Cooking potatoes. Potatoes are a staple ingredient in many kitchens, and it’s easy to see why. They’re filling, flavorful, and affordable, making them a go-to option for many meals. You can prepare boiled potatoes (either in a pot or a pressure cooker), you can steam potatoes, fry them, roast them, grill them, mash them… the solutions are endless! Whatever you choose, we have cooking times and temperatures for you. Translation in French: Pommes de terre, patates.
Potato
How do I cook potatoes?
Traditional cooking
- Preparing potatoes
- Cooking potatoes in a pan (fried)
- Cooking potatoes in a pot (in water)
- Cooking mashed potatoes
- Cooking hash browns
- Cooking potatoes in a steamer
- Cooking potatoes in an oven (roasted)
- Baked potato in microwave
- Baked potatoes
Other means of cooking
- Cooking potatoes with a pressure cooker
- Baking potatoes in air fryer
- Cooked potatoes with a Thermomix
- Steamed potatoes with a Thermomix
- Cooking potatoes on a grill (barbecued)
- Cooking French fries (there’s a whole page for that)
What to pair potatoes with?
Mashed potatoes can be served with roasted chicken or turkey and gravy. French fries are a must with a burger and ketchup. Roast beef, lamb pair well with roasted potatoes. Use boiled potatoes to prepare potato salad, or prepare hash browns for brunch! Steamed potatoes pair well with roasted meats, grilled fish, tomatoes, zucchinis, eggplants, broccoli, sweet potatoes and yams…
Preparing potatoes
Here are simple steps to prepare potatoes: Wash the potatoes to remove any dirt. Peel them if desired. You can also leave the skins on, as they contain a lot of nutrients and add texture to the dish.
Once the potatoes are clean and peeled (if desired), cut them into evenly sized pieces. This will ensure that they cook evenly and at the same rate. You can cut them into small cubes, quarters, or halves, depending on your preference.
Cooking potatoes in a pan
Cooking potatoes in a pan. Frying potatoes is a popular way to make French fries or hash browns. To make fried potatoes:
1. Peel the potatoes and cut them into slices.
2. Rinse the potato slices under cold water. Dry them thoroughly and
3. Fry the potatoes in hot oil at 350°F (180°C) for 2-3 minutes until they are crispy and golden brown.
Cooking potatoes in a pot
Cooking potatoes in a pot. Boiling potatoes is a classic method that can be used for mashed potatoes or for use in salads. To boil potatoes:
1. Wash the potatoes and cook them whole or peel them and cut them into even-sized chunks.
2. Place the potatoes in a pot of cold water, add a pinch of salt and bring to a boil.
3. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 30-35 minutes (whole potatoes) or 15-20 minutes (peeled cut potatoes) until the potatoes are tender.
Cooking mashed potatoes
Cooking mashed potatoes. Mashed potatoes go really well with a roast and gravy.
1. Peel the potatoes and cut them into even-sized chunks.
2. Place them in a pot of cold water, add a pinch of salt and bring to a boil.
3. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
4. Drain and mash with butter and milk for creamy mashed potatoes.
Cooking hash browns
Cooking hash browns. Hash browns are a classic breakfast side dish that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. To make hash browns:
1. Peel and grate potatoes and squeeze out any excess water (using a kitchen towel or a cheesecloth).
2. Optional: Combine with salt, pepper, flour et grated onions
3. Heat some oil in a frying pan and add spoonfuls of the potato mixture to the skillet and flatten them with a spatula to form round patties. Fry for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
For a healthier option, you can also bake the hash browns in the oven on a greased baking sheet at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking.
Cooking potatoes with a steamer
Cooking potatoes with a steamer. One of the best ways to prepare potatoes is by steaming them. Steaming potatoes is a healthy and easy way to cook them, as it requires no oil or fat, and it preserves their natural flavor and texture.
1. Wash and peel the potatoes. If they’re too big, cut them in halves.
2. Pour 1 inch of water at the bottom of the steamer. Add some salt. Bring the water to a boil.
3. Add the potatoes to the steamer basket or the colander, cover with the lid, and let them steam for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are tender. You can test the potatoes by piercing them with a fork or a knife. If they’re soft and easy to pierce, they’re ready. If you’re steaming them with a pressure cooker, steam for 10-12 minutes.
