Potatoes are a versatile and delicious staple in many kitchens, but their long cooking time can be a deterrent for busy cooks. Luckily, there are several ways to speed up the cooking process without sacrificing flavor or texture. In this article, we will explore the four fastest ways to cook potatoes, ensuring that you can enjoy this healthy and satisfying food in a fraction of the time.
1. Steam the Potatoes Instead of Boiling
Steaming is a quick and efficient way to cook potatoes, offering several advantages over boiling. Unlike boiling, steaming requires only a small amount of water, significantly reducing the time it takes for the water to reach a boil. This translates to faster cooking times and less energy consumption. Additionally, steaming prevents the potatoes from becoming waterlogged, preserving their natural flavor and texture.
Here’s how to steam potatoes efficiently:
- Use a steamer basket or colander placed over a pot of boiling water.
- Add a small amount of water to the pot, just enough to create steam.
- Place the potatoes in the steamer basket, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
- Cover the pot and steam the potatoes until tender, about 10-15 minutes for small potatoes and 20-25 minutes for larger ones.
2. Cut the Potatoes Smaller
Cutting potatoes into smaller pieces significantly reduces their cooking time. This is especially beneficial for dishes like hash browns or pan-fried potatoes, where you want the potatoes to cook quickly and evenly alongside other ingredients. Evenly sized pieces ensure consistent cooking, preventing some pieces from becoming overcooked while others remain undercooked.
Here are some tips for cutting potatoes for faster cooking:
- For salads or pan-fried dishes, cut small varieties like new potatoes into halves or quarters.
- For larger potatoes, cut them into cubes or wedges, aiming for pieces of similar size.
3. Parcook in the Microwave
While the microwave may not be suitable for fully cooking potatoes, it can effectively parcook them, significantly reducing the time required for subsequent cooking methods like roasting or baking. Parcooked potatoes are softened but not fully cooked, allowing them to quickly finish cooking in the oven or on the stovetop.
Here’s how to parcook potatoes in the microwave:
- Prick a few holes in the potatoes with a fork.
- Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes, turning them over once halfway through.
4. Use a Bigger Pan or Roast on a Wire Rack
The amount of space potatoes have in the pan or roasting dish influences their cooking time. When potatoes are crowded together, they steam rather than roast, resulting in a longer cooking time and potentially uneven results. Using a larger pan or roasting on a wire rack allows for better air circulation around the potatoes, promoting faster and more even cooking.
Here are some tips for maximizing air circulation when roasting potatoes:
- Use a large baking sheet or roasting pan to prevent overcrowding.
- Place the potatoes in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching.
- Consider roasting the potatoes on a wire rack set over a baking sheet for maximum air circulation.
Conclusion
By employing these simple yet effective techniques, you can significantly reduce the time it takes to cook potatoes, allowing you to enjoy this delicious and versatile food more often. Whether you choose to steam, cut them smaller, parcook in the microwave, or use a larger pan, you can now prepare perfectly cooked potatoes in a fraction of the time.
Same Technique For Baked Sweet Potatoes
You can use the same technique for sweet potatoes, too!
Our Fast Baked Potato Technique
The technique is straightforward. Before you wash, dry, oil, and salt the potatoes, preheat the oven. This small action guarantees that the potato will be consumed whole, not just the insides. After the oven reaches temperature, carefully flip the seasoned potatoes that you’ve placed in the microwave.
While the potatoes bake, make a sauce or topping. Try one of our 15-Minute Skillet Stews!.
These potatoes are fantastic warmed through in the oven or microwave, even though the skin isn’t as crispy. Alternately, try combining the two: warm them up in the microwave before baking them. Whatever way they get reheated, they’re thrice baked now!.
The Quickest Baked Potatoes | Jacques Pépin Cooking at Home | KQED
FAQ
Is it better to microwave or bake a potato?
Do potatoes cook faster with foil on or off?
How do you speed up cooking potatoes?
There you go—super-fast par-cooked potatoes. 4. Use a Bigger Pan (or roast on a wire rack) The more space your potatoes have, the more air can circulate around them, and the more heat gets into each piece of potato. The result? Faster cooking. Another way to speed up cooking?
How can I lose weight fast by eating potatoes?
There is no evidence to suggest that potatoes are a magical weight-loss food. In fact, potatoes are a high-carbohydrate food that can actually cause weight gain if consumed in excess. If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s best to focus on eating a variety of healthy foods from all food groups, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. A registered dietitian can help you create a well-rounded diet plan that fits your individual needs and goals.
How to make a fast baked potato?
To make a fast baked potato, you’ll first need to preheat yur oven to 450 degrees F. Again, you’ll want to start with an organic russet potato of the large baking variety. Wash, scrub, and dry the potato using a Vegetable Scrub Brush if you have one. Then poke holes on all sides with the point of a sharp knife or fork.
How to cook potatoes fast without boiling?
Fact is, there are several alternate methods for how to cook potatoes fast that not only cut down on time, but actually make your potatoes taste better. So I spoke with the Epi Test Kitchen, and they gave me four quickest ways to cook potatoes—no boiling necessary. 1. Steam the potatoes instead of boiling