Boiling potatoes is nothing to be excited about. But it is an essential cooking technique that’s the first step to so many dishes, including Mashed potatoes, potato salads, and just plain boiled potatoes.
This basic cooking skill will allow you to create all your favorite potato dishes. This article will explain to you how to cook potatoes in 4 different ways: In the microwave, on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, and an instant pot.
How To Boil Potatoes On The Stove?
Stove-top boiling is the best and most straightforward way to boil potatoes.
Prep Potatoes: Use a vegetable scrubber to clean potatoes. Depending on the recipe, you may need to cut the potatoes into smaller pieces. Depending on your personal preference, you can either leave the skin on or remove it. Some people believe that keeping the skin on helps to retain its shape when boiling.
Cover The Potatoes With Water: Place the potatoes in a saucepan. Salt 1/2 teaspoon
Cook The Potatoes: Bring water to a boil. Turn down heat to medium-low. Cover the pot with a lid, and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until tender for small and/or cubed potatoes.
Cool And Drain The Potatoes: Drain them in a colander. You can quickly cool potatoes in an ice bath to speed up cooling for recipes that require cooled potatoes.
How To Boil Potatoes In The Microwave?
This is a quick method to cook small quantities of potatoes.
Prep Potatoes: Use a vegetable scrubber to clean potatoes. Depending on the recipe, you may need to cut the potatoes into smaller pieces.
Cover The Potatoes: Transfer potatoes to a microwave-safe container. Add a quarter of an inch of water to the potatoes. Season with salt, Place plastic wrap over the bowl and poke holes for airflow.
Microwave: Microwave on high for 5 minutes Check for doneness. Cook for five minutes or more until the dish is done.
Cool And Drain The Potatoes: Drain them in a colander. You can quickly cool potatoes in an ice bath to speed up cooling for recipes that require cooled potatoes.
How To Boil Potatoes In The Slow Cooker?
Although the potatoes are technically not boiled, the hands-off method will yield the same tender results.
Prep Potatoes: Use a vegetable scrubber to clean potatoes. Depending on the recipe, you may need to cut your potatoes into smaller pieces.
Cover And Transfer The Potatoes: Place the potatoes in a slow cooker. Add 12 inches of water or broth to cover the potatoes.
Cook On Low: Cook the potatoes for 6-8 hours or until tender.
Cool And Drain The Potatoes: Drain them in a colander. You can quickly cool potatoes in an ice bath to speed up cooling for recipes that require cooled potatoes.
How To Boil Potatoes In An Instant Pot?
The Instant pot offers the same hands-free approach as a slow cooker but with the same cooking time as a stove-top.
Prep Potatoes: Use a vegetable scrubber to clean potatoes. Depending on the recipe, you may need to cut your potatoes into smaller pieces.
Add Liquid To The Trivet: Place the trivet inside the pot. Place potatoes on top. One cup of water, or broth, can be added.
Cook Under Pressure: Turn the Instant Pot to seal. The steam function can be used to cook the potatoes until they are tender. This takes approximately 5 minutes for small potatoes, and 10 minutes for large potatoes.
Let Go Of The Pressure And Let It Cool: Let the pressure naturally release. Remove the potatoes from the container by removing the lid. You can quickly cool potatoes in an ice bath to speed up the cooling process for recipes that require cooled potatoes.