This slow cooker 4-ingredient poor man’s potato and turnip mash comes straight out of the kind of story you hear at a kitchen table after supper. My grandfather lived through hard times on the farm and said a pot of potatoes and turnips like this could keep a man going through long days of fieldwork and cold spring winds. It was cheap, filling, and used what they had in the root cellar when money was tight but bellies still needed warming.
These days, my family asks for it every spring when the last of the stored potatoes and turnips need using up. It’s simple, honest food: creamy, buttery, and comforting, made with almost no effort in the slow cooker.
Rustic bowl of potato and turnip mash on a farmhouse table
Rustic bowl of potato and turnip mash on a farmhouse table
Serve this mash right from the slow cooker, with a big spoonful in the center of each plate. It’s wonderful alongside roast chicken, ham, or a skillet of fried sausage, and it soaks up gravy or pan drippings like a dream. For a truly old-fashioned supper, pair it with green beans or peas and a simple sliced tomato salad when they’re in season.
Leftovers reheat nicely with a splash of milk, and you can even top a warm bowl with a fried egg for a hearty breakfast or lunch.
Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Potato and Turnip Mash
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 pounds russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 pound white turnips, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, plus more for serving if desired
1 cup milk (whole or 2%), plus more as needed
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Peeled potatoes and turnips ready for the slow cooker
Peeled potatoes and turnips ready for the slow cooker
Directions
Peel the potatoes and turnips, then cut them into rough 1-inch chunks. The pieces don’t need to be perfect; a little variety gives the mash nice texture, with some bits staying chunkier.
Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with a small dab of butter to help prevent sticking. Add the potato and turnip chunks to the slow cooker in an even layer.
