a little dent in the middle for extra melted butter. For a fancy look, sprinkle more fresh chives and some black pepper on top. You could also put out toppings like crispy bacon bits, extra cheese, or sweet caramelized onions so folks can add what they want.
Fixing Common Problems
If they're too runny, take the lid off and cook on HIGH for about 15-20 minutes. Too thick? Just stir in some warm milk bit by bit. Got lumps? Hit them with the hand mixer in quick bursts. If they've gone gummy, work in more warm butter to smooth them out. Grainy texture means they probably cooked too long, so watch the time next go-round.
Prep Them Early
You can fix these up to a day ahead and keep the slow cooker insert in your fridge. Warm them up on LOW for 1-2 hours, adding some warm milk if needed. Make sure your dairy stuff sits out to reach room temp before you add it. Cut the chives just before serving so they look fresh.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Which potatoes should I use?
- Go for Yukon gold, russet, or red varieties for best results.
- → Can I prepare them in advance?
- Totally! Store them in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for 2 months.
- → How do I avoid lumps?
- Chop all potatoes evenly and use a hand mixer to smooth them out.
- → Is it possible to double it?
- Of course! Just be sure your crockpot can handle the extra load.
- → How do I keep them warm?
- Set your slow cooker to the 'warm' setting. It’ll hold for up to 4 hours.