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The essential guide on how long to boil potatoes! With some simple tips, you can make perfect boiled potatoes faster – in equally little as 12 minutes on the stovetop or 6-8 minutes in the microwave. We encompass how to boil potatoes whether for salads, soups, casseroles or other dishes.

Comparison of different boiled potatoes with their corresponding boiling times to make it easy to determine how long to boil potatoes.

How long to boil potatoes

Perfect boiled potatoes hold their shape after cooking with a polish texture and peel that comes off easily.

Do you lot know how to make perfect boiled potatoes every time? Boil them on the stovetop for 12-30 minutes depending on the size of your potatoes. Or if you're in a hurry, there's a shortcut for getting them gear up in just 6-viii minutes in a microwave!

You tin can serve boiled potatoes on their own or add them to other dishes. Boiling is a good for you choice with no added fat and only 87 calories per 100 grams according to the USDA. Plus, there's virtually no cleanup!

How to boil potatoes

  • Scrub the potatoes gently under running water to remove whatsoever dirt.
  • Identify potatoes in a medium-to-large pot.

Round white potatoes in a medium pot before adding water for boiling

  • Embrace with 1-inch (2.5 cm) of common cold water, adding optional salt for flavor.
  • Place on high estrus and bring to a boil.

Closeup of round white potatoes in a pot full of boiling water

  • Boil for 12-thirty minutes co-ordinate to size chart below.
  • Remove potatoes to a plate to absurd for at to the lowest degree 5-10 minutes before use.

Closeup of a round white potato that has been boiled until tender

Types of potatoes for humid

While almost any murphy can be boiled, you'll find that some potatoes are best suited to certain types of recipes:

  • Baking Potatoes: Starchy potatoes like Russets, Idahos, Purple potatoes, Yams and Sweet Potatoes accept a floury texture that disintegrates easily and is suitable for mashed potatoes merely .
  • All-purpose Potatoes: Medium-starch potatoes like Yukon Golden and Red Gold volition hold their shape and are suitable for employ in potato salads, soups, casseroles etc. They typically take xanthous flesh.
  • Waxy Potatoes: Low-starch potatoes such equally Circular White, Round Red (Red Elation) and Fingerling are classic boiling potatoes that will retain their shape and are also suitable for use in potato salads, soups, casseroles etc. They usually have white mankind.

Various sizes and types of potatoes suitable for boiling: baby red potatoes, baby white potatoes, Yukon Gold potatoes, Round White potatoes, Round Red potatoes, baking potatoes

Boiled red potatoes are called for in many recipes, while Russets and Idahos are meridian picks for mashed potatoes. Here are a few tips when you're shopping for potatoes:

  • Look for house potatoes with smooth pare and no sprouts. If they're getting soft with nighttime spots appearing, they're too old and should not be used.
  • Cull similar-sized potatoes and so they cook in the same amount of time.

Should I peel potatoes earlier boiling?

No. Potatoes with skin on volition absorb less h2o while beingness boiled, therefore preserving the starch. If you lot don't like eating irish potato skins, you tin can peel them Subsequently humid. Just brand sure to allow them cool downwards first earlier peeling.

Closeup of peeling the skin off a boiled potato readily with the fingers once cool

How long does it take to boil whole potatoes?

When you're boiling whole potatoes, cooking time depends mainly on the size of the potatoes. Information technology goes without proverb that bigger potatoes crave more than boiling time!

Follow the table below to determine how long to boil whole potatoes:

Potato Type Potato Size Boil Potatoes Fourth dimension*
Infant potatoes 1 inch (2.v cm) 12 minutes
Modest potatoes two inches (five cm) xv minutes
Medium potatoes 3 inches (7.vi cm) xx minutes
Large potatoes 4 inches (10 cm) 25 minutes
Extra-large potatoes six inches (15 cm) xxx minutes

Notes: Times listed reflect once the h2o has started to boil.

