These creamy Whole30 Mashed Potatoes are the best side dish! They are easy, versatile and great with so many main dishes. They can be made in an Instant Pot or on the stovetop. Either way, they are incredibly creamy, smooth and thick!

Whole30 mashed potatoes in bowl

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • These Whole30 mashed potatoes can be made in two easy ways.
  • They are quick and easy.
  • Great with gravy on top!
  • Great for Thanksgiving, holidays, family dinners, and everything in between.
  • These Paleo mashed potatoes are buttery and velvety smooth!
  • They pair well with chicken, beef, pork, and more.
  • This recipe is Whole30 compliant, Paleo, grain free, gluten free, sugar free, nut free, and can be easily made dairy free and Vegan.
  • Check out these Whole30 Mashed Sweet Potatoes or Whole30 French Fries for more delicious recipes!

The Best Potatoes to Use

There are so many different types of potatoes. The best potatoes for mashed potatoes are Russet or Yukon gold.

Russet potatoes are high in starch, which aids in the mashing process. They are mild flavored, which is preferred by some. When using Russet, add in spices, seasonings and herbs to suit your taste.

Yukon gold potatoes have a dense and uniform consistency. They mash well and have a slightly sweet flavor!

I also love Russet potatoes for these Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes.

Russet potatoes

Ingredients & Substitutions

See above for the potato debate! Both Russet and Yukon gold are great choices.

Canned coconut milk is a great replacement for milk in mashed potatoes. It is creamy, thick, smooth and adds so much creaminess. This product comes in a can so shake or stir before use. I recommend the brand Thai. These coconut milk mashed potatoes have the best creamy texture!

Ghee is a great alternative to butter. Ghee is butter cooked down with the milk solids removed. It is very yellow and has a strong buttery flavor. For Vegan and dairy free, use olive oil.

Add sea salt and pepper to your taste.

Consider adding some minced garlic to make Paleo garlic mashed potatoes!

How to Make – Stovetop Method

Step 1

First, peel potatoes. Cut into 1 inch cubes. Add potatoes to a large pot.

Cubed potatoes in pot

Step 2

Then, add enough water to cover potatoes.

Boiled potatoes in pot

Step 3

Boil for 20 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.

Step 4

Then, drain water. Add in remaining ingredients.

Potatoes with coconut milk

Step 5

Use potato masher to mash potatoes.

Potato masher with potatoes in pot

Step 6

Finally, serve!

Instant Pot Method

Step 1

First, peel potatoes. Cut into 1 inch cubes. Add potatoes to Instant Pot.

Step 2

Then, add enough water to cover potatoes.

Instant pot mashed potatoes

Step 3

Secure lid and seal valve. Pressure cook on high for 9 minutes.

Step 4

Once timer goes off, quickly release pressure.

Step 5

Drain water. Add in remaining ingredients.

Pressure cooker potatoes

Step 6

Use potato masher to mash potatoes.

Potato masher with potatoes

Step 7

Finally, serve!

Expert Tips & Tricks

I highly recommend using Russet or Yukon gold potatoes for best results.

Shake or stir canned coconut milk before using. These coconut milk mashed potatoes are extra creamy!

Use a potato masher for super easy mashed potatoes!

Add sea salt and pepper to your taste.

What is Ghee?

Ghee is clarified butter. It is made from cow’s milk but is made by melting butter. When butter is melted, it is broken down into fats and milk solids.

Ghee is butter without the milk solids. Therefore, it is much lower in lactose than butter.

Ghee has a bright yellow hue and deep buttery flavor. It is used as a cooking oil and fat in savory dishes.

To make clarified butter, add butter to a skillet. Cook low and slow. Skim off the solids that arise on the surface. Continue to cook until all milk solids have sunk down to the bottom of the skillet. This adds a ton of flavor to the ghee.

Is ghee Whole30? According to the Whole30 website, yes, ghee is permitted on Whole30.

You can either make his product at home or buy it in stores. Look at the Asian aisle in most grocery stores, Whole Foods, Target, and Walmarts.

Variations & Add Ins

These mashed potatoes are delicious as is, but feel free to spruce them up. Consider adding:

Garlic powder

Minced garlic

Onion powder

Crispy bacon

Parsley

Caramelized onions

Toasted nuts on top

Chives

How to Serve & Store

Serve Paleo mashed potatoes when hot! They go well with chicken, steak, beef, pork, and more.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

These Whole30 mashed potatoes can be frozen.

Here it is with Whole30 Pork Tenderloin.

Pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good substitute for milk in mashed potatoes?

Coconut milk is a great dairy free and Vegan replacement for milk in mashed potatoes.

Are instant mashed potatoes Whole30?

Instant mashed potatoes oftentimes contain dairy, therefore they are not suitable for Whole30.

What potatoes are allowed on Whole30?

Yes, potatoes are allowed on Whole30.

Should I peel the potatoes?

This is totally up to you! Leaving the skin on will yield a rougher texture. Peeling the potatoes will yield super creamy mashed potatoes.

Can I just microwave the potatoes before mashing?

You can microwave the potatoes but the stovetop method and Instant Pot method work better. This is because they cook the potatoes in water, which allows them to mash more easily.

Creamy Paleo mashed potatoes

You May Also Like

If you make this Whole30 mashed potatoes recipe, I would love to see it! You can find me on InstagramFacebook, and Pinterest. I would love for you to follow along! For more healthy ideas, check out the Whole30 Recipes page.

Whole30 mashed potatoes in bowl

Get the Recipe: Whole30 Mashed Potatoes

These creamy Whole30 Mashed Potatoes are so thick, smooth and hearty! They are the perfect side dish for any occasion. Great for holidays, family dinners, and more!
5 from 18 votes

Ingredients

Instructions 

Stovetop Method

  • First, peel potatoes. Cut into 1 inch cubes.
  • Add potatoes to a large pot. Add enough water to cover potatoes.
  • Boil for 20 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.
  • Then, drain potatoes. Add in remaining ingredients. Use potato masher to mash potatoes until creamy. Or, add ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until creamy.
  • Finally, serve!

Instant Pot Method

  • First, peel potatoes. Cut into 1 inch cubes.
  • Add potatoes to Instant Pot. Add enough water to cover potatoes.
  • Then, secure lid and turn top valve to Seal. Pressure cook on high for 9 minutes.
  • Once timer goes off, use oven mitt to turn top valve to Vent.
  • Then, drain potatoes. Add in remaining ingredients. Use potato masher to mash potatoes until creamy. Or, add ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until creamy.
  • Finally, serve!

Notes

  • Russet potatoes and Yukon gold potatoes work the best for mashed potatoes.  They tend to get the most creamy and are easily mashed.
  • Use canned coconut milk.  Shake can or stir before measuring and using.  I recommend the brand Thai.
  • Use ghee or grass fed butter for Whole30.  For dairy free and Vegan, use olive oil.
  • A potato masher makes this recipe super easy!
  • Alternatively, a food processor or blender can be used to mash potatoes.
  • Add salt and pepper to your taste.
  • Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Calories: 342kcal, Carbohydrates: 41g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 19g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 29mg, Sodium: 18mg, Potassium: 1034mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 5IU, Vitamin C: 46mg, Calcium: 32mg, Iron: 2mg

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