Instant Pot Boiled Potatoes is one of the easiest recipes you will ever make!
Boiling potatoes is neither exciting nor particularly interesting, as far as cooking skills go, but it is quite handy.
Some of our favorite recipes like potato salads, mashed potatoes, or Instant Pot Shepherd's Pie include boiled potatoes, so they are the essence of so many dishes.
Table of Contents
- Why boil potatoes?
- Which potatoes to use?
- Whole, peeled, cubed potatoes?
- How long does it take to boil potatoes?
- Can I make the potatoes without a trivet?
- Can I make the potatoes using Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid?
- How to boil potatoes using the Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Potato Recipes
- Instant Pot Boiled Potatoes
Why boil potatoes?
Besides "because it is in the recipe" you might boil potatoes if you don’t want them to dry out, as they do in the oven. Generally, you boil potatoes when you plan to mash them or toss them into a salad, but potatoes can also make a great quick side dish. I like to drizzle my potatoes with some extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle them with salt while still warm. I find it the best and simplest way.
Which potatoes to use?
Waxy or all-purpose potatoes are the best candidates for boiling. They hold their shape when boiled and have a nice creamy texture once cooked. They are also usually smaller — usually no bigger than your fist — and thin-skinned, so they cook more quickly. Although many use a waxy type of potatoes, you can also boil the starchy ones. I have a friend who adores starchy potatoes and says that they are the best for the potato mash. Still, make sure you are using them all at the same size just to prevent overcooking of some.
Whole, peeled, cubed potatoes?
As this is not a standard over the stove method, I strongly advise sticking with the whole potatoes. I have tried once to boil the cubed and was not happy with the results. So, learn from my mistakes 🙂 Also, leave the potatoes in their skin. The skin acts like the protective shell that keeps all together even the starchy type of potatoes.
How long does it take to boil potatoes?
The traditional over the stove method can take up to 30 minutes, depending on the potato size and if they are cooked whole. With the Instant pot, the cooking time is cut by half and even more. Here is the cooking time for different types and sizes:
- baby potatoes, that are around 1-inch long will take 5 minutes with a quick release or natural release
- medium potatoes (Yukon gold or red potatoes) that are around 2.5-inches require 1-2 minutes with a quick release or natural release
- large potatoes (Russet) that are 4- 5 ½-inches long require 10 to 12 minutes of cooking with quick or natural pressure release
Can I make the potatoes without a trivet?
You can cook the potatoes without the Instant Pot trivet, but if you are doing so, I advice you to cook only baby potatoes.
Baby potatoes cook faster don't absorb the water like the larger potatoes. Besides absorbing the water, the water may alter the flavor of the potatoes.
Can I make the potatoes using Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid?
Yes you can, but then the potatoes would have a different taste. They would taste like grilled potatoes.
If you have the Air Fryer Lid, I would suggest you to try this Instant Pot Baked Potatoes recipe.
You can also make it if you have the Instant Pot Duo Crisp or the Mealthy Crisplid.
How to boil potatoes using the Instant Pot
Gather your ingredients:
Wash the potatoes and place on a trivet you inserted in Instant Pot. Pour in 2 cups of water.
Lock the lid into place. Cook the potatoes on high pressure for 10 minutes. Once done, wait for the pressure to release naturally.
When the valve drops, open the lid and take the potatoes out.
Peel the skin or refrigerate for future use.
Looking for ideas for a complete meal? Check out What to Serve With Scalloped Potatoes. Most of the recipes there are great for boiled potatoes as well.
Instant Pot Potato Recipes
Instant Pot Potatoes and Carrots
Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes
Instant Pot Boiled Potatoes
Ingredients
- 6 potatoes
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Pour 2 cups of water into the Instant Pot.
- Place the trivet on the bottom of the Instant Pot.
- Place the potatoes on the trivet, close the lid and seal the valve.
- Cook for 10 minutes on high pressure.
- When cooking cycle ends, wait for a natural pressure release.
- Once done, open the lid, take out the potatoes and enjoy 🙂
Nutrition
This is very informative but contradictory...one must assume that the written recipe is for russet potatoes...according to the blog...is that correct. Confusing for a newbie
I have a 3 quart instant pot, am single so I need only 2 potatoes medium sized. What would be cooking time would I only need 1 cup water?
Thank you
Yes, 1 cup of water should be just fine and it depends on the size of the potatoes but 8-10 minutes for cook time should be about right.
Are these recipes for a 6 quart instant pot?
My directions say to never operate with less than 3 cups of water. Mine is 6 quart.
Interesting, I think 2 cups should work just fine, but adding 3 cups of water will work just as well if that's what your model requires.
actually... if you look at the recipes on you tube... they will. say you only need 1 cup of water depending on what your cooking...pasta and eggs cover the item in water pasta extra water..practice helps
I am in love with your writing style! You educate & personalize instead of just give me a gushy story & I SO appreciate that!
I forgot to mention that when I was a young boy my father took me into the city since my grandparents lived there.
And we stayed there for a few days and my grandmother used to make me the best boiled potatoes ever! She didn't use Instant Pot of course, but the old fashioned stovetop pressure cooker.
It was amazing and when I got my Instant Pot as a gift, I swear to myself that in a near future, I will open and a blog and make the same boiled potatoes and eat them in front of my favorite Netflix show. It was hard but somehow I manage to gather all the ingredients from the grocery store, drag them to my apartment and create this scrumptious recipe just for you!