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.

Need a quick and easy side dish that goes with almost anything? Try these perfect boiled potatoes! Now, when you hear boiled you might 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 absolutely irresistible! All you need to know is the best variety of spud and the formula for how long to boil potatoes. It might sound overly simple, but these were so good we couldn’t stop sneaking them from the pot! (Really.)

The right type for boiled potatoes

If you read one thing in this article, read this: For the best boiled potatoes, use a waxy potato, like small yellow, red, new, or fingerling. Use russet potatoes only if you’re cooking them for mashed potatoes. Here’s why:

• Waxy potatoes are best for boiling. Waxy potatoes are any type of potato with thin, shiny skin and a creamy flesh. Because they’re low in starch, they hold their shape when boiled. Waxy potatoes are varieties like yellow, red, Yukon gold, new, and fingerling potatoes. The texture when boiled is buttery and the flavor is almost sweet.
• Avoid starchy potatoes for boiled potatoes. Russet potatoes are large with dark brown, rough skin: the kind you’d expect in a baked potato. They have a fluffy texture when cooked, but they fall apart when boiled. Use them only if you’re planning to boil potatoes as part of the process of making mashed potatoes (though we prefer waxy potatoes there, too!).

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:

• Most 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: master method

How to boil your spuds so they’re perfectly tender? There are only a few pointers. Here’s what to do:

• Choose a waxy potato like small yellow potatoes, red, new or Fingerling potatoes and slice them in half. Larger Yukon gold potatoes work if chopped into bite-sized pieces.
• 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, Greek Chicken, 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 Our Best 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

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Roasted Smashed Potatoes

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French Potato Salad

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Dill Potato Salad

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Our Best Mashed Potatoes Recipe

This boiled potatoes recipe is…

Vegetarian and gluten-free. For plant-based, dairy-free and vegan, use olive oil.

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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