For butter substitutes in mashed potatoes, excellent choices include olive oil (for richness and flavor), sour cream/Greek yogurt (tangy creaminess), cream cheese (indulgence), broth/milk (moisture), or even mayonnaise, avocado, or vegan butter/plant-based milk, with added roasted garlic or herbs to boost that classic savory taste.
The best substitutes for butter in mashed potatoes are olive oil, ghee, animal fats (like chicken, duck, or bacon fat), and cream cheese. Mayonnaise works as a last minute option if it's all you have in your fridge. And if you want to replace the milk and butter, use eggs.
So, the most convenient way to make mashed potatoes that doesn't take a quick trip to the store is to use milk, sometimes even 1% or 2%, and then add in melted butter to the warm milk when mixing into the mashed potatoes.
These amazing olive oil mashed potatoes are simple to make, and don't use any butter or dairy products, which also makes them vegan. Taking advantage of the complex flavor of olive oil, these are surprisingly rich, and delicious, and just might become your favorite new way to make and serve mashed potatoes.
Substituting butter for olive oil in this recipe will still deliver a wonderfully rich, and creamy texture that will be incredibly satisfying. Using olive oil for mashed potatoes is our best way to get potatoes that tickle the taste buds while amping up the healthy element of this side dish.
Gordon likes to use young garlic with small cloves, as it is less harsh than mature garlic and won't overpower the flavor of the potatoes. Just crack the garlic cloves to allow them to release their flavor into the cream. Chives are a delicate herb both in flavor and texture.
Read on to understand how the following 15 ingredients can act as butter substitutes for different recipes and dishes.
I use half-and-half: it gives the potatoes the perfect creamy texture and rich flavor. To substitute half-and-half, you can use heavy cream or whole milk. Whatever you use, start with a little and add more as needed.
Olive oil or Sour cream should work well.
Options for healthy butter substitutes
Get your comfort from this creamy American side dish, which uses healthy olive oil instead of butter to add flavor and richness.
10 Mistakes You're Probably Making With Mashed Potatoes
Usually, olive oil is best used as a substitute for butter in baking recipes that call specifically for liquid butter. In these cases, olive oil should be substituted for butter in a 3:4 ratio by volume. So if the recipe calls for one cup of butter, then you would use ¾ cup of olive oil.
Butter has a lower smoke point compared to most oils, so it's only good for recipes that use low or moderate heat to not burn too quickly. As for the case for breakfast potatoes, it will melt quickly and release the dairy into your pan, which will lead to a mushy or soggy texture before they're finished cooking.
Using high-quality fats like olive oil or beef drippings enhances the potatoes' flavor and creates their crispy texture.
Mash potatoes with a potato masher on the heat for 1 to 2 minutes (doing so will allow the excess moisture to evaporate). Remove from heat and continue mashing until mostly smooth. Add olive oil and mash to incorporate, then add milk, salt, and pepper and mash until smooth and creamy.
A ricer or food mill is the secret tool restaurants use to get that smooth and creamy texture without any gluey starch. It makes the biggest difference and it is actually so fun to use. Your holiday potatoes will never be the same after this!
Add BUTTER!
Butter adds a creamy and… well, buttery texture. Heat the Cream: Heat your milk/cream in a small saucepan or the microwave before adding. This keeps the potatoes hot and absorbs better. Add cream/milk a little a time to get the right consistency.
The Best Butter Substitutes
Coconut cream, cacao and chickpeas can replicate the moisture and flavor we get from dairy-based butter.
There's a lot of conflicting information about saturated fats. Should I eat them or not? The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fats to less than 6% of total calories. Saturated fats are found in butter, cheese, red meat, other animal-based foods and tropical oils.
To make the ultimate mashed potatoes, use both starchy and all-purpose potatoes, cut them into pieces before boiling, and make sure the water is salted. Pushing the potatoes through a ricer ensures they'll be extra fluffy, and mixing in pre-warmed dairy helps the potatoes stay fluffy and warm until you serve them.
According to KFC's website, their mashed potatoes include potatoes, whey product, salt, and some difficult-to-pronounce ingredients, natural flavors and natural colors. You'd have a hard time replicating those ingredients in a home kitchen.
Gordon Ramsay was diagnosed with and treated for basal cell carcinoma (BCC), a common form of skin cancer, in August 2025, which he shared on Instagram to raise awareness about sun protection. The cancer was found on his jawline, near his ear, and successfully removed through surgery, with Ramsay emphasizing the importance of sunscreen after his experience.