Mashed Purple Potatoes Recipe (2024)

Published: / Modified: by Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN / This post may contain affiliate links / 4 Comments

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Mashed purple potatoes are a gorgeous addition to your table! This vegetarian recipe is easy to make, using just a handful of ingredients you probably have on hand. You’ll learn where to buy purple potatoes, how long to boil them, and tips about purple potato nutrition.

Mashed Purple Potatoes Recipe (1)

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see my affiliate disclosure.

I guess I’m really into the color purple right now, hence my post on Purple Carrot Hummus right before this new recipe. With so much gray weather during the Minnesota winter, it can’t hurt to brighten up your plate every once in a while!

I picked up a bag of purple potatoes a few weeks ago so that I could use them for a recipe, but I didn’t realize how much fun I would have photographing the finished product. Isn’t the color of mashed purple potatoes just gorgeous?!

In addition to the vibrant hue, this recipe is SUPER simple to make. The technique is really not any different than other mashed potato recipes. The main difference is that purple potatoes have some extra benefits, which I’ll explain now.

Mashed Purple Potatoes Recipe (2)

Purple Potato Nutrition

The deep color of purple potatoes is a sign that they contain anthocyanins, or pigments that act as antioxidants. In the body, antioxidants help protect against free radical damage that contributes to the development of heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.

Interestingly, the antioxidant activity of purple potatoes is two to three times higher than that of white potatoes! Eating purple potatoes may also help reduce blood pressure and have less of an effect on raising blood sugar compared to other types of potatoes. Not bad for a spud, huh?

Where to Buy Purple Potatoes

You can usually find purple potatoes at most grocery stores, including local chains and Whole Foods. If a store doesn’t carry loose purple potatoes, check to see if they sell them as part of a bagged potato medley.

For my mashed purple potatoes, I used a variety known as Magic Molly potatoes, which I found to have an earthier taste than white or yellow potatoes. There are several other varieties that have a purple color, including purple sweet potatoes.

Mashed Purple Potatoes Recipe (3)

How Long to Boil Mashed Purple Potatoes

As I mentioned, this recipe is not at all complicated and is prepared in the same way as other types of mashed potatoes. So, of course, you need to boil your purple potatoes first! Boil them for 15 to 17 minutes until fork-tender.

Expert Tips

  • Whether or not you peel purple potatoes before boiling is up to you. Some people prefer to have pieces of skin for added texture and fiber in the finished recipe, while others do not. Just make sure you scrub off or wash away any dirt from the skin if you choose not to peel them.
  • The potatoes will lose some of their color in the water while boiling, but this is totally normal. Mashed purple potatoes are still gorgeous even with the slight color loss!
  • Since purple potatoes are earthier than most other varieties, you may find that you’ll need a little extra salt, butter, or herbs to get to your desired flavor. For additional flavor, add up to ½ cup sour cream and/or fresh herbs, like chives or parsley.
  • This recipe tastes delicious as a side for a piece of fish or meat or as the base of a stew or gravy. Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or a slab of butter as needed, for 1 to 2 minutes until heated through.
Mashed Purple Potatoes Recipe (4)

More Potato Recipes

If you love these mashed purple potatoes, be sure to check out the Healthy Crockpot Mashed Potatoes with Arugula, Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Blue Cheese, and the Vegan Potato Salad with Fresh Dill.

I’d love to hear how you like this recipe! Rate/review using the stars on the recipe card or in the comments, and follow the Veg World on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Looking for something totally different? Browse the recipe library.

📖 Recipe

Mashed Purple Potatoes Recipe (5)

Mashed Purple Potatoes

These gorgeous mashed potatoes are easy to make for a crowd-pleasing side.

5 from 5 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 25 minutes mins

Servings: 8

Calories: 121kcal

Author: Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds purple potatoes
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 2 tablespoon salted butter - more to taste
  • Salt - to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper - to taste
  • Fresh herbs - such as chives or parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  • Prepare the potatoes by peeling them if desired (you can also leave the peels on), removing any bruised areas, and cutting them into 2-inch pieces. Place them in a large pot, cover with water, add up to ½ teaspoon of salt, and bring to a boil. Let them boil for 15 to 17 minutes until fork-tender.

  • In the meantime, combine the milk and butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook until the butter is melted, then remove from heat, being careful not to let the mixture boil.

  • When the potatoes are cooked, drain and return them to the pot. Pour in the milk and butter mixture, and mash the potatoes with a handheld masher or a handheld electric mixer (for a creamier texture) until smooth. Taste, and add salt, pepper, more butter, and fresh herbs as desired. For additional flavor, consider adding up to ½ cup sour cream. Enjoy warm!

