If you are a potato enthusiast like us, you have definitely heard of yellow potatoes and Yukon gold potatoes. You have likely even used them in cooking on various occasions.
You have also likely noticed how some recipes call for yellow potatoes, others call for Yukon gold. Is there really a difference? We’ve done the research, and in this Yellow potatoes vs Yukon gold comparison, we’ll share our findings. So stick around to find out.
Yellow potatoes vs Yukon gold – Top differences
The main difference between Yukon gold and yellow potatoes can be summed up in a simple statement; all Yukon gold potatoes are yellow potatoes, but not all yellow potatoes are Yukon Gold.
With potatoes, there is variety. When it comes to flavor, yellow potatoes are similar to Yukon Gold. However, some differences can help you tell between the two.
Yukon gold potatoes have a more refined taste and texture than regular yellow potatoes. That is why they are often more expensive than other yellow potatoes. However, if your supplier is great, the extra coins spent will be more than worth it.
If the recipe calls for yellow potato chunks without any attention to taste or texture, you could probably substitute Yukon gold with yellow potatoes. However, if the potatoes’ taste and texture significantly affect the recipe, you may not want to make that substitution.
Another difference is accessibility. Yellow potatoes are easier to get (and often a lot cheaper) than Yukon gold potatoes. It is also hard to find a trustworthy supplier when you need to get Yukon gold. As a result, it is often more convenient to use yellow potatoes when cooking.
What are Yukon potatoes?
Yukon gold potatoes were grown in Canada and are gotten from cross-breeding wild South American yellow potatoes and North American white potatoes. It generally has gold or light brown skin with small brown spots. Generally, Yukon gold potatoes have even texture and shape. The flesh is often firm and moist when cooked and assumes an earthy, creamy, buttery flavor.
Many people prefer using Yukon potatoes in their recipes because of how tender they are and how vibrant your meal tastes when you use them instead of other yellow potatoes.
How to tell if Yukon gold potatoes are bad
You can tell if a Yukon potato has started to rot from the texture, how it looks and how it smells. Uncooked potatoes are often firm, so it has likely begun to rot if your potato feels mushy and soft.
Another sign that you should probably get rid of the potato is if it smells terrible. And we are not referring to the earthy or nutty scent potatoes usually give off. If it smells musty or foul, it is a sign of rot. Potatoes often rot from the inside out, so you should not ignore the smell even if everything looks good on the surface. Throw it out.
Lastly, any large, rotten bruises, black spots, or blemishes can signify that the potato has begun to rot. If you find one of these on your potato, you should also dispose of it. Sometimes these spots are not visible on the outside, but they give off a noticeable odor, a telltale sign of rot.
How long to boil Yukon gold potatoes
Yukon gold potatoes typically take about 15 to 20 minutes to boil. Therefore, when boiling them, place them in the water while still at room temperature. This ensures that the insides cook at nearly the same pace as the outside. Otherwise, your potatoes may end up having a weird consistency.
Gold Vs Russet Potatoes – Differences
Gold potatoes differ from russet potatoes in size, shape, color, and texture. Regarding their sizes, gold potatoes are more petite than russet potatoes. They are also rounder than russet potatoes, which are generally oval-shaped.
Russet potatoes are brown, with white flesh. In comparison, gold potatoes are a very light brown with yellow flesh. Gold potatoes have a richer taste and are not as starchy as russet potatoes.
Lastly, russet potatoes have thicker skin than the thinner, smoother skin you usually find on gold potatoes.
Honey gold potatoes vs Yukon gold – The differences
There are not many differences between honey gold potatoes and Yukon gold potatoes. Honey gold potatoes mostly come prepackaged and can be ready in less than ten minutes. They are often made with Yukon gold potatoes. You could make them from scratch or grab a bite-sized honey gold potatoes packet at the store.
In recipes that call for honey gold potatoes, you can often substitute them with Yukon gold potatoes.
