Four simple ingredients are all you need to make creamy and delicious Vegan Mashed Potatoes. This easy side dish is the perfect addition to your holiday table and roast dinners.
What makes this recipe easy?
- We only use four ingredients. You can make mashed potatoes using more ingredients, but this is a classic and simple recipe for creamy and delicious mashed potatoes. All you need are potatoes, plant-based milk, plant-based butter, and nutmeg.
- No need to heat the milk or melt the butter. We add the milk and butter to the potatoes, after draining them. As you mash the potatoes, the butter will naturally melt. There's no need to pre-melt the butter or heat the plant-based milk beforehand, in our opinion.
- This recipe will take no longer than 20 minutes from start to finish.
Our Vegan Mashed Potatoes are:
- A festive side dish
- Easy to prepare
- Family-friendly
- Quick to make
- Creamy
- Tasty
- An easy potato recipe
How to make the best Vegan Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
Potatoes. To make potato mash, you need starchy potatoes such as Russet potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes. Not all types of potatoes will work for this recipe. Waxy red potatoes are not a great option for making mashed potatoes, as they get a gluey texture when mashed.
Plant-based milk. For this recipe, you'll need unsweetened plant-based milk. Our top choice is soy milk, as it has a neutral flavor. Other options for vegan milk are oat milk, cashew milk, or almond milk.
Vegan butter. We like using vegan butter to get the same creamy texture that you would with regular butter used for the classic recipe. Another option would be using olive oil, which also works great! The texture won't be as creamy, but the mash will still be delicious.
Nutmeg. Our secret ingredient. My mum always added nutmeg when cooking mashed potatoes for me as a kid. When I met Astra he thought it was weird, but once he tried, he was greatly surprised. I can't have mashed potatoes without nutmeg, it simply adds a lovely nutty flavor to them.
Salt to season.
Chives to garnish. When we serve mashed potatoes for a festive meal or a special occasion, we like adding some fresh herbs to garnish the dish. Chives are a great option, but you can use fresh thyme, fresh dill, rosemary, sage, or oregano too.
Step-by-Step Cooking Method for Perfect Mashed Potatoes
- Peel and cut the potatoes. We think is always better to peel the potatoes when making mashed potatoes. If you leave the skin on the potatoes, the mash won't be as smooth and creamy. Cut the potatoes into medium-sized chunks.
- Add the cut potatoes into a large pot. Fill the pot with salted water and bring to a boil. Cook the potatoes until completely soft.
- Drain the water, and let the potatoes dry off for about 1 or 2 minutes.
- Place the potatoes back into the pot and add the butter, milk, and nutmeg.
- Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes until you have a smooth and creamy mixture.
- Garnish with some fresh herbs, optionally, add some melted butter on top, and serve.
Variations to Mashed Potatoes
Add roasted garlic to the mashed potatoes. Roasted garlic imparts a sweet and rich flavor that complements the creamy texture of the potatoes. You can easily roast garlic by slicing the top off a whole head, drizzling a bit of olive oil, and wrapping in aluminum foil. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 35-40 minutes, then squeeze the softened cloves out of their skins and mash into the potatoes. You can as well, add a garlicky flavor by adding garlic powder or fresh garlic.
Add other flavors. For our mashed potatoes, we use nutmeg and salt. Introducing other herbs and spices can also do wonders in giving your mashed potatoes a unique twist. My mum used to add mustard, and I really loved the flavor it gave the potato mash. Other options are cumin, black pepper, or onion powder. As well, you can twist this recipe by adding vegan cream cheese, vegan heavy cream, or vegan sour cream.
Use sweet potatoes. You can follow this recipe using sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes. The texture will be creamier, and the taste sweeter.
Incorporate vegetables into your vegan mashed potatoes. Some great options could be adding sautéed onion, roasted carrots, mushrooms, or even spinach. You'll end up with hearty and delicious mashed potatoes that are packed with nutrients.
Use olive oil instead of vegan butter. This is a healthier way to prepare this recipe. Using olive oil won't get that creamy texture, but the taste is still delicious.
Serving Suggestions
When it comes to vegan mashed potatoes, there are countless ways to serve and enjoy them. Here are some of our favorite ways to serve them:
- Christmas and Thanksgiving. I can't recall the last holiday meal where we didn't indulge in a delicious serving of mashed potatoes. They bring a comforting richness to the meal, and being so easy to prepare, makes it difficult to not include them in your festive menu. We especially love serving them with our Vegan Wellington, or Vegan Nut Roast. Make sure you check out this beautiful list with our favorite Christmas Recipes.
- Sunday Roast. Mashed potatoes are a great way to include potatoes in your Sunday Roast. Served with some roasted veggies and vegan gravy these are the perfect side for your centerpiece.
- As a simple side dish for stews. Stews are the perfect meal to add some mashed potatoes to. The potatoes get coated with the stew sauce to make a delicious combo. We love our traditional Irish Stew served with some mashed potatoes on the side.
Other ways to use Mashed potatoes
- Make potato croquettes or potato tots. We love using our leftover mashed potatoes to make some easy potato tots for the kids. Just shape the potato mashed into balls or small croquettes, coat them with breadcrumbs, and cook them in oil, or using the air fryer or oven. Freezing them first actually makes the cooking process smoother, as they maintain their shape more effectively.
- Use the potato mash to cook a Vegan Shepherd's Pie.
Store and Reheat
Proper storage and reheating of your vegan mashed potatoes can help maintain their taste and texture. This side dish is a fantastic option for making ahead, as it keeps well.
Cool the mashed potatoes before transferring them to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
You can reheat your vegan mashed potatoes on the stovetop, or in the microwave. If using the stovetop, place the potatoes in a saucepan and heat on low, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of plant-based milk if necessary.
FAQ and Tips
Potato Masher vs Ricer
A classic potato masher works well for a rustic and textured finish. For a smoother and creamier texture, a ricer, or a hand mixer can be used.
Best way to cook the potatoes for mashed potatoes
It's essential to start the cooking process with cold water, covering the potatoes well, and bringing the pot to a boil. Once they're tender, drain the potatoes and let them sit for a few minutes to ensure any remaining moisture evaporates.
What can I use instead of Vegan Butter for making Mashed Potatoes?
You can use olive oil or coconut oil. To get a creamier texture, consider adding some full-fat coconut milk.
Can I Freeze Mashed Potatoes?
Yes! Once they've completely cooled, you can transfer them in an airtight container, or freezer bag and freeze for up to three months. Thaw the frozen mashed potatoes in the refrigerator, then warm them up using the microwave or stovetop. You'll need to add some more plant-based milk and butter to get the creamy texture that you get from freshly cooked mashed potatoes.
Vegan Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 1,5 kg potatoes
- ½ cup plant-based milk
- 50 g vegan butter
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Chives to garnish
- Salt
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes and cut them into medium-sized pieces.
- Add the cut potatoes into a large pot. Fill the pot with salted water and bring to a boil. Cook the potatoes until completely soft.
- Drain the water, and let the potatoes dry off for about 1 or 2 minutes.
- Place the potatoes back in the pot and add the vegan butter, plant-based milk, and ground nutmeg. Add salt to taste.
- Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes until you have a smooth and creamy mixture.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with some fresh herbs and serve.
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If you tried our recipe, please leave a comment or tag us on Instagram @Sixhungryfeet. We are always happy to see your creations!
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