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How to boil potatoes is a guide to tender, fluffy and perfectly boiled potatoes – every time. Stove top, microwave, or a pressure cooker, this dependable recipe will take your typical potatoes and give them a huge flavor boost.
This post is in partnership and sponsored byThe Little Potato Companyas part of their Brand Ambassador Program. My Kitchen Love has been compensated monetarily and with product. We only support brands we love and cook with at home.
Every time I boil potatoes I add a couple of convenient ingredients to give the flavours a big boost. Simple ingredients like salt, garlic, and dried herbs can make a huge difference.
These additions take tasty potatoes and turns them into flavour bombs with almost zero added time or effort in the kitchen (don’t even bother peeling that garlic!).
Boiling potatoes has to be one of the easiest and wholesome side dishes that make an appearance on the table. They take minimal effort and can literally be parked on the stove or in the Instant Pot for a hands off dish.
Boiled Little Potatoes are an ideal accompaniment for most proteins (chicken! beef! tofu! pork! beans!) and can round out many meals with their comforting flavour and nutrient dense servings.
Variations for this easy potato recipe:
- Use fresh a bay leaf or a sprig of parsley or a sprig of thyme instead.
- Add a couple of whole black peppercorns for a touch of “spice”.
- Add sea salt and vinegar to make a version of these Salt and Vinegar Potatoes.
How to boil potatoes on the stove:
Potatoes take very little for a terrific end result. We add our flavour boosters, cover with water and boil for 12-15 minutes until tender.
The best part of boiling Little Potatoes is that they come pre-washed and do not require peeling as their skin is delicate, tender and edible. Skin on means extra nutrients and a lots of flavour.
How to boil potatoes in a pressure cooker:
Place potatoes in Instant Pot or pressure cooker, cover with water and cook on high pressure for a few minutes (2-3 minutes). Drain and presto – your veggies are ready!
How to boil potatoes in the microwave:
This was a revelation for me. Holidays or events when the stove is packed with other dishes, boiling potatoes in the microwave makes total sense. It takes potatoes, water, and the microwave to get this easy 10 minute potato side dish done – quick!
Finishing and garnish options:
- 2 tsp olive oil, pinch of flaky sea salt, and chopped chives.
- 1 tbsp salted butter and 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
- Used in a Classic Potato Salad.
- 1-2 tbsp sour cream and 1/2 tsp sweet smoked paprika.
- 1 tbsp salted butter and 1-2 tbsp chopped fresh dill.
- Used in this Healthy Potato Cobb Salad.
5 from 1 vote
How to Boil Potatoes (with Flavour)
Prep Time
3 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Wholesome and flavourful Boiled Potatoes via the stove top, microwave or Pressure Cooker.
Course:Side Dish
Cuisine:American
Keyword:boiled potatoes, how to boil potatoes, Instant Pot Boiled potatoes, microwave boiled potatoes, pressure cooker boiled potatoes, skin on boiled potatoes, stove top boiled potatoes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 132 kcal
Author: Samantha
Ingredients
- 1.5lbsLittle Potato Company Potatoes*
- 1mediumdried bay leaf
- 1mediumgarlic cloveskin on, left whole
- 1tspsalt**
- cold water to fill pot/bowl
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
Stove Top:
Place potatoes, bay leaf, garlic clove, and salt in a medium to large sized sauce pan. Cover potatoes 2" above with water.
Place sauce pan over high heat and heat to a boil. Boil for 12-15 minutes or until a knife or fork pierces easy into the potatoes.
Drain, discard garlic and by leaf. Enjoy!
Microwave:
Place potatoes, bay leaf, garlic clove, and salt in a large microwave proof bowl or container. Cover potatoes 2" above with water.
Cook at high heat for 10-12 minutes in the microwave.
Drain, discard garlic and by leaf. Enjoy!
Instant Pot:
Place potatoes, bay leaf, garlic clove, and salt in Instant Pot. Cover potatoes 2" above with water.
Cook at high pressure with the SEAL valve closed for 2 minutes with a natural release OR 3 minutes with a quick release.
Drain, discard garlic and by leaf. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
* I used Little Potato Company's Terrific Trio potatoes for their lovely colours and unique flavours. Dynamic Duo or any of the Little Potato Company's potatoes will work well in this recipe.
** My preference is Sea Salt in this recipe, however, any salt will do.
Nutrition Facts
How to Boil Potatoes (with Flavour)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 132Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 592mg26%
Potassium 716mg20%
Carbohydrates 30g10%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin C 34mg41%
Calcium 20mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Enjoy! xo
I'm a culinary enthusiast with a passion for cooking and a deep understanding of various cooking techniques, including potato preparation. I've gained extensive hands-on experience in the kitchen, experimenting with different ingredients and methods to elevate flavors. Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the article on how to boil potatoes with a flavor boost.
The article provides a comprehensive guide to boiling potatoes using three different methods: stove top, microwave, and pressure cooker. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts:
-
Flavor Boosters:
- Simple ingredients like salt, garlic, and dried herbs are added to enhance the flavor of the potatoes.
- These additions transform regular potatoes into flavor bombs with minimal extra time or effort.
-
Potato Variations:
- Suggestions for variations include using fresh bay leaf, parsley, thyme, or whole black peppercorns for added spice.
- The option to make Salt and Vinegar Potatoes by adding sea salt and vinegar is mentioned.
-
Benefits of Little Potatoes:
- Boiling Little Potatoes is highlighted as an easy and wholesome side dish.
- Little Potatoes come pre-washed and don't require peeling, providing extra nutrients and flavor.
-
Cooking Methods:
- Stove Top: Potatoes, along with flavor enhancers, are boiled for 12-15 minutes until tender.
- Microwave: A quick and convenient method for holidays or events when the stove is occupied.
- Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot): Potatoes are cooked on high pressure for a few minutes, resulting in a quick and easy dish.
-
Finishing and Garnish Options:
- Various options for finishing and garnishing the boiled potatoes are provided, such as olive oil, sea salt, chopped chives, salted butter, parsley, sour cream, and smoked paprika.
-
Nutritional Information:
- The article includes nutritional information per serving, mentioning the use of Little Potato Company's Terrific Trio potatoes and sea salt.
-
Recipe Instructions:
- Detailed instructions for each cooking method (stove top, microwave, and Instant Pot) are provided, along with suggested variations and finishing options.
In conclusion, the article serves as a comprehensive guide for boiling potatoes with added flavor, catering to different preferences and occasions. Whether you prefer the traditional stove top method or opt for the convenience of the microwave or pressure cooker, the article provides versatile options for creating delicious boiled potatoes.
