How Long to Boil Potatoes

Potato Boiling Times

Cut Potatoes:
Potatoes are boiled for making various potato dishes. One of the most common reasons to boil potatoes is in preparation for making mashed potatoes. Generally, when making mashed potatoes, potatoes are skinned and then cut into about one inch cubes. When this is done, the cut potatoes need to boil for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Red potatoes:
red potatoes are also often boiled to make salt potatoes. Red potatoes are usually scrubbed clean and then boiled whole in salt water. Since these potatoes are larger than the cubes associated with making mashed potatoes, they will boil for a longer period of time. About 20 to 25 minutes of cooking time will produce soft red potatoes, again depending on the size of the potatoes.

Fingerlings:
Fingerlings need to boil for about 15 to 20 minutes, since they are sized between a cut potato piece and a whole red potato, .

Whole Potatoes:
Whole potatoes are boiled less frequently because it takes some time for the center of the potato to cook while the outer portion becomes rather soft. If whole potatoes are boiled, they will take between 30 and 45 minutes to soften and become cooked.

What’s the best way to test if a potato has boiled long enough?
Pierce one or two of the potatoes to test for doneness. If the fork or knife slides through easily, the potatoes are done and should be drained.

How Long to Boil Potatoes

Additional Info

For the best way to keep potatoes from turning brown, see our brown potatoes FAQ post.

To check if you can freeze potatoes, check our freeze potatoes FAQ post.

If your potato is green, read our green potato FAQ post before using that potato.

To find out how to bake a potato, see our baked potato post. If grilling, check out how to how to grill potatoes.