Healthy Vegan Mashed Potatoes Recipe - Running on Real Food (2024)

posted: 10/16/19 — updated: 10/01/21 by Deryn Macey Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe·4.5 from 4 reviews

These healthy vegan mashed potatoes with roasted garlic are easy to make with basic ingredients. This recipe is whole food plant-based, oil-free and made without butter or cream.

Healthy Vegan Mashed Potatoes Recipe - Running on Real Food (1)

This vegan mashed potato recipe calls for just a few simple, everyday ingredients and is low in fat, oil-free and made without butter or cream.

Table of Contents

Best Potatoes to Use

I used Yukon Gold potatoes for this recipe. I would recommend doing the same but if Yukon Gold isn’t available, you can use Russet potatoes.

Mashed Potato Ingredients

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Here’s what you’ll need to make these wonderfully creamy mashed potatoes:

  • Yukon Gold Potatoes. You’ll need 6 medium/average-sized Yukon Gold potatoes. You can easily use more or less if you like as the recipe is easily adapted to any amount of potatoes. Yukon Gold potatoes are sometimes called yellow potatoes.
  • Roasted Garlic. You’ll need one whole bulb of roasted garlic for this recipe. We’ll go over how to make it below.
  • Chives. The chives are optional but make a nice addition to the final dish. Parsley also works well or you can try dill.
  • Salt and pepper. Finally, the mashed potatoes are seasoned with a generous amount of salt and pepper.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes without Oil or Butter

There are a lot of ways you can add creaminess to vegan mashed potatoes without the need for dairy-based butter or cream. You can use:

  • plant-based milk
  • vegan sour cream
  • vegan butter
  • cashew cream
  • olive oil

However, I wanted to keep this recipe oil-free and whole food plant-based, so instead of using something like vegan butter or oil, I used some of the potato cooking water to add moisture and creaminess to the final dish.

If you’d like a little extra something, you can always add in 1-2 tbsp of vegan butter or olive oil. A bit of cashew cream or vegan sour cream is also lovely.

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How to Make Vegan Mashed Potatoes

These potatoes are very easy to make. You’ll need 30-40 minutes to make the roasted garlic and about 20 minutes to make the potatoes. The mashed potatoes can be in progress while garlic roasts so overall this recipe takes less than 40 minutes.

Step 1. Roast the Garlic

Here’s how to make the roasted garlic for this recipe:

  1. To roast the garlic, remove any loose outer layers then slice the top edge off a whole bulb of garlic so just a bit of each bulb is exposed.
  2. Wrap the bulb in tin foil and roast at 400 degrees F for about 30 minutes. It should be nice and squishy when done.
  3. Remove it from the oven, open the foil and let cool until you can handle it. You’ll be squeezing the whole thing into the mashed potatoes.

If you love garlic, consider making few extra bulbs of roasted garlic while you’re at it. Extras can be used in my roasted garlic hummus or roasted garlic cauliflower soup.

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Step 2. Cook the Potatoes

To cook the potatoes, add 1 tsp of sea salt to a large stockpot of water and bring to a light boil over medium-high heat.

While the water is coming to a boil, wash and chop the potatoes. There is no need to peel them – yay! I suggest cutting each potato into approximately 6 large chunks, keeping everything roughly the same size for an even cooking time.

Boil the potatoes for 12-15 minutes until they can be easily sliced with a knife.

Step 3. Reserve Cooking Liquid then Drain

This step is important. Before you drain the cooked potatoes, scoop off about 2 cups of the potato cooking water and set aside. We’ll be using it to add moisture and creaminess to the final dish.

Step 4. Mash the Potatoes

Finally, it’s time to mash!

I suggest using an immersion blender for this step. Just be careful not to overdo it or they can get gooey. A few quick pulses should do the trick.

If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can use a potato masher.

Before you start blending, squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins and right into the pot. Add 1 cup of the reserved cooking water and a generous pinch of salt and pepper as well.

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Now blend it up! Add more of the cooking water as needed. How much you use will depend on the exact amount of potatoes you used but I find about 1.5 cups does the trick.

Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired. Once it’s smooth and creamy, stir in the chopped chives.

