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    Home » Recipes » Vegan Side Dish Recipes

    Dairy-Free Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes

    By: Amy Katz · Published: Aug 12, 2019 · Last modified: Nov 1, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe - Print - Pin
    Special diet: gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, vegan
    Bowl of mashed potatoes and dinner plate with potatoes, roasted vegetables, and stuffed acorn squash for Thanksgiving.

    Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes taste rich and creamy without any milk or butter. This easy vegan Mediterranean recipe is the ultimate side dish perfect for both Thanksgiving and weeknight dinners.

    Bowl of mashed potatoes topped with chives with a gold spoon and orange and gray napkin.

    Looking for a pressure cooker recipe? Check out the recipe for no-drain vegan Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes.

    To me, it simply isn't Thanksgiving without mashed potatoes. While it's common to add butter and milk to make them creamy, olive oil is a delicious alternative.

    Not only is olive oil an important ingredient on a vegan Mediterranean diet, it gives the spuds the perfect rich and velvety texture. And using it instead of dairy makes this recipe not only vegan, but allergy-friendly as well, so all of your guests will be able to enjoy it.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Variations
    • Serving suggestions
    • Storing
    • FAQ
    • More potato recipes
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • It's rich and comforting and only requires 3 ingredients (plus salt and pepper).
    • It's easy to make in 30 minutes.
    • It's dairy-free making it not only vegan, but allergy-friendly.

    Ingredients

    For the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    • Yellow potatoes such as Yukon gold
    • Fresh garlic
    • Olive oil
    • Salt and pepper
    • Fresh chives (optional)

    Top tip

    Not sure how many servings of mashed potatoes to make? A good rule of thumb is to allow half a pound of potatoes per person.

    Instructions

    Collage of 4 numbered images showing how to make this recipe.
    1. Add the potatoes and garlic to a large pot of salted water. Cook the potatoes until fork tender. Drain and return to the pot and start mashing.
    2. Pour in the olive oil.
    3. Continue to mash until they are smooth and creamy.
    4. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and garnish with fresh chives, if desired.

    Variations

    While I've kept the seasonings simple by using only salt and pepper, plus fresh chives for a pop of color and flavor, you can easily add other ingredients to suit your tastes. For example, try stirring in any of the following:

    • Caramelized onions or shallots
    • Roasted garlic
    • Minced herbs such as rosemary and thyme
    • Pesto sauce
    • Vegan cheese

    Serving suggestions

    Dinner plate with mashed potatoes, stuffed acorn squash, and roasted Brussels sprouts and cauliflower.

    Try this recipe with any of your favorite holiday or vegan comfort food dishes. Enjoy them as they are or topped with a drizzle of vegan onion gravy or mushroom gravy.

    And for quick and easy weeknight dinners, they pair well with Pan Fried Chickpeas and simple steamed vegetables.

    • Stuffed squash on a platter.
      Vegan Stuffed Acorn Squash
    • Bowl of roasted vegetables with gold serving spoon.
      Roasted Fall Vegetables
    • Lentil meatloaf muffins on a plate with mashed potatoes, mushroom gravy, and roasted Brussels sprouts.
      Vegan Lentil Meatloaf Muffins
    • Bowl of roasted mushrooms garnished with pine nuts, parsley, and a lemon wedge
      Roasted Baby Bella Mushrooms

    Storing

    Cover and store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results, do not freeze.

    Reheat in the oven in a covered baking dish at 350°F until heated through. Or cover and reheat in the microwave. 

    FAQ

    Do Yukon Gold potatoes need to be peeled for mashed potatoes?

    Feel free to leave the skins on for a more rustic dish. However, peeling them will result in a smoother, creamier texture.

    Are yellow potatoes the same as gold potatoes?

    Yes, Yukon gold potatoes are a type of yellow potato.

    What can I substitute for yellow potatoes?

    If yellow or gold potatoes are unavailable, any thin skinned variety such as white or red will work for making mashed potatoes.

