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Fluffy Vegan Mashed Potatoes

5 from 1 vote
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Complete any meal or holiday dinner with a side dish of these flavorful, creamy, and unbelievably fluffy vegan mashed potatoes!

Bowl of vegan mashed potatoes, with serving spoon. Sunflowers and autumn decor in the background.
Classic mashed potatoes

Why This Recipe Works

  • Who doesn’t love a meal that includes a generous scoop of warm, tender and soft mashed potatoes? They are the ultimate comfort food, now with a simple vegan twist!
  • This dairy free mashed potatoes recipe is quick and easy to make in less than 30 minutes. You can even do one of the biggest steps ahead of time.
  • These crowd-pleasing potatoes are rustic and delicious, and are perfect to serve as a side dish with any number of mains. Make them for casual dinners, family gatherings, and all your holiday celebrations. This is a must have vegan holiday recipe!

How to Make Fluffy Vegan Mashed Potatoes

  1. Place the peeled and chopped potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Set over medium-high heat and bring the water to a boil. Meanwhile, measure out the milk and butter and set aside so that they’re room temperature by the time they’re added to the potatoes.
Large pot with chopped russet potatoes covered with water.
  1. Once boiling, continue boiling the potatoes until they are very fork-tender, 10–12 minutes.
  1. Drain potatoes very well and return them to the pot.
  2. Add the milk, butter, salt, and pepper.

Mash thoroughly with a potato masher, ricer or food mill until potatoes are smooth yet fluffy. Alternatively, you can use an electric handheld mixer to do the job. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can lead to overly gooey, glue-like mashed potatoes! 

  1. For creamier mashed potatoes, add an extra tablespoon or two of milk. Add extra salt and pepper to taste. 
  2. For a prettier presentation, transfer the mashed potatoes to a serving bowl and add a couple additional tablespoons of butter to the top. For a hint of color, add a pinch of freshly chopped parsley to the surface as well. Serve immediately.
mashed potatoes in a dish topped with butter and a pinch of chopped parsley
Classic mashed potatoes

Looking for More Easy Side Dish Recipes? Then You Have To Try My:

Recipe Tips

  • For light and fluffy mashed potatoes, be sure to use russet potatoes in this recipe.
  • The potatoes can be peeled, chopped, and stored completely covered in water in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days before using. When ready to cook, allow the potatoes to sit at room temperature for 30–60 minutes before draining and placing in the pot with fresh water to boil.
  • These mashed potatoes can be made up to an hour before serving. After mashing, simply keep them in the pot near the warm stove and cover with a lid or plastic wrap until you need them. They should stay very hot this way. When ready to serve, mash in an extra tablespoon or two of warm dairy-free milk if it appears they have dried out a little.
  • To ensure your potatoes do not get overworked (which can result in a gooey, glue-like texture) be sure to only add room temperature or slightly warm milk and butter to the potatoes just before mashing. Cold ingredients aren’t as easily incorporated and tend to require extra mashing. 
  • For extra smooth mashed potatoes, use a ricer or food mill rather than a regular potato masher.  However, if you like or don’t mind a potato lump here and there, a traditional potato masher is the way to go!

What can I use to substitute dairy milk in mashed potatoes?

Original flavored and unsweetened almond, cashew or soy milk are my top choices for this recipe.

I don’t recommend using oat milk, as the extra starch (and added oils typically found in oat milk) can negatively affect the end result of the mashed potatoes.

What goes with mashed potatoes?

Serve as a side dish to make any meal a winner! This comfort food staple is great for holidays and potlucks: Try them with my Mushroom Wellington (Jeff’s favorite!) or my Beyond Meat Meatloaf Burgers.

How long do they last in the refrigerator?

Homemade vegan mashed potatoes will keep well for up to 5 days in the fridge. To store, let them cool at room temperature, then transfer to a container with a lid and refrigerate. They are easy to reheat in the microwave, and I recommend mixing in a splash of plant milk beforehand if they seem to be a bit dry.

mashed potatoes in a dish topped with butter and a pinch of chopped parsley

Fluffy Vegan Mashed Potatoes

Complete any meal or holiday dinner with a side dish of flavorful, creamy, and unbelievably fluffy vegan mashed potatoes!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword: dairy free side dish, gluten free side dish, mashed potatoes, potato side dish, vegan holiday recipe
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6 – 8 servings
Calories: 186kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large pot
  • 1 Potato masher, ricer, food mill, or handheld electric mixer

Ingredients

  • 3 lb. russet potatoes, peeled and chopped into 2-inch (5-cm) pieces (1361 g)
  • 1/2 c + 1 Tbsp. unsweetened, unflavored non-dairy milk such as almond, cashew, or soy, plus more as needed (133 ml)
  • 1/3 c. + 1 Tbsp. vegan butter or margarine, plus more for topping (85 g) (I use Earth Balance brand)
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper, plus more to taste (I usually add an extra 1⁄8 tsp.)
  • A pinch or two of chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  • Place the potatoes in a pot and cover with water. Set over medium-high heat and bring the water to a boil. Meanwhile, measure out the milk and butter and set aside so that they’re room temperature by the time they’re added to the potatoes.
  • Continue boiling the potatoes until they are very fork-tender, 10–12 minutes.
  • Drain potatoes well and return them to the pot.
  • Add the milk, butter, salt, and pepper and mash thoroughly with a potato masher, ricer or food mill until potatoes are smooth yet fluffy. Alternatively, you can use an electric handheld mixer to do the job. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can lead to overly gooey, glue-like mashed potatoes!
  • For creamier mashed potatoes, add an extra tablespoon or two of milk. Add extra salt and pepper to taste.
  • For a prettier presentation, transfer the mashed potatoes to a serving bowl and add a couple additional tablespoons of butter to the top. For a hint of color, add a pinch of freshly chopped parsley to the surface as well. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For light and fluffy mashed potatoes, be sure to use russet potatoes in this recipe.
  • The potatoes can be peeled, chopped, and stored completely covered in water in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days before using. When ready to cook, allow the potatoes to sit at room temperature for 30–60 minutes before draining and placing in a pot with fresh water to boil.
  • To ensure your potatoes do not get overworked (which can result in a gooey, glue-like texture) be sure to only add room temperature or slightly warm milk and butter to the potatoes just before mashing. Cold ingredients aren’t as easily incorporated and tend to require extra mashing.
  • I wouldn’t recommend using oat milk for this recipe, as the extra starch (and added oils typically found in oat milk) can negatively affect the end result of the mashed potatoes. Original flavored and unsweetened almond, cashew or soy milk are my top choices for this recipe.
  • For extra smooth mashed potatoes, use a ricer or food mill rather than a regular potato masher. However, if you like or don’t mind a potato lump here and there, a traditional potato masher is the way to go! A handheld electric mixer will work, as well.
  • These mashed potatoes can be made up to an hour before serving. Simply keep them in the pot near the warm stove, and cover with a lid or plastic wrap until you need them. They should stay very hot this way. When ready to serve, mash in an extra tablespoon or two of warm dairy-free milk if they appear to have dried out a bit. 
  • This recipe is naturally gluten free, but check all ingredient labels to be sure.
  • Homemade vegan mashed potatoes will keep well for up to 5 days in the fridge. To store, let them cool at room temperature, then transfer to a container with a lid and refrigerate. They are easy to reheat in the microwave.

Nutrition

Calories: 186kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 7g
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Filed under: Recipes, Side Dishes

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