These Healthy Mashed Potatoes are lighter than traditional mashed potatoes but still creamy and loaded with flavor. These mashed potatoes are made in the Instant Pot for an even quicker recipe and will be everyone’s new favorite side dish!
You are going to love these lightened up healthy mashed potatoes that have much less butter and cream than traditional mashed potatoes but are still so flavorful and creamy. Nobody will know they are even healthy, which is the best part!
You may also love these Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes or Mashed Butternut Squash.
Creamy mashed potatoes are a classic side dish that goes with so many things like chicken, pork or steak for rounding out any meal. My family just loves mashed potatoes of any kind and they went crazy for this healthy mashed potatoes recipe!
Plus, you can easily make them in the Instant Pot or the stovetop, which is great! Cooking mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot takes slightly less time than on the stovetop and I think yield much fluffier, flavor packed mashed potatoes.
Why You’ll Love This Healthy Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- Flavorful, smooth and creamy potatoes every time!
- Easy to make with a few simple ingredients right in the Instant Pot
- Healthier than traditional mashed potatoes with less cream and butter.
- Perfect easy side dish for the holidays
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love This Healthy Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- What are the best potatoes for mashing?
- Ingredients and Substitutions
- Recommended Kitchen Tools
- How To Make Healthy Mashed Potatoes
- Top Tips For Making the Best Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Stovetop Mashed Potatoes
- Ways to serve healthy instant pot mashed potatoes
- Storing and reheating mashed potatoes
- FAQs
- More Healthy Side Dishes To Try!
- Healthy Mashed Potatoes
What are the best potatoes for mashing?
The best potatoes to use for mashed potatoes are Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes since they are higher in starch and lower in moisture, yielding creamier, smoother mashed potatoes. I love Yukon Gold potatoes since they peel easily and are creamier than russets but either one will work great!
Ingredients and Substitutions
You only need a few simple healthy ingredients to make these healthy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes. Here is what you’ll need:
- Yukon Gold potatoes – as I mentioned above, I used Yukon Gold potatoes for this recipe because those are my favorite but Russets are great too!
- Butter – just 2-3 tablespoons of butter are used in this recipe, keeping it slightly lighter than traditional mashed potatoes.
- Sour cream – I used light sour cream and it gave the potatoes this tangy, creamy taste and texture that is everything. You could also use plain Greek yogurt.
- Milk – I used a reduced fat milk which added to the creaminess and smoothness of the potatoes. You can use any type of plain milk you have. You can also use chicken or vegetable stock, which also adds some nice flavor.
- Dried thyme – potatoes love thyme, it enhances the flavors and gives them this pop of herby flavor that is so delicious. You can use dried or fresh thyme.
- Garlic powder – I prefer garlic powder in my mashed potatoes because I am not a fan of big chunks of garlic but you could also use minced garlic if you prefer.
- Salt & pepper – are used to enhance the other flavors and round out the recipe.
Recommended Kitchen Tools
- Cutting board + kitchen knife
- Instant Pot
- Potato masher
How To Make Healthy Mashed Potatoes
Here is a summary for how to make this mashed potatoes recipe with step-by step photos. Get the complete list of recipe ingredients, instructions and nutrition in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Peel and chop the potatoes into 1-inch pieces.
- Add the potatoes to the Instant Pot and cover them with water. Secure the lid, set the valve to “sealing” and cook on manual mode for 8 minutes, then do a quick release.
- Drain the potatoes from the water, return them to the pot then add the rest of the ingredients (butter, milk, sour cream, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper).
- Mash the potatoes using a potato masher until smooth and creamy. Taste and season more if needed. Serve and enjoy!
Top Tips For Making the Best Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Cook the potatoes in the Instant Pot for quick, perfectly soft, and flavorful results. You can use the stovetop, but pressure cooking makes them tender in minutes and keeps them warm until serving.
- Cut the potatoes in even sizes so they cook all at the same time. I like to cut mine into 1-inch size pieces.
- Mash and season the cooked potatoes while they are still hot. It is much easier to mash and season the potatoes while they are hot so they do not become gummy and less flavorful. Plus, you do not want to overmash potatoes or they become less creamy and light.
- For creamier potatoes, warm the butter and milk before adding it to the potatoes. This will give the potatoes an even creamier, smooth texture.
