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There are several ways you can cook a potato in the microwave in 10 minutes or less. Making baked, roasted, or mashed potatoes in the microwave is a breeze, and all you need is a potato of your choice (we highly recommend a Russet or Yukon potato), a microwave-safe dish, and a few kitchen utensils. Read on to learn how to cook a potato in the microwave for a deliciously quick and easy snack, dinner, or side dish.
Things You Should Know
- Make a baked potato in the microwave by poking holes in it with a fork and then microwaving it for 3 to 4 minutes on high.
- Roast potatoes in the microwave by covering cubed potatoes with plastic wrap in a microwave-safe dish and cooking on high for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Make mashed potatoes by cooking a potato in a microwave-safe dish for 5 minutes covered with plastic wrap, peeling the potato, and mashing it with a fork.
Steps
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Select and clean a potato. For the best results, select a Russet potato to bake in the microwave. Scrub the potato with your hands or a scrub brush to remove any dirt. Rinse the potato thoroughly and dry.[1]
- Use a paring knife to remove blemishes (such as eyes or bruises) from the potato.
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Poke holes in the potato with a fork. Poke 4 to 5 holes on each side of the potato using a fork. These holes will allow steam to escape while the potato cooks, preventing the potato from exploding in the microwave. Once the potato is thoroughly poked, place it on a microwave-safe plate or dish.[2]Advertisement
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Microwave the potato for 3 to 5 minutes on each side. Microwave the potato on full power for at least 3 minutes. Stop the microwave and remove the potato to check its doneness. A single potato typically takes around 5 minutes on each side to cook, but it’s better to err on the side of caution to avoid overcooking it. Once 1 side is cooked, flip it over and microwave it for another 3 to 5 minutes.[3]
- If you’re cooking a potato that isn’t a Russet, alter the cooking time accordingly (less for a baking smaller potatoes and more for larger potatoes). For instance, a large sweet potato may take 7 minutes, while a baby red potato may take 2 minutes.
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Squeeze the potato to see if it’s fully cooked. Using an oven mitt or kitchen towel, gently squeeze the sides of the potato. If the potato is tender enough to give under the pressure and for the skin to break and open up, it’s done. If the potato is still firm, place it back in the microwave and check it again after another minute of cooking.
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Garnish the potato. Once the potato is soft, slice open the top with a sharp knife. Place a folded paper towel over the cut and use your other hand to push down to open the potato. Fluff the inside of the potato with a fork and add toppings such as:[4]
- Sour cream
- Chives
- Crumbled bacon
- Shredded cheese
- Chili
- Ground beef
- Cannellini beans
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Choose a Russet or Yukon Gold potato. Pick a medium to large-sized potato, preferably a Russet or Yukon Gold potato. Scrub and rinse the potato thoroughly, then dry it with a paper towel.[5]
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Slice the potato into 1Â in (2.5Â cm) cubes. Cut the potato into 1Â in (2.5Â cm) cubes or sections. Place the potato pieces in a microwave-safe dish and disperse them evenly.[6]
- Try your best to ensure that all potato pieces lie flat on the dish or plate and do not overlap. This way, they’ll cook evenly in the microwave.
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Season the potato pieces with salt, pepper, and herbs. Drizzle the potato pieces with olive oil (approximately 0.5  fl oz (1.0 US tbsp)). Sprinkle them with a seasoning of your choice, such as salt and pepper, ranch dressing powder, oregano, or garlic powder. Toss the pieces until they’re fully coated.
- When you’re done tossing, arrange the potatoes on the plates as before—flat and not overlapping.
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Cover the dish and cook for 5 to 10 minutes. Place a lid or plastic wrap over the potatoes tightly. Ensure that all sides of the dish are covered, as the steam trapped inside will cook and brown the potatoes. Microwave on high for 5 to 10 minutes.
