Yukon Gold potatoes are great and I often use them, because they have a lovely buttery flavor, smooth texture, and are super versatile. However, there might be times when these popular potatoes are not readily available, or perhaps you’re looking for a different option to mix up your culinary creations or simply want to use what you already have in your kitchen pantry.
In such cases, it’s helpful to have a list of suitable substitutes that can take the place of Yukon Gold potatoes without compromising the taste or texture of your dish.
The good news, is that there are several potato varieties that can serve as perfect replacements for Yukon Golds, each offering its unique characteristics that could even enhance your recipe.
It was really interesting to do a bit of research into the various yukon gold potatoes and I’ve definitely expanded my potato knowledge – a potato is not just a potato!
So, here are my favourite (and top) substitutes for Yukon Gold potatoes, including how to use them and which substitute suits a particular dish.
Understanding Yukon Gold Potatoes
Characteristics
Yukon Gold potatoes are a popular variety of potato due to their unique combination of characteristics. They have a medium starch content and are known for their yellow skin and yellow flesh. Yukon Gold potatoes are often considered to be versatile, with a rich flavor and a creamy texture, making them suitable for various culinary uses.
The Potato Association of America classifies Yukon Gold potatoes as part of the “yellow” or “gold” category, along with several other similar types of potatoes. They are typically medium-sized and have a somewhat waxy texture, which makes them particularly suitable for certain cooking methods. Yukon Gold potatoes also have a good amount of vitamin C, potassium and vitamin B6, which is beneficial for our health.
Culinary Uses
Yukon Gold potatoes are considered to be quite versatile, lending themselves well to various cooking methods and dishes. Their starchy, creamy texture makes them ideal for dishes that require a smooth consistency, such as:
- Mashed Potatoes: Yukon Gold potatoes are will make light and fluffy mashed potatoes with a rich, buttery flavor.
- Potato Gratin: Their creamy texture and medium starch content help produce a velvety, flavorful potato gratin.
- Roasted Potatoes: The yellow skin of Yukon Gold potatoes becomes crispy when roasted, providing a delicious contrast to the creamy texture inside.
In addition to these dishes, Yukon Gold potatoes can also be used in soups, stews, and salads, as their versatile texture allows them to hold their shape well when cooked. They are also great for making homemade potato flour either from mashed version or from ground dried potatoes.
What are the best Yukon Gold Potato substitutes?
Some of the best substitutes for Yukon Gold potatoes are Carola potatoes, Russet potatoes, Red Bliss potatoes, Inca Gold potatoes, Fingerling potatoes, Katadhin potatoes, Maris Piper potatoes, Dutch Cream potatoes and Idaho potatoes.
If you don’t have any of these, you can also use other types of potatoes, but the flavour and taste might not be exactly the same.
To help you to choose the right type of potato, I’ve included my recipes for potato soups, mashed potatoes, gratin potatoes, salads and other simple side dishes. Now, you just need to choose the right Yukon Gold potato substitute based on the taste, texture and appearance and your dish will be as perfect as if it was made with Yukon Gold Potatoes.
1. Carola Potatoes
Carola potatoes, native to Germany, are an excellent substitute for Yukon Gold potatoes due to their similar texture and flavor. They have a thin skin and creamy, white flesh with a classic potato flavor. Their earthy and buttery notes make them an ideal choice for roasting and other cooking methods. They are also great to use as potatoes in my Hot Pot Baked Potatoes without Baking Foil Recipe as they taste great baked.
2. Red Bliss Potatoes
Red Bliss potatoes are another good substitute for Yukon Gold potatoes. They have smooth, red skin and creamy, waxy flesh that holds up well during cooking. They work well in various dishes, including salads and roasted dishes. If you are making something like my Simple Au Gratin Potatoes Recipe, the red potato skin looks great as it’s layered in the dish.
3. Katahdin Potatoes
Katahdin potatoes are a versatile and delicious option for replacing Yukon Gold potatoes. They have a firm, waxy texture and share a similar flavor profile. These potatoes are suitable for various cooking methods, including boiling, mashing, and frying. They are slightly firmer than regular potatoes but because of that they are good for freezing. Katahdin Potatoes used in a potato soup freezes and defrosts well and the potatoes don’t end up too mushed.
4. Inca Gold Potatoes
Inca Gold potatoes are a close relative of the Yukon Gold and boast a striking yellow color. They have a rich, buttery flavor and creamy flesh, making them an excellent substitute for Yukon Gold potatoes in recipes. Inca Gold potatoes work well in a variety of dishes, from soups and stews to simple roasted dishes and they are perfect in my Leek & Potato Soup Recipe and Irish Potato Cakes Recipe.
