Purple Majesty Potato — Taste, Color, and Easy Ways to Cook It

Quick Picks

• Best Weeknight Use: Roasted Purple Wedges — crispy edges, fluffy centers, bright color.
• Showpiece Side: Velvety Purple Mashed Potatoes — buttery-smooth with vivid hue.
• Meal-Prep Favorite: Lemon-Herb Purple Potato Salad — holds texture and color in the fridge.
• Brunch Hero: Skillet Purple Potato Hash — crisp, hearty, and ready for eggs.
• Snack Attack: Oven-Baked Purple Chips — thin, crackly, and gorgeous.

Buyer’s Guide — How to Choose & Store

• Look: Smooth, deep-purple skin without cuts or green patches. Flesh should be consistently purple when cut.
• Feel: Firm and heavy for size; avoid soft spots or shriveling.
• Size: Small-to-medium tubers cook more evenly and keep color well.
• Storage: Cool, dark, dry place with airflow (45–55°F / 7–13°C). Keep away from onions. Don’t wash until you’re ready to cook.
• Sprouts or green? Discard green parts and large sprouts. If a potato tastes bitter, skip it.

Color Care — Keep That Purple Bright

• Steam or roast rather than hard-boil to reduce pigment loss.
• Add a touch of acid: A teaspoon of vinegar or lemon in the cooking water helps the purple stay vibrant.
• Cook skins-on for more color and nutrients; peel after cooking if you prefer.
• Avoid baking soda or highly alkaline water; it dulls the color.
• Don’t overcook: Pull when just tender; lingering heat fades pigments.

Recipe: Roasted Purple Majesty Wedges

Serves 4 • Time: 35–40 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 lb (900 g) Purple Majesty potatoes, scrubbed
• 2–3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp kosher salt • ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder • 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
• Fresh rosemary or thyme, chopped (1 tbsp)
• Lemon wedges to serve

Method

1. Heat oven to 425°F / 220°C. Line a sheet pan with parchment.
2. Cut potatoes into even wedges. Toss with oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and herbs.
3. Roast 28–35 minutes, flipping once, until edges are crisp and centers tender.
4. Finish with a squeeze of lemon and a pinch of flaky salt.

Tip: Preheat the pan for extra-crispy bottoms.

Recipe: Velvety Purple Mashed Potatoes

Serves 4 • Time: 25–30 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 lb (900 g) Purple Majesty potatoes, peeled (or skins-on if you like texture)
• 4 tbsp butter (or olive oil)
• ½–¾ cup warm milk or cream (start small)
• 1 tsp kosher salt • white or black pepper to taste
• 1 tsp lemon juice or 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (for color lift)
• Optional: ½ cup crème fraîche, goat cheese, or Parmesan for richness

Method

1. Cut potatoes into chunks. Steam 12–16 minutes until just tender.
2. Rice or mash gently. Fold in butter, then warm milk to your preferred texture.
3. Season with salt, pepper, and a small squeeze of lemon or vinegar. Add optional cheese if using.

Color tip: Add the acid last, off heat, and stir gently to keep the mash bright.

Recipe: Lemon-Herb Purple Potato Salad (No Mayo)

Serves 6 • Time: 30 minutes + chill

Ingredients

• 2½ lb (1.1 kg) Purple Majesty potatoes, bite-size pieces
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup capers or chopped pickles
• ½ cup chopped parsley + dill
• Dressing: ⅓ cup olive oil • 3 tbsp lemon juice • 1 tbsp Dijon • 1 tsp honey • 1 tsp salt • pepper

Method

1. Steam potatoes until tender (12–15 minutes). While warm, toss with half the dressing.
2. Add onion, capers/pickles, and herbs. Toss with remaining dressing.
3. Chill 30–60 minutes. Adjust salt, pepper, and lemon before serving.

Make-ahead: Stays bright and firm for 2–3 days in the fridge.

