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5.0 from 3 votes

How Long To Boil Potatoes for Potato Salad

Boil perfect potatoes for making your favorite potato salad recipe.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 87 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds (900g) potatoes
  • salt
  • water

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Gently scrub and rinse the potatoes to remove any dirt. Peel the potatoes and cut them into 2-inch cubes.
  2. Add the potatoes and 2 teaspoons of salt into a pot and then fill it with cold water so the potatoes are submerged 1 ½ inches below the water level.
  3. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer.
  4. Cook the cubed potatoes for 8-12 minutes. Begin checking for doneness after about 6 minutes, and continue checking every minute or so until potatoes are cooked through and fork-tender.
  5. Drain the cooked potatoes into a colander, run them under cold water, or immerse them in an ice bath to halt the cooking process.
  6. Proceed with your favorite potato salad recipe.

Notes

  • Waxy potatoes will hold their shape better than starchy potatoes. 
  • Salt the water to impart flavor to the potatoes.
  • Use one teaspoon of salt for every pound of potatoes.  
  • Rinse potatoes under cold water or dunk them in an ice bath to stop the cooking. 
  • Drain the potatoes completely to avoid watery potato salad. 
  • Potato salad made with mayonnaise should be kept cool. Potato salad should never be left out for more than 4 hours. 
  • Check for doneness by piercing with a fork several minutes before you expect the potatoes to be fully cooked.
  • The potato cooking water can be saved and used to flavor soups and other recipes.
  • Waxy potatoes will hold their shape better than starchy potatoes. 
  • Salt the water to impart flavor to the potatoes.
  • Use one teaspoon of salt for every pound of potatoes.  
  • Rinse potatoes under cold water or dunk them in an ice bath to stop the cooking. 
  • Drain the potatoes completely to avoid watery potato salad. 
  • Potato salad made with mayonnaise should be kept cool. Potato salad should never be left out for more than 4 hours. 
  • Check for doneness by piercing with a fork several minutes before you expect the potatoes to be fully cooked.
  • The potato cooking water can be saved and used to flavor soups and other recipes.
  • Storage - boiled potatoes can be covered and stored in the fridge for several hours before using them to make potato salad.
  • There are 3 WW Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Nutrition Information

Calories 87kcal (4%) Carbohydrates 20g (7%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 0.1g (0%) Saturated Fat 0.03g (0%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.05g Monounsaturated Fat 0.003g Sodium 7mg (0%) Potassium 477mg (14%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 2IU (0%) Vitamin C 22mg (24%) Calcium 14mg (1%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 87

% Daily Value*

Calories 87kcal 4%
Carbohydrates 20g 7%
Protein 2g 4%
Fat 0.1g 0%
Saturated Fat 0.03g 0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.05g 0%
Monounsaturated Fat 0.003g 0%
Sodium 7mg 0%
Potassium 477mg 10%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 2IU 0%
Vitamin C 22mg 24%
Calcium 14mg 1%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.