Welcome to a culinary revelation that will transform your side dish game forever: Instant Pot Horseradish Mashed Potatoes. Forget everything you thought you knew about mashed potatoes; this recipe takes the classic comfort food to an exhilarating new level of creamy indulgence and zesty flavor. Perfect for holiday feasts, weeknight dinners, or any occasion that calls for something truly special, these potatoes are quick to prepare, incredibly smooth, and packed with an unexpected, delightful tang.

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The Ultimate Comfort Food, Reimagined

Mashed potatoes hold a special place in our hearts and on our tables. They are the quintessential comfort food, evoking memories of warm family gatherings and satisfying meals. But what if you could elevate that beloved dish, infusing it with a unique character that makes it unforgettable? That’s precisely what we achieve with the addition of horseradish.

For years, many of us have relied on traditional methods and recipes for mashed potatoes. This year, I challenged myself to create a version that not only stood out in flavor but also embraced the convenience of modern kitchen appliances. The result? A velvety smooth, incredibly flavorful mashed potato dish made effortlessly in the Instant Pot, featuring a vibrant, subtle kick from horseradish. This recipe isn’t just a side; it’s a statement.

Why Horseradish? The Secret to an Unforgettable Flavor

Horseradish might seem like an unconventional addition to mashed potatoes, but trust me, it’s a game-changer. Our family has always appreciated the bold, pungent flavor of horseradish, incorporating it into various dishes, including my famous sheet pan meatloaf (don’t knock it ’til you try it!). When contemplating how to add a distinctive twist to classic mashed potatoes, horseradish immediately came to mind.

The beauty of prepared horseradish in this recipe lies in its subtlety. It doesn’t overpower the creamy richness of the potatoes; instead, it provides a bright, earthy tang that cuts through the richness, awakening your palate and adding an intriguing depth of flavor. It’s a sophisticated note that transforms a simple side dish into a gourmet experience. You’ll be amazed at how this humble root vegetable elevates the entire dish, making it undeniably delicious and leaving your guests asking for your secret ingredient.

The Instant Pot Advantage: Speed, Ease, and Perfection

One of the greatest benefits of this recipe is its utilization of the Instant Pot. This versatile appliance not only speeds up the cooking process significantly but also frees up valuable stovetop and oven space, which is particularly beneficial during holiday meal preparations. Gone are the days of anxiously watching a pot of boiling water or dealing with the messy draining of heavy potatoes.

The Instant Pot ensures perfectly cooked potatoes every time, achieving that ideal tender consistency crucial for super creamy mashed potatoes. Plus, this recipe is a convenient “no-drain” method, meaning all the starchy goodness and flavor stay right in the pot, contributing to an even richer and more luxurious end product. The consistent, even heat of pressure cooking also helps break down the potatoes efficiently, making mashing incredibly easy and resulting in a smoother texture with less effort.

Ingredients for Truly Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Crafting these extraordinary mashed potatoes requires a simple yet powerful combination of ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that perfect balance of creamy texture and vibrant flavor.

Potatoes: The foundation of our dish.
Cream Cheese: For unparalleled richness and a silky smooth finish.
Butter: Essential for classic mashed potato flavor and luxurious texture.
Milk: To achieve the perfect creamy consistency.
Prepared Horseradish: The star ingredient, offering a distinctive, zesty kick.
Garlic, minced: Adds an aromatic depth that complements the horseradish.
Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance all the flavors.
Fresh Parsley: For a touch of freshness and a beautiful garnish.

How to Make Instant Pot Horseradish Mashed Potatoes

Preparing these delicious mashed potatoes in your Instant Pot is incredibly straightforward, allowing you to achieve gourmet results with minimal fuss.

Prepare the Potatoes: Start by washing and quartering your chosen potatoes. There’s no need to peel them if you enjoy a more rustic texture and added nutrients from the skin, but for the creamiest result, peeling is recommended. Place the quartered potatoes into the inner pot of your Instant Pot. Add enough water to just cover the potatoes (typically 1-2 cups for 2 pounds) and a generous pinch of salt.
Pressure Cook: Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, ensure the vent is set to sealing, and set it to the “Steam” function (or Manual/Pressure Cook on High Pressure) for 20 minutes. The Instant Pot will take some time to come to pressure before the cooking cycle begins.

Release Pressure and Open: Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 5-10 minutes (this helps prevent the potatoes from absorbing too much liquid and becoming watery). After the natural release, carefully turn the venting knob to quick release any remaining pressure. Once the float valve drops, you can safely remove the lid.
Mash and Combine: Immediately add the room temperature cream cheese, butter, milk, prepared horseradish, minced garlic, and black pepper directly into the pot with the hot potatoes. Begin mashing with a potato masher until you reach your desired consistency. The residual heat from the potatoes will quickly melt the butter and cream cheese, making them incredibly easy to incorporate. Stir in the fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper as needed.

Choosing the Best Potatoes for Mashing

The type of potato you choose significantly impacts the final texture of your mashed potatoes. While various potatoes can work, some are better suited for achieving that perfect creamy consistency.

Red Potatoes: I often use red potatoes for this recipe, and they turn out fantastic, especially when using room temperature ingredients and being careful not to over-mash. They have a medium starch content and a thinner skin, which can be left on for a more rustic mash. However, they can become slightly waxy if over-mashed, so gentle handling is key.
Russet Potatoes (Baking Potatoes): These are high in starch and low in moisture, making them ideal for light, fluffy mashed potatoes. Their starchy texture absorbs butter and cream beautifully, resulting in an incredibly smooth and airy mash. If you’re aiming for absolute fluffiness, Russets are your best bet.
Yukon Gold Potatoes: A popular choice for mashing, Yukon Golds offer a medium-starch, medium-moisture profile. They yield a naturally creamy, buttery-tasting mash with a smooth texture that holds up well. They are less likely to become gummy than red potatoes and offer a richer flavor than Russets.

