How to boil potatoes

These steps assume

• The portion is 200–250 g potatoes per person.
• Potatoes are whole or cut into even 4–5 cm pieces.
• Whole and large potatoes start in cold salted water.
• Timing starts at a gentle simmer; size and variety determine the endpoint.

This is what it should look like

What you need

• 200–250 g potatoes per person
• Cold water
• Salt (about 1 tsp per liter of water)
• Pot with a lid
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Fork and colander

Step by step

1. 1

   Choose evenly sized potatoes; halve the largest and rinse them.

   • Equipment: Sharp knife and cutting board + Fork and colander.
   • Heat: No heat during preparation.
   • Time: 2–5 minutes.
   • Looks like: The pieces are even enough to become tender together.
   • If it goes wrong: Uneven sizes leave small potatoes broken down and large ones hard.
   • Done when: The pieces are even enough to become tender together.

2. 2

   Cover with cold water and salt it. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer gently.

   • Equipment: Pot with a lid.
   • Heat: The stated working heat.
   • Time: 5–40 minutes depending on ingredient and method.
   • Looks like: The water simmers steadily; potatoes do not knock hard against each other.
   • If it goes wrong: A hard boil splits the surface before the center is tender.
   • Done when: The water simmers steadily; potatoes do not knock hard against each other.

3. 3

   Keep the potatoes at a gentle simmer. Start testing the largest after 15 minutes.

   • Equipment: Pot with a lid + Fork and colander.
   • Heat: Gentle simmer.
   • Time: 15–25 minutes.
   • Looks like: The water simmers steadily; potatoes do not knock hard against each other.
   • If it goes wrong: A hard boil splits the surface before the center is tender.
   • Done when: The water simmers steadily; potatoes do not knock hard against each other.

4. 4

   Test the largest potato with a fork. Drain and let the potatoes steam dry.

   • Equipment: Fork and colander.
   • Heat: Low heat or off during the final check.
   • Time: 1–5 minutes.
   • Looks like: The fork slides in with slight resistance and there is no hard center.
   • If it goes wrong: If the fork falls straight through, the potatoes are beginning to overcook.
   • Done when: The fork slides in with slight resistance and there is no hard center.

If it doesn't turn out as expected

• Uneven sizes leave small potatoes broken down and large ones hard.
• A hard boil splits the surface before the center is tender.
• If the fork falls straight through, the potatoes are beginning to overcook.

Food safety

Lift the lid away from your face and drain hot water with both hands and dry oven mitts.