Vibrant purple potatoes are the jewel-toned, antioxidant-rich members of the potato family.
This guide covers where they come from, why they’re more nutritious, what they taste like, the different varieties, the best ways to cook them - and the internet’s most deliciously purple potato pics.
What are Purple Potatoes & Where are They From?
Purple potatoes are a broad term used to describe potatoes with naturally purple skin - including conventional, hybrid, and heirloom varieties. Their skin color ranges from nearly black to deep indigo, royal purple, and soft violet, while the flesh can be solid or marbled purple, red or white.
Like all potatoes (Solanum tuberosum), they trace their roots to the Andes Mountains of South America. Native to Peru and Bolivia, these richly pigmented tubers spread to Europe in the 16th century via Spanish explorers and were introduced to the United States in the mid-1980s.
Today, purple potatoes are commercially cultivated in South America, North America, and Europe.
Purple potatoes are sometimes referred to as blue potatoes.
What do Purple Potatoes Taste Like
Purple potatoes have a more distinct, earthy, and slightly nutty flavor compared to the mild, neutral taste of russets. While russets are high in starch and low in moisture - giving them that light, airy, fluffy texture - purple potatoes contain less starch, making them denser, moister, and firmer, similar to Yukon Golds.
The flavor difference is subtle - not loud, but nuanced. You’ll have to develop your potato palate to truly appreciate it.
The Antioxidant Power of Purple Potatoes
Purple potatoes get their vibrant color from anthocyanins - natural plant pigments with powerful antioxidant properties.
Anthocyanins are responsible for the red, purple, and blue tones in fruits and vegetables like red okra, purple cauliflower, and pink apples.
Because purple potatoes are anthocyanin-rich, they contain more antioxidants than their non-purple counterparts - up to four times as many as Russet potatoes. That stunning violet hue isn’t just beautiful - it’s biologically beneficial.
Purple Potato Varieties
There are over 3,500 varieties of potatoes worldwide - and dozens of them come in shades of purple.
While the greatest potato diversity exists in Peru and Bolivia, you can still find a wide preciously purple varieties around the world. They come in all shapes and sizes, from small fingerlings to large oblong tubers.
The most common varieties include:
- All Blue
- Purple Peruvian
- Magic Molly
- Purple Majesty
- Adirondack Blue
- Purple Fiesta
- Vitelotte
- Purple Pelisse
- Brigus
- Michigan Purple
- Purple Eyes
- Purple Viking
- Congo
All Blue is the most common purple potato in U.S. grocery stores. A small- to medium sized heirloom variety with dark blue skin, violet-blue flesh and creamy texture. Generally classified as medium-starch (all-purpose) spuds, best for baking, roasting, and mashing.
Purple Potato Season & Availability
Once considered rare, purple potatoes are now widely available at most major supermarkets - and, of course, at farmers markets (my preferred place to shop for produce).
They’re available year-round, with peak season in the fall, and food taste best grown in its own season.
How to Cook Purple Potatoes
You can cook purple potatoes in all the same ways you’d cook any other potato.
Just like other potatoes, the skins are completely edible and filled with nutrients.
Purple potatoes are very versatile. Generally classified as medium-starch (all-purpose) spuds, best for baking, roasting, and mashing.
Purple potatoes can be used in any recipe that calls for potatoes. And the results will be antioxidant-richer.
Want Potato Recipes?
Looking for potato recipes? Sweet potatoes included.
- No-Mayo Potato Salad - a bright, herbaceous potato salad tossed in smoky paprika vinaigrette.
- Crispy Smashed Potatoes - boiled, flattened, then roasted until golden brown and ultra crispy – the best of all potato worlds.
- Hasselback Potato Gratin - the best of creamy potato gratin and crispy hasselback potatoes in one epic mash-up.
- Greek Potatoes - braised in a lemony-garlicky broth, then roasted until golden — one pan, two cooking methods, extraordinary results.
- Giant Potato Latke – baked until golden and crispy with a tender center.
- Potato Soup - creamy, comforting, and vibrantly pink.
- Sweet Potato Fries - crispy oven-baked sweet potato fries served with spicy chipotle aioli.
- Sweet Potato Salad - a colorful sweet potato salad with feta and a bright maple-lime vinaigrette.
- Purple Sweet Potato Pie - a vibrant purple twist on classic Southern sweet potato pie with gingersnap crust and pecan streusel.
- Purple Sweet Potato Cheesecake - a vibrantly dramatic purple cheesecake with pecan-graham cracker crust.
Purple Potato Photo Gallery
More Purple Veggies
If purple potatoes caught your eye — you're not alone. Purple veggies are kind of my love language. More preciously purple produce to explore:
- Purple Cauliflower — the sexiest, antioxidant-rich sibling of classic white cauliflower.
