The Creamiest Vegan Mashed Potatoes Recipe | Foodal (2024)

by Raquel Smith

I’m pretty sure I can say with confidence that everyone looks forward to mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving.

The Creamiest Vegan Mashed Potatoes Recipe | Foodal (1)

I mean, it’s a whole thing: if you have Thanksgiving, you have this iconic side dish. Smashed spuds are everyone’s favorite side, whether they admit it or not.

It’s one of those dishes that you give yourself an extra large heaping scoop, then look at your plate a little forlornly because it doesn’t look like quite enough. So you dive in for another.

The Creamiest Vegan Mashed Potatoes Recipe | Foodal (2)

It’s that dish.

The standard recipe has lots of tasty, fatty flavor components, like butter and cream.

But if you’re the kind of person who avoids those ingredients for whatever reason, making it can be… challenging.

The Creamiest Vegan Mashed Potatoes Recipe | Foodal (3)

So, I’ve tried many variations of a vegan version of this classic side dish. Some were okay (I mean, really, they’re carbs mixed with some kind of fat – they can’t be that bad). Some were pretty good.

But none have been as creamy as these.

The Creamiest Vegan Mashed Potatoes Recipe | Foodal (4)

I did something pretty crazy here to achieve that super creamy, melt-in-your-mouth taste that the traditional recipe has. I’ve tried all sorts of non-dairy milks and was never super impressed with the result. But this time, I succeeded. Two words:

Cashew. Cream.

The Creamiest Vegan Mashed Potatoes Recipe | Foodal (5)

That stuff has been my jam lately. Not like the fruity jam, but you get it. I am using it all over the place and LOVING it, like in my fresh pesto recipe and homemade caramels. It’s so good.

Aside from the cashew cream, my recipe has some vegan margarine, salt, roasted garlic, and crispy shallots.

Roasted garlic and crispy shallots! Love!

The Creamiest Vegan Mashed Potatoes Recipe | Foodal (6)

Even if you have no intention of ever making this non-dairy version, you must put roasted garlic and crispy shallots on your mashers next time.

Promise me…

Print

The Creamiest Vegan Mashed Potatoes Recipe | Foodal (7)

The Creamiest Vegan Mashed Potatoes

★★★★★4.6 from 9 reviews
  • Author: Raquel Smith
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

These vegan mashed potatoes use cashew cream for the ultimate creamy texture. With roasted garlic and crispy shallots, they can’t be beat.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup cashews
  • 2 1/2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes
  • 4 cloves garlic, unpeeled
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil*
  • 4 tablespoons vegan margarine
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Boil 1 cup of water. Combine with the cashews in a large bowl, and let sit for 30 minutes.
  2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. If preferred, peel the potatoes, or leave the skins on. Chop into 1/2-inch pieces. Carefully drop the potatoes in the boiling water, and boil for about 20 minutes, or until easily pierced with a fork.
  3. While the potatoes boil, place the garlic cloves in a heavy, dry skillet. Cook on medium-high heat, turning every now and then, for about 15 minutes, until they have brown spots on all sides. Let cool, then remove the skins and trim the ends.
  4. Peel the shallot and mince finely. Heat the olive oil in a small skillet and add the shallots. Cook, stirring constantly, until golden brown and crispy. Remove from the heat.
  5. Add the cashews and their soaking water to a blenderwith the peeled roasted garlic cloves. Blend until smooth, 1-3 minutes depending on your blender. It’s best to let the blender stop and cool down every minute or so.
  6. When the potatoes are done cooking, drain in a colander. Add to the bowl of your stand mixer and fit with the whisk attachment. Alternatively, add to a large, wide bowl and use a potato masher.
  7. Add the cashew cream, margarine, and salt. Beat for about 5 minutes for slightly lumpy potatoes, and up to 10 minutes for smooth potatoes.
  8. Serve topped with the crispy shallots.

Notes

*If your skillet is large, you may need to use more olive oil. You want to have plenty in there for the shallots to cook in, otherwise they may burn instead of browning.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Vegan

Keywords: mashed potatoes, vegan, Thanksgiving, side dish, cashew cream

How to Whip ‘Em Up

To make these super creamy, I used my KitchenAid mixer to whip them. It is by far the easiest way to make them nice and fluffy.

The Creamiest Vegan Mashed Potatoes Recipe | Foodal (8)

If all you have is a potato ricer or masher, that’ll work too, but will take a little more time. You’ll also have nice toned arms afterward!

The masher is also a great option if you prefer a chunkier side dish – I do really enjoy biting into perfectly al dente chunks scattered amongst the creamy base.

How do you like your pulverized spuds? Creamy or chunky? Skins or no skins? Do you have any special ingredients for making your own non-dairy substitute of this fall-favorite dish? Comment below, and rate my recipe!

And for more vegan potato recipes, why not try some of these:

  • Cabbage, Potatoes and White Beans
  • Potato and Chanterelle Soup with Fresh Arugula Pesto

Photos by Raquel Smith, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Originally published on November 21st, 2015. With additional writing and editing by Nikki Cervone. Last updated: December 31, 2019 at 3:36 am.

Nutritional information derived from a database of known generic and branded foods and ingredients and was not compiled by a registered dietitian or submitted for lab testing. It should be viewed as an approximation.

The Creamiest Vegan Mashed Potatoes Recipe | Foodal (9)

About Raquel Smith

Raquel is a whole foods enthusiast, an avid mountain biker, and a dog lover. She works by day at Food Blogger Pro and formerly maintained her food blog "My California Roots" (now merged into Foodal).