5. Russet Potatoes
Russet potatoes, also known as Idaho potatoes, are can be also used as a good substitute for Yukon Gold potatoes. Their earthy taste, slightly mealy texture, and low moisture content make them a popular choice for baking and frying. However, their differences in texture and flavor make this substitution less ideal for recipes that rely on the specific characteristics of Yukon Gold potatoes. If you have any leftover Russet Potatoes they can be easily mashed and used for baking my Potato Bread with Cheddar and Chives Recipe.
6. Fingerling Potatoes
Fingerling potatoes are a unique substitute for Yukon Gold potatoes. They are small, thin, and finger-shaped, with a variety of skin colors and flavors, ranging from earthy to nutty. Their creamy flesh and firm texture make them suitable for a wide range of dishes, including roasting, grilling, and sautéing. They are also great to use in potato salads, as they hold their shape even when you boil them.
7. Yellow Finn Potatoes
Yellow Finn potatoes are probably the closest to Yukon Gold potatoes, which makes them a great substitution to use. They have yellow skin and flesh and a buttery, earthy flavor. Their waxy texture holds up well during cooking, making them a suitable substitute for recipes calling for Yukon Gold potatoes and I’ve used them many times in my Irish Potato Farls Recipe.
8. Maris Piper Potatoes
Maris Piper potatoes are widely available in most supermarkets and local vegetable shops, which makes them a fab swap for Yukon Gold potatoes. They have a fluffy, creamy texture when cooked and a mild, earthy flavor. Being a popular choice for frying and mashing, they work well in a variety of dishes and I often use them in my Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Herbs Recipe. Because they are slightly firmer than other potatoes I also find that the mashed potatoes last much longer time in the fridge than other potatoes.
9. Dutch Cream Potatoes
Dutch Cream potatoes are another substitute for Yukon Gold potatoes. They have a waxy, creamy texture and a rich, buttery taste. Their versatility makes them suitable for dishes such as salads, mashed potatoes, and roasted dishes.
10. Idaho Potatoes
Idaho potatoes, a popular option in the United States, can replace Yukon Gold potatoes in certain recipes. They have a flaky, mealy texture and a good earthy flavor. Idaho potatoes are best suited for baking, frying, and mashing but may not work as well in recipes that specifically require the Yukon Gold’s unique characteristics. But if you can’t find any other potatoes, then Idaho Potatoes are perfectly good option.
Choosing the Right Yukon Gold Potato Substitute for Your Recipe
I always think the substitute very much depends either on what you already have in your kitchen pantry or what your local vegetable store or supermarket stocks. But you can also work out the best substitution by matching the flavour or texture of the potato that’s the closest to the Gold Yukon Potatotes. The basic potato variety groups are:
- Starchy potatoes like Russet and Katahdin, which are suitable for mashing, baking, and frying. They’re especially good for making French fries, casseroles, and mashed potatoes.
- Waxy potatoes such as Red Bliss and Fingerling potatoes, which hold their shape well when boiled or roasted—ideal for potato salads, soups, and stews.
- All-purpose potatoes like Carola, Inca Gold, and Yellow Finn. These potatoes have medium starch content and are versatile, making them suitable for most recipes.
Choosing your potatoes based on cooking methods
The cooking method you choose will often influence which potato substitute is best. For instance:
- For boiling potatoes in soups, stews, or potato salads, waxy potatoes like Fingerling and Red Bliss are recommended because they hold their shape well during cooking.
- For mashing and baking potatoes, starchy varieties like Russets and Katahdins provide a creamy, buttery texture ideal for mashed potatoes or baked dishes like gratins.
- For roasting and grilling, all-purpose potatoes like Carola and Inca Gold offer a balance of starch and moisture, resulting in a flavorful and moist roasted or grilled potato dish.
Choosing your potatoes based on taste and flavor
The flavor of your potato substitute is also super important. Different varieties of potatoes have unique tastes and mineral contents, which can affect the dish’s overall flavor. Yukon Gold potatoes have a naturally buttery and earthy flavor, so when searching for substitutes, consider potatoes that offer similar taste profiles.
For example, Carola and Inca Gold potatoes have a slightly more earthy flavor than Yukon Golds, but they still provide a buttery and creamy texture. Yellow-fleshed potatoes, such as Yellow Finn, can also be a good option for replacing Yukon Gold potatoes in various recipes due to their comparable flavors.
Choosing your potatoes based on appearance
If you want to substitute Yukon Gold potato, that’s the closest in colour, then Yellow Finn Potatoes, Carola or Russet potatoes are your best choice.
This blog post was originally written on 14 June 2023 and last updated on 17 September 2023
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