Yukon gold vs yellow potatoes vs gold potatoes - here's a guide to all of the similarities and differences between them! In fact, I'm even going to let you know which ones are the best for different recipes! Keep on reading to find out everything you need to know about these tasty spuds.
Differences & Similarities of Yukon Gold, Yellow & Gold Potatoes
In case you didn't know, not all potatoes are the same! They range in starch content from starchy to waxy, have different flavors and consistencies, and even look different!
If you've ever perused the potato section in the produce department, you may have noticed some different terms being thrown around like Yukon gold, yellow, red, russet, and gold. At first glance, it may appear that potatoes labeled Yukon gold, yellow, or gold, all seem to be extremely similar. So is there a difference?
Jump to:
What Is A Yukon Gold
A Yukon gold is actually a combination of both a yellow and white potato. More specifically, a wild yellow potato from South America and a white potato from North America.
It has thin, smooth skin that is slightly yellow in color and is a fantastic all-purpose potato that is extremely versatile in cooking. They have a naturally buttery flavor and are in between being starchy or waxy.
This potato was created in Canada in the 1960s by a scientist named Gary Johnston, but it wasn't released to the market until 1980. Interestingly, this was the first potato to be released from Canada with an actual name rather than just a color description - it was named after the Yukon River!
What Is A Yellow Potato
A yellow potato is actually a large category of potato that contains several different varieties. These potatoes have yellow-hued skin that is relatively smooth with few deep eyes.
They are a more waxy potato, meaning they have a lower starch content. Yellow potatoes have a creamy consistency that holds their shape after being cooked or baked.
What Is A Gold Potato
When choosing potatoes at the grocery store, you may have noticed some of them labeled as "gold" potatoes. So what does this mean exactly?
In actuality, gold and yellow potatoes are two different terms for the same category of potato! They have light yellow skin that is thin and smooth with a creamy and buttery flavor!
Yellow & Gold Potato Varieties
- Yukon Gold
- Carola
- Delta Gold
- Inca Gold
- Nicola
- Yellow Finn
- Michigold
- Saginaw Gold
- Agria
- Keuka
- German Butterball
- Hermes
Differences
The biggest thing to note is that Yukon gold potatoes are a specific type of potato whereas yellow and gold refer to a variety of potatoes. In short, Yukon gold is a type of yellow potato.
Another (slight) difference would be starch content. Since Yukon golds are an actual cross between a waxy potato and a starchy potato, it falls right in the middle of the spectrum. There are other gold and yellow potatoes that are considered all-purpose as well, but there are also some that lean more toward the waxy side.
It is hard to compare various attributes since I would be comparing one specific potato to an entire category of potatoes!
Similarities
If you grab a random yellow and gold potato as well as a Yukon gold, you most likely wouldn't be able to tell a difference in terms of flavor! They all have a wonderfully moist, succulent, and buttery essence to them.
Depending on the exact variety of yellow or gold potato, they could be pretty similar in terms of starch content and consistency. For example, Carola potatoes are the most similar to Yukon gold in both flavor and texture!
Can I Substitute Yellow Or Gold Potatoes For Yukon Gold
You can easily swap out these potatoes in any of your favorite recipes! Yukon golds are an all-purpose potato, meaning they can be cooked practically any way you like with great results!
They can be baked, boiled, mashed, roasted, fried, or grilled! No matter how you prepare them, they will be delicious!
If you are getting ready to prepare some yummy potato side dishes, make sure you choose the best spud for baked potatoes or mashed potatoes!
Which Is The Best
Yukon golds are the most popular variety of yellow potatoes. In fact, if you purchased a potato at the store that was only labeled as a 'yellow' or 'gold' potato, it was most likely a Yukon gold!
Actually, many people use the terms interchangeably, even though that is technically incorrect. All Yukon golds are yellow (or gold) potatoes, but not all yellow potatoes are Yukons!
Since these yummy spuds can be used interchangeably, there really isn't a 'best' option here! They all win!
🥔 Tasty Potato Recipes
- German Potato Salad - This traditional potato salad is the perfect side dish for any family gathering!
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes - Making your mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot makes them completely effortless!
- Roasted Red Potato Wedges - This simple recipe only uses 4 ingredients for an extra easy side dish!
- Duck Fat Fried Potatoes - This potato side dish is incredibly rich and flavorful from using duck fat!
- Cheesy Bacon Ranch Potatoes - An incredibly addicting side dish, this yummy casserole is packed with sour cream, bacon, and cheese!
- 4 Ingredient Potato Soup - This simple potato soup recipe is perfect for those chilly and brisk evenings!
Now that you know all about these delicious potato varieties, what do you want to make first? Leave a comment down below and let me know your favorite potato!
K. Sherer says
I live in a small town in E TX and I have not seen a Yukon Gold potato in 4 years. I've read that they have too many problems for growers in Canada and that they are no longer growing them but they seem to have them in some city supermarkets. When they first came onto the market they were pushed and raved about and put on sale and shoved into our baskets! Every new recipe used Yukon Gold so they were very heavily marketed. I loved them like everyone else. I switched all my recipes to Yukon Gold and now have not seen one in years and you are discussing them as if I can run out and pick up a 5 lb bag. I can't find any gold potato that cooks the same as the Yukon Gold and am heartsick they are "supposedly" no longer growing them due to difficulties with the growth. I just wish I could read one article that would tell the truth about the Yukon Gold and if it will ever be marketed again. No other potato cooks the same no matter what they say.
Angela Latimer says
This article was written a while back, and before it was published I had been able to find the Yukon gold variety of potatoes pretty readily. I just did a search for them and the only thing I could find available was seed potatoes. Which is fantastic if you have room for some growing bags or a garden you can harvest your own next year. Both Gurney's and Amazon sellers (plus more, but these are two I frequently use) had them available.
So, there's hope, but probably not of finding them in stores anytime soon 🙂 ~ Angela
Marc says
Yukon for the win!! Nothing better IMHO.
Marshs says
I will use the yellow potatoes for zuppa toscana, the red potatoes for for oven roasted potatoes and veggies, and the russet for baked or mashed, or for a soup or stew that needs an emulsifier as a thickening agent. Well, you asked!
Marsha