Learn how to cut potatoes into wedges, fries, cubes, and slices in this step-by-step tutorial with video. Then, use them for soup and stew, mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, or your other favorite recipes!
Potatoes are such a versatile food. There are several varieties that all taste delicious in recipes. You can slice, dice, and mash them and serve them boiled, fried, or baked. The possibilities are endless!
If you want to experience all that these starchy tubers have to offer, you have to learn how to cut potatoes first. This post has everything you need to know about cutting potatoes into different shapes for all of your cooking needs.[feast_advanced_jump_to]
Any potato can be cut into wedges, but yellow, Yukon gold, and red potatoes tend to be the perfect size for cutting wedges. To start, scrub the potato clean. If you prefer to peel your potatoes, do so now. Then, cut the potato in half lengthwise.
Next, cut each half lengthwise into quarters to make 4 wedges per half (8 per potato). For very large potatoes, you may be able to get 6 wedges per half.
If you want to cut potatoes for mashed potatoes, follow the first step here of halving the potatoes. Then, instead of quartering each half lengthwise, quarter crosswise to get chunks of potato to boil then mash (make a cross with your knife on each half of the potato). Use the same technique when preparing potatoes for potato salad.
Russet potatoes are my favorite type to cut into fries, but you can use most types of potatoes with this method. Begin by scrubbing the potato clean and peeling if desired. Then, cut the potato lengthwise into ½-inch thick slices.
Stack some of the slices (or “slabs”) on top of each other. Cut lengthwise into fries about ½-inch wide.
To dice a potato, first cut it into fries following the above instructions. Then, cut the fries crosswise into ½-inch cubes for a medium dice. For a small dice, cut into ¼-inch cubes, and for a large dice, cut into ¾-inch cubes. This is the best way to cut potatoes for soups and stews.
Sliced potatoes are great for making scalloped potatoes, other types of potato bakes, and pizzas. You can slice any kind of potato into circles. First, scrub clean and peel if desired. Then, slice the potato crosswise into pieces of your desired thickness.
Potatoes that have been prepared with the julienne technique are skinny pieces about 1/16-inch wide and 2 to 3 inches long. They are great for cheesy potato recipes, skinny/shoestring French fries, or as an alternative to shredded hashbrowns. Yukon gold, yellow, and red potatoes all work well for using the julienne technique. First, scrub the potato clean. Next, slice off the sides and ends to yield a rectangular piece.
Stack the pieces on top of each other. Then, slice lengthwise into skinny pieces about 1/16-inch wide.
How to Store Potatoes After Cutting
Potatoes are known to brown after being cut, due to being exposed to oxygen. They are still safe to eat even if they change color, but you can preserve their color and keep them fresh with the proper storage technique. Transfer cut potatoes to a bowl or container, fill with water, and keep in the refrigerator until you are ready to use them. For best results, use within a day. For another storage technique, see my post on How to Freeze Potatoes.
Now that you know how to cut potatoes, let’s get cooking! Here are my favorite recipes using potatoes:
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How To Slice Potatoes
How do you cut a potato into wedges?
Learn the best way to cut a potato into wedges, slices, sticks or cubes for recipes! Wash and dry potatoes before starting. Peel the potatoes, if desired. Potato Wedges: Using a sharp knife, cut the potato in half lengthwise. Place the cut side down on the cutting board and cut in half lengthwise.
How do you cut potatoes?
There are endless ways to cut potatoes, depending on the recipe being made. So, we’re covering the most common options to help meet all your cooking needs! Place your potato on a cutting board, and slice it in half lengthwise. Place the cut sides down, and slice in half again lengthwise.
How do you cut a potato in a crock pot?
Potato Slices: Using a sharp knife, start at the root of the potato and carefully make slices to your desired thickness. Continue until you reach the other end of the potato. Potato Sticks: Using a sharp knife, make a thin slice lengthwise so the potato sits flat on the cutting board. Slice the potato lengthwise to your desired thickