Are Yellow Potatoes The Same As Yukon Gold?

Yellow Potatoes vs. Yukon Gold – Is it the same potato?

If a recipe calls for Yukon gold potatoes, you may be tempted to save money by substituting them with yellow potatoes. But is there any significant difference? After all, the two potatoes are similar in coloring. So, wouldn’t a Yukon gold potato technically be a yellow potato?

It might be a simple question, but to be honest, I was baffled by it.

While it may seem that I am overthinking the whole potato deal, it’s perfectly understandable for any home cook to want their recipe to turn out just right. And if you’ve asked family or friends for advice, you’ve likely received varying responses.

So, can you use Yukon gold and yellow potatoes interchangeably? What is the difference between the two? Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place for the answers to these questions.

Table of Contents

Are Yellow Potatoes the Same as Yukon Gold?

The main difference is that Yukon gold potatoes are a cross between white and yellow potatoes, while yellow potatoes are not a hybrid. Yukon gold potatoes have yellow eye-less skin and are more expensive. Yellow potatoes are yellow or gold-toned, have a thin skin, and have a butter flavor. You can use them interchangeably.

Yellow Potatoes vs Yukon Gold — Yellow Potatoes vs. Yukon Gold

Differences Between Yellow and Gold Potatoes

The main differences between Yukon gold potatoes and yellow potatoes are:

They are more expensive than regular yellow potatoes
They are a cross between yellow and white potatoes
They have smooth yellow eye-less skin compared to yellow potatoes

Yellow and Gold Potatoes similarities

The main similarities between the two potatoes are:

Both have a buttery taste
Yukon gold can also be counted as a yellow potato
They can be used as a substitute for each other

What are Yukon gold potatoes?

Yukon gold potatoes are not the same as yellow potatoes but can be used interchangeably

Initially cultivated in Canada, Yukon gold potatoes are a hybrid cross between your standard North American white potatoes and smaller South American yellow potatoes. Since they first came out in 1960, they’ve become a widely popular type of potato worldwide.

Yukon Gold potatoes are characterized by their smooth yellow eye-less skin. They are much smaller than your average russet potatoes and have a significantly lower starch content. So, they are a great option for people who are counting carbs.

When purchasing Yukon gold potatoes, always choose potatoes that feel firm, and try to avoid buying bagged Yukon gold potatoes as it’s challenging to evaluate their firmness. You should never buy green Yukon gold potatoes as they contain solanine, which creates a bitter flavor that can upset your stomach.

What are yellow potatoes?

While gold and yellow potatoes may closely resemble Yukon gold potatoes, they aren’t the same, but they are close to it.

Yellow potato is a catch-all for potatoes with yellow or gold-toned thin skin and butter flavoring. Technically, this description would include Yukon gold potatoes, so it’s easy to see why so many people mistakenly assume that Yukon gold potatoes are yellow potatoes.

Common types of yellow potatoes include Yellow Finn and Charlotte potatoes. Some people include Yukon gold potatoes in their list of types of yellow potatoes. But this isn’t entirely accurate, as Yukon gold potatoes are a cross between white and yellow potatoes.

Yellow potatoes also have a lower starch content and are less likely to turn brown when exposed to air than white russet potatoes.

When shopping for yellow potatoes, avoid buying potatoes showing signs of shriveling or bruising, or green spots. Instead, choose firm potatoes without eyes.

While many potatoes can be stored in a refrigerator, yellow potatoes should always be kept in a cool, dry pantry and never stored close to onions.

Yellow Potatoes vs. Yukon Gold

So, what’s the difference between Yukon gold potatoes and yellow potatoes?

First, Yukon gold potatoes have a little white potato in them. They aren’t pure yellow potatoes but are designer hybrid potatoes. They essentially have the characteristics of both white and yellow potatoes but resemble yellow potatoes more closely.

Since Yukon gold potatoes are specially cultivated hybrids, they cost more than most yellow potatoes. But what makes them so special?

Yukon Gold potatoes are incredibly versatile and can be used in almost any recipe. While you can undoubtedly use yellow potatoes and Yukon gold potatoes interchangeably, you can also use Yukon gold potatoes in many recipes that call for russet potatoes.

Also, Yukon gold potatoes contain high potassium and vitamin C levels, making them one of the most nutritious potato varieties.

While basic yellow potatoes taste the same as Yukon gold potatoes and are lower in starch, they aren’t as versatile or nutritious.

What can you use Yukon gold or yellow potatoes for?

Yukon gold potatoes are a hybrid cross between your standard North American white potatoes and smaller South American yellow potatoes

Since Yukon gold and yellow potatoes are thin-skinned and small, they aren’t an ideal choice to enjoy a baked potato or grill up a pan of home fries. But they are still great if you want to bake a pan of cut seasoned potatoes or add them to a pot roast.

They’re also recommended in many potato recipes for homemade soups, chowder, and casserole. Instead of russet potatoes for your next pot of homemade mashed potatoes, try substituting Yukon gold potatoes for a natural buttery flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I use as a substitute for Yukon gold potatoes?

While you could simply use basic yellow potatoes instead of Yukon gold, the closest substitute is Carola potatoes. Inca gold and red bliss potatoes are also great substitutes. Although you could use russet potatoes as a substitute in most recipes, the flavor would be completely different.

What can I use yellow potatoes for?

Yellow potatoes have a relatively low starch content, so they are best used for making soup or chowder. They can also be included in baked or roasted dishes, such as pot roast or roasted chicken. Their buttery taste makes them an excellent choice for homemade mashed potatoes.

What’s the difference between russet potatoes and Yukon gold?

Russet potatoes are large with starchy white flesh and thick brown skin, whereas Yukon gold potatoes have yellow flesh and thin skin and are much smaller than russets. Russet potatoes are perfect for baking or frying and can even be used for light and fluffy mashed potatoes. Yukon gold potatoes are a lower starch alternative for baked dishes and chowder.

Are gold potatoes the same as Yukon gold?

They are not the same. Yukon gold potatoes are a cross between yellow and white potatoes. However, you can count Yukon gold potatoes as yellow potatoes. Yellow potato is a general term for yellow potatoes.

Are yellow flesh and Yukon gold the same?

Not all yellow flesh potatoes are Yukon gold. Yukon gold is a x between yellow and white potatoes. Some yellow flesh potatoes are German Butterball, Yellow Finn, and Yellow Fingerling

The last Potatoe

There isn’t much difference between Yukon gold and yellow potatoes, so it’s understandable that many people think they are the same. But, technically, they’re not.

However, you can use them interchangeably in almost any recipe. Aside from them being close in appearance, they taste the same, and both have a low to medium starch content. The biggest difference is in the price.

That said, Yukon gold potatoes are a higher quality hybrid potato. Many people enjoy the flavor and texture of Yukon gold potatoes, and you may, too. Ultimately, the best potato to use depends on your preference- and the dish you’re creating.