Potato Substitutes

Out of potato? These are the swaps that actually work, with conversion ratios for any recipe size and notes on how each one changes the result.

Need to convert potato between cups, grams, or ounces first? Open the potato converter.

What to use instead of potato

  • Sweet Potato

    Produce swap

    1 cup cubed potato = 1 cup cubed sweet potato (1:1 by volume)

    Sweet potato is denser (139 g/cup vs 156 g/cup), sweeter, and softer when cooked. Works in roasts, mashes, and fries; expect more colour and less starchy bite.

  • Cauliflower

    Produce swap

    1 cup cubed potato = 1 cup chopped cauliflower (1:1 by volume)

    Low-carb swap for mash and gratin. Cauliflower (111 g/cup) carries much less starch, so the mash turns out lighter and looser. Drain well after boiling or the result waterlogs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I substitute for potato?
There are 2 workable substitutes for potato, depending on what you have on hand and which property of potato matters most for your recipe. The closest swap is usually 1 cup cubed potato = 1 cup cubed sweet potato (1:1 by volume). Each option below lists the conversion ratio for any recipe size, plus notes on how the swap changes the texture, flavour, rise, or browning.
Will substituting potato change how my recipe turns out?
Yes, every swap trades one property for another: fat content, moisture, acidity, or protein. The notes on each substitute describe what changes in texture, flavour, rise, or browning, so you can choose the swap that matters least for your recipe. Open the potato converter
How do I measure potato accurately?
Weighing in grams is more reliable than scooping cups, especially when a substitute has a different density from what the recipe expects. The potato converter on this site converts between whole items, cups, US cups, grams, ounces, and pounds, so you can scale a recipe up or down without losing the ratio. Open the potato converter

Other ingredient and produce substitutes

Find what to use instead of: