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The essential guide on how long to boil potatoes! With some simple tips, you lot can make perfect boiled potatoes faster – in equally footling as 12 minutes on the stovetop or 6-8 minutes in the microwave. We cover 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 eddy potatoes

Perfect boiled potatoes concord their shape after cooking with a smooth texture and pare that comes off easily.

Do you 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'south a shortcut for getting them prepare in just 6-8 minutes in a microwave!

You can serve boiled potatoes on their own or add together them to other dishes. Boiling is a healthy option with no added fat and simply 87 calories per 100 grams according to the USDA. Plus, there'southward virtually no cleanup!

How to boil potatoes

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

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

  • Encompass with ane-inch (2.v cm) of cold water, adding optional salt for flavor.
  • Place on high heat and bring to a boil.

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

  • Boil for 12-30 minutes according to size nautical chart beneath.
  • Remove potatoes to a plate to cool for at least five-x minutes earlier use.

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

Types of potatoes for humid

While almost any potato can be boiled, you'll observe that some potatoes are all-time suited to certain types of recipes:

  • Blistering Potatoes: Starchy potatoes like Russets, Idahos, Royal potatoes, Yams and Sweet Potatoes have a floury texture that disintegrates easily and is suitable for mashed potatoes only .
  • All-purpose Potatoes: Medium-starch potatoes like Yukon Gilt and Red Gold will agree their shape and are suitable for employ in irish potato salads, soups, casseroles etc. They typically have yellow flesh.
  • Waxy Potatoes: Low-starch potatoes such as Round White, Circular Red (Red Bliss) and Fingerling are archetype boiling potatoes that volition retain their shape and are also suitable for use in spud salads, soups, casseroles etc. They ordinarily have white flesh.

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 cherry-red potatoes are called for in many recipes, while Russets and Idahos are summit picks for mashed potatoes. Here are a few tips when y'all're shopping for potatoes:

  • Wait for firm potatoes with smooth peel and no sprouts. If they're getting soft with dark spots appearing, they're too one-time and should not be used.
  • Choose like-sized potatoes so they cook in the aforementioned amount of time.

Should I peel potatoes earlier humid?

No. Potatoes with peel on will absorb less water while being boiled, therefore preserving the starch. If you don't like eating potato skins, yous can peel them After boiling. Just brand sure to let them cool down first earlier peeling.

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

How long does information technology take to eddy whole potatoes?

When y'all're boiling whole potatoes, cooking time depends mainly on the size of the potatoes. It goes without proverb that bigger potatoes crave more humid time!

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

Irish potato Type Potato Size Boil Potatoes Time*
Infant potatoes 1 inch (2.5 cm) 12 minutes
Small potatoes 2 inches (5 cm) fifteen minutes
Medium potatoes 3 inches (7.half-dozen cm) 20 minutes
Large potatoes four inches (10 cm) 25 minutes
Actress-large potatoes half-dozen inches (15 cm) 30 minutes

Notes: Times listed reflect once the water has started to eddy.

How long to boil potatoes for mash ? The boiling times to a higher place will work whether you're making mashed potatoes, tater salad or other dishes. However, program on some cooling time after boiling when making potato salad for the all-time texture (using an ice water bath will speed upwards this cooling process).

How to tell when potatoes are washed? Simply insert a fork into the heart of the potato. The center should be fork-tender and have 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 quickly, cut them into smaller, i-inch chunks and they cook within 15 minutes. Yous can also pre-boil the water to save a few extra minutes, although the texture of the potatoes will exist slightly inferior to starting with cold water.

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

Information technology takes 6-eight minutes to boil big whole potatoes in a microwave. Just place 2 potatoes in a microwave-safe dish and add 2 tablespoons of water. Comprehend and microwave on high. Let them balance for 2 minutes before serving.

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

Ways to utilize boiled potatoes

You can eat boiled potatoes whole with butter and fresh herbs, or use them to make mashed potatoes, a spud salad or murphy goulash. Other ideas include mashed potato assurance and potato pancakes.

Boiling sugariness potatoes

Sweet potatoes and yams are boiled the aforementioned way as other potatoes. If cut into chunks, they'll ordinarily exist washed in 15-20 minutes and will exist soft and fork-tender when done.

Boiled Potatoes

Learn how to hands boil potatoes, whether y'all're using them for salads, soups, casseroles or other dishes.

  • i-2 pounds boiling potatoes, waxy or all-purpose potatoes*
  • 2 teaspoons common salt, optional
  • i tablespoon butter, optional
  • fresh parsley, minced - optional

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

  • Put the potatoes in a medium pot or saucepan. Add together the common salt and enough cold water to cover by one-inch. (Note: starting with common cold water helps the potatoes to cook more evenly.)

  • Place on loftier rut and bring to a boil.

  • Lower rut to medium and boil uncovered for 12-30 minutes depending on the size of the potatoes.

  • Bank check doneness by inserting a fork or skewer. The center of the spud will be fork-tender with a pear-like texture when done.

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

  • *Waxy or all-purpose potato varieties include Yukon Gold, Ruby-red Gold, Round White, Round Blood-red (Red Bliss) and Fingerling among others.
  • Use smaller potatoes for faster cooking, or larger potatoes when you need quantity for recipes such as mashed potatoes.
  • Should y'all peel potatoes before boiling? Peeling is optional and does not bear upon boiling fourth dimension. Note: the skin contains a significant corporeality of a potato's nutrition.
  • Save some boiling liquid to flavor gravy or mashed potatoes with no added fat.
  • Let whole potatoes cool for at least fifteen minutes before cutting for the best texture and to avoid burning your fingertips. An ice-water bath will aid speed this procedure.
  • Boiled potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days once fully cooled. For longer-term storage, place the cooled potatoes in a resealable plastic pocketbook for up to iii months.

Nutrition Facts

Boiled Potatoes

Amount Per Serving

Calories 92 Calories from Fat 18

% Daily Value*

Fat 2g 3%

Saturated Fatty 1g 5%

Cholesterol 4mg 1%

Sodium 166mg vii%

Potassium 516mg 15%

Carbohydrates 18g 6%

Fiber 2g viii%

Sugar 1g 1%

Protein 2g four%

Vitamin A 44IU ane%

Vitamin C 10mg 12%

Calcium 11mg 1%

Iron 1mg 6%

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

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