Healthy Mashed Potatoes

By Rena Awada | Updated On January 7, 2024

These Healthy Mashed Potatoes are lighter than traditional mashed potatoes, yet still packed with flavor! Perfectly seasoned, it’s an easy side dish that’s made for hectic weeknights or holiday dinners. Whip these up in the instant pot or stovetop.

Overhead shot of healthy mashed potatoes in a bowl.


Fluffy, creamy, and delicious, these Healthy Mashed Potatoes pack a lot of flavor without all that butter and cream! Once you try these skinny mashed potatoes, you won’t go back. This classic potato side dish is light and satisfying and so easy to make. It pairs so well with steaks, turkey, roasted chicken, and makes a perfect addition to your dinner table without packing on the calories.

Looking for other delicious sides? Why not also try my Healthy Mashed Sweet Potatoes and my Easy Tuscan Stuffed Mushrooms!

why you’ll love these healthy mashed potatoes

  • Skinny mashed potatoes. This recipe uses Greek yogurt or light sour cream and skim-milk to give the mash a creamy texture without heaping on the calories.
  • Garlic mashed potatoes. And not just garlic! The mash is also seasoned with onion powder, salt, pepper, and herbs.
  • Instant pot mashed potatoes. You can whip this up in no time! Either on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot. Simple delicious!
top view of mashed potatoes on a gray plate

ingredients you’ll need

These are just a list of ingredients you need to get to make this healthy mashed potato recipe. For full measurements scroll further down below.

  • Potatoes
  • Greek Yogurt or Light Sour Cream
  • Skim Milk
  • Seasoning: salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder.
  • Herbs: parsley, chives.

Making your mashed potatoes

How to make mashed potatoes on your stovetop

  • Cook the potatoes – Place peeled chunks of potato into a large pot of water and bring to the boil. Simmer for 15 mins.
  • Mash – Drain the pot, add the remaining ingredients to the potato chunks then, using a masher, mas until smooth.

How to make mashed potatoes in an instant pot

  • Cook the potatoes – Place the peeled chunks of potato in your Instant Pot and add two cups of water. Set to for 10 mins on high.
  • Mash – Drain the pot, add the remaining ingredients then, using a masher, mash until smooth.
top down shot of potato chunks in red pot.
A pot with chunks of potatoes being mixed with milk and seasoning in a red pot.

recipe notes and tips

  • To ensure evenly cooked potatoes, be sure to cut them in similar size cubes. Smaller cubes mean less cooking time.
  • Season your water well. Adding a good amount of salt to the potatoes as they boil means not as much salt will be needed once you mash.
  • Make sure to drain the potatoes well, this will give you creamy mash that’s not watery.
  • You can mix different potatoes for a twist on the texture.
  • For the extra smooth mash, warm the milk before mixing it with the potatoes. These allow the milk to be absorbed better, giving you smooth mashed potatoes.
  • Invest in a ricer for restaurant-quality mash. Running the potatoes through a ricer before mashing will give you that velvety smooth consistency!
  • Top with herbs and chopped green onion.
Mashed potatoes in a grey bowl with garnish.

Faq’s

What are the best potatoes to use?

Starchy varieties like Russet or Yukon Gold make for the creamiest, fluffiest, and most flavorful Healthy Mashed Potatoes. The more waxy kind – like red or white potatoes – will take you longer to mash them and the taste will not be the same.

Do I have to peel the potatoes?

If you want a lovely smooth and velvety consistency, then yes, it’s best to peel the potatoes.

Can I make these healthy Mashed Potatoes ahead of time?

Mashed potatoes are best served fresh, their consistency can change if left out and needed to be reheated.
If you want to save some time, peel and chop your potatoes in advance. Then cover with cold water in a pot, for up to 24 hours. All you have to do is then boil and mash. Perfect if you need to be more time-efficient come the holidays!

How to make these Healthy Mashed Potatoes even healthier

Want to sneak in some more veggies but keep that lovely consistency and flavor? No problem! Mix in some boiled cauliflower to the mash, it’ll take on the seasonings and blend really well.

Creamy potato mash in a grey bowl.

other healthy side dishes

hand scooping a spoonful of mashed potatoes

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Top down shot of mashed potatoes in a grey bowl.

Healthy Mashed Potatoes

These Healthy Mashed Potatoes are lighter than traditional mashed potatoes, yet still packed with flavor!
5 from 18 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6 – 8 servings
Calories: 190kcal
Author: Rena

Ingredients

  • 5-6 medium Russet or Yukon gold potatoes about 3 lb
  • 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt or light sour cream
  • 1/2-2/3 cup skim milk or as needed to reach your desired consistency
  • 1/2 tsp seasoning kosher salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp ground pepper
  • 1/2 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp dried chives
  • 1/8 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/8 tsp onion powder
  • To garnish: fresh chives fresh thyme

Instructions

STOVETOP:

  • Peel and chop the potatoes into big chunks. Place them into a large soup pot and cover with water.
  • Place the pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are for tender, about 15 minutes.
  • Carefully drain the potatoes, keeping them in the same pot. Add in the remaining ingredients.
  • Using a potato masher, mash until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasonings.

INSTANTPOT:

  • Peel and chop the potatoes into big chunks. Place them into your instantpot and add in 2 cups of water.
  • Place the lid on and set the timer for 10 minutes on HIGH. Once the time is up, quick release the steam.
  • Drain the liquid, keeping the potatoes into the same pot. Add in the remaining ingredients.
  • Using a potato masher, mash until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasonings.

Notes

  • To ensure evenly cooked potatoes, be sure to cut them in similar size cubes. Smaller cubes mean less cooking time.
  • Season your water well. Adding a good amount of salt to the potatoes as they boil means not as much salt will be needed once you mash.
  • Make sure to drain the potatoes well, this will give you creamy mash that’s not watery.
  • You can mix different potatoes for a twist on the texture.
  • For the extra smooth mash, warm the milk before mixing it with the potatoes. These allow the milk to be absorbed better, giving you smooth mashed potatoes.
  • Invest in a ricer for restaurant-quality mash. Running the potatoes through a ricer before mashing will give you that velvety smooth consistency!
  • Top with herbs and chopped green onion.

Nutrition

Calories: 190kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 221mg | Potassium: 1014mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 322IU | Vitamin C: 47mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 2mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. MEREDITH says

    Can you use blended cottage cheese instead of Greek yogurt or sour cream? My family doesn’t like the tang of the yogurt. Thank you

  2. Kelsey says

    5 stars
    I am not a Cook, but I tried this recipe tonight with my family since we are trying to eat healthier. We all LOVED it. Very delicious! It did not even need gravy to taste better. It was great by itself!

  3. Suzanne Cook says

    I like the idea of “lightening up” the calories in mashed potatoes, but strongly disagree with which potatoes are best for mashed. I’ve been cooking for 50 years. Red potatoes are best. No contest. The others are best saved for baking.

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