Cooking potatoes in an oven
Cooking potatoes in an oven. Roasting potatoes is an excellent way to bring out their natural sweetness and create crispy edges.
1. Preheat your oven at 400°F (200°C)
2. Peel and cut the potatoes into wedges or cubes, coat them in oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper and any other seasonings you like.
3. Place them in an oven-proof dish or a baking tray and roast for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy.
Cooking baked potatoes
Cooking baked potatoes. There are a few methods for cooking baked potatoes, but the most common is in the oven.
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Rub the potatoes with olive oil and season them with salt and pepper.
3. Place them on a baking sheet and bake for about 50-60 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
What topping to choose from? Well, the choice is yours! A classic topping is butter, sour cream and chives. You can also top your baked potato with chili, broccoli and cheese or even better: bacon and cheese.
Cooking potatoes with a pressure cooker
Cooking potatoes in a pressure cooker is a quick and efficient way to get perfectly cooked potatoes with minimal effort. You have 2 solutions: either you cook them with the peel on, or you peel and cut them in cubes.
1. Depending on what you choose, simply clean the potatoes well or peel them and cut them into bite-sized cubes.
2. Add the potatoes to the pressure cooker and pour in one cup of water and sprinkle salt to taste. Close the pressure cooker lid and set the valve to the sealing position.
3. Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes (for whole unpeeled potatoes) or 4-6 minutes (for peeled potato-cubes, depending on their size).
4. Once the cooking time is up, release the pressure naturally for a few minutes and then use the quick-release method to release any remaining pressure. Carefully open the lid of the pressure cooker and check if the potatoes are cooked through by inserting a fork or knife into them. They should be tender and easy to pierce. Drain any excess water and serve the potatoes as desired.
Baked potato in microwave
How to bake a potato in the microwave ? Cooking baked potato in microwave is super easy and has the definite advantage of a minimal clean up afterwards.
1. Wash potatoes and put them in a microwave safe dish
2. Pour a bit of water in the dish. Close the lid and cook at full power for 8-12 minutes.
3. Use the tip of a knife to check if the potatoes are thoroughly cooked
Baking potatoes in air fryer
Baking potatoes in air fryer. How to cook potatoes with an air fryer is a healthy alternative to fried potatoes:
1. Wash, peel and cut potatoes into chunks.
2. Combine the potato chunks with olive oil (1 or 2 tbs), garlic powder, salt and pepper. Optional: add Parmesan cheese.
3. Cook in your air fryer at 400°F for 20 minutes. Halfway through, toss the potatoes in the basket.
Cooking potatoes in a Thermomix
You can cook potatoes in your Thermomix
1. Pour 500 g of water in the bowl. Add one ts of salt. Add the basket.
2. Add 750 g of peeled and cut potatoes in the cooking basket
3. Close the lid. Count 25 minutes at Varoma temperature, stirring speed 1.
Steaming potatoes in a Thermomix
You can steam potatoes in your Thermomix using the Varoma.
1. Wash and peel the potatoes. Cut them in halves.
2. Put 1 kg of water in the bowl. Close the lid. Add the Varoma on top.
3. Place 600 g of peeled and cut potatoes in the Varoma.
4. Cook for 30 minutes at Varoma temperature, stirring speed 1.
Cooking potatoes on a barbecue
Cooking potatoes on a barbecue. Barbecuing potatoes is a great way of cooking them if you have your BBQ going:
1. Wash the potatoes but do not peel them. Wrap them individually in aluminum foil
2. Bury them under embers/ashes.
3. Cook for 1 hour. Using the tip of a knife, check if the potatoes are cooked thoroughly (if the knife gets through easily, they’re cooked)
The two most common types are waxy and starchy potatoes. Waxy potatoes, like new potatoes, are best used for salads and stews as they hold their shape well when cooked. Starchy potatoes, like russet potatoes, are better for mashed potatoes and French fries as they break down easily when cooked.