Up Protein and Lower Carbs by Cooking This Healthy Recipe For Mashed Potatoes

By Michele Foley

Updated on 12/23/2015 at 7:45 PM

POPSUGAR Photography | Michele Foley
POPSUGAR Photography | Michele Foley

Mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple, but they're also notorious for being high in both calories and fat — and not the good kind, either. It's butter, cream, and more butter that traditionally give the dish its richness, but these ingredients are hardly necessary. With a few simple swaps — and a secret ingredient — this lightened-up recipe will save on calories, fat, and yes, even carb counts. Not only that, but the dish also gets a nice boost of protein from the Greek yogurt, which helps give the mashed potatoes a smooth and creamy texture.

Related: 40+ Lightened-Up Thanksgiving Recipes You'll Definitely Want to Try

Lower-Carb Mashed Potatoes

Yield8 servings
Calories167

From Michele Foley, POPSUGAR Fitness

INGREDIENTS

    • 8 Yukon Gold potatoes, peel left on, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 3 cups)
    • 4 large cloves garlic, peeled and quartered
    • 3/4 large head cauliflower, separated into florets (about 3 cups)
    • 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
    • 1/2 cup chicken (or veggie) broth
    • 1/3 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
    • Salt and pepper, to taste
    • For the garnish:
    • Fresh chives, chopped

    INSTRUCTIONS

    1. Add potatoes and garlic to a large pot of boiling water, cook for about 10 minutes. Then add cauliflower; cook for an additional 7-10 minutes, or until both the potatoes and cauliflower are tender.

    2. Remove from heat, drain the contents of the pot, and transfer mixture to a large bowl. Add butter, broth, yogurt, salt, and pepper. Using a hand mixer, whip to desired consistency.

    3. Garnish with fresh chives and serve.

    Notes

    Yukon Gold potatoes are naturally creamy and sweet, and the skins taste like butter. If you can't find Yukon Golds, substitute with Yellow Finns.