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Poke the potatoes with a fork to see when they're done. Starting at 5 minutes, check the potato pieces to see if they're fully cooked by piercing them with a fork. If you can pierce through the potato effortlessly, they’re done. If the pieces are hard and difficult to pierce, place them back in the microwave and continue cooking, checking for doneness in 1-minute intervals.
- Once the potatoes are fully cooked, serve them as a side dish or top them with your favorite baked potato toppings (such as cheese, sour cream, and chives).
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Scrub, wash, and dry a large potato. Wash and dry a large potato, making sure to scrub the skin thoroughly. Place the potato on a microwaveable dish. Do not peel or pierce the potato.
- Russet or Idaho potatoes make the best fluffy mashed potatoes because of their high starch content.[7]
- Yukon gold potatoes are another great option, especially if you’re craving a more buttery texture.
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Cover the dish and cook for at least 5 minutes. Stretch plastic wrap over the potato and dish, leaving a corner open to help vent steam while cooking. Microwave on high for 5 minutes. Remove, uncover, and check the potato to see if it's fully cooked. If not, continue microwaving for another minute and check again.
- The potato is fully cooked if it gives under your finger when you squeeze it or if a fork easily pierces it.
- To speed up the process, cut the potato into quarters or small cubes before microwaving it.[8]
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Peel the potato to remove the skin. Take the potato out of the microwave-safe dish with an oven mitt or kitchen tongs. Run the potato under cold water for 15 seconds to cool. Make a cut on the side of the potato, and use your fingers to slowly remove all of the skin.[9]
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Flavor and serve your mashed potatoes. Once smooth, add salt and pepper to taste. Then, consider adding other flavorings and toppings to enrich the flavor of your mashed potatoes. Try putting some of these ingredients in your potatoes:
- Garlic
- Cream cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Chicken bouillon
- Mustard
- Jalapenos
- Rosemary
- Oregano
- Basil
- Parsley
- Bacon
- Chives or green onions
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
References
- ↑ https://youtu.be/ejOkZBSlB3U?t=4
- ↑ https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/cooking-tips-tutorials/a32056706/how-to-bake-potato/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/ejOkZBSlB3U?t=55
- ↑ http://startcooking.com/how-to-cook-potatoes-in-a-microwave
- ↑ https://whatscookingamerica.net/Vegetables/MicroRoastPotatoes.htm
- ↑ https://whatscookingamerica.net/Vegetables/MicroRoastPotatoes.htm
- ↑ https://tipbuzz.com/microwave-mashed-potatoes/
- ↑ https://justmicrowaveit.com/garlic-mashed-potatoes-in-the-microwave/
- ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/13/best-way-to-peel-potatoes_n_7057660.html
About This Article
To cook a potato in the microwave, start by rinsing your potatoes to remove any dirt. To make a baked potato, take a fork and poke the potato 4-5 times to allow steam to escape while cooking. Place your potato on a microwave-safe dish and microwave on high for 3 minutes. Check your potato, and continue to cook in 1 minute intervals until it reaches your desired doneness (up to 5 minutes total). Carefully remove the potato, garnish it with your favorite toppings, and serve. To make roasted potatoes, cut your potato into 1 inch cubes and place them in a microwave-safe dish. Add your choice of seasonings and toss until completely coated. Cover the dish and place it in the microwave. Cook on high for 5-10 minutes. If the pieces still seem hard and under-cooked, return them to the microwave and continue checking at 1 minute intervals. Once they are done, carefully remove them and enjoy! To make mashed potatoes, place your whole potato on a microwave-safe dish, then cover it and cook for 5 minutes on high. Remove your potato and run it under cold water for 15 seconds to cool. Next, make a cut on the side of the potato and peel the skin until it is removed entirely. Place the potato in a bowl, and add a half cup (4 oz.) of milk, half cup (4 oz.) of sour cream or plain yogurt, and one tablespoon (0.5 oz.) of butter. Using a potato masher or large fork, mash until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste and enjoy.
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