- Purple Carrots — a the original carrot, deeply purple and antioxidant-rich.
- Purple Brussel Sprouts — the sweeter, nuttier, antioxidant-rich sibling of the classic green sprout.
- Purple Kale — the glam, antioxidant-rich sibling of classic green kale.
- Purple Asparagus — the sweetest, most tender spear of all.
- Purple Basil — same plant as green basil, just naturally purple and antioxidant-rich.
- Radicchio — bold, bitter and the most dramatic color at the winter farmers market.
If ya spot purple potatoes, tag me on Instagram @danielagerson — I'd love to see.
There's a whole wide world of veggie colors out there — hope this inspires you to bring more of it home and play.
Let's make waves in the kitchen.
*And for some Purple Sweet Potato Images*
Your purple potato picks are AMAZZZZING! Thanks si much for sharing! Saving this post as my purple potato go to spot! Thanks so much for sharing :)! 💜💜💜🥔💜
You are too cute Jacqui! Aren't purple potatoes simply stunning? And so super healthy too! I love them and really appreciate the feedback :).
Daniela your images are absolutely STUNNING! I’ve never seen so many pretty purple potatoes images at one time and great job with all the info! Very well written post!
You are too cute Alex! Such a pleasure to receive your super sweet feedback! GRACIAS :)!
Can I tell you just how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE this post?! I love purple potatoes so much! They always get the 'wow' look when you serve them. I love them sliced thin on a pizza.
Your pictures are fantastic and this is such a great post! So detailed!
Thank ya so much Lori! And yessss exactly they are so stunning, add such an awesome pop of purple color and are healthier too! Your comment made my day ~ really appreciate it :-):):).
i never knew that there were SO MANY potato varieties. i haven't had a purple potato yet, but i'll definitely be trying them soon!
Right?!?! That's cause the grocery stores tend to carry the same exact few varieties but yesssss there are soooo many! And ya gotta try the purple ones I think... love the color and they're the healthiest potato :)!
I love how vegetables can be so absolutely stunning without having to do much! Great photography! I have been trying to look for purple potatoes in Australia but they are proving to be elusive. I know they are so delicious too!
Thank ya so much Amy and I'm sending ya my very best find some purple potatoes in Australia vibes :)! Hope ya find some soon and I'd absolutely love to see them when ya do! And absolutely positively agreed on the stunning-ness of veggies :)!
This is such an interesting and stunning post! Your images are beautiful and all the info you are providing is so good! I am so intrigued to use purple potatoes again, when I had in the past I did not appreciate how wonderful they are. Thank you so much for the lovely post.
Absolute pleasure Jenny! Really flattered and honored to read your super sweet feedback :). And yesssss def use purple potatoes again ~ they add so much awesome color and are an even healthier potato :)! Thanks so much for your comment!
So excited to find this recipe as I love purple potatoes. We get them at our local farm stand and I wanted more info. I added lemon wedges to them as you suggest and so good. I baked them with lemon wedges and added some zest and they were a hit.
Amazing Eileen! So stoked to hear that! The lemon juice helps them retain their purple-licious color :). Thanks so much for the sweet feedback!
Okay, I am totally in awe over your incredibly gorgeous photos! I had no idea purple potatoes were so much healthier than russets. I have always been drawn to them because, well, they are purple!
Thank ya so much Aleta! And yessss they really are healthier - what gives them their pretty purple-licious color also acts as an antioxidant... how rad is that! Loved your feedback ~ thank ya!
Potatoes are always delicious. Have never tried Purple Potatoes ever. These look so colorful and vibrant. Thanks for so much of detailing to these nutritious and healthy purple potatoes.
Absolute pleasure! Thanks so much for the super sweet feedback :). And if ya ever get the chance to try purple potatoes, I *highly* recommend!
I really love Purple Potatoes! They are delicious and totally healthy. Perfect for my family.
Yaya + me too! Love the color and they really are a more nutritious potato! Win-win situation :)!
I haven't tried purple potatoes and not only are they pretty, but they are a healthier alternative, I love that! I can't wait to look for them. I think they are available as mini potatoes around here, the Andean variety that come in all sorts of colors. Thanks for the info!
Absolute pleasure Paula and yes I know that variety! And yes exactly - they're so stunning and they're color is so fun + they really are a healthier potato! Excited for you to try them :).
Haven’t seen them but your images are absolutely stunning. Thanks for sharing so much information about these.
Thank ya so much Gunjan! Really appreciate the sweet feedback and my images + crossing finger and toes that you'll score some purple taters soon :).
Wow! This is such an informative post and I got so many recipe ideas from your gorgeous photos! I already saved a few to make for the upcoming holiday season. Now I'm off to buy some purple potatoes!
Hehehehe so stoked to hear that Jamie! Yessss def get your purple potato game on this Holiday season! And I'd love to see whatcha make with them :).