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These boiled potatoes are buttery and delicious! Here’s how to boil potatoes with the best creamy texture and salty, herby flavor. It’s a simple side dish that goes with just about anything, like chicken, fish, vegetarian mains, and more.
Why we love this recipe
Need a quick and easy side dish that goes with almost anything? Try these perfect boiled potatoes! So we admit: the word boiled might make you think of bland and mushy potatoes. But we’ve got all the tricks to mastering that ideal creamy texture and sweet, buttery, salty flavor to make these taste absolutely irresistible.
All you need to know is the best variety of spud and the formula for how long to boil potatoes. These were so good Alex and I couldn’t stop sneaking them from the pot! (Really.)
Best type of potato to use
For the best boiled potatoes, we recommend using a waxy potato, like yellow, red, Yukon gold, new, and fingerling potatoes. Waxy potatoes are a type of potato with thin, shiny skin and a creamy flesh. Here’s why to use them here:
- Waxy potatoes hold their shape when boiled because they’re low in starch. The texture when boiled is buttery and the flavor is almost sweet.
- Avoid starchy potatoes for boiled potatoes, since they fall apart. Russet potatoes are large with dark brown, rough skin. They have a fluffy texture when cooked as a baked potato, but they fall apart when boiled. Use them only if you’re planning to boil potatoes as part of making mashed potatoes.
How long to boil potatoes
How long does it take to boil potatoes? It depends on how small or large they’re cut and the type of potato. Here’s a general guide:
- Chopped potatoes take 12 to 18 minutes to boil, when dropped into the water.
- The exact timing depends on the size of pieces and type of potato.
- Test whether the potato is cooked by pricking it with a fork to see if it is tender.
How to boil potatoes (basic steps)
How to boil your spuds so they’re perfectly tender? Here’s what to do (or jump to the recipe):
- Start a large pot of salted water to a boil. Use 1 tablespoon kosher salt. It’s easiest to boil the water first, then add the potatoes (instead of starting with potatoes and water in the pot).
- Add the potatoes and boil 15 to 20 minutes. Gently add them to avoid splashes of hot water! Test if they are tender by piercing with a fork.
- Drain and season. Add salted butter or olive oil, salt and pepper. If desired, add fresh herbs like chives, thyme or oregano.
Flavorings and add-ins
The best way to flavor boiled potatoes? Simply butter and salt! But there are lots of ways to step up this this recipe. Here are a few of our favorite ideas:
- Salted butter or olive oil
- Fresh chives
- Thyme or oregano
- Basil or parsley
- Tarragon or dill
- Finely diced shallots
- Sour cream
- Bacon
Make it a meal: how to serve them
It’s hard to find a recipe that doesn’t go with these potatoes! (OK fine, maybe not pasta. Still!) They’re the perfect easy side dish for chicken, fish or a vegetarian main dish. Here are a few great ways to accessorize them:
- Salmon like Creamy Tuscan Salmon, Baked Salmon, Pecan Crusted Salmon, Cajun Salmon, or Quick Broiled Salmon
- Chicken like Chicken Piccata, Easy Pan Fried Chicken Thighs, Baked Chicken Breast, Baked Chicken Thighs, or Lemon Garlic Chicken
- Shrimp like Easy Cajun Shrimp, Easy Baked Shrimp, or Perfect Sauteed Shrimp
- Vegetarian or vegan mains like Ratatouille, Vegan Meatballs, Vegan Crab Cakes, Spinach Frittata, or Easy BBQ Tofu
More ways to use boiled potatoes
Instead of flavoring these potatoes as a side dish, you can also use them in other recipes! Use them as the basis for:
- Mashed potatoes like Mashed Potatoes, Horseradish Mashed Potatoes, or Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
- Roasted smashed potatoes like Roasted Smashed Potatoes.
- Potato salad like French Potato Salad, Classic Potato Salad, or Dill Potato Salad.
Dietary notes
This boiled potatoes recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free. For plant-based, dairy-free and vegan, use olive oil.
Frequently asked questions
It’s up to you! Leaving the skins on adds nutrients and fiber, but some people prefer the texture of peeled potatoes. If you choose to peel them, do it after boiling for easier removal.
The cooking time depends on the size of the potatoes. Baby potatoes can take as little as 10 minutes, while larger potatoes may need 20 minutes. Check for tenderness with a fork.
Yes, you can boil potatoes ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in boiling water or roast them in the oven for crispy skins.
Boiled potatoes are versatile! Use them in potato salad, make mashed potatoes, make home fries, or add them to soups and stews.
Perfect Boiled Potatoes
These boiled potatoes are buttery and delicious! Here’s how to boil potatoes with the best creamy texture and salty, herby flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 1x
- Category: Side dish
- Method: Boiled
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 3 pounds small yellow potatoes (or other waxy potatoes like red, new, Yukon gold or fingerling potatoes)
- 2 tablespoons butter (or olive oil)
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives
- Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
Instructions
- Bring large pot of water to boil with 1 tablespoon kosher salt.
- Wash the potatoes and cut them in half if small (or dice into bite-sized pieces if they are larger). When the water is boiling, add the potatoes and boil 12 to 18 minutes until fork tender.
- Drain and remove the potatoes to a bowl. Gently toss them with the butter, herbs, fresh ground pepper and ¾ teaspoon kosher salt (or more or less to taste: salt until the flavor pops!).
More potato recipes
These basic potatoes are one in a long list of great potato recipes! Here are some of our favorite ways to use everyone’s favorite spud:
- Try addictingly good Parmesan Potato Wedges
- Fire up the oven for Classic Roasted Potatoes or Roasted Mini Potatoes
- Mix up a batch of Ultimate Baked French Fries or Steak Fries
- Steam up some Steamed Potatoes
- Bake a Classic Baked Potato
- Grab a bowl of Loaded Potato Soup
- Load up on Pan Fried Potatoes
Might be worth clarifying – with butter, it would not be considered vegan. So if anyone is looking for a vegan recipe, they will want to use the oil (in case they are not vegan but are making it for someone who is).
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This recipes are easy to learn
Sometimes I just need a reminder of how to make the simple stuff, like boiled potatoes. : ) This recipe was easy and tasted great. Thank you!
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