How to Boil Russet Potatoes

You’ll recognize russet potatoes by their large, oblong shape, dark brown skin and beige-white flesh. Their skins are tougher than regular potatoes, and they’re a popular choice for rustic potato dishes.

Russet potatoes are suitable for baking, mashing, boiling and skin-on French fries. If you’re wondering how to boil russet potatoes, you’ve come to the right place.

We’ve covered all you need to know to boil these delicious potatoes like a pro.

Let’s dive in!

How to Boil Russet Potatoes for a Quick and Easy Meal?

If you’re wondering how to boil russet potatoes (which are great for a quick snack or a full meal), you’re in for a treat, because it doesn’t require much effort. All you need to boil them are:

• Russet potatoes
• Pot and lid
• Salt
• Stove
• Water
• Potato peeler
• Knife
• Butter and parsley for garnish

If you’ve got everything you need, let’s get started!

Step 1: Peel the Russet Potatoes

Carefully peel the skins off with a potato peeler. The peeled potatoes should have a smooth velvety texture.

Step 2: Chop the Potatoes into Cubes

Chop the potatoes into cubes, making them as big or as small as you need. Keep in mind that bigger chunks take longer to cook and may need to be sliced before eating. Thus, it’s a good idea to chop them into bite-sized pieces.

Step 3: Fill a Pot with Water and Place the Potatoes Inside

Use a pot large enough for all the potato pieces and fill it up with enough water to fully submerge your potatoes. Place your potato cubes inside.

Step 4: Place the Pot on the Stove and Allow the Water to Boil

Put your pot with the water and potatoes on the stove. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.

Step 5: Add Salt and Place the Lid

Once the water achieves a rolling boil, add salt to flavor the potatoes. Cover the pot with a lid.

Step 6: Turn Down the Heat and Simmer for 20 Minutes

Once covered, turn down the heat. Allow the water to simmer so the potatoes can boil properly.

Step 7: Take the Pot off the Stove and Drain the Water

After 20 minutes, check for doneness by sticking one of the potato pieces with a fork. If the fork slides in easily and without too much resistance, your potatoes are ready! Switch off the stove and drain all the water.

Step 8: Transfer the Potatoes to a Plate and Garnish

Now that your potatoes are ready, transfer them to a serving plate. Garnish them with butter and parsley.

You can also add other spices for more flavor — it’s completely up to you. Bon appetit!

Why Should You Include Russet Potatoes in Your Diet?

Due to the increasing popularity of low-carb diets and general diet culture, potatoes have gained a bad reputation in recent years. However, as long as you’re not eating fried potatoes every day, they’re actually really healthy.

Here are some health benefits of potatoes that explain why you should add them to your diet:

• Zinc, magnesium, calcium, iron and phosphorus in potatoes improve bone health.
• Potassium from potatoes is very helpful for controlling and maintaining healthy blood pressure.
• Potatoes’ fiber and vitamins, in addition to their lack of cholesterol, are great for a healthy heart.
• Potatoes contain choline, which helps with mood, learning, memory and muscle movement.
• Potatoes are good for digestion.
• The folate in potatoes assists with DNA synthesis and repair, which can help prevent cancer.
• Potatoes are rich in antioxidants and also help reduce inflammation.
• The vitamin B6 in potatoes can improve metabolism, while its fiber content can assist with weight management.
• Potatoes support collagen production by providing vitamin C, which is also beneficial to immune health.
• Potatoes have a high satiation index, making them ideal for weight loss and management. It’s an economical meal that makes you feel full for longer.

Different Ways to Cook Potatoes and the Time it Takes to Cook Them

Here are the most common ways you can cook potatoes before using them in different dishes and recipes:

Cooking Method	Time Taken
Boiling	20 minutes
Pan roasting	10 minutes
Baking	50-60 minutes
Frying	Up to 10 minutes
Roasting	20 to 30 minutes

Final Thoughts

Potatoes contain important nutrients, such as vitamin C, vitamin B6 and potassium (among others). They are also rich in minerals and antioxidants and help improve blood sugar control.

With all their benefits, it isn’t hard to understand why these healthy roots have become a staple in most diets.

Aside from their delicious taste and health benefits, boiled potatoes are especially great because they’re extremely filling – even in small quantities. In fact, boiled potatoes have a 323 score on the satiety index!

Now that you know how to boil russet potatoes, you can enjoy a healthy, delicious meal anytime you want! All you need is some salt, a large pot, some water and russet potatoes.