Recipe: Skillet Purple Potato Hash

Serves 4 • Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 1½ lb (680 g) Purple Majesty potatoes, ½-inch dice
• 1 small bell pepper, diced • 1 small onion, diced
• 2 tbsp olive oil or ghee
• 1 tsp smoked paprika • ½ tsp cumin • salt & pepper
• Chives or scallions to finish

Method

1. Microwave or steam diced potatoes 4–6 minutes to par-tender.
2. Sauté onion and pepper in oil until soft. Add potatoes, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.
3. Cook undisturbed to brown, then toss; repeat until crisp outside, tender inside.
4. Top with chives. Add fried eggs if you like.

Recipe: Oven-Baked Purple Potato Chips

Serves 4 • Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1½ lb Purple Majesty potatoes, very thinly sliced (mandoline)
• 2 tbsp olive oil • ¾ tsp fine salt
• Optional: vinegar powder, garlic powder, or chili flakes

Method

1. Heat oven to 400°F / 205°C. Rinse slices, then pat very dry.
2. Toss with oil and salt; spread in a single layer on two lined pans.
3. Bake 12–16 minutes, rotating pans, until edges crisp. Season while hot.

Flavor Pairings That Love Purple Majesty

• Herbs: Rosemary, thyme, dill, chives, parsley, tarragon.
• Acid: Lemon, vinegar, pickled onions—keeps flavors lively and color vivid.
• Dairy: Butter, crème fraîche, goat cheese, feta, Parmesan.
• Spice: Smoked paprika, cumin, garlic, black pepper, chili flakes.
• Proteins: Salmon, roast chicken, steak, sausages; also great with beans and lentils.
• Veg pals: Green beans, asparagus, broccolini, roasted beets (color party!), sweet corn.

Nutrition Snapshot (Typical, per 150 g cooked)

• Calories: ~120–140
• Carbs: ~30 g • Fiber: ~3 g
• Protein: ~3–4 g
• Potassium & Vitamin C: meaningful amounts
• Anthocyanins: natural purple pigments with antioxidant activity

Note: Values vary by soil, size, and cooking method. Skins add fiber and color—keep them on when you can.

Cooking Methods at a Glance

Advanced Ideas (When You Want to Play)

• Purple Gnocchi: Steam, rice, and mix with egg, flour, Parmesan, and salt. Simmer gnocchi until they float; finish in brown butter and sage.
• Smoked Paprika–Garlic Butter: Melt butter with garlic and paprika; toss roasted wedges for a smoky finish.
• Purple Duchess Potatoes: Pipe mashed potatoes (with egg yolk and cheese) into rosettes; bake until lightly browned.
• Marble Mash: Swirl Purple Majesty mash with Yukon Gold for a two-tone bowl.

FAQ

Do Purple Majesty potatoes taste different from white potatoes?

They’re subtly earthy and a bit nutty, with a pleasant sweetness. Texture is medium—creamy yet holds shape.

How do I keep the color from fading?

Steam or roast, add a small splash of lemon or vinegar, and avoid overcooking. Skins-on cooking helps too.

Can I swap them for Russets or Yukon Gold?

Yes. For fluffy baked or super-light mash, Russets still win. For salads, sides, and roasting, Purple Majesty works beautifully and looks stunning.

Are they good for fries?

Yes—bake or air-fry wedges for striking purple fries. They’re best when par-cooked first, then finished hot for crispness.

Do they stain?

The pigments can tint cutting boards or cloths slightly. Rinse tools soon after prep.

Can I eat them with the skin?

Absolutely. The thin skin is tender and holds extra fiber and color compounds.

Comparison Table — Purple Majesty vs. Yukon Gold vs. Russet

Wrap-Up

Purple Majesty potatoes bring color, comfort, and easy cooking to your table. Keep their hue bright with gentle heat and a touch of acid, and use them anywhere you’d reach for a classic potato—roasted wedges, silky mash, crisp hash, or a lemony salad. Stock a bag, and you’ve got a simple way to make weeknight dinners look special without extra work.