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The essential guide on how long to boil potatoes! With some simple tips, you can make perfect boiled potatoes faster – in as little as 12 minutes on the stovetop or 6-8 minutes in the microwave. We cover how to boil potatoes whether for salads, soups, casseroles or other dishes.

Comparison of different boiled potatoes with their corresponding boiling times to make it easy to determine how long to boil potatoes.

How long to boil potatoes

Perfect boiled potatoes hold their shape after cooking with a smooth texture and skin that comes off easily.

Do you know how to make perfect boiled potatoes every time? Boil them on the stovetop for 12-30 minutes depending on the size of your potatoes. Or if you're in a hurry, there's a shortcut for getting them ready in just 6-8 minutes in a microwave!

You can serve boiled potatoes on their own or add them to other dishes. Boiling is a healthy option with no added fat and only 87 calories per 100 grams according to the USDA. Plus, there's virtually no cleanup!

How to boil potatoes

Scrub the potatoes gently under running water to remove any dirt.
Place potatoes in a medium-to-large pot.

Round white potatoes in a medium pot before adding water for boiling

Cover with 1-inch (2.5 cm) of cold water, adding optional salt for flavor.
Place on high heat and bring to a boil.

Closeup of round white potatoes in a pot full of boiling water

Boil for 12-30 minutes according to size chart below.
Remove potatoes to a plate to cool for at least 5-10 minutes before use.

Closeup of a round white potato that has been boiled until tender

Types of potatoes for boiling

While almost any potato can be boiled, you'll find that some potatoes are best suited to certain types of recipes:

Baking Potatoes: Starchy potatoes like Russets, Idahos, Purple potatoes, Yams and Sweet Potatoes have a floury texture that disintegrates easily and is suitable for mashed potatoes only .
All-purpose Potatoes: Medium-starch potatoes like Yukon Gold and Red Gold will hold their shape and are suitable for use in potato salads, soups, casseroles etc. They typically have yellow flesh.
Waxy Potatoes: Low-starch potatoes such as Round White, Round Red (Red Bliss) and Fingerling are classic boiling potatoes that will retain their shape and are also suitable for use in potato salads, soups, casseroles etc. They usually have white flesh.

Various sizes and types of potatoes suitable for boiling: baby red potatoes, baby white potatoes, Yukon Gold potatoes, Round White potatoes, Round Red potatoes, baking potatoes

Boiled red potatoes are called for in many recipes, while Russets and Idahos are top picks for mashed potatoes. Here are a few tips when you're shopping for potatoes:

Look for firm potatoes with smooth skin and no sprouts. If they're getting soft with dark spots appearing, they're too old and should not be used.
Choose similar-sized potatoes so they cook in the same amount of time.

Should I peel potatoes before boiling?

No. Potatoes with skin on will absorb less water while being boiled, therefore preserving the starch. If you don't like eating potato skins, you can peel them AFTER boiling. Just make sure to let them cool down first before peeling.

Closeup of peeling the skin off a boiled potato readily with the fingers once cool

How long does it take to boil whole potatoes?

When you're boiling whole potatoes, cooking time depends mainly on the size of the potatoes. It goes without saying that bigger potatoes require more boiling time!

Follow the table below to determine how long to boil whole potatoes:

Potato Type	Potato Size	Boil Potatoes Time*
Baby potatoes	1 inch (2.5 cm)	12 minutes
Small potatoes	2 inches (5 cm)	15 minutes
Medium potatoes	3 inches (7.6 cm)	20 minutes
Large potatoes	4 inches (10 cm)	25 minutes
Extra-large potatoes	6 inches (15 cm)	30 minutes

Notes: Times listed reflect once the water has started to boil.

How long to boil potatoes for mash ? The boiling times above will work whether you're making mashed potatoes, potato salad or other dishes. However, plan on some cooling time after boiling when making potato salad for the best texture (using an ice water bath will speed up this cooling process).

How to tell when potatoes are done? Simply insert a fork into the middle of the potato. The center should be fork-tender and have the texture of a ripe pear, or firm but not mushy.

Cutting a raw white potato into quarters with a chef's knife for faster boiling

How to boil potatoes faster on the stove?

To boil potatoes quickly, cut them into smaller, 1-inch chunks and they cook within 15 minutes. You can also pre-boil the water to save a few extra minutes, although the texture of the potatoes will be slightly inferior to starting with cold water.

How long to boil potatoes in a microwave (fastest method)

It takes 6-8 minutes to boil large whole potatoes in a microwave. Just place 2 potatoes in a microwave-safe dish and add 2 tablespoons of water. Cover and microwave on high. Let them rest for 2 minutes before serving.

Freshly boiled potatoes served simply with butter and fresh parsley for an easy side dish

Ways to use boiled potatoes

You can eat boiled potatoes whole with butter and fresh herbs, or use them to make mashed potatoes, a potato salad or potato casserole. Other ideas include mashed potato balls and potato pancakes.

Boiling sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes and yams are boiled the same way as other potatoes. If cut into chunks, they'll usually be done in 15-20 minutes and will be soft and fork-tender when done.

Boiled Potatoes

Learn how to easily boil potatoes, whether you're using them for salads, soups, casseroles or other dishes.

▢ 1-2 pounds boiling potatoes, waxy or all-purpose potatoes*
▢ 2 teaspoons salt, optional
▢ 1 tablespoon butter, optional
▢ fresh parsley, minced - optional

Wash and scrub the potatoes gently under running water to remove any surface debris. Optionally you can cut the potatoes into chunks for faster cooking.
Put the potatoes in a medium pot or saucepan. Add the salt and enough cold water to cover by 1-inch. (Note: starting with cold water helps the potatoes to cook more evenly.)
Place on high heat and bring to a boil.
Lower heat to medium and boil uncovered for 12-30 minutes depending on the size of the potatoes.
Check doneness by inserting a fork or skewer. The center of the potato will be fork-tender with a pear-like texture when done.
Drain the potatoes. Serve with optional butter and parsley, or use as called for in recipes.

*Waxy or all-purpose potato varieties include Yukon Gold, Red Gold, Round White, Round Red (Red Bliss) and Fingerling among others.
Use smaller potatoes for faster cooking, or larger potatoes when you need quantity for recipes such as mashed potatoes.
Should you peel potatoes before boiling? Peeling is optional and does not affect boiling time. Note: the skin contains a significant amount of a potato's nutrition.
Save some boiling liquid to flavor gravy or mashed potatoes with no added fat.
Let whole potatoes cool for at least 15 minutes before cutting for the best texture and to avoid burning your fingertips. An ice-water bath will help speed this process.
Boiled potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days once fully cooled. For longer-term storage, place the cooled potatoes in a resealable plastic bag for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Facts

Boiled Potatoes

Amount Per Serving

Calories 92 Calories from Fat 18

% Daily Value*

Fat 2g 3%

Saturated Fat 1g 5%

Cholesterol 4mg 1%

Sodium 166mg 7%

Potassium 516mg 15%

Carbohydrates 18g 6%

Fiber 2g 8%

Sugar 1g 1%

Protein 2g 4%

Vitamin A 44IU 1%

Vitamin C 10mg 12%

Calcium 11mg 1%

Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Please read our nutrition disclaimer.

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