Say goodbye to regular mashed potatoes and welcome the recipe you will use going forward! Mashed potatoes without milk require only four ingredients, are made in little to no time, and will elevate any meal any day of the week. Ready in under 30 minutes, for a side dish that is better than yummy!

This is the side recipe I make sure to prepare for every single event. Looking for Christmas recipes for sides? Not me! Between mashed potatoes without milk, sage and onion stuffing, and homemade gravy I am covered!
Peeled potatoes are diced and cooked in salted water. As soon as fork tender, they are mashed in the food mill with butter, and finally mixed with luxurious heavy cream.
That's all there is to it. The best mashed potatoes in only 25 minutes.
Well, here's what you are looking for if you've been browsing for recipes for Thanksgiving!
💎 Why This Recipe Works
🛒 Ingredients
- Potatoes: Any type of white potato you have will work, but here are a few notes if you can choose. Due to their high starch content, Russet potatoes are the go-to for incredibly fluffy mashed potatoes. Yukon Gold potatoes are your best bet if you're after a creamy, buttery flavor. Other options are red potatoes for a slightly waxy yest creamy texture, and Kind Edward for a nutty flavor. Should you not find any of these, all-purpose potatoes, yellow potatoes, or Maris Piper will work well, too!
Be sure to check the recipe card for all the ingredients and steps you need—every detail counts!
♻️ Substitutions and Variations
- Heavy Cream: Half and half is a great alternative, as well as single cream or sour cream. We have created a list of the 12 best heavy cream substitutes in case you need to use what you already have at home!
- Cream Cheese: This is a bit of an all-rounder, as you can use it instead of cream or butter, but if you use it instead of both, then you will lose the richness of the recipe.
- Dairy-Free Mashed Potatoes or Vegan Mashed Potatoes Recipe: Swap the dairy butter and cream for vegan options. Dairy-free butter like Earth Balance or Melt vegan butter great options, as well as olive oil. Vegan heavy cream can be found in most grocery stores, and popular brands are Silk and MimicCreme, while Trader Joe's has its own brand. Avoid flavored creams, such as coconut, as these will change the taste of the mashed potatoes. You can also use dairy free milk such as oat milk or soy milk if you can't find cream, but coconut milk and almond milk won't work because of their sweetness and flavor.
- Broth: Many suggest using vegetable broth or chicken broth, but neither will bring the richness this recipe offers. It's a no from me!
👩🏻🍳 How to Make (step-by-step)
- Peel, cube, and boil the potatoes until fork-tender. [Picture 1]
- Mash the potatoes with some butter using a food mill. [Picture 2]
- Add the cream and mix well using a wooden spoon. [Picture 3]
- Enjoy your no milk mashed potatoes hot! [Picture 4]
🙋♀️ People Also Ask [FAQs]
Start with cold water to ensure even cooking. Adding potatoes to boiling water can cause them to cook unevenly.
Avoid over-mixing the potatoes. Use a potato masher, ricer, or food mill instead of a mixer, which can overwork the starches and make them gluey.
Yes, you can make them a day ahead. Reheat in the oven or on the stovetop, adding a little water or extra butter to keep them creamy.
Store the mashed potatoes without milk in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat them with a splash of water or butter to restore creaminess. You can also freeze them for up to three months. Before reheating them, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator.
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- Always salt the boiling water: Potatoes absorb salt while cooking, and this makes the end result taste much better. Always salt your cooking water!
- Mash potatoes while hot: Potatoes are much easier to mash while they are still hot! Keep this in mind especially if you are using a manual piece of equipment, like a potato masher.
- Everyday Side: These no milk mashed potatoes are perfect with German Goulash, as a carb for Bolognese Sauce, and even with some stuffed chicken breast wrapped in Parma ham!
🍴 More Delicious Recipes to Try
🍽️ Recipe
Creamy Mashed Potatoes Without Milk
Ingredients
- 600 g White Potatoes
- 50 g Butter Lightly Salted
- 150 ml Heavy Cream [Double Cream]
- Salt to Taste
Instructions
- Take the butter and cream out of the refrigerator to allow them to reach room temperature.
- Peel and chop the potatoes into one-inch cubes. If there are dark spots on the potatoes, cut them out.
- Rinse the potatoes under running water to remove any excess starch. This will help keep the potatoes fluffy and creamy, reducing their chance of becoming gluey.
- Add the potatoes to a large pot of room temperature water. Bring the water to a light simmer, and salt generously.
- Cook the potatoes until fork tender. Avoid boiling potatoes on high heat, as a gentle simmer will keep them intact.
- Drain the cooked potatoes and proceed to the next step straight away, while they are still hot.
- Mash the hot potatoes using a food mill back into the same large pan. Usiung this to mash your potatoes will offer the smoothest result.
- While mashing the potatoes, add the chunks of butter as well. The heat of the potatoes will help it melt well; there is no reason to use melted butter.
- Once all the potatoes are mashed, add the cream and mix well using a wooden spoon.
- Heat up the mashed potatoes without milk on low medium heat, mixing frequently. As soon as they are thoroughly hot again, which shouldn't take longer than a minute, remove from the heat and serve.
- Enjoy your mashed potatoes with your main course of meat, vegetables, or fish!
Notes
- Dairy-Free Mashed Potatoes or Vegan Mashed Potatoes: Swap the dairy butter and cream for vegan options. Dairy-free butter like Earth Balance or Melt vegan butter great options, as well as olive oil. Vegan heavy cream can be found in most grocery stores, and popular brands are Silk and MimicCreme, while Trader Joe's has its own brand. Avoid flavored creams, such as coconut, as these will change the taste of the mashed potatoes. You can also use dairy free milk such as oat milk or soy milk if you can't find cream, but coconut milk and almond milk won't work because of their sweetness and flavor.
- In the fridge: Leftover mashed potatoes can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to four days.
- In the freezer: You can freeze mashed potatoes in an airtight container or a freezer bag for up to three months.
- Reheating: If frozen, allow them to thaw overnight in the fridge. Stir a couple of tablespoons of water through the mashed potatoes without milk and reheat on medium heat until piping hot; they can also be reheated in the microwave.
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