How Long to Boil Potatoes: A Complete Guide to Perfectly Cooked Potatoes

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Perfect boiled potatoes start with good timing. How long to boil potatoes depends on their size, type, and whether they’re whole or cut into pieces. Once you know the timing, the rest is easy. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to boil potatoes and share a few simple tips for getting them just right.

 

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How to Choose the Perfect Potatoes

Choosing the right potato is just as important as knowing how long to boil it. Different varieties have different starch levels, which determines whether they’ll be fluffy, creamy, or firm after cooking.

• Russet Potatoes
  Russet potatoes (sometimes known as Idaho potatoes) are the go-to choice for most people who follow my blog when it comes to boiling potatoes. With a high starch content and a lovely fluffy texture when boiled, Russet potatoes are perfect for mashing or creating crispy roasted potatoes with that delectable combination of crisp and fluffy. These versatile spuds are widely available and excellent for absorbing additional flavors, herbs, and cooking juices.
• Yukon Gold Potatoes
  Yukon Gold potatoes strike a perfect balance between waxy and starchy varieties, making them an excellent choice for boiling potatoes. They have a creamy texture and a slightly sweet flavor. Yukon Gold potatoes hold their shape well after boiling, making them ideal for potato salads or dishes where you want the potatoes to remain intact, avoiding that crumbled, flattened look.
• New Potatoes
  New potatoes are small, young potatoes harvested just in time before they reach maturity. They tend to have thin, almost fragile skin and moist, waxy flesh. Boiling new potatoes tends to bring out their natural sweetness and full, tender texture. They are perfect for simple buttered potatoes or adding to rich, hearty stews and soups.

Choosing the right potato really comes down to what you’re making. Go with Russets for fluffy results, Yukon Golds for creamy potatoes that hold their shape, or new potatoes for small, tender bites.

How Long to Boil Potatoes

Ah, the burning question of how long it takes to boil potatoes? Well, generally speaking, it depends on the size of the potatoes I am using. Usually, it takes about 15 to 20 minutes for small to medium-sized potatoes to become nice and tender when boiled.

Learning how to boil potatoes starts with a few basic techniques. These steps will help you cook potatoes that are tender, flavorful, and hold their shape.

Step 1: Peel and Cut the Potatoes

First, decide whether you want to peel your potatoes. Some recipes work perfectly well with the skin left on, but I prefer peeling them when boiling potatoes for a smoother, more consistent texture.

Peel the potatoes and cut them into evenly sized pieces so they cook at the same rate. Smaller pieces will cook faster, while larger pieces will take a little longer.

Step 2: Add the Potatoes to a Large Pot

Transfer the prepared potatoes to a large pot and add enough cold water to cover them by about an inch. Starting the potatoes in cold water helps them cook more evenly from the outside to the center.

Add a generous pinch of salt to the water. I usually reach for kosher salt, but any salt you have on hand will work just fine.

Step 3: Bring the Water to a Boil

Place the pot on the stove over high heat and bring the water to a boil. Once the water is bubbling, reduce the heat slightly to maintain a gentle boil or simmer.

You don’t need the water to be aggressively boiling the entire time. A gentler cooking temperature will help the potatoes cook through without breaking apart too quickly.

Pro Tip: You don’t need an aggressive, rolling boil. A steady simmer is enough to cook the potatoes without making them fall apart.

Step 4: Boil Until Tender

So, how long does it take to boil potatoes? For small to medium potatoes or evenly cut potato chunks, it usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Larger potatoes or whole potatoes may take longer, depending on their size.

Start checking your potatoes around the 15-minute mark. Insert a fork or the tip of a chef’s knife into the thickest part of a potato. If it slides in easily with little resistance, the potatoes are ready.

If the center still feels firm, continue cooking for a few more minutes and test again.

Pro Tip: The fork test is more reliable than the clock. Potato size can vary, so always check for tenderness before draining.

Step 5: Drain and Serve

Once the potatoes are tender, carefully drain them in a colander. Give them a minute or two to release excess moisture, then serve them as they are or use them in your favorite recipe.

If you’re making mashed potatoes, potato salad, or another dish that calls for cooked potatoes, you can move on to the next step in your recipe right away.

