Mashed potatoes are classic comfort food and there are so many ways to make them. But, sometimes when you’re short on time or don’t have all the ingredients on hand, it’s nice to be able to just pop open a can or bag of mashed potatoes.
If you are vegan or avoiding dairy for other reasons, you may have noticed that instant mashed potatoes usually include dairy products in their ingredients. Are there any vegan instant mashed potatoes?
Our top three picks are Edward & Sons Organic Instant Mashed Potatoes, IDAHOAN® Original Mashed Potatoes, and Bob’s Red Mill Potato Flakes Vegan Instant Mashed Potatoes. All of these brands use vegan-friendly ingredients, so you can enjoy your mashed potatoes without worry.
Let’s explore each one in detail below.
- How Instant Mashed Potatoes Are Made (Science 101)
- Edward & Sons Organic Mashed Potatoes
- IDAHOAN Original Mashed Potatoes
- Bob’s Red Mill Potato Flakes Vegan Instant Mashed Potatoes
- The Bottom Line
1. How Instant Mashed Potatoes Are Made (Science 101)
Instant mashed potatoes are pre-packaged precooked and dehydrated potatoes that can be reconstituted by adding water or milk and heating. Unlike traditional mashed potatoes, which require peeling, boiling, and mashing of the potatoes, instant mashed potatoes come in a dehydrated form that simply needs to be rehydrated with water.
They are available in either a dry form that is packaged in a box or a wet form that is canned. The dry form requires the addition of water, while the wet form only requires heating. add boiling water or milk, stir, and then wait a few minutes for them to fully hydrate and become fluffy.
Most instant mashed potatoes are made from a blend of real potatoes and potato flour. To make the potato flour, potatoes are first peeled and diced, then cooked until they are soft. The cooked potatoes are then dried and ground into a fine powder.
This powder is often combined with other ingredients, such as onion powder and salt. Once the desired mix of ingredients is achieved, the mixture is extruded into long strands that are then cut into small pieces. These pieces are then dried and packaged for sale.
When you are ready to prepare the mashed potatoes, simply add water (or your choice of milk) and butter if you’d like, and cook according to the package directions. Instant mashed potatoes are a quick and easy way to enjoy a delicious side dish with minimal effort.
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2. Edward & Sons Organic Mashed Potatoes
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Ingredients: Organic potato flakes (organic potatoes, mono- and di-glycerides from organic palm oil), organic onion powder, sea salt, organic black pepper
The Edward & Sons Organic Mashed Potatoes are quick and delicious – perfect for a busy lifestyle. Just add vegan margarine and your favorite non-dairy milk and you’ll have a hearty side dish in no time.
Edward & Sons Organic Instant Mashed Potatoes are also gluten-free, making them a great option for those with special dietary needs. They are made with certified organic ingredients and no preservatives, and the ingredients are sustainably farmed, making this one of our top picks for mashed potatoes.
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3. IDAHOAN Original Mashed Potatoes
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Ingredients: IDAHO® POTATOES WITH EMULSIFIER (MONOGLYCERIDES) AND PRESERVATIVE (SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, SODIUM BISULFITE, CITRIC ACID, MIXED TOCOPHEROLS).
The Idahoan Original Mashed Potatoes are a quick and easy way to enjoy the taste of homemade mashed potatoes without any of the hassles.
Made with 100% real Idaho potatoes, these mashed potatoes are gluten-free and only take 4 minutes to make.
Simply add water, salt, and margarine according to the chart below, then microwave or heat up on a stovetop until boiling. Remove from heat and add cold milk before stirring in the potatoes gently. Let stand until moist, then whip lightly with a fork and serve. Enjoy the delicious taste of homemade mashed potatoes without any of the work!
4. Bob’s Red Mill Potato Flakes Vegan Instant Mashed Potatoes
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Ingredients: Dehydrated Potatoes.
Only one ingredient? Yep, you read that right. Dehydrated potatoes are all you’ll find in a package of Bob’s Red Mill Potato Flakes Vegan Instant Mashed Potatoes. You might be wondering how something so simple can be so versatile, but trust us, it can. In addition to being an amazing mashed potato, it can also be used to make yeast bread and potato soup or to thicken sauces and gravies. The possibilities are endless!
To make mashed potatoes, simply add the flakes to hot water, fluff with a fork, and serve. These potato flakes from Bob’s Red Mill are a quick and easy way to make delicious, creamy mashed potatoes. They’re made from genuine russet potatoes and are also Non-GMO Project Verified.
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5. The Bottom Line
There are many brands of vegan instant mashed potatoes available on the market, but not all of them are created equal. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite brands to help you make an informed decision when purchasing your next package of vegan instant mashed potatoes.
Edward & Sons Organic Mashed Potatoes and Idahoan Original Mashed Potatoes are both quick and easy to make, and they taste great. Bob’s Red Mill Potato Flakes Vegan Instant Mashed Potatoes are also a good option, as they’re made with only one ingredient – dehydrated potatoes.
Whichever brand you choose, you can be sure that you’ll be getting a delicious side dish that’s quick and easy to prepare. So go ahead and stock up on your favorite vegan instant mashed potatoes – your taste buds will thank you!