Yukon gold vs Idaho potatoes – Differences
Idaho potatoes are simply potatoes grown in Idaho. A wide range of potatoes is developed in Idaho, and Yukon gold potatoes are included. In addition, russet potatoes, fingerlings, red potatoes, etc., are also grown in Idaho. So, the most significant difference between Yukon gold potatoes and Idaho potatoes would be that Yukon gold potatoes were developed in Canada and can be grown anywhere. In contrast, Idaho potatoes are potatoes grown only in Idaho.
Best substitutes for Yukon gold potatoes
Because of their unique texture and taste, finding worthy substitutes for Yukon gold potatoes is not easy. Still, we have managed to come up with a list of our top 5.
Russet potatoes
Russet potatoes work well as a substitute in baked, mashed, or fried potato recipes. Russets can easily be spotted as they are larger than Yukon potatoes and usually have white, starchy flesh.
Inca gold potatoes
Inca gold potatoes are incredibly similar to Yukon gold potatoes as a substitute. They have the same yellow flesh with the creamy, buttery flavor we all know and love. They make a mean potato pie and are great for mashed potato recipes, soups, and stews.
Carola potatoes
The closest you can get to Yukon gold potatoes are Carola potatoes. This specie has the same firm, waxy feel with a creamy, buttery taste. You can use them as a substitute in recipes that involve grilling, boiling, fries, salads, etc.
Fingerling potatoes
Fingerling potatoes are relatively tiny and tender, shaped like a finger. In many recipes, their rich flavor makes them a fair substitute for Yukon gold potatoes, except in soups.
Red bliss potatoes
These potatoes are hard to miss with their red skins. There is a stark contrast between red bliss potatoes and Yukon gold potatoes on the outside, but they are both super creamy. Hence, you can use red bliss potatoes instead in many recipes that call for Yukon gold potatoes.
Are butter potatoes the same as Yukon gold?
No, they are not the same. Potatoes with gold flesh are generally referred to as butter potatoes. This is because they typically have a creamy, buttery flavor to them. However, Yukon gold potatoes are a particular type of gold potatoes.
Can you fry Yukon gold potatoes?
The simple answer is yes; you can fry Yukon gold potatoes. They are a common choice for making french fries. However, they also taste amazing in mashed potato recipes, salads, gratins, etc.
Read also: How To Fix Undercooked Potatoes
Are Idaho potatoes good for potato salad?
Idaho potatoes are sometimes great in potato salads, but it really depends on what type. When making potato salads, starchy potatoes like russets are best avoided. Instead, it would be best to go for waxy potatoes like Yukon gold potatoes and other gold potato varieties.
What are gold potatoes good for?
Gold potatoes work well in a wide variety of meals. However, you would get the most value from them when you use them in roasts, mashed potato recipes, baked dishes, chowders, and soups. They are also great for french fries and boiling. There really isn’t much you can’t make with a gold potato.
What are the 5 kinds of potatoes we have? And how are they best used?
There are thousands of potato species worldwide and over 200 in the US. However, each can be classified as a russet potato, red, yellow, fingerling, or petite.
Due to their thick skin and high starch content, russet potatoes are best for baking, mashing, or making french fries.
You would be better off using a red potato for boiling, pan-frying, steaming, and grilling. Red potatoes also work really well in soups, salads, and chowders.
Like red potatoes, yellow potatoes are great for roasts, mashing, baked potato dishes, soups, and chowders.
Fingerling potatoes are good in several recipes, like roasts, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, and salads. However, they aren’t your best option for soups.
When cooking salads and roasted potato recipes, you would enjoy the results of using petite potatoes as they cook quicker and have a concentrated flavor.
List of waxy potatoes
Waxy potatoes are potatoes that are very moist and also low in starch. They include New Potatoes, French fingerling, Red Bliss, baby potatoes, creamers, Red Adirondack, and Russian Banana. When you need to boil, roast, or bake, they can really come in handy, as they will keep their shape.