Tools You’ll Need

A few basic kitchen tools make prepping and boiling potatoes much easier:

• Large pot – Choose one with enough room for the potatoes to cook evenly without crowding.
• Chef’s knife – A sharp knife makes it easy to cut potatoes into evenly sized pieces for more consistent cooking.
• Cutting board – Gives you a sturdy surface for safely peeling and chopping your potatoes.
• Peeler – Handy for quickly removing the skins when you want smooth, peeled potatoes.

Tips for Best Boiled Potatoes

Boiling potatoes is easy, but a few simple tricks can make them more flavorful and give them the right texture.

• Start with cold water. Place the potatoes in a pot and cover them with cold water before turning on the heat. This helps them cook evenly from the outside in.
• Cut potatoes into similar-sized pieces. If you’re boiling chopped potatoes, keep the pieces about the same size so they finish cooking at the same time.
• Salt the cooking water. A generous pinch of salt seasons the potatoes as they cook, giving them better flavor all the way through.
• Check for doneness with a fork. A fork should slide into the center with little resistance. If it sticks, give the potatoes another minute or two before checking again.
• Drain them right away. Don’t let cooked potatoes sit in hot water. Draining them as soon as they’re tender keeps them from becoming waterlogged and helps them hold their texture.

What to Serve With Boiled Potatoes

Boiled potatoes make a simple side dish for so many meals. Here are a few recipes that pair well with tender potatoes and make it easy to round out your dinner.

• Roast Chicken – A classic pairing for boiled potatoes, especially when you want something simple and comforting.
• Moist Meatloaf – Serve boiled potatoes alongside meatloaf for an easy, filling dinner.
• Crockpot Beef Stew – Tender potatoes are a natural match for a hearty bowl of beef stew.
• Pot Roast Crockpot – Add boiled potatoes to the plate to soak up all those flavorful juices from the roast.
• Grilled Flank Steak – Keep things simple with buttery boiled potatoes served alongside a juicy steak.
• Crispy Chicken Parmesan – Serve boiled potatoes alongside this cheesy chicken dinner for a change from the usual pasta.
• Smothered Pork Chops – Pair tender boiled potatoes with pork chops for a classic weeknight meal.

Storing and Reheating Directions

Let the boiled potatoes cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 to 4 days. If you plan to turn them into mashed potatoes or potato salad, you can store them in the fridge and prepare the dish within that time.

If you’re serving the potatoes as they are, reheat them gently in a saucepan with a splash of water or broth until warmed through. You can also microwave them in a covered microwave-safe dish.

If you’re making mashed potatoes, reheat them gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally. Add a little butter, milk, or cream to bring back some moisture and make them creamy again.

FAQs

Variations

Once you know how to boil potatoes, there are plenty of ways to use them. Try one of these simple variations depending on what you’re in the mood to make.

• Sweet Potatoes – Boil sweet potatoes using the same basic method as regular potatoes, keeping in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on their size. Once tender, use them to make mashed sweet potatoes or sweet potato casserole.
• Garlic Butter Potatoes – Toss warm boiled potatoes with melted butter and a little minced garlic for an easy side dish. Add fresh parsley before serving.
• Herbed Boiled Potatoes – Add fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary to your cooked potatoes for extra flavor. Finish with butter or olive oil.
• Lemon Herb Potatoes – Toss warm potatoes with fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped parsley for a fresh side that pairs well with chicken, fish, or grilled meats.
• Creamy Mashed Potatoes – Turn your boiled potatoes into mashed potatoes while they’re still warm. Mash them with butter, milk, or cream, then season with salt and pepper.
• Easy Potato Salad – Let the boiled potatoes cool, then cut them into bite-sized pieces and mix them with your favorite potato salad dressing. Add celery, onion, or fresh herbs for extra flavor and crunch.

More Potato Recipes to Try

• Potato Patties
• Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
• Deviled Egg Potato Salad
• Creamy Potato Salad
• Loaded Potato Casserole
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Wrap-Up

And there you have it, my simple guide on how to boil potatoes, from the basic steps to a few easy ways to add more flavor. Once they’re cooked, you can turn them into creamy mashed potatoes, potato salad, or serve them as a simple side dish.

One of my favorite ways to enjoy them is in this Swiss steak over mashed potatoes recipe, so be sure to check it out!

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope this guide helps you boil potatoes perfectly every time. Happy boiling!

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.