how to make mashed potatoes without butter (olive oil)

Looking for how to make mashed potatoes without butter but still has a creamy texture? Then you need to try these olive oil mashed potatoes.  They are smooth, light, and fluffy with a hint of Tuscan herbs. These vegan mashed potatoes are so rich and tasty no one will miss the dairy.

Why this recipe works

• Even though this is a dairy-free mashed potatoes recipe, the mashed potatoes are still rich and creamy.
• Olive oil can be used in place of butter. It is the best substitute for making mashed potatoes with a creamy, light texture.
• This potato recipe with olive oil is easy to make, and you will not have gummy potatoes.
• Olive oil mashed potatoes are a perfect vegan side dish option for holiday meals.
• If it is important for someone in your family to eliminate dairy from their diets, such as heavy cream, greek yogurt, cream cheese, or whole milk, olive oil is a great substitute.

🛒 Ingredient notes

Mashed potatoes without butter are easy to make. To get creamy mashed potatoes olive oil is infused with garlic and herbs.

• 4 pounds of potatoes: Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes are your best choice because of their naturally buttery flavor. When prepared in recipes, they have the densest and most uniform flesh of the potato varieties. I like to use Yukon golds. Also, be sure you only use fresh potatoes. Don’t use them if they have started to sprout.
• Olive oil: Choose a good-quality extra virgin olive oil with a light, fruity, and buttery flavor. Be sure it is first pressed, which means the olives were crushed and pressed only one time. The olive oil extracted from the first pressing is highest quality and purity. Also, be sure it was cold-pressed. This means that the olives never exceed over 80 degrees during the entire pressing process.
• Garlic: For best flavor, use freshly minced garlic
• Lemon zest: Be sure you wash your lemon with a bit of soap and a good scrub and rinse before zesting.
• Vegetable broth: You could also use chicken stock if you prefer. Be sure to warm it up before placing it in the bowl with the potatoes.
• Crushed red pepper: A pinch of this is good and does not create heat. However, if you like things spicy, you could add a few more bits.

See the recipe card for a complete list and quantities.

Can you use vegetable oil in mashed potatoes?

📝 Note: For best flavor, only use olive oil, or for a slightly sweeter taste, first press coconut oil. Do not use vegetable oil, canola oil, or other hydrogenated oils. You will have a greasy, not creamy, consistency to your mashed potatoes. Olive oil is a healthier alternative for substituting butter.

🔪 Step by step instructions

1. Give your potatoes a good scrub and wash.

2. Peel and wash potatoes again to remove any dirt.

3. Cut into cubes about the size of a quarter. Try to keep them all the same size.

4. Add potatoes to a large pot of cold water that has been salted. Don’t crowd them. Bring water to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium and cook at a rapid simmer until potatoes can be easily pierced with a paring knife, about 12 minutes for chopped potatoes. Do not overcook them to the point they are falling apart.

Meanwhile, heat 2/3 cup olive oil on medium heat in a small saucepan. Add the garlic, rosemary, lemon zest, crushed red pepper, and 1/4 tsp. salt and black pepper, occasionally stirring, for 2 minutes. Set aside but don’t allow it to cool lower than room temperature.

5. Drain potatoes. Push the hot potatoes through a potato ricer back into the pot, or return the potatoes to the pot and mash with a potato masher. Strain the oil mixture into the potatoes and add 1 cup of warm vegetable stock. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the potatoes to a bowl, drizzle with oil, and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and additional salt and cracked pepper if desired.

💭 Best tools for mashing potatoes

If you like your mashed potatoes with large chunks then use a hand masher to mash them instead of a mixer or ricer.

🌶️ Seasoning variations

If you enjoy using herbs and seasonings to create a unique flavor in everyday recipes, then you will want to try one of these variations. My favorite is roasted garlic.

• Add a little garlic that has been roasted. Roasted garlic cloves add a sweet buttery flavor, believe it or not.
• Lemon juice and fresh thyme
• Chopped chives
• Sriracha sauce
• Curry powder – heat a tablespoon in olive oil for 1 minute, then stir in mashed potatoes
• Chopped chipotle pepper and a teaspoon of adobo sauce
• A few tablespoons of pesto
• Chopped fresh herbs
• Use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth

💭 Tips for making vegan mashed potatoes

Don’t use non-dairy products: This includes almond milk, coconut milk, and soy milk. It seems logical to substitute dairy milk in mashed potatoes for non-dairy products. However, skip it if you want your mashed potatoes fluffy and creamy. Non-dairy milk products have a lot of water in them, which is not suitable for the texture of mashed potatoes. I also have found that vegan butter does not yield as creamy potatoes as olive oil.