Loaves and Dishes

  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Let's work together- Brands
    • Jobs
    • Image and Recipe Use Policy
    • Editorial Policy Page
    • Contact Page
    • Process for Recipe Testing and Fact Checking
    • Copyright
  • Recipe Box
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Main Dish
    • Side Dish
    • Dessert
    • Resources
  • Collections
    • Cooking Device
      • Air Fryer
      • Crockpot
      • Grill
      • Instant Pot and Pressure Cooker
      • Microwave
      • Smoker Recipes
      • Stove Top and Oven
    • Southern Cooking Recipes
    • Beginner Cook Recipes
      • Easy Comfort Food Recipes
      • Canned Food Basics
    • Holiday Recipes
      • Christmas Favorites
      • Valenites Recipe Favorites
      • Easter Favorites
      • Mother's Day Favorites
      • Patriotic Holiday Favorites
      • Thanksgiving Favorites
    • Preserving Food
      • Canned Food Basics
    • Birthday Dinner Ideas
    • Fan Favorite Recipes
    • Pasta Recipes
    • Soups and Stews
  • PODCAST
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Podcast
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Podcast
×
Home » Course » Side Dish

How to Boil Potatoes for Mashing

Published: Feb 9, 2021 by Wendi Spraker · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

To Make Delicious & hearty mashed potatoes, you have to know How To Boil Potatoes!  Let me show you how, it's as easy as boiling water!

A bowl of mashed potatoes on a swirled green napkin and a fork

How to Boil Potatoes for Mashing

Contents show
1 How to Boil Potatoes for Mashing
2 Here's What You'll Need:
3 It's Easier Than You Think!
4 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
5 What kind of potatoes should I use?
6 Tips and Tricks
7 If You Enjoyed This Potato Recipe, You Might Also Enjoy...
8 Watch Me Make This Here..
9 Can You Help Me Out?
10 How to Boil Potatoes for Mashing
10.1 Ingredients
10.2 Instructions
10.3 Notes
10.4 Nutrition
11 A Verse to Share
11.1 You May Also Love:

Want to know how to boil potatoes so that you will have fluffy delicious mashed potatoes? It's super easy! These mashed potatoes are hearty and filling and I will show you how to make them but first, let's boil those potatoes!

[slick-story src="https://stories.slickstream.com/loavesanddishes/d/webstory/how-to-boil-potatoes-for-mashing"]

"Delicous, fluffy and hearty mashed potatoes".

Here's What You'll Need:

  • Potatoes - These are russet potatoes but you can use other kinds too, if you use red or yukon golds, you don't have to peel them!
  • Vegetable Peeler - Make sure it's sharp
  • Water - Tap water is fine.
  • Salt - I prefer kosher salt but any table salt is fine
  • A Pot - make sure that you use the right size for the amount of potatoes. The potatoes shouldn't be piled on one another.

It's Easier Than You Think!

  • Peel potatoes
  • cut up potato on cutting board
    cut up potato
  • cover with water and boil
  • fork tender

You'll LOVE how EASY this is and it SAVES money, and tastes great!

Here's an Overview of How To Make This!

  1. Wash and peel your potatoes.
  2. Cut the potatoes
  3. Fill a pot with water
  4. Add potatoes
  5. Add Salt
  6. Boil potatoes for 10-15 minutes
  7. Drain the water
  8. Mash the potatoes

"You'll LOVE how EASY it is to boil potatoes for mashing!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

How long does it take to boil potatoes?

It takes about 15-25 minutes depending on the type and size of the potatoes.  Larger chunks of potatoes takes more time to cook than smaller ones.  


Can you parboil potatoes for mashing?

Yes, you can parboil potatoes for mashed potatoes but I wouldn’t recommend it because of the extra work that it would take.  If you are wanting to make mashed potatoes ahead of time for a large group or event you can.  All you need to do is make the ahead of time and then reheat them or keep them in a crockpot on low.

How do you prepare potatoes for boiling?


You should wash your potatoes first.  This is important because potatoes are dirty.  Then peel them if you want the peel off.  Cut them into 1-2 inch cubes and boil them for 10-15 minutes. 

Do you boil water before adding potatoes?

You can or you can add the potatoes before the water starts boiling.  It’s up to you and both ways will cook the potatoes the same.  Make sure that you use cold water if you are adding the potatoes before the boiling starts.  Starting with cold water will make the potatoes cook more evenly.  

What kind of potatoes should I use?

There are several different kinds of potatoes that you can use.

Yukon Gold and Red potatoes have thinner skin and can be boiled and mashed with the skin on them.

Russet potatoes can be used for a delicious classic mashed potato. The skin on russets is thicker and you will want to peel most of it off before boiling.

I would not recommend baking potatoes or smaller varieties of potatoes for mashing.

Do not use sweet potatoes for this recipe. That would require different ingredients.

A bowl of mashed potatoes from above with a swirled green napikin and a fork using canned mashed potatoes
Mashed Potatoes

Tips and Tricks

  • Leave the skin on parts of the potatoes for a more rustic feel and extra fiber and nutrients.
  • Cut the potatoes evenly so that they cook evenly.
  • Add your potatoes to the water before they start boiling.  This will eliminate possible burns and dealing with hot water. 
  • Here's more than you ever wanted to know about potatoes.

PRO TIP:  Make sure you have a good quality peeler!  I use a finger peeler because it's easy on my hands and wrists!  You wear it like a ring and it's much easier to use!

