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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.

Steamed Potatoes
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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, those lovely small potatoes with a rich, buttery texture. Even better, use a potato medley for a variation in color of 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. (We did!)

Best types for steamed potatoes

The best type of potatoes for steamed potatoes? We’re partial to small waxy potatoes because of their 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 potatoes

How to steam potatoes

All you need to make steamed potatoes? A steamer basket and a large pot! Steamer baskets come in several sizes. Ours 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 how long to steam potatoes (or go to the recipe below for more specifics):

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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!
Steamed Potatoes

Ways to season steamed potatoes

The best way to season steamed potatoes is to keep it simple, in our opinion! For this recipe, we 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 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

This simple steamed potatoes is a go-to side dish for us when we’re not sure what to make! It’s loads quicker than firing up the oven. Here are a few more potato side dishes we love:

This steamed potatoes recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

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Steamed Potatoes

Steamed Potatoes


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  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
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Description

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.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 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

  1. Wash the baby potatoes. Cut any larger potatoes in half to match the size of the smaller potatoes.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

  • Category: Side dish
  • Method: Steamed
  • Cuisine: Potatoes
  • Diet: Vegetarian

About the authors

Sonja & Alex

Hi, we’re Alex and Sonja Overhiser, married cookbook authors, food bloggers, and recipe developers. We founded A Couple Cooks to share fresh, seasonal recipes and the joy of cooking! Our recipes are made by two real people and work every time.

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1 Comment

  1. Sonja Overhiser says:

    Let us know if you have any questions!