This is a complete guide to how to boil potatoes so they turn out perfect every time. Learn helpful tips and tricks for choosing the right potatoes, how to properly store them, how long to boil potatoes, and more!
Suitable for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.
Knowing how to boil potatoes is an essential kitchen skill, and while it may sound simple, there are some helpful tips and tricks for get it right every time. Plus, get the info you need to learn how to choose the right potatoes and how long to cook them. Yeap, we’ve got you covered when it comes to everything you need to know about boiling potatoes.
This foolproof method yields fork tender potatoes every time. You will make perfect potatoes for a simple side dish, just top boiled potatoes with a bit of butter. Or add them to your favorite potato dishes, from potato salad to mashed potatoes.
Speaking of potato salad, if you’re a fan like I am, you’ll definitely want to read this to learn how long to boil potatoes for potato salad, then check out this easy red potato salad recipe.
What Kind of Potatoes To Boil
Potatoes are available in three basic categories: starchy potatoes, waxy potatoes, and all-purpose potatoes. Starchy potatoes, like russet potatoes, are best for baking and frying and tend to fall apart when boiled. Waxy and all-purpose potatoes such as creamers, Yukon gold, new potatoes, and fingerlings are perfect for boiling and hold their shape well.
Whole, Halved, or Cubed Potatoes
You can boil whole, halved, or cubed potatoes, and the method is the same. Whether you cube your potatoes depends on how you plan to use the potatoes. The benefit of cutting the potatoes is that the pieces will cook evenly. When cooking whole potatoes, you may need to remove smaller ones first, so they don’t become mushy.
How Long To Boil Potatoes
The exact cooking time for boiling potatoes will vary slightly depending on the type and size of the potatoes.
- Cubed Potatoes: 8-12 minutes when cut into a 2-inch dice
- Whole Medium Potatoes: 15-20 minutes
- Whole Large Potatoes: 25-30 minutes
So, are you ready to learn how to boil potatoes? Gather up your ingredients and I will show you….
How To Boil Potatoes
Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.
- Gently scrub and rinse the potatoes, then peel and cut if desired.
- Place the potatoes and salt into a pot and fill it with enough water to cover the potatoes by 1-2 inches.
- Bring the water to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer.
- Cook whole potatoes for 10-20 minutes, depending on the size. Begin checking for doneness at 7 minutes for smaller potatoes and check every 3 minutes or so until cooked through.
- Cook cut potatoes for 8-12 minutes. Begin checking for doneness at 4 minutes for smaller potatoes and check every minute or so until cooked through.
Pro Tips
- Scrub potatoes gently to remove any dirt before cooking.
- Cut potatoes will tend to brown. While this doesn’t affect the taste, it is not visually appealing. It is best to prep potatoes just before cooking.
- Cut potatoes should be cut into 2-inch cubes. You can also boil halved potatoes.
- Add one teaspoon of salt per pound of potatoes to the water.
- Boil potatoes without a lid. Using a lid can cause the potatoes to become mushy.
- Once the potatoes are cooked, drain potatoes as soon as possible. Potatoes that sit in water will become extra starchy and continue to cook.
- You can quickly halt the cooking process by running under cold water or plunging the potatoes into ice water and then draining them immediately.
- Begin checking for doneness several minutes before you expect them to be fully cooked.
- Reserve the cooking water to add flavor to soups and other recipes.
How To Tell When Potatoes Are Cooked
Overcooked potatoes can be mushy, and undercooked potatoes are not very tasty. Checking for doneness is important and can be quickly done by piercing the potatoes with a fork, knife, or any sharp kitchen tool. When the tool easily pierces into the center of the potato, they are done.
How To Pick The Best Potatoes
Most recipes will specify the type of potato to use. As the cook, you can make some adjustments, but generally, you want to stay within the same family if you make a swap. Swap a waxy potato for a waxy potato, a starchy potato for a starchy potato.
Once you have selected a kind of potato, it’s time to choose the best potatoes in the bin. Look for potatoes that are even in color with no green showing and no mushy or bruised spots. Some potatoes may have small eyes, which are fine but avoid potatoes that have started to sprout.
Especially when boiling whole potatoes, select potatoes that are similar in size for even cooking.
How To Store Potatoes
Raw, uncooked potatoes like lots of air circulation. Store them in a basket or bowl with plenty of ventilation. They can be stored at room temperature but do best in cooler temps around 50 degrees F / 10 degrees C.
Keeping potatoes in a root cellar or basement will extend their shelf life. Cooked potatoes can be stored in an airtight container inside the fridge for up to three days.
FAQs
Start the potatoes in cold water for even cooking. Boiling the water first will cause the outside of the potatoes to become mushy before the inside of the potatoes are cooked. Add enough water to cover the potatoes by 1-2 inches, as the potatoes absorb some water during cooking.
Adding salt to the cooking water helps to add flavor to the potatoes. If you prefer less salt in your diet, you can certainly omit it. Leaving the salt out will not affect the cooking process. Add about 1 teaspoon of salt per pound of potatoes.
If you need to cube the potatoes and do not want the skins in your final recipe, peel the potatoes before cooking. Leave the peels in place for whole potatoes, and they will easily slide off after cooking.
More Recipes You May Like
- Crockpot Mashed Potatoes.
- Easy Instant Pot Mashed Potato.
- Potato Pancakes (with leftover mashed potatoes).
- Crispy Air Fryer Baked Potatoes.
- Perfect Instant Pot Baked Potatoes.
- Creole Hasselback Potatoes.
Serving Suggestions
Weight Watchers Points
There are 5 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.
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How To Boil Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds (900g) potatoes
- salt
- water
Instructions
- Gently scrub and rinse the potatoes, then peel and cut if desired.
- Place the potatoes and salt into a pot and fill it with enough water to cover the potatoes by 1-2 inches.
- Bring the water to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer.
- Cook whole potatoes for 10-20 minutes, depending on the size. Begin checking for doneness at 7 minutes for smaller potatoes and check every 3 minutes or so until cooked through.
- Cook cut potatoes for 8-12 minutes. Begin checking for doneness at 4 minutes for smaller potatoes and check every 1 minute or so until cooked through.
Notes
- Cut potatoes should be cut into 2-inch cubes. You can also boil halved potatoes.
- Add one teaspoon of salt per pound of potatoes.
- Boil potatoes without a lid. Using a lid can cause the potatoes to become mushy.
- Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them as soon as possible. Potatoes that sit in water will become extra starchy and continue to cook.
- You can quickly halt the cooking process by running under cold water or plunging the potatoes into ice water and draining them immediately.
- Begin checking for doneness several minutes before you expect them to be fully cooked.
- Reserve the cooking water to add flavor to soups and other recipes.
- There are 5 WW Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.
This comprehensive guide includes all the information you need to successfully boil potatoes. It also includes some helpful hints and techniques.
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