Notes

  • Serve on the side of meat or fish or as the base for a gravy or stew.
  • Leftovers will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes. You may need to add a splash or milk or some melted butter and stir before microwaving to prevent drying out the potatoes.
  • Purple potatoes are earthier than other varieties, so you may need to add more butter, salt, pepper, or herbs to reach your desired flavor. The nutrition facts listed here do not take into consideration added salt or other fix-ins.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 121kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 498mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 114IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?Tag @its_a_vegworld_afterall and follow me today!

Enjoy this pretty dish! – Lizzie

Mashed Purple Potatoes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do purple potatoes cook differently? ›

Purple potatoes are drier and denser and are best roasted or sautéed. Purple potatoes (sometimes called blue potatoes), including purple Peruvian fingerlings, stand slightly apart in taste and texture. They have a nice earthy flavor, but their relatively low moisture content makes them drier, almost like a russet.

What are purple potatoes good for? ›

Purple potatoes are a rich source of antioxidants, which help protect against chronic diseases. source: fdc.nal.usda.gov. Purple potatoes have a lower glycemic index compared to white potatoes, making them a better choice for blood sugar control.

How do you make purple mash? ›

Cook until the potatoes are fork tender, about 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes and return the pot back to the stove. Add in hot milk, butter, and season with salt. Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes until you reach the desired consistency.

Do purple potatoes have to be peeled? ›

Whether or not you peel purple potatoes before boiling is up to you. Some people prefer to have pieces of skin for added texture and fiber in the finished recipe, while others do not. Just make sure you scrub off or wash away any dirt from the skin if you choose not to peel them.

Are purple potatoes healthier than regular potatoes? ›

Packed with antioxidants

Like other colorful fruits and vegetables, purple potatoes' bright color is a telltale sign that they're high in antioxidants. In fact, they have two to three times more antioxidant activity than white or yellow potatoes (7).

Do purple potatoes taste like regular potatoes? ›

I am prepared to say that purple potatoes do not taste different than white potatoes. Or if they do, it is a very subtle difference indeed.

Are purple potatoes healthier than russet potatoes? ›

Nutrition of Purple Potatoes

They contain the same nutrients as russet potatoes (such as fiber, potassium, and B vitamins), but what sets them apart is their antioxidant content. Their bright purple color is credited to anthocyanins, the same antioxidants found in other purple-hued foods such as grapes and red wine.

Can diabetics eat purple potatoes? ›

Although the purple potatoes glycemic index is lower than regular potatoes, eating large amounts can still impact blood sugar levels. Therefore, if you have diabetes, you should keep consumption in moderation to help promote blood sugar control.

What color potato is the healthiest? ›

Which Potatoes Are the Healthiest?
  1. Purple Potatoes. Purple potatoes are packed with beneficial plant compounds, including anthocyanins (a type of antioxidant). ...
  2. Red Potatoes. Red potatoes are an excellent source of flavonoid antioxidants like quercetin, kaempferol-rutinose, catechin, and rutin. ...
  3. Sweet Potatoes.
Mar 5, 2024

Why is purple mash good? ›

Purple Mash covers exercises and lesson plans for English, Maths and Data Handling, Coding and Communications. The different activities on the website can be used in school or at home, and they aim to improve teaching efficiency, build student knowledge, and reduce teacher workload.

What are purple potatoes taste like? ›

Purple potatoes taste similar to a regular russet potato. Their texture is less starchy and moister, and their flavor is slightly nuttier and earthier.

Do purple potatoes turn white when cooked? ›

When cooked, some retain their colour, some have their colour deepen, others turn a brownish blue which is less appealing at the table. They taste like a regular potato. They are the size of a small-sized regular potato. The dark, purple skin makes it harder to see them when digging them up from the ground.

Do you refrigerate purple potatoes? ›

Don't Store Raw Potatoes in the Fridge or Freezer

While cool temperatures are ideal for potato storage, refrigeration and freezing are not.

What is the difference between purple yam and purple potato? ›

The difference between ube and purple sweet potato is that ube is a yam instead of a sweet potato. This means that the skin of the ube is rough and bark-like instead of thin and smooth like that of the purple sweet potato.

Do purple potatoes change color when cooked? ›

For the Oriental sweet potatoes, that are purple on the outside and white/cream-colored on the inside, the purple excitement kind of wears off during the cooking process, but the flavor does not!

Can you cook purple sweet potatoes the same as regular? ›

You can cook them in much the same way as the more widely available ones with white or orange flesh. It can take a little longer, though, due to their denser, drier texture. Purple sweet potatoes can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. They can be baked, boiled, fried, grilled, roasted, steamed or deep-fried.

Do purple potatoes taste the same as white? ›

Purple potatoes tend to have a slightly nuttier and earthier flavor compared to the more neutral taste of white potatoes. In terms of texture, there can be subtle differences between purple and white potatoes, but it often depends on the specific variety rather than the color itself.

References

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