Ultimately, any of these will work, but consider your preferred texture. For the creamiest, most foolproof results, Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes are often recommended.

Can You Make These on the Stovetop? Absolutely!

While the Instant Pot offers unparalleled convenience, you can certainly prepare these delectable horseradish mashed potatoes using a traditional stovetop method if you don’t have a pressure cooker or prefer that approach. The results will still be wonderfully creamy and flavorful!

Stovetop Instructions:

Boil Potatoes: Place your quartered potatoes into a large stockpot. Fill the pot with cold water, ensuring the water level is about 1 inch above the potatoes.
Cook Until Tender: Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, add a generous pinch of salt to the water. Reduce the heat slightly and continue to boil until the potatoes are fork-tender, which typically takes about 15-20 minutes depending on the size of your potato pieces.
Drain Thoroughly: Carefully drain the cooked potatoes using a colander. For the creamiest results, return the drained potatoes to the hot, empty pot over low heat for a minute or two, gently stirring, to allow any excess moisture to evaporate. This prevents watery mashed potatoes.
Mash and Combine: Remove the pot from the heat. Add the room temperature cream cheese, butter, milk, prepared horseradish, minced garlic, and black pepper to the hot potatoes. Mash until smooth and creamy, to your desired consistency. Stir in the fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

The Golden Rule: Why Room Temperature Ingredients Matter

This might seem like a small detail, but using room temperature ingredients (especially butter, cream cheese, and milk) is a critical step for achieving the silkiest, most luxurious mashed potatoes. Here’s why:

Even Temperature: Adding cold ingredients directly to hot potatoes creates a temperature shock. This causes the potatoes to cool down rapidly, making it much harder for the butter and cream cheese to melt and fully incorporate. You’d find yourself mashing and stirring for a much longer time, which leads to the next point…
Smooth Consistency: Room temperature dairy products blend seamlessly into the hot potatoes. Cold ingredients, on the other hand, can create lumps and resist full integration, resulting in an uneven, potentially grainy texture. The goal is a uniform, velvety mash, and room temperature ingredients are key to achieving this effortlessly.
Preventing Gumminess: Over-mashing is a common culprit for gummy mashed potatoes. When you mash potatoes for too long, their starches release and become sticky. By using room temperature ingredients, everything melts and combines quickly, minimizing the need for excessive mashing and helping you avoid that unappealing gummy texture.

Delicious Variations to Personalize Your Mash

While these Instant Pot Horseradish Mashed Potatoes are incredible on their own, they also serve as a fantastic base for customization. Feel free to get creative and tailor them to your family’s preferences or the meal you’re serving:

Cheesy Indulgence: Stir in a cup of shredded white cheddar, smoked gouda, or Gruyère cheese after mashing for an extra layer of savory richness. The cheese will melt beautifully into the hot potatoes.
Herbaceous Twist: Substitute the fresh parsley with other aromatic herbs like finely chopped fresh rosemary, thyme, or sage for a different flavor profile.
Richer Liquid: For an even more decadent mash, replace the milk with half-and-half or heavy cream. This will enhance the creaminess and richness significantly.
Add Bacon: Everything’s better with bacon! Crisp up some bacon, crumble it, and fold it into the mashed potatoes just before serving, or use it as a garnish.
Make it Classic: If horseradish isn’t your preference, simply omit it! The base recipe for these creamy Instant Pot mashed potatoes is so good, it can stand proudly on its own as an incredibly flavorful and easy side dish.
Spicy Kick: For those who love heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce along with the other seasonings.

Serving Suggestions and Storage Tips

These horseradish mashed potatoes are incredibly versatile and pair wonderfully with a variety of main courses. They are an absolute showstopper alongside roasted meats like beef tenderloin, prime rib, or a classic pot roast. They also complement grilled chicken or pork chops beautifully. For holiday meals, they offer a refreshing alternative to traditional mashed potatoes and will surely be a talking point.

Storage and Reheating:

Leftovers, if there are any, can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm them on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream to restore their creamy texture and moisture. You can also reheat them in the microwave in short intervals, stirring frequently, or in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until heated through.

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Instant Pot Horseradish Mashed Potatoes

Yield:
6 servings

Cook Time:
20 minutes

Additional Time:
5 minutes

Total Time:
25 minutes

These Instant Pot Horseradish Mashed Potatoes are extra creamy, packed with a zip from horseradish and come together quickly for an elevated take on classic mashed potatoes!

Ingredients

2 lbs red potatoes
4 ounces cream cheese
4 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup milk
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced

Instructions

Place quartered potatoes into your instant pot with water and salt and set to Steam for 20 minutes.
Allow steam to release and carefully remove the lid.
Add in cream cheese, butter, milk, horseradish, garlic, pepper and fresh parsley and mash until desired consistency.
Adjust seasoning and parsley as desired.

Recommended Products

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Instant Pot
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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 286Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 516mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 6g

All information and tools presented and written within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on strawberryblondiekitchen.com should only be used as a general guideline.

More Instant Pot Recipes to Explore

If you’re loving the convenience and delicious results from your Instant Pot, be sure to check out these other fantastic recipes:

Instant Pot Molten Lava Cakes
Instant Pot Short Ribs

Zesty Instant Pot Horseradish Mashed Potatoes