Mouthwatering Vegan Mashed Potatoes For Thanksgiving 

Mashed potatoes have long been a classic Thanksgiving staple. But if you’re eating plant-based, you might not always be able to enjoy this warm fluffy side dish brimming with butter, milk, and sour cream. Thankfully, a dairy free and vegan mashed potato recipe is a delicious way to include everyone at your Thanksgiving table.

What kind of potatoes should I use for the best mashed potatoes?

The perfect mashed potatoes start with choosing the right kind of spud. There’s more than one answer to this, though, and it all depends on the kind of texture you’re going for. Classic Russet potatoes often yield the fluffiest results. If you want a more smooth, creamy serving, though, you’ll need a more waxy variety like Yukon Gold potatoes. Of course, you can also enjoy the best of both worlds with a mix of the two. The most important thing is to choose a potato with lots of starch, and both Russets and Yukon Golds deliver on that front.

Best plant-based ingredients to use in vegan mashed potatoes

Swapping dairy like butter and cream cheese with their plant-based counterparts helps make for creamy and dreamy vegan mashed potatoes.

Vegan butter

Most of us love the rich buttery flavor often associated with mashed potatoes, which also happens to be integral to the overall structure of your dish. The saturated fat in butter keeps the starches from clinging together — often the culprit behind gummy mashed potatoes — while also preventing extra liquid from making your potatoes too soggy. If you’re plant-based, replacing dairy butter with a vegan version easily gives you that same perfect balance of textures.

Vegan cream cheese

Looking for mashed potatoes that are ultra rich and creamy, with just the right amount of tang? Add a generous helping of plant-based cream cheese. (Some recipes call for an entire block!) If you want to add even more delicious flavor, try something like chive and onion vegan cream cheese from the Purple Carrot grocery.

Plant-based milk

Adding a few splashes of milk to your mashed potatoes makes them extra smooth and most plant-based substitutes can help you get the job done. Many recommend an option with very little extra flavor, such as soy, oat, or cashew milk. Others love the consistency of coconut milk, as long as it’s a lighter variety without the overpowering coconut taste.

Vegan sour cream

Sour cream is another traditional favorite for adding some richness and acidity to mashed potatoes, especially if using cream cheese sounds a bit too heavy for your personal taste. Plant-based alternatives like cashew sour cream offer a great substitute that vegan, flexitarian, and meat-eating guests will love.

Potato water

Some cooks might skip the dairy-free substitutes altogether because the starchy water you boiled your potatoes in can make a great stand in for plant-based milk. Before you pour that water down the sink, save about 1.5 cups to mix in later.

Olive oil

Instead of vegan butter, try using olive oil in your mashed potato recipe for a unique flavor. You’ll want about half a cup, and make sure to mix it into your boiled potatoes first before any other ingredients.

Tips for the best vegan mashed potatoes

Making mashed potatoes may seem simple enough, but there’s a fine art to getting them just right.

To peel or not to peel

This one is entirely about personal preference. If you want the smoothest potatoes possible, peeling before boiling is a must. However, leaving the peel on can add some nice texture to your dish. Plus potato skins are packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, so you might not want to throw all that extra nutrition into the trash or compost bin.

Preparing the potatoes

Whether you peel them or not, it’s a good idea to cut up your potatoes first for faster cooking. Aim for pieces that are about 1.5 inches in size, which you can usually achieve by quartering your potatoes. As you chop, place your potato pieces into cold water. Following this step instead of placing them directly into boiling water ensures all potato pieces are evenly cooked all the way through, thus giving you a consistent final texture.

Adding salt

It’s a good idea to start with a generously salted pot of potatoes before you boil them. Even if you add a little more later on, adding most of your salt to the cold water at the beginning ensures those starchy potatoes absorb that seasoning from the inside out. How generously you decide to salt your potatoes is ultimately up to you, but most recommend using one tablespoon of salt for every pound of potatoes.

