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 by The Little Potato Company as 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.
Wholesome and flavourful Boiled Potatoes via the stove top, microwave or Pressure Cooker.
- 1.5 lbs Little Potato Company Potatoes*
- 1 medium dried bay leaf
- 1 medium garlic clove skin on, left whole
- 1 tsp salt**
- cold water to fill pot/bowl
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Place potatoes, bay leaf, garlic clove, and salt in a medium to large sized sauce pan. Cover potatoes 2" above with water.
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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.
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Drain, discard garlic and by leaf. Enjoy!
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Place potatoes, bay leaf, garlic clove, and salt in a large microwave proof bowl or container. Cover potatoes 2" above with water.
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Cook at high heat for 10-12 minutes in the microwave.
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Drain, discard garlic and by leaf. Enjoy!
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Place potatoes, bay leaf, garlic clove, and salt in Instant Pot. Cover potatoes 2" above with water.
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Cook at high pressure with the SEAL valve closed for 2 minutes with a natural release OR 3 minutes with a quick release.
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Drain, discard garlic and by leaf. Enjoy!
* 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.
Enjoy! xo
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