How Long To Boil Potatoes

Potatoes are a popular and versatile ingredient that can be boiled, baked, mashed, or fried. Boiling potatoes is a common way to prepare them and while the duration of cooking time will vary depending on the type of potato and the desired level of doneness, there are some basic guidelines that can help you determine how long it will take to boil potatoes.

For small potatoes, such as new potatoes, it will generally take about 10 minutes of boiling for them to become fully cooked. For larger potatoes, such as russet potatoes, boiling time will increase to anywhere between 15-20 minutes. If you’re in a rush and need to boil potatoes quickly, cutting them into chunks will decrease the boiling time to about 5 minutes.

You can easily detect when potatoes are cooked by pricking them with a fork. If the fork slides in easily and the potato has a creamy, soft texture, it is done. If the potatoes are not cooked through, you may need to add an additional 5 minutes to the boiling time.

If you need boiled potatoes for mashing or to use in casseroles, you can overcook them slightly, as they will absorb more liquid and be much easier to mash. Simply remove the potatoes from the heat, cover the pot, and let the potatoes sit in the hot, steaming liquid for an additional 10-15 minutes.

So, how long do you boil potatoes? The answer will depend on the size and type of potato, as well as the desired level of doneness. As a rule of thumb, you should plan on boiling small potatoes for approximately 10 minutes and larger potatoes for 15-20 minutes. If you need boiled potatoes quickly, cut the potatoes into chunks and boil for around 5 minutes. If you’re mashing potatoes or using them in a casserole, it is recommended to slightly overcook the potatoes for easier mashing.