If You Enjoyed This Potato Recipe, You Might Also Enjoy...

Canned Mashed potatoes

Classic Mashed Potatoes

Watch Me Make This Here..

Can You Help Me Out?

Please leave a 5 STAR COMMENT in the comment section below. This helps others to find the recipes at Loaves and Dishes!

I would LOVE to have you as a newsletter reader! Sign up for the newsletter and get HOT COOKING tips (not more than once per week) to your inbox!

peeled potatoes

How to Boil Potatoes for Mashing

The recipe will teach you how to boil potatoes for mashing
Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: how to boil potatoes for mashing
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 84kcal
Author: Wendi Spraker

Ingredients

  • 2 Russet Potatoes fist size
  • 1-3 tbsp Salt
  • 2-4 Cup Water

Instructions

  • Wash and Peel your potatoes.
  • Cut your potatoes into even chunks. The smaller the chunk the less time they will take to cook and vice versa.
  • Fill your pot with enough water to cover the potatoes by 2 inches.
  • Add salt
  • Transfer the potatoes to the water.
  • Place the pot on the stove and turn the stove to medium high heat.
  • Allow the potatoes to cook for 15-20 minutes. The potatoes are fully cooked when you can easily pass a fork through the potatoe.

Notes

  • Choose fresh potatoes. Fresh potatoes will not have wrinkles on the skin and the eyes will not be grown out. 
  • Remove any bad spots from the potato when you cut it up. 
  • Cut into the most even sized pieces possible to allow for even cooking. 
  • The potato is done when you can easily pass a fork through the potato. 
  • It takes a lot of salt in the water to season the potatoes. 
  • Don't rinse your potatoes after removing them from the water, you want that starch on the potatoes. 
  • If you are using yukon gold or red potatoes, you do not have to remove the skins as these skins are very thin and mash up easily but they will be visible in the end product. 
  • Russets have a thicker skin and so you want to remove all of that before cooking. 
  • The smaller size chunks that you cut your potatoes into, the quicker they will cook. 
  • Wash your potatoes whether you plan to leave the skin on or not. Potatoes often arrive somewhat dirty to the store and you do not want that dirt in your mashed potatoes. 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
How to Boil Potatoes for Mashing
Amount Per Serving (0.5 cup)
Calories 84 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Sodium 1755mg73%
Potassium 444mg13%
Carbohydrates 19g6%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin C 6mg7%
Calcium 17mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @loavesanddishes or tag #loavesanddishes!

A Verse to Share

Did you ever look closely at the passages surrounding the last supper? You know the story and many of the words if you attend church during communion. However, look closely at the whole passage. Its very interesting.

Mark 14:24

“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 

You May Also Love:

  • omato based soup in a white bowl on a blue plate
    Easy Lasagna Soup Recipe
  • pumpkin cookies on parchment paper
    Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies
  • coffee cup making coffee while traveling
    Making Coffee While Traveling
  • overhead photo of baked potato with butter on gray plate on blue napkin
    How To Microwave a Baked Potato Recipe in Minutes
Post Views: 846

More Side Dish

  • Honey Mustard glazed carrots in a wooden bowl topped with chopped parsley and balsamic glaze
    Honey Mustard Glazed Carrots Recipe
  • Close up of Traditional Stuffing recipe in a casserole dish
    Traditional Stuffing Recipe
  • Mexican Street Corn Casserole on a plate with a fork
    How to Make Mexican Street Corn Casserole
  • pasta salad on a blue plate
    Best California Club Pasta Salad Recipe - Easy

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Welcome!

Hi! I'm Wendi and I believe that food made with love and passion has power. It can bring people together AND carry them home. I'll show you how to get amazing flavor from simple dishes. Your family and friends will exclaim, "WOW! Amazing! I NEED this recipe!" Join me and nourish your body and soul.

More about Wendi

Popular

  • Greek Dressing with spoons in a white dish
    Copycat Cava Greek Dressing Recipe
  • A glass with coffee and cold foam on top
    How to Make Cream Cheese Cold Foam at Home
  • french toast on a blue plate with two spoons, whipped cream and berreis
    Overnight French Toast Casserole
  • gooey butter cake from over head with two spoons, on a blue plate with a white napkin
    St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake

Seasonal

  • cheesey chicken and orzo in a blue dish with spinach and a spoon
    One Pot Chicken and Orzo Recipe
  • Three chicken wings on a light blue plate with a wooden background.
    How To Make Super Crispy Chicken Wings in Your Air Fryer
  • Glass of Vietnamese iced coffee with ice cubes and a sprinkle of cinnamon on top, served in a ribbed glass with a spoon beside it.
    How to Make Vietnamese Coffee
  • Glass pitcher and tumbler of Orange Coconut Refresher with an orange slice garnish, ice cubes, and a spoon on a wooden serving board.
    Orange Coconut Refresher Recipe

Wendi Spraker, Amazon International Best Selling Author

book titles Aspire

Footer

↑ back to top
Banner of sites featuring loaves and dishes including MSN, Country Living, People, etc
AS SEEN IN

About

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright
  • Contact
  • Process for Recipe Testing
  • Editorial Policy

Like what you see? Join 10,000 other people who subscribe to Loaves and Dishes!

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

As Seen In

NYC Catering award badge

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Loaves and Dishes