How Long To Boil Potatoes for Potato Salad

Boil perfect potatoes for making your favorite potato salad recipe.

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Western

Diet Gluten Free

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Total Time 20

Servings

Calories 87kcal

Gently scrub and rinse the potatoes to remove any dirt. Peel the potatoes and cut them into 2-inch cubes.
Add the potatoes and 2 teaspoons of salt into a pot and then fill it with cold water so the potatoes are submerged 1 ½ inches below the water level.
Bring the water to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer.
Cook the cubed potatoes for 8-12 minutes. Begin checking for doneness after about 6 minutes, and continue checking every minute or so until potatoes are cooked through and fork-tender.
Drain the cooked potatoes into a colander, run them under cold water, or immerse them in an ice bath to halt the cooking process.
Proceed with your favorite potato salad recipe.

Waxy potatoes will hold their shape better than starchy potatoes.
Salt the water to impart flavor to the potatoes.
Use one teaspoon of salt for every pound of potatoes.
Rinse potatoes under cold water or dunk them in an ice bath to stop the cooking.
Drain the potatoes completely to avoid watery potato salad.
Potato salad made with mayonnaise should be kept cool. Potato salad should never be left out for more than 4 hours.
Check for doneness by piercing with a fork several minutes before you expect the potatoes to be fully cooked.
The potato cooking water can be saved and used to flavor soups and other recipes.
Storage - boiled potatoes can be covered and stored in the fridge for several hours before using them to make potato salad.
There are 3 WW Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.