Potato Milk vs Milk: The Ultimate Verdict

You read that right – potatoes aren’t just for making fries and mash anymore! With sustainability in mind, this new plant-powered milk brings a real twist to the non-dairy milk scene. Most of you might have a million and one questions, though. What does potato milk taste like? How is it made? Why would I want to drink it? Luckily, I’m here to answer them. Keep reading to learn more about potato milk and how it compares to cow’s milk!

Comparing potato milk vs milk

	Potato milk	Cow milk (including whole, 2%, skim, etc.)
Type	Plant-based	Animal-based
Allergens	None	Milk
Vegan?	Yes	No
Paleo?	Possibly, if homemade with paleo-friendly ingredients	No
Keto?	No	No

Potato milk is a fantastic vegan-friendly and allergen-free milk alternative but it doesn’t align with strict keto guidelines because of its higher carbohydrate content. For those on a paleo diet, homemade potato milk made with paleo-approved ingredients could be deemed suitable, but the verdict isn’t conclusive. On the other hand, cow’s milk won’t suit vegan, paleo, or keto diets.

Differences between potato milk and milk

What makes potato milk and cow milk so different stems from their sources – one is plant-based, while the other is a dairy milk. Potato milk is made from potatoes, and it’s a milk that is 56x more water-efficient than almonds and uses half as much land as oats. So, it’s not just a vegan milk, but a sustainable one too. Milk comes from dairy cows and is typically pasteurized and processed after milking. It’s popular for its creamy richness and abundance of nutrients like calcium and protein.

As of now, the first and main manufacturer of potato milk is the Swedish brand DUG. Their potato milks come in three versions: original, unsweetened, and a barista version.

Types of cow’s milk

Before we take a closer look at how to use these milks and their nutritional makeup, we’ll go over the various cow’s milk options available:

Whole milk: Velvety, full-fat milk with around 3.25% fat.

2% milk (reduced-fat): 2% fat milk for those seeking a lighter touch while maintaining the creaminess.

1% milk (low-fat): Leaner option with just 1% fat for a healthier edge.

Skim milk (non-fat): Non-fat milk that preserves the nutrients and taste to keep things light.

Lactose-free milk: Easier-to-digest milk with added enzymes for those who are lactose-intolerant.

Raw cow milk (whole): Untouched and unpasteurized right from the cow, but may bring health risks along with it.

Flavored milk: Brings an extra sweet twist to milk in flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry with added sugars.

How to use potato milk vs milk

Potato milk:

• Use for mashed potatoes.
• Create creamy and dairy-free soups with potato milk as a base.
• Experiment with pancake recipes by using potato milk for a fluffy breakfast.
• Froth for potato milk lattes.
• Incorporate into baking muffins, cakes, and bread.
• Make creamy vegan puddings.

Fun fact: The thickness and neutral flavor of potato milk make it ideal for both sweet and savory cooking. 

Regular milk:

• Pour over your favorite cereal for a timeless breakfast.
• Blend with fruits and greens to make smoothies.
• Elevate your coffee or tea with froth cow’s milk.
• Incorporate into pasta sauces.
• Master a silky béchamel sauce.
• Whip up ice creams with cow’s milk as the foundation.

Can you substitute potato milk for milk?

There are many opportunities to swap out traditional cow’s milk for potato milk in the kitchen. Potato milk, with its buttery smooth texture and being one of the thickest of all plant milks, is a fantastic sub for regular milk. In terms of flavor, it will also add a unique mouthfeel and, apparently, a slightly pancake-batter-like aftertaste (although neutral-flavored overall). All in all, be mindful of the differences between the two and how they affect the characteristics of what you’re making.

Nutrition: Potato milk vs milk

If we use DUG brand potato milk as the standard, each product contains water, potatoes (4.5%), rapeseed oil, sucrose, and pea protein for an extra nutritional boost. According to some sources, the barista and unsweetened versions have higher fat contents and potato contents, much like whole milk. The original version has a 1.5% fat content and is similar to semi-skimmed milk in texture.

Potato milk is generally low in calories, surprisingly lower in carbs than dairy milk, but also lower in protein. But while it’s low in protein, it makes up for it with 30% DV of calcium and 30% of vitamin D.

Cow milk is also nutritionally dense, however, especially in its calcium (25% – 30% DV) and protein (8g) content. Depending on the type of milk, values range from 90 – 160 calories, 0g – 8g of total fat, and 11g – 13g of carbs, meaning that you can select the cow’s milk that suits your dietary preferences best.

Per 1 cup (237 ml/8 oz.)	Calories	Total fat (sat. fat)	Total carbs	Total sugars (incl. added)	Protein	Calcium	Vit D
Potato milk (~0.8 cup)	62	3 g (0.2 g)	6.2 g	5 g (?)	2.6 g	30% DV	30% DV
Whole milk	160	8 g (4.5 g)	11 g	10 g (0 g)	8 g	25% DV	10% DV
2% milk	130	5 g (3 g)	12 g	12 g (0 g)	8 g	25% DV	10% DV
1% milk	110	2.5 g (1.4 g)	13 g	12 g (0 g)	8 g	25% DV	10% DV
Skim milk (non-fat milk)	90	0 g	13 g	12 g (0 g)	8 g	30% DV	25% DV

How to store potato milk and milk

According to DUG’s website, their packaged potato milks should be stored in a cool, dry place before opening. Once opened, keep it refrigerated and consume it within 5 days. If you’re making your own potato milk, you’ll want to put it in an airtight container in the fridge right away and consume it within a shorter amount of time – around 3 days.

Cow’s milk lasts longer on average. Unopened cow’s milk lasts 4 – 7 days past the expiration date, while once opened, whole milk lasts around 5 – 7 days, reduced-fat and skim last 7 days, and lactose-free milk lasts 7 – 10 days.

Potato milk vs milk: What’s the verdict

Ultimately, both milks bring a ton of unique qualities to the table. Potato milk is ideal if you want a plant-based, planet-friendly milk that performs well in place of dairy milk. Its neutral flavor and creamy thickness work wonders in sauces, drinks, and more. Meanwhile, cow’s milk is ideal for its familiar flavor, richness, and nutrient profile for classic uses and dishes, especially those that rely on milk’s qualities.

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