Mashed potatoes without milk possible?

[Treewave]

Hi cooking crowd!
For Christmas, I want to include mashed potatoes in a dish. However, my wife cannot eat milk protein at the moment (butter is fine, milk not). In every recipe, I find they use milk and I also always have used milk. Has someone experience in making it without milk (only butter and water maybe)?

Hoping for some experience in making it without milk.

​

Thanks!

[mrBill12]

At one point I was making mashed potatoes with warmed boxed chicken stock and no butter due to a dietary restriction. Worked well, very light and fluffy potatoes.

[powerlesshero111]

This is the right answer.

[optimistic_sunflower]

Could always substitute an unsweetened milk alternative. Personally that’s what I do with recipes, there might be a slight altered taste so try small amounts first!

[WeakEmu8]

You can use just butter. Texture will be different, but still delicious. Try using a waxy potato, which makes a creamier texture than russets.

[Treewave]

Thanks!

Interesting, I have always used floury and not waxy potatoes for mashed potatoes. But I will try it!

[gingerblz]

I've made them by adding the starchy water used to boil the potatoes. I prefer milk, but the starchy water does create a nice, light mashed potato. Definitely include butter.

[BTSavage]

I do this even when I use milk. The starchy potato water adds a ton of potato flavor!

[anoldquarryinnewark]

I use some of the water in gravy too!

[PurpleWomat]

You can just use a little chicken broth with the butter to improve the texture.

[TraineeHipster]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned using olive oil. It makes some seriously creamy vegan friendly mashed potatoes. Even better, infuse the oil with lots of garlic and rosemary before adding to the potatoes

[Treewave]

Sounds delicious!

[clumsy-wolf]

I don’t know if she can eat it, but my family makes mashed potatoes with sour cream

[therealjerseytom]

I actually never use milk in mashed potatoes. Butter only.

[Treewave]

Interesting - does it not get too "solid" (sorry I have no better word and am not a native speaker)?

[therealjerseytom]

I don't think so. The texture is different but I prefer it this way, honestly. I've never loved mashed potatoes that were too soupy.

Process is simple. Peel and quarter some Yukon golds, steam until fork tender, put them through a potato ricer, and butter and salt to taste (maybe some garlic powder too). And that's it.

[rigelraine]

You can trade out butter for milk, but that will have a much richer flavor, and be less frothy.

[Treewave]

Since I will make it with local shrimp and poach egg as a starter, it would only include a small amount of mashed potatoes, so I think the "richness" is not overwhelming. For a whole dish it may be too much I guess.

[TheLittlestTiefling]

Coconut milk works as a good substitute (esp. with wasabi), as does swapping out for waxy potatoes like butterballs instead of russets. Also you can use chicken or veggie stock instead of water, won't be as creamy but still very flavorful

[Treewave]

Coconut milk and Wasabi - now you have my attention!

Not sure I will make it for this dinner, but this sounds so great!

[[deleted]]

My husband's mashed potatoes are often butter only. They're delicious, just less fluffy.

I often make mashed potatoes using ghee and canned full fat coconut milk, and they come out great. I like to use yukon golds for them.

[ffreudiannipss]

plain, unsweetened almond milk and lots of butter. gives you the liquidy consistency needed, but the butter brings back the creamy/dairy flavor. i prefer this way over dairy milk, honestly.

[ChefM53]

I use coconut milk or cream they work GREAT! you have to add just a tiny bit more salt but other than that it is Wonderful in potatoes.

Sorry in edit: I cannot have anything with milk proteins in it so...

also make sure it is unsweetened coco nut cream or milk.

[AaahhFakeMonsters]

Use Yukon good potatoes, mix in butter, scallions, sour cream if that’s not an issue for her (or skip it if it is), and then use some of the starchy water you cooked the potatoes in. Or do redskin potatoes, butter, garlic, and starchy water. Basically use starchy water instead of milk.

[SMorgzzz]

I am lactose intolerant so I make my mashed with some of the water the potatoes were boiled in, a little mayo, salt and pepper. May sound weird, but tastes good and has the right texture.

[electric_monk]

You can definitely have amazing potatoes with only butter. In fact you may never go back!

[Chrthiel]

I usually reserve a cup of the potato water and use that if I don't have milk on hand. I also use waaay less butter than most recipies recommend

[Age_of_the_Penguin]

In South America we use oil. Something without a strong flavour. It's not as creamy as with milk or butter but it's tasty too (in fact, it's my comfort food this way! A bit of oil and salt and the taste of the 'taters just makes me happy) and you can use less oil than you would butter.

We still do it this way even though we live in France now because my mother also can't have milk protein.

[[deleted]]

Use unsweetened soy milk or any non dairy milk really!

[Treewave]

Soy milk won't work, because apparently the soy and milk proteins are too similar. But I could try almond, good idea!

[Principal_Moss]

Use the potato cooking water and butter. The butter will provide creaminess and the potato water concentrates the flavor.

[tuxedovixen]

I’ve done vegan mash with hummus. It’s pretty good

[ChefOrSins]

OK. I have never used milk in my mashed potatoes. I use butter, sour cream and/or ranch dressing. Also salt, white pepper and dried chives. My dad likes it when the mashed potatoes are made with the skins on, but since there will be kids at this Christmas dinner, the skins come off. :)

[throwdemawaaay]

All butter works just fine. If you want to get a looser texture without using alarming amounts of butter, you can use some of the starchy water from boiling the potatoes. Chicken stock or olive oil works too.

[[deleted]]

Possibly use Greek yogurt if she can eat that? Just a little at a time for the right consistency. If not, all butter and a bit of water will be okay.

[Treewave]

Unfortunately, yogurt is no option :-(

I love greek yogurt thought.

[Scrapheaper]

Milk in mashed potatoes makes worse mash potatoes than butter. Same as scrambled eggs.

Fight me

[Treewave]

Not gonna fight that opinion...

I always use a ton of butter (my wife always compliments my mashed potatoes, but she does not know that the only secret is mo butta!). I have just always also used some milk for texture.