    More potato recipes

    • White casserole dish filled with lemon roasted potatoes and chickpeas with a serving spoon
      Greek Lemon Roasted Potatoes with Chickpeas
    • Bowl of Greek potato salad garnished with a sprig of fresh oregano
      Greek Potato Salad (No Mayo!)
    • Bowl of chowder with a next to it
      Vegan Potato Corn Chowder Instant Pot Recipe
    • Bowl of mashed sweet potatoes garnished with fresh chopped chives.
      Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes

    And for even more recipes, join the Vegan Mediterranean Diet Recipes Facebook group for support, inspiration, and fun.

    If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars! ★★★★★

    📋 Recipe

    Bowl of mashed potatoes topped with fresh chives.

    Dairy-Free Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes

    Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes taste rich and creamy without any milk or butter. This easy vegan Mediterranean recipe is the ultimate side dish perfect for both holidays and weeknight dinners.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate Email recipe + ingredient list
    Special diet: gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, vegan
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 298kcal
    Author: Amy Katz

    Equipment

    • peeler
    • potato masher

    Ingredients

    • 2 pounds yellow potatoes, (such as Yukon gold) peeled and quartered
    • 4 cloves garlic, peeled (keep cloves whole)
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • salt and pepper, to taste
    • fresh chives, minced, for garnish (optional)
    US Customary - Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Add the potatoes and garlic to a large pot of salted water. Simmer over medium heat. Cook the potatoes until tender when pierced with a fork, about 15 minutes.
      2 pounds yellow potatoes, 4 cloves garlic
    • Reserve about a cup of the cooking water by dipping a coffee mug into the pot to collect the liquid. Then drain the cooked potatoes and garlic.
    • Return the drained potatoes and garlic to the pot. Using a potato masher, start mashing the potatoes and garlic.
    • Pour in the olive oil. Continue to mash, adding a little of the reserved cooking water at a time, as needed, to thin out the potatoes.
      ¼ cup olive oil
    • Season to taste with salt and pepper, and continue to mash until they reach your desired creaminess.
      salt and pepper
    • Transfer to a serving bowl and top with minced chives, if using.
      fresh chives

    Notes

     
    Tip: Not sure how many servings of mashed potatoes to make? A good rule of thumb is to allow half a pound of potatoes per person.
    Storing: Cover and store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven in a covered baking dish at 350°F until heated through. Or cover and reheat in the microwave. 
     
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    Nutrition

    Calories: 298kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 967mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 5IU | Vitamin C: 46mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg

    Nutritional information is an estimation only.

    More Vegan Side Dish Recipes

    • Platter of green beans with a wedge of lemon and gold serving utensils.
      Air Fryer Green Beans
    • Bowl of mac and cheese.
      Vegan Mac and Cheese Without Cashews
    • Bowl of roasted cubed sweet potatoes.
      Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes
    • Stuffing in a casserole dish with a serving spoon.
      Mediterranean Sourdough Stuffing Recipe
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    About Amy

    Amy Katz is a vegan recipe developer, photographer, and Certified Vegan Nutrition Health Coach. She loves sharing delicious plant-based Mediterranean diet recipes that home cooks of all levels can enjoy. Her easy vegan recipes have been featured on HuffPost, LIVESTRONG, Healthline, Parade, VegNews, BuzzFeed, MSN, Greatist, Country Living, Insider, Brit+Co, Well+Good, and more. She lives in Orange County, California with the love of her life, Brad, and their adorable black cat, Ozzy.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    All commentsI made this
    1. Linda

      August 25, 2019 at 11:07 am

      5 stars
      I made these today, together with your recipe for oven roasted mushrooms and pine nuts. Both were amazingly good! That and a salad was our dinner! Super easy to make and so delicious. They will be used as sides for holiday dinners as well! Keep these wonderful recipes coming.

      Reply
      • Amy Katz

        August 25, 2019 at 11:50 am

        What a wonderful meal! I'm so happy you enjoyed the recipes, Linda!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Amy! As a Certified Vegan Nutrition Health Coach, my passion is creating vegan Mediterranean diet recipes to inspire everyone to choose plant-based meals more often. At Veggies Save The Day you'll find simple delicious recipes that are easy to make any night of the week.

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