- Use thyme in your potatoes. I had these incredible mashed potatoes once on a cruise in Hawaii and the chef said “potatoes love thyme” and I never forgot that. He was so right! Adding just a little bit of thyme to your mashed potatoes makes a huge difference in the flavor.
Stovetop Mashed Potatoes
Don’t have an Instant Pot? You can also make these healthy mashed potatoes on the stovetop. Her is how to do it:
- Peel the potatoes and cut them into 1-inch cubes, then add them to a medium pot.
- Cover the potatoes with water, add a pinch of salt, then bring them to a boil on the stovetop then simmer until fork tender – 12-15 minutes. Drain the potatoes using a strainer then place them back into the pot you cooked them in.
- Add the butter, milk, sour cream and seasoning to the potatoes and mash them up using a potato masher. You can also use a ricer to rice the potatoes before adding them back to the pot. This makes them smoother like restaurant-style mashed potatoes.
- If the potatoes are too lumpy then add a splash of milk. If you want them creamer add 1-2 more tablespoons of sour cream or Greek yogurt. You can also warm the milk and butter in a small pot on the stovetop for a few minutes on low-medium heat before adding it to the potatoes for even creamy mashed potatoes.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Ways to serve healthy instant pot mashed potatoes
Mashed potatoes of any kind make a wonderful classic side dish that goes with so many things. Here are a few other recipes you can serve them with:
- Turkey breast – mashed potatoes go great with turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce for a simple Thanksgiving meal that is classic and delicious!
- Meatloaf – the best meat and potatoes dinner that I remember so much from my childhood and it was always so good!
- Pork tenderloin – a classic meal that the whole family will love!
- Chicken thighs – we love chicken thighs with mashed potatoes and a veggie like asparagus for an easy weeknight dinner that is also great for entertaining.
Storing and reheating mashed potatoes
Store healthy mashed potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat them gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of milk or cream, stirring occasionally until warm and creamy. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 1 month and thaw overnight before reheating.
FAQs
Yes, mashed potatoes can be healthy if you prepare them using healthier alternatives like Greek yogurt or light sour cream, reduced fat milk or stock, and using less butter.
One way I like to lighten up mashed potatoes even more is by swapping half the potatoes I am using with cauliflower florets. You can cook them along with the potatoes and they also mash great too! Subbing stock for the milk or cream is also another way to make them healthier but still delicious!
I always say that potatoes are a great weight loss food because they fill you up quickly and are loaded with nutrients. If you enjoy them in moderation and prepare them in a healthier way they are good for losing weight. That is my personal opinion.
More Healthy Side Dishes To Try!
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Did you try this healthy mashed potatoes recipe? If you did, then please leave a rating and comment below, I would love to hear how yours turned out!
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Healthy Mashed Potatoes
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 Servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These healthy mashed potatoes are made in the Instant Pot using a few simple, healthy ingredients. The potatoes come out wonderfully creamy, flavorful and smooth and make the best healthy side dish that everyone will love!
Ingredients
- 3lbs Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes
- 2–3 Tablespoons butter
- ½ cup milk or stock
- ½ cup light sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Chopped chives – optional for serving
Instructions
- Scrub the potatoes clean and dry them well, then peel them, chop them into even size pieces and add them to the Instant Pot.
- Cover the potatoes with water and salt the water very well (adding about 1-2 teaspoons of salt). Secure the lid, set the valve to the “sealing” position and cook the potatoes on manual mode for 8 minutes. Once the pot counts down the 8 minutes and beeps, do a quick release and carefully remove the lid.
- Drain the water from the potatoes then return them to the Instant Pot.
- Add the milk, butter, sour cream, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper to the potatoes and use a a potato masher to mash them until fluffy and creamy.
- Top with fresh chopped chives if desired, serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes are the best potatoes for mashed potatoes.
- For smoother, creamier potatoes, warm the butter and milk before adding it to the potatoes.
- Mash the potatoes while they are still hot so they become creamy and not gummy.
- Store leftover mashed potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator or up to 4 days. Reheat in a pot on the stovetop with a splash of milk and pat of butter. You can also freeze mashed potatoes in a freezer safe container for up to 1 month, then thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Healthy Side Dishes
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
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