How Long Do Potatoes Take To Boil? And How You Should Cook Them?

Potatoes might be one of my favorite foods. I could eat them with anything and any time. I have created several dishes with them, from potato salad, to roasted potatoes, to casseroles, to onion and potato soups. But if you like potatoes, like me, you may wonder if they’re too hard to cook.

Tasty Boiled Potatoes

Let’s explore some of the ways in which you can cook potatoes. By now you should be wondering, how long do potatoes take to boil? Or, do I need to peel my potatoes before cooking? What kind boils faster? These are common questions, and even I think about it before I start cooking just in case I need extra time.

I have answers for you and they might make your life much easier–maybe even turn you into a potato fan like me!

First things first, how long do potatoes take to boil?

Time varies, but usually, 15 minutes. So, not long at all! Potato boiling times vary depending on the size of the potato and the type of cooking you’ll use them for. Let’s see how these time vary:

• 15 minutes for new potatoes and diced potatoes
• 20- 25 minutes for quartered potatoes

But boiling isn’t all there is to prepping potatoes before we cook them…

Choosing Your Potatoes

Picking what potato to use depends on what you’re planning to do with them, and you should keep in mind that the starch content varies for each one. Here are some options:

• Russet potatoes: these are high-starch and have a lighter texture. After boiled, they are perfect for making mashed potatoes.
• Finnish yellow and Yukon gold: these are medium-starch and have more moisture, which makes them a little bit harder to fall apart. These are good for mashing, for soups, casseroles, or as a side dish.
• Round red, round white, or waxy potatoes: these are the ones that hold better after being boiled. They are perfect for potatoes salads or as side dishes.

Storing Your Potatoes

Picking potatoes may be easy for you, but it is not the only job to do before putting them to boil. Next, you should know that they need to look clean and smooth, without blemished skins. Avoid those potatoes that are soft, moldy, or with green spots.

Always keep your potatoes stored in a dark place. They can last up to several weeks if the place is well-ventilated and cool. Moreover, be careful about the spoiled potatoes.

How Do I Know If My Potatoes Are Ready for Boiling?

Once you’re ready to go, the following step is to prep your potatoes. Here are some of the ways to do that:

1. Scrub the potatoes with a clean brush to remove any dirt, and then rinse them.

2. If you want, peel the potatoes with a vegetable peeler or with a knife. Make sure you cut away from your hand. Remove any sprouts or green areas with the tip of a potato peeler.

3. Cut your potatoes into cubes or quarters. Or leave them whole if they are small enough.

Ready to Boil! What Do I Do?

It is now time to place your potatoes in a pot or large saucepan. Add water so that it covers the tip of the potatoes. Add salt to the water according to your taste– should be around ½ teaspoon.

Once you’re potatoes are covered with water, turn the stove to high heat and bring the water to a boil. After, reduce it to low or medium heat, and cover the pan or pot with a lid.

Your potatoes should cook in the water for around 15-25 minutes, depending on their size, and they should turn tender. When ready, drain and get ready to use them!

Cooking Your Potatoes

The beauty of this is that even boiled potatoes are tasty, or more exactly, they can be made tasty. If you’re running low on time, or energy, some ways to serve your boiled potatoes include simply tossing them with butter, rosemary, or pepper, and serve!

Here are some ways you can cook yummy potato recipes:

Traditional Mashed Potatoes

Traditional Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

• 3 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut in half
• ¼ cup butter
• ½ milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Boil your potatoes first, in salt water until tender. Drain your boiled potatoes and return them to the pot. Turn the heat to high for around 30 seconds, then turn off the heat.

2. Mash your dry potatoes with a masher, or fork, until almost completely mashed. Add butter and milk, and continue to mash until fluffy. Add the salt and pepper, and serve.

Honey Roasted Red Potatoes

Ingredients

• 1lb red potatoes, quartered
• 2 tbsp diced onions
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 1 tbsp honey
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375° Coat a baking dish with oil or cooking spray.

2. Put your potatoes in the dish, top them with the onion. Separately, combine butter, honey, salt and pepper. Throw evenly to cover potatoes and onions.

3. Bake in the oven for around 30 minutes, or until tender and golden. If necessary, stir them halfway for even baking.

Grilled Potatoes

Ingredients

• 2 large russet potatoes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Boil your potatoes until tender. Once drained, cut in half, the long way.

2. Preheat your grill for medium heat. Brush your potatoes with olive oil, salt and pepper.

3. Cook on grill for 15 minutes, and turn them halfway.

Let’s Make Dinner!

Like I said before, I love cooking potatoes because they are easy and fast. How long do potatoes take to boil? It depends… But mostly, between 15 to 25 minutes. This isn’t long at all!

Potatoes are also not energy consuming, while boiling, you can basically leave them alone for about 10 minutes, and even 15 minutes at times, before having to turn down the heat. The amount of energy and time spent later is up to you!

I listed some of my favorite easy and fast potato recipes. Sometimes, these are life-saving! Let me know what you think! Did you boil your potatoes? How long did it take?