How long to boil potatoes for brew ? The boiling times above will piece of work whether you're making mashed potatoes, potato salad or other dishes. All the same, programme on some cooling time later on boiling when making potato salad for the best texture (using an ice water bath will speed up this cooling process).

How to tell when potatoes are done? Simply insert a fork into the middle of the potato. The center should be fork-tender and take the texture of a ripe pear, or firm but not mushy.

Cutting a raw white potato into quarters with a chef's knife for faster boiling

How to boil potatoes faster on the stove?

To boil potatoes rapidly, cut them into smaller, one-inch chunks and they cook within fifteen minutes. You lot can besides pre-boil the water to save a few extra minutes, although the texture of the potatoes will be slightly inferior to starting with common cold water.

How long to boil potatoes in a microwave (fastest method)

It takes half-dozen-eight minutes to boil large whole potatoes in a microwave. Simply place 2 potatoes in a microwave-prophylactic dish and add together 2 tablespoons of h2o. Comprehend and microwave on high. Let them rest for 2 minutes before serving.

Freshly boiled potatoes served simply with butter and fresh parsley for an easy side dish

Ways to apply boiled potatoes

Yous can eat boiled potatoes whole with butter and fresh herbs, or use them to brand mashed potatoes, a potato salad or potato casserole. Other ideas include mashed potato balls and potato pancakes.

Boiling sweet potatoes

Sugariness potatoes and yams are boiled the same way as other potatoes. If cut into chunks, they'll ordinarily be washed in 15-twenty minutes and volition be soft and fork-tender when done.

Boiled Potatoes

Learn how to easily boil potatoes, whether you're using them for salads, soups, casseroles or other dishes.

  • 1-two pounds boiling potatoes, waxy or all-purpose potatoes*
  • two teaspoons salt, optional
  • 1 tablespoon butter, optional
  • fresh parsley, minced - optional

  • Wash and scrub the potatoes gently under running water to remove any surface debris. Optionally you tin can cut the potatoes into chunks for faster cooking.

  • Put the potatoes in a medium pot or saucepan. Add together the salt and plenty cold water to encompass by 1-inch. (Notation: starting with cold water helps the potatoes to cook more evenly.)

  • Identify on high heat and bring to a boil.

  • Lower rut to medium and boil uncovered for 12-xxx minutes depending on the size of the potatoes.

  • Bank check doneness by inserting a fork or skewer. The centre of the potato will be fork-tender with a pear-like texture when washed.

  • Drain the potatoes. Serve with optional butter and parsley, or apply as called for in recipes.

  • *Waxy or all-purpose potato varieties include Yukon Aureate, Cherry-red Gold, Round White, Circular Red (Red Elation) and Fingerling among others.
  • Use smaller potatoes for faster cooking, or larger potatoes when y'all need quantity for recipes such as mashed potatoes.
  • Should you skin potatoes before boiling? Peeling is optional and does non affect boiling time. Notation: the skin contains a significant amount of a white potato'southward nutrition.
  • Save some boiling liquid to season gravy or mashed potatoes with no added fat.
  • Allow whole potatoes cool for at least 15 minutes earlier cutting for the best texture and to avert called-for your fingertips. An water ice-water bath will help speed this process.
  • Boiled potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for upwards to 5 days in one case fully cooled. For longer-term storage, identify the cooled potatoes in a resealable plastic bag for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Facts

Boiled Potatoes

Amount Per Serving

Calories 92 Calories from Fatty 18

% Daily Value*

Fatty 2g 3%

Saturated Fatty 1g 5%

Cholesterol 4mg 1%

Sodium 166mg 7%

Potassium 516mg 15%

Carbohydrates 18g 6%

Fiber 2g 8%

Sugar 1g 1%

Protein 2g 4%

Vitamin A 44IU ane%

Vitamin C 10mg 12%

Calcium 11mg 1%

Iron 1mg six%

* Percentage Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Please read our nutrition disclaimer.

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