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Here’s how to make steamed potatoes: an easy side dish bursting with flavor! Mix with butter and garlic for a tasty, simple side.
Here’s a lovely side dish that’s simple and flavor-filled: Garlic Butter Steamed Potatoes! This recipe is ideal with new potatoes or baby potatoes, due to their rich, buttery texture. You can also use a potato medley for a variation in color, including golden, bright red, and bold purple. Throw them together with butter, garlic, and parsley, and you’ve got a quick side dish that everyone will go crazy for. (I know my family did!)
Best types for steamed potatoes
What is the best type of potatoes for steaming? I’m partial to small, waxy potatoes because of the buttery, rich texture of their interior. You might find them at the store labeled as:
- New potatoes
- Baby potatoes
- Mini potatoes (these are typically even smaller, and will cook faster)
- Creamers
- Petite potatoes
- Potato medley: which refers to a mix of yellow, red and purple potatoes
How to steam them
You only need a steamer basket and a large pot to make steamed potatoes! Steamer baskets come in several sizes. Mine is large enough to fit 1 ½ pounds of potatoes. You can stack the potatoes on top of each other for this recipe. Here’s what you’ll do (or go to the recipe below for more specifics):
- Boil water: Add 1 inch of water and a large pinch of salt to a large pot. Add the steamer basket to the pot and bring the water to a boil.
- Add potatoes and steam: Once boiling, reduce the heat slightly, add the potatoes, and cover the pot. Steam the potatoes for 10 to 15 minutes, until tender when pierced with a fork.
- Season: Place the warm, steamed potatoes in a bowl and mix with the butter, minced garlic, minced parsley, kosher salt, and fresh ground pepper. See the recipe below for quantities!
Ways to season these delicious potatoes
The best way to season steamed potatoes is to keep it simple, in my opinion! For this recipe, I mixed the steamed potatoes with butter, garlic, and parsley in a classic combination of flavors. Here are a few things to note, and a couple of other ideas on how to season these potatoes:
- Butter and parsley: The essentials! Also, make sure to salt the potatoes well.
- Garlic: This is optional: it brings a forward flavor since the garlic is added after steaming. Only for garlic lovers!
- Old Bay: The classic New England Old Bay seasoning is perfect for potatoes!
- Fresh herbs: Try 1 tablespoon of finely minced rosemary, thyme or sage instead (or a combination of all three)
- Chives: Or, try chopped chives!
- Parmesan cheese: Anything is better with a little grated or shredded Parmesan.
More potato side dishes
These simple steamed potatoes are a go-to side dish when you’re not sure what to make! It’s loads quicker than firing up the oven, and delicious every time. Here are a few more potato side dishes I love:
- Try Classic Roasted Potatoes or a Classic Baked Potato
- Go for Perfect Boiled Potatoes or Roasted Mini Potatoes
- Opt for Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Best Mashed Potatoes, or Horseradish Mashed Potatoes
- Try Baked Potato Wedges or Parmesan Potatoes
- Go for Easy Steak Fries or Ultimate Baked French Fries
This steamed potatoes recipe is…
Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Steamed Potatoes
Here’s how to make steamed potatoes: an easy side dish that’s bursting with flavor! Mix with butter and garlic for a tasty simple side.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Side dish
- Method: Steamed
- Cuisine: Potatoes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds small potatoes (new potatoes or baby potatoes*)
- 2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces (or vegan butter or olive oil)
- 1 small garlic clove (optional)
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Wash the baby potatoes. Cut any larger potatoes in half to match the size of the smaller potatoes.
- Add 1 inch of water and a large pinch of salt to a large pot. Add the steamer basket to the pot and bring the water to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat slightly, add the potatoes and cover the pot. Steam the potatoes for 10 to 15 minutes*, until tender when pierced with a fork.
- Place the warm steamed potatoes in a bowl and mix with the butter, minced garlic, minced parsley, kosher salt, and fresh ground pepper. Serve warm. Leftovers last up to 5 days refrigerated.
Notes
*Mini potatoes are even smaller than baby potatoes and will cook faster. Test them earlier than specified — the cook time will depend on the exact size.
Let us know if you have any questions!