KFC mashed potatoes aren’t made from fresh potatoes but are an instant potato recipe. KFC mashed potatoes aren’t vegan because the ingredients contain milk. Also, KFC’s mashed potatoes have almost a quarter of the daily recommended sodium intake and over 100 ingredients like food additives and preservatives.
Are KFC’s Mashed Potatoes Made From Real Potatoes?
KFC’s mashed potatoes are not made from scratch. Instead, the fast-food chain uses powdered potatoes, known as instant mashed potatoes.
KFC doesn’t make its mashed potatoes from scratch due to the time it would take to do so.
For example, if KFC made its mashed potatoes from scratch daily, it would be challenging to keep up with the customer demand.
Instant mashed potatoes are easier to prepare and keep up with lunch and dinner rushes.
Additionally, it would be hard for KFC to keep real potatoes fresh and make space for proper storage.
Why Do KFC Mashed Potatoes Taste Like Real Mashed Potatoes?
If you’re like most people, learning that KFC’s mashed potatoes are made from instant potatoes may be a surprise.
Several KFC fans note that the restaurant’s mashed potatoes taste like they’re made from natural, fresh potatoes.
The menu item tastes like it was made fresh thanks to several food additives and preservatives in KFC’s mashed potatoes.
In addition to that, some of the food additives in KFC mashed potatoes include the following:
- Maltodextrin
- Diglycerides
- Sodium Bisulphite
- BHT
What Are the Ingredients in KFC’s Mashed Potatoes?
You’re probably curious about the ingredient list because KFC mashed potatoes aren’t made from fresh potatoes.
Currently, KFC mashed potatoes contain over 100 ingredients due to the food additives and preservatives, and listed below are the more prominent ingredients in KFC mashed potatoes:
- Potato (Dry)
- Salt
- Maltodextrin
- 2% Or Less Of Whey Product (Whey, Calcium Caseinate, Calcium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate)
- Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Soybean, Cottonseed)
- Vegetable Mono and Diglycerides
- Spice
- Artificial Color
- Natural and Artificial Flavor
- Calcium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate
As you may note above, KFC’s mashed potatoes contain many unnatural or artificial ingredients.
However, using artificial ingredients is quite common in the fast-food industry, as it helps keep costs down so restaurants can offer lower prices.
Also, one benefit of the artificial flavorings is that they give the mashed potatoes a delicious taste that keeps customers returning to KFC for more.
Are KFC Mashed Potatoes Vegan?
Unfortunately, KFC’s mashed potatoes aren’t vegan. Currently, they contain milk, which excludes them from a typical vegan diet.
However, with vegan and vegetarian diets slowly gaining more popularity, it’s certainly possible that KFC will switch its recipe to make vegan-friendly mashed potatoes in the future.
In the meantime, the mashed potatoes from KFC are one thing vegans will have to pass up.
Does KFC Have Any Vegan Options on its Menu?
Although KFC’s mashed potatoes aren’t currently vegan-friendly, the fast-food chain offers several menu items that appeal to vegans. For example, some of the vegan options on KFC’s menu include:
- BBQ Baked Beans
- Corn on the Cob (request no butter)
- Green Beans
- Potato Wedges (Fries)
- Sweet Kernel Corn (request no butter)
- House Side Salad (No Cheese)
- Marzetti Light Italian Dressing
- Apple Turnover
- Apple Sauce
KFC’s vegan-friendly options are side dishes, which shouldn’t come as a surprise because the fast-food chain is best known for its fried chicken.
Therefore, while some vegan options are available, KFC’s limited offerings are due to its status as a fried chicken establishment.
To learn more, check out our articles on whether or not KFC has potato wedges, if KFC has grilled chicken, and where does KFC gets its chicken.
