Description

This Slow Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes with Ranch recipe features creamy mashed russet potatoes cooked low and slow with garlic, ghee, and chicken broth for maximum flavor and tenderness. Mixed with crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, ranch dressing, and fresh chives, this comforting side dish is perfect for family dinners or holiday gatherings and can easily be adapted for Whole30 diets.

Ingredients

Scale

Potatoes and Cooking Base

4 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 cup chicken broth (or water)
¼ cup ghee or butter (use ghee for Whole30-friendly)
4 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped
1 tsp. sea salt

Toppings and Mix-ins

4 strips crisp cooked bacon, chopped
½ cup homemade ranch or store-purchased ranch dressing
6 oz. shredded cheddar cheese + additional for topping (1-1 ½ cups) (Omit for Whole30-friendly option or substitute ¼ cup nutritional yeast)
¼ cup chopped chives

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Instructions

Prepare Potatoes: Halve or quarter russet potatoes into 1- to 1 ½-inch chunks to ensure even cooking. Place all potato pieces into the slow cooker bowl.
Add Cooking Ingredients: Add the ghee or butter, chicken broth or water, roughly chopped garlic cloves, and sea salt to the slow cooker with the potatoes. These ingredients will infuse flavor and keep the potatoes moist during cooking.
Slow Cook Potatoes: Place the lid on the slow cooker and set the heat to HIGH. Cook the potatoes for about 4 hours, or until they become tender and easily mashable when pierced with a fork.
Mash Potatoes: Use a potato masher or an immersion blender to mash the potatoes directly in the slow cooker. Add additional broth or water as needed to reach your preferred creamy consistency.
Mix in Toppings: Stir in chopped crisp bacon, ranch dressing, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped chives until everything is well combined and melted together. For an extra touch, top with more shredded cheese, a drizzle of ranch, bacon bits, and chives.
Serve or Keep Warm: Serve the loaded mashed potatoes immediately, or keep them warm in the slow cooker set to the ‘Warm’ function until ready to enjoy.

Notes

For a Whole30-friendly version, substitute ghee for butter, omit cheddar cheese, and use ¼ cup nutritional yeast as a cheese alternative.
If you prefer a dairy-free option, replace butter with ghee or an alternative and omit cheese or use nutritional yeast.
Adjust the consistency of the mashed potatoes by adding more chicken broth or water as needed after mashing.
These mashed potatoes can be kept warm in the slow cooker for up to 1 hour before serving without losing texture or flavor.
For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and use plant-based ranch dressing or additional herbs for flavor.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Category: Side Dish
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American