Mashed Potato Alternatives: Other Veggies You Can Mash
Nov 04, 2019, Updated Jun 09, 2021
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Think outside the potato and try these other mashable vegetables!
Spice up your dinner with some new side dishes. Mashed potatoes are good, real good, but we think it’s time to try some other totally mashable veggies. From parsnips to potatoes, it’s all gravy!
Explore new flavors and textures with these delightful mashed potato alternatives:
Parsnips
Parsnips are savory with a hint of sweetness and nutty flavor. They are a great source of vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, folate, and antioxidants.
Chop parsnips into 1” cubes and boil until pieces are tender. Drain cooked parsnips and move to a mixing bowl. Add milk or cream, butter, a dash of salt, and nutmeg to taste. Then blend or process until smooth and serve.
RELATED: How to select and store parsnips.
Turnips
The smaller the turnip the sweeter the taste—as turnips age, they become somewhat spicy. Turnips are low in carbs and high in fiber, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and B vitamins.
To mash, begin by peeling the turnips and removing the stem top and root bottom. Cut into 1” cubes and boil until turnip pieces are tender.
Drain cooked turnips and move to a mixing bowl. Add sour cream or cream cheese by the spoonful and blend or process until desired consistency is reached. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and chives.
Butternut Squash
Butternut squash seasoned with cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger and a sprinkle of brown sugar or maple syrup makes for a sweet side. For a savory side, spice squash with oregano, thyme, or sage.
Cut butternut squash in half, scoop out the seeds, brush inside with butter, season, and roast on a baking sheet until tender. Once cooled enough to handle, spoon squash flesh from skin and place into a mixing bowl. Mash or blend until squash reaches desired consistency adding milk or cream as necessary.
Butternut squash is low in fat and calories and loaded with nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and folate.
RELATED: Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
White Beans
Put a whole new spin on sides with mashed white beans. Sauté crushed garlic in olive oil and then add rinsed white beans, vegetable or chicken stock (1/4 cup of stock to one can of drained beans), chopped herbs, a squeeze of lemon, and salt and pepper to taste. Mash and serve.
White beans are high in protein, low in fat, and rich in potassium, iron, and folic acid.
Cauliflower
One of the most versatile veggies, cauliflower is low in carbs and high in yumminess making it a popular alternative to potatoes. Cauliflower is also very low in calories, and high in fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin C. It is a good source of antioxidants too.
Steam cauliflower until tender, then transfer to a mixing bowl. Add a dollop of cream cheese, a splash of olive oil, smashed garlic, grated parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. Blend or process until desired consistency is reached and then serve.
Are you afraid your family will refuse a meal without mashed potatoes? Ease into mashed veggies with this delicious half cauliflower, half potato, Sneaky Mashed Potatoes recipe from our brand partner Brighter Bites. Cauliflower, turnips, and parsnips all play nice with potatoes, so don’t hesitate to slip some into your standard mashed potato recipe.
It’s comfort food season, so let’s get mashing!
Which of these mashed potato alternatives sounds best to you? Which mashed veggies will make an appearance at your table? Let us know in the comments.
