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)

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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

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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

How do you make purple mash? ›

In a small saucepan, add butter, milk and double cream and bring them to a gentle simmer. When the purple potatoes are cooked, drain and return to the sauce while it's still hot. Start mashing the potatoes and slowly introduce the creamy mixture. Add ¾ of the chopped chives and season with salt and pepper to taste.

How do they make purple potatoes? ›

Purple potatoes are known for their anthocyanin content, natural pigments in the flesh and skin that give the tubers their purple hue. Anthocyanins have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant-like properties to protect the cells against the damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress.

Do purple potatoes raise blood sugar? ›

Purple potatoes have a lower glycemic index compared to white potatoes, making them a better choice for blood sugar control. source: fdc.nal.usda.gov.

Do purple potatoes taste like regular potatoes? ›

Though the flavor of a purple potato can be compared to that of a russet, purple potatoes simply provide more health benefits. Though all potatoes contain antioxidants, purple potatoes are way ahead of the curb, as seen in their color.

What is special about purple potatoes? ›

The pigment produces red, blue and violet foods (like asparagus and tomatoes), depending on the type of anthocyanin (there are hundreds). The high antioxidant content in purple sweet potatoes, in particular, fights inflammation and helps slash heart disease and cancer risk, according to a 2021 study in Antioxidants.

Do purple potatoes have a different taste? ›

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 cook differently? ›

Purple Potato Varieties

Each features a slightly different hue ranging from bright purple to deep violet. Textures and starch content can vary slightly, but overall they can all be cooked in the same way.

What color potato is the healthiest? ›

The Healthiest Potato is the Red Potato

After taking into account the mineral density, the vitamin density, the macronutrient balance, the sugar-to-fiber ratio, the sodium-to-potassium ratio, and the phytochemical profile, red potatoes are the healthiest potato with data from the USDA Food Database.

Are purple potatoes inflammatory? ›

Another study in men who ate 5.3 ounces (150 grams) of different colored potatoes each day for 6 weeks observed that the purple potato group had lower levels of inflammatory markers and markers of DNA damage, compared with the white potato group ( 10 ).

What are purple potatoes good for cooking? ›

Cooking with Purple Potatoes. Most blue/purple potatoes have moist, firm flesh that retains its shape while adding rich, vibrant color and luscious taste to salads. The purple color is preserved best by microwaving but steaming and baking are also great ways to cook purple potatoes.

Can you eat raw purple potatoes? ›

“It's a good start, but we have to continue screening purple/purples to find a variety that offers disease resistance, good yield, and consistent deep purple flesh color." Sweet potatoes can be eaten raw or cooked.

Can you eat skin of purple potatoes? ›

Adding purple potatoes to your diet can help increase your fiber intake and add some gut-healthy resistant starch to your diet. To reap the greatest fiber benefits, eat them with the skin on and cook them ahead of time, eating them chilled, such as in a salad.

What are purple potatoes called? ›

Purple potato varieties

It is also often called china truffle potato because of its small, elongated shape. The purple potato offers a distinctive spicy, nut flavour. Blue Swede: The 'Blue Swede' potato, also called 'Blue Congo', is a popular waxy variety.

What are the ingredients of purple? ›

In the RYB color model historically used in the arts, purple is a secondary color created by combining red and blue pigments. In the CMYK color model used in modern printing, purple is made by combining magenta pigment with either cyan pigment, black pigment, or both.

What makes purple yam purple? ›

Why are ube and Okinawan sweet potatoes both so purple? Their purple coloring actually comes from anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants which help to guard against cardiovascular disease and cancer.

What makes purple sweet potatoes purple? ›

Why Are They Purple? Nope, they're not dyed. The purple color is completely natural. It comes as a result of an antioxidant called anthocyanin, the same antioxidant responsible for the color of red cabbage, red wine, and purple cauliflower.

What chemical makes potatoes purple? ›

Pigmented potatoes, such as purple-flesh potatoes, naturally contain various anthocyanins. Reportedly, purple potatoes contain additional polyphenolic compounds, such as chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid, than white potatoes [7].

References

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