  • More Posts(168)

The Creamiest Vegan Mashed Potatoes Recipe | Foodal (2024)

FAQs

What is the best milk substitute for vegan 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!

Is it better to use milk or heavy cream in mashed potatoes? ›

Heavy Cream - While you, hypothetically, could use whole milk or something, I don't recommend it. Part of what makes these the creamiest mashed potatoes is the CREAM! Use the cream, we aren't eating mashed potatoes for our health. Sour Cream - This recipe is rich and it needs some tanginess for balance.

What is a substitute for cream in mashed potatoes? ›

Whole milk and light cream are the two components of half-and-half, so it's not that far off from the real deal. Use half-and-half as a 1:1 substitute for heavy cream. It can work nearly as well for bringing creamy texture and flavor to sauces, soups and stews, mashed potatoes, quiches, and casseroles.

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

Dairy-Free Sour Cream.

If you can't find it in stores, you may be able to buy it online. If you still can't find it, you could use a dairy-free plain, unsweetened yogurt instead. OR you can just leave this ingredient out. I've made these mashed potatoes without it and they're still buttery and delicious.

Which vegan alternative tastes most like milk? ›

The test made a few things clear: soy milk, at its best, tastes closest to cow's milk. Oat tastes like a sweetly nutty cereal milk while almond tastes like the water left in your sink after washing the breakfast dishes.

Is oat milk or almond milk better for mashed potatoes? ›

Unsweetened Almond Milk: Almond milk is what's going to help our mashed potatoes become super creamy and luscious! You can also use soy milk, oat milk or your favorite non-dairy milk alternative. Just make sure it's unsweet.

What's better in mashed potatoes sour cream or cream cheese? ›

Sour Cream: The sour cream helps keep the mashed potatoes fluffy. Cream Cheese: This adds a bit of creaminess without being too overpowering. Heavy Cream: Increases the creaminess and helps thin out the potatoes a bit.

Why do people add sour cream to mashed potatoes? ›

Sour cream adds a little bit of tangy flavor and a boost of richness to mashed potatoes. It's a fun change from the standard milk or cream and butter combo usually flavoring mashed taters. You can even try your hand at making homemade sour cream from heavy cream!

Why add butter before milk in mashed potatoes? ›

Easy enough, right? However, using the same quantity of milk and butter, but heating them separately and adding the melted butter first to the mashed potatoes, you end up with a butterier tasting potato dish. The fat absorbs into the cells of the potato, which have swelled and pulled apart from one another.

Can I use sour cream instead of heavy cream? ›

Sour cream is an easy replacement for heavy cream. It can be easily stirred into a dish and offers another flavor profile to soups, stews and sauces. Plus, using it as a heavy cream substitute is a great way to use up that lingering tub in the fridge.

Is coconut milk healthier than heavy cream? ›

Though coconut cream contains a similar amount of calories as heavy cream, it provides less than half the fat, which might make it a good option if you're limiting your fat intake.

What can I substitute for heavy cream vegan? ›

The 5 Best Vegan Substitutes for Heavy Cream
SubstituteWhat We Add to ItHow We Like to Use It
Coconut Milk*no additional ingredients needed (details below)Sweet
Hemp MilkCornstarch or Silken TofuSavory
Oat MilkCornstarch or Vegan Butter or Tofu or Olive OilSweet/Savory
Soy MilkOlive Oil or Silken TofuSavory
1 more row
Nov 5, 2022

Is Greek yogurt better than sour cream? ›

Also, Greek yogurt is generally lower in fat and calories, making it a healthier alternative for those watching their weight or heart health. However, sour cream also has its own benefits. It is rich in calcium and vitamin A, making it a nutrient-dense addition to your diet.

Does Greek yogurt have dairy? ›

If you're lactose intolerant, you might wonder: Does Greek yogurt have dairy? Made from cow's milk, it does. However, Greek yogurt has less than 1 gram of lactose per ounce—less lactose than milk and about half the lactose of some other yogurts.

What is the best non-dairy substitute for milk in mashed potatoes? ›

Almond Milk: Almond milk is a popular non-dairy milk alternative made from finely ground almonds and water. Its creamy, nutty flavor makes it a good choice for baking and cooking. Almond milk is perfect for people that have lactose intolerance or are vegan. The ratio of almond milk to mashed potatoes is one to one.

What can I use instead of milk in a vegan recipe? ›

Dairy Substitutes:Plant-Based Milk: Options like almond, soy, oat, coconut, or cashew milk can replace dairy milk in most recipes, maintaining moisture and texture.

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.

How can I thicken mashed potatoes without milk? ›

You can use what you have on hand: Flour, cornstarch, or powdered milk are all solid options that are probably already in your pantry. Potato flour and potato starch would work as well. Stir in the thickening agent gradually, about a tablespoon at a time, until the potatoes have reached your desired consistency.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rueben Jacobs

Last Updated:

Views: 5532

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rueben Jacobs

Birthday: 1999-03-14

Address: 951 Caterina Walk, Schambergerside, CA 67667-0896

Phone: +6881806848632

Job: Internal Education Planner

Hobby: Candle making, Cabaret, Poi, Gambling, Rock climbing, Wood carving, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Rueben Jacobs, I am a cooperative, beautiful, kind, comfortable, glamorous, open, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.