• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts
  • Dinners
  • Easter
  • About
    • Contact Us
  • Subscribe

Bake It With Love

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts
  • Dinners
  • Easter
  • About
    • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
  • Join Us!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
      • Breakfast
      • Side Dishes
      • Desserts
    • Dinners
    • Easter
    • About
      • Contact Us
    • Subscribe
  • Join Us!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Tips Tricks and Information

    Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com · 2 Comments

    Yukon Gold vs Yellow Potatoes vs Gold Potatoes

    Pin image with text showing split image with 3 sections of potatoes.

    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?

    Square image showing split image with 3 sections of potatoes.
    Jump to:
    • Differences & Similarities of Yukon Gold, Yellow & Gold Potatoes
    • What Is A Yukon Gold
    • What Is A Yellow Potato
    • What Is A Gold Potato
    • Differences
    • Similarities
    • Can I Substitute Yellow Or Gold Potatoes For Yukon Gold
    • Which Is The Best
    • 🥔 Tasty Potato Recipes
    • 💬 Comments

    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!

    Pin image with text showing split image with 3 sections of potatoes.

    🥔 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!

    author profile photo
    Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com

    Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!

    bakeitwithlove.com/about/
    « Foods That Start With D
    What Is Vermicelli »

    Share This Recipe!

    • Share
    • Twitter
    • Yummly
    • Print

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Marc says

      January 20, 2023 at 8:10 pm

      Yukon for the win!! Nothing better IMHO.

      Reply
    2. Marshs says

      December 16, 2022 at 8:56 am

      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

      Reply

    Thanks for coming! Let me know what you think: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    Author bio photo with cake.

    Hi there, I'm Angela! I am an avid vintage cookbook collector, recipe creator, animal lover, and total foodie. I love sharing recipes that are new, fun, and creative as well as great classic recipes just like my Grandma used to make!

    More about me →

    Easter Recipes

    • Bunny Butt Cookies
    • Coconut Loaf Cake
    • Easter Lamb Dinner Menu
    • Candied Carrots
    • Easter Desserts
    • Easter Brunch Ideas
    • Easter Lunch Ideas
    • Traditional Easter Dinner Menu

    Dinner Ideas

    • Saturday Night Dinner Ideas
    • Instant Pot Chicken Soup
    • Zucchini Boats With Ground Beef
    • Instant Pot Porketta Roast
    • Slow Cooker Pork Loin
    • Chicken Burrito Bowl
    • Pasta Alla Norma
    • Beef Top Round Roast
    As seen on image block.

    DISCLAIMER: As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no added cost to you.

    CroatianCzechDanishDutchEnglishFrenchGermanItalianJapaneseMalayPortugueseRussianSwedishTurkish

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Angela
    • Privacy Policy
    • Work With Me
    • Contact
    • FAQ
    • Home
    • Accessibility Statement

    Recipes

    • Dinners
    • Desserts
    • Side Dishes
    • Breakfasts
    • Appetizers
    • Condiments
    • Air Fryer
    • Slow Cooker
    • Instant Pot

    Read

    • Collections
    • Baking Basics
    • Conversions
    • Food That Starts With
    • Substitutions
    • Food Info
    • Web Stories

    Copyright © 2023 Bake It With Love