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More Thanksgiving Recipes

Create a Thanksgiving feast by serving these mashed potatoes with:

  • Healthy Cranberry Sauce
  • Acorn Stuffed Squash
  • Maple Dijon Brussel Sprouts
  • Mushroom Gravy
  • Coconut Mashed Sweet Potatoes or Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole
  • Lentil Shepherd’s Pie

Looking for a low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes? Try my vegan mashed cauliflower with mushrooms and kale. Looking for roasted potatoes? Try these rosemary lemon potatoes.

Did you try this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Scroll down to the comment section to leave a star rating and review.
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Healthy Vegan Mashed Potatoes Recipe - Running on Real Food (10)

Healthy Vegan Mashed Potatoes

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star4.5 from 4 reviews

  • Author: Deryn Macey
  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6
  • Category: Side
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Vegan, Holidays
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Description

These delicious, creamy vegan mashed potatoes are the perfect healthy addition to a Thanksgiving or Christmas meal. This recipe is low in fat since it’s oil-free and made without butter and cream.

Ingredients

  • 6 medium/average-sized Yukon Gold potatoes (about 200 grams each)
  • 1 tsp salt for cooking the potatoes
  • 1 whole bulb of garlic
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped chives
  • 12 cups of the potato cooking water
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Slice the top off the bulb of garlic so a bit of each clove is exposed. Wrap the clove in foil and roast in the oven for about 30-40 minutes until soft and squishy. Open the foil packet and let cool enough to handle.
  3. While the garlic is roasting, bring a large pot of water to a light boil stovetop over medium-high heat with 1 tsp of salt.
  4. Chop each potato into 6-8 chunks. Once the water is boiling, add the potatoes and boil for about 15 minutes until easily sliced with a knife.
  5. Reserve 2 cups of the potato cooking water.
  6. Drain the potatoes then dump the potatoes back into the pot.
  7. Add 1 cup of the cooking water, squeeze in the roasted garlic and add a generous pinch of sea salt.
  8. Use an immersion blender to pulse until smooth. Try not to over-mix though as they can be come a bit gluey. If you don’t have an immersion blender, use a potato masher. Add more cooking water as needed to reach your desired consistency. I used 1.5 cups total.
  9. Stir in the chopped chives and season with additional salt and pepper, to taste.
  10. Serve right away (try it with mushroom gravy) or store in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 5 days.

Notes

This recipes makes 4 large or 6 regular-sized servings. The nutrition facts are estimated for 1 of 6 servings.

Healthy Vegan Mashed Potatoes Recipe - Running on Real Food (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest substitute for mashed potatoes? ›

Swapping to a lower GI option should also make you feel less inclined towards winter hibernation and that post-Sunday lunch snooze.
  • Sweet potato and swede mash. ...
  • Cauliflower mash. ...
  • Carrot and ginger mash. ...
  • Butter bean mash. ...
  • Pea and mint mash. ...
  • Other vegetable mash.
Feb 9, 2023

What is a non dairy substitute for milk in mashed potatoes? ›

Instead, I use almond milk (or coconut), vegan butter (or ghee if you prefer), salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and top them with chives for a punch of flavor. This potato recipe will make all of your Thanksgiving dinner dreams come true!

Are ready made mashed potatoes healthy? ›

Nutrition. Instant mashed potatoes have substantially more sodium than fresh potatoes, and much less dietary fiber. In other respects they are similar to mashed fresh potatoes in their nutritional qualities, about two-thirds starch by dry weight, with smaller amounts of protein, dietary fiber, and vitamins.

Is milk or water better for mashed potatoes? ›

Potatoes are like pasta, in that they leach starches into their cooking liquid. In the case of pasta, you want to reserve some of that liquid to give sauce a luscious shine and bind it to the noodles.

What can I eat instead of potatoes to lose weight? ›

Nutrient values for potatoes and lower-carb substitutes
4 oz serving, rawCaloriesTotal carb
Sweet potato9822.8
Butternut squash5113.3
Spaghetti squash357.8
Turnip327.3
6 more rows
Nov 5, 2021

What does 200 calories of mashed potatoes look like? ›

200 calories of potatoes usually equates to around 2.5 potatoes, or three if they're small, which is the perfect warming meal in winter. Mash them, bake them or boil them for the ultimate health benefits. These filling treats contain lots of fibre that can help lower the amount of cholesterol in the blood.

