Dairy-Free Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Onions

Name: Dairy-Free Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Onions
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds potatoes (peeled and quartered); 1 onion (finely chopped); 1/4 cup oil; Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

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Cook Time - 20 mins

These flavorful dairy-free mashed potatoes require no dairy substitutes but simple ingredients you already have on hand. The recipe is super easy, making it the perfect dish for any occasion!

You can keep the texture chunky and rustic or make it creamy - either way, these no-dairy mashed taters are sure to please every guest at your table.

Dairy-free mashed potatoes in a bowl topped with caramelized onions.

Effortless to make, they are best with hearty mains like turkey roast or meatloaf, but I also like to eat them alone or accompanied by vegetables.

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This recipe has been handed down for generations, and it's a winter dish we serve at our house often alongside baked sauerkraut. You have to try it; they're made to go together!

If caramelized onions are not your thing, you can strain them and use the fragrant oil or make the regular mashed potatoes.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the complete list of ingredients and detailed instructions. However, there's some important stuff to know before you scroll down.

🛒Ingredients and Notes

You only need three ingredients for these no-milk mashed potatoes, plus salt and freshly ground pepper to season them.

Four ingredients for dairy-free mashed potato recipe.

With these basic pantry staples, you can make mashed potatoes without milk that will rival any traditional recipe.

Potatoes - starchy types (*see below).
Onion - yellow, white, or sweet onion is the best. Red onion variants aren't suitable. Why do we need onion? First, giving the spuds a strong flavor is important when you eliminate rich and creamy ingredients like butter or cream. Second, they taste freaking fabulous!
Oil - we need ¼ cup of oil. Fats can make your food taste better, so don't shy away from using them! A good option is a neutral-flavored oil such as canola, vegetable, corn, or grapeseed oil are all a good option. You can also use olive oil if that is your preference.

What are the best potatoes for mashing?

I prefer Russet (Idaho) potatoes - The most prevalent variety that will mash smoothly and readily absorb whatever delicious additions you choose to include, such as caramelized onions in this recipe.
Yukon Gold - They don't mash quite as fluffy, but they balance starch and moisture perfectly. Not only do you get that natural buttery flavor, but these guys don't absorb as much water, so it's easy to keep them from getting too mushy.

Waxier ones, like red, are perfect for dishes where you want them to maintain their shape, like potato salad or adding into soups, but they don't mash well.

Even if you are not lactose-intolerant, you'll make this delicious side dish repeatedly.

How to make dairy-free mashed potatoes?

There are so many options for making them vegan, but in this recipe, you don't have to substitute the dairy-based ingredients for plant-based ones.

They are what I like to call "accidentally vegan" and amazingly flavorful. Here's how to make the best dairy-free mashed version:

🔪Step by Step Instructions

Four-image photo showing how to make mashed potatoes without milk.

First, sauté finely diced onion in oil until browned but still soft. Set aside.
Then, cook peeled and diced potatoes in salted water until tender. Or you can start with potatoes and sauté onions while they are cooking.
Next, drain them, return them to the pan, and add the onions with the oil.
Last, mash or whip until smooth or leave chunky (that's how I like them); season generously with freshly ground black pepper.

👩‍🍳Top Tips

Be sure to use cold water for boiling potatoes. They will gradually come up to temperature and cook evenly through.
Instead of a potato masher, you can use a hand mixer or a ricer to mash them to your desired consistency. Mix in the onions if you're using a ricer after mashing the potatoes.
Don't overmix potatoes. I like just slightly smashing them. If you beat them with a hand mixer for too long, you can overwork the starches causing potatoes to have a gluey texture. This is true for the regular mashed recipe too.
If you like a more rustic texture, cook the potatoes with skin on. Keep in mind that you should use Yukon gold as their skin is much thinner and better suited.

🍽 How To Serve It

A variety of main dishes go perfectly with a side of dairy-free mashed potatoes. Here's a list of my favorite main entrées that I know you will love too:

We seldom have leftovers from this fantastic dish. Still, if you do, you can use them by replacing raw potatoes and onions in German potato pancakes or this yummy British concoction called bubble and squeak.

A close up shot of no-milk mashed potatoes with caramelized onions.

❓FAQs

Can I make them ahead of time?

Mashed potatoes are best fresh. However, they can be made a day or two ahead. When I plan big holiday meals like Thanksgiving or Christmas, I make them hours prior and keep them at room temperature - since there isn't any dairy in them, there's no risk of spoiling.

Can you reheat mashed potatoes without milk or butter?

You can reheat them in the oven, crockpot, or microwave.
Oven: Place them into a greased oven-safe dish, sprinkle with a bit of broth or water and cover with aluminum foil. Place in a preheated oven at 350 F until heated through, about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Crockpot: Heat them on high for 1 to 1 ½ hour, giving them a good stir halfway through.
Microwave: Heat individual portions in a microwave-safe dish for 1 minute at a time until thoroughly warmed.

Can you freeze no dairy mashed potatoes?

I haven't tried freezing this recipe (there are never any leftovers). Mashed potatoes need a good deal of milk and butter to keep their texture when frozen, but since there's a decent amount of oil here, they might be suitable for freezing.

😋 Other Potato Dishes to Try

Did you know you can make desserts with potatoes? Try my no-bake peanut butter and potato candy and my favorite no-bake potato chocolate rum bars!

No dairy mashed potatoes with caramelized onions and parsley on top.

Liked this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and/or a review in the comments section. Your feedback is always appreciated! Stay in touch through Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook! Don't forget to sign up for my email list below too!