Boiling the potatoes

Now it’s time to put your pot of potatoes on the stove and bring to a boil. Once the water is boiling, give them a quick check to see how done they are. The goal is for your potatoes to be tender enough to easily pierce with a fork. If they’re not there yet, turn down the heat and let them continue to simmer, checking periodically. It can be a fine line between perfect and overdone, so make sure not to over-boil them. Overcooked potatoes often lead to runny or extra gummy mashed potatoes.

Time to mash

After you drain the potatoes of any excess moisture (dumping them into a colander is the best approach), it’s time to get mashing. Start by mashing in your oil or vegan butter before adding other ingredients for the fluffiest results. You can do this by hand with a potato masher or use a handheld electric mixer.

Note that many report using an electric stand mixer can overdo it, leaving you with gummy, less appetizing potatoes. The more you whip your potatoes, the more the starches break down and lead to a gummier texture, so it’s important not to mash too much.

Can you make vegan mashed potatoes ahead of time?

Yes! While fresh off the stove is ideal for serving vegan mashed potatoes, you’ve got a lot of other dishes to worry about on Thanksgiving.

Once your potatoes have cooled down enough to put in the fridge, add a splash of plant-based milk on top to keep them from drying out. When you’re ready to reheat, you’ve got multiple options, as long as you take steps to ensure you add a little extra moisture.

You can use a slow cooker on the low setting, adding some extra water or plant-based milk as needed. The oven is also an option if you’ve got an empty rack. Set at 300 degrees for about an hour. If you’re going this route, make sure to give the mashed potatoes a stir about 30 minutes in.

If you’re truly in a rush, the microwave is also available. Just make sure to place a damp paper towel on top of your dish to lock in that moisture.

How to freeze vegan mashed potatoes

If you’ve got a ton of leftovers, freezing for a future meal is a wise choice. Place them in a large freezer-safe bag or container once they’ve fully cooled. You can also freeze in individually portioned cubes, if you have a freezer mold tray, for easier serving.

Frozen mashed potatoes are usually good for up to a month before they start to get freezer burned. You can defrost in the fridge about a day or two before you intend to eat them, or follow the reheating instructions to defrost your mashed potatoes.

What else should I add to my vegan mashed potatoes for the best flavor?

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the simple flavors of vegan butter, salt, and pepper. However, if you want to take your potatoes to the next level, herbs, garlic, and vegan gravy are sure to boost the flavor.

• Garlic: Whether roasting a head of garlic or reaching in your spice cabinet for powder, garlic makes mashed potatoes extra indulgent. Whichever form you choose, add your garlic when mashing your potatoes, after adding the butter or oil.
• Herbs: Adding herbs like rosemary, sage, or thyme gives your vegan mashed potatoes a gourmet look and flavor. You can add in the herbs when mashing or infuse with your plant-based milk by heating together on low until warm for about five minutes.
• Miso: For extra umami and depth, add miso. The best approach is to mix together with softened vegan butter before mashing.
• Chives: A little green garnish is a beautiful and delicious way to present your mashed potatoes. Wash and chop up some chives and sprinkle on top before serving. You can also place your prepared chives in a bowl on the side, so guests can add according to their preferences.
• Vegan gravy: Just because you’re skipping the turkey doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the classic combo of mashed potatoes and gravy. Try making mushroom gravy for the perfect mashed potato topping that also pairs great with your other plant-based Thanksgiving side dishes.

Plan Your Thanksgiving with Purple Carrot

You’ve got enough to worry about when you’re hosting Thanksgiving. Save yourself another trip to the grocery store and shop with Purple Carrot. Our plant-based recipes make great side dishes, and you’ll find lots of the ingredients needed for the perfect vegan mashed potatoes, like plant-based milk and cream cheese, in our vegan grocery store.

Shop Purple Carrot now and enjoy $100 off your first order, delivered right to your door, just in time for Thanksgiving.