What is the best non dairy milk substitute for cooking? ›

Among other milk alternatives like almond milk, soy milk and oat milk, soy milk is by far the best for baking. I learned this over the course of several years and many cookies, cakes, muffins and pies. Moreover, some people will tell you that you must swap full-fat coconut milk in for heavy cream or half-and-half.

What is the closest non dairy alternative to milk? ›

Soy Milk. Soy milk is the OG of non-dairy milk and is made by soaking soybeans (which have been hulled and ground) in water. Soybeans contain essential amino acids, high levels of protein, and iron, and soy milk has lower fat and cholesterol levels than cow's milk. Soy milk has a subtly sweet, creamy, and mild flavor.

What is a good substitute for cream in mashed potatoes? ›

You can make a similar heavy cream alternative using regular milk and butter. Whole milk has a fat percentage of around 3.5% and is preferable to lower-fat varieties, but you'll still want to use more melted butter than you would with half-and-half. For best results, try mixing ⅔ cup of whole milk with ⅓ cup butter.

Why do restaurant mashed potatoes taste better? ›

Instead of regular milk, pro chefs generally use a generous helping of buttermilk and plenty of half-and-half or (even better) heavy cream in their potatoes. If you think the bartenders up front are pouring heavy, they've got nothing on the cooks in the back who are in charge of the mashed potatoes.

Is it OK to eat mashed potatoes everyday? ›

It is totally fine to eat potatoes every day. While how you prepare and cook potatoes and how much you eat could possibly impact your health, whole potatoes with skin are a nutritious vegetable with health benefits.

Is mashed potatoes healthier than rice? ›

Overall, potatoes contain more vitamins and nutrients than rice. And if given the choice between rice or potatoes, 9 times out of 10, we would certainly go with potatoes simply because they are more versatile and can be made in many different ways.

Why add butter before milk in mashed potatoes? ›

Overworking the potatoes will cause them to get gummy, potatoes should still be light and fluffy. 6. Add the butter first. Adding the butter first helps to coat the starch in the potato, resulting in a creamier potato.

What can you substitute for butter in mashed potatoes? ›

you can, you can also substitute butter in mashed potatoes with other oils like olive oil, red palm oil, oil from a jar of sundried tomatoes, truffle oil, walnut oil, etc. you may also use greek yogurt, or add sour cream, or various cheeses, like cream cheese, blue cheese, or whatever you may have.

Why put mayonnaise in mashed potatoes? ›

The mayonnaise gives the mashed potatoes a smooth, velvety texture, with a slightly tangy flavor. It's also slightly white in color and blends in well. It helps to thicken the mashed potatoes. It also makes the potatoes moist without an overpowering mayo taste.

Which is healthier rice or mashed potatoes? ›

Of rice, pasta, potatoes, and bread, potatoes are the healthiest of these starchy and complex carbohydrate foods. This is because potatoes are dense in nutrients, containing essential minerals, vitamins, and other micronutrients. Potatoes are also high in fiber, helping to satiate hunger and regulate blood sugar.

What can I use in place of a potato masher? ›

A potato masher, food mill, or even a whisk will work better for smoother results. These tools break down the potatoes more effectively, ensuring a creamy texture. If you're in a pinch, a fork can work, but it may require more effort to achieve the desired consistency, especially for large batches.

What has the same consistency as mashed potatoes? ›

Everyone likes something smooth and fluffy now and then. EDIT: I boiled a quartered head of cauliflower in salted water and mashed that up with feta, Parmesan, garlic butter (~2-3T of each) and seasoned with pepper and dill. The mash came out nice and thick with a great fluffy texture.

Is mac and cheese or mashed potatoes healthier? ›

AND, neither is actually bad unless you eat a large serving. If you are talking real potatoes mashed up with butter and milk, and if you are talking macaroni and cheese made with REAL cheese, both have benefits. If you are wheat or gluten sensitive, the choice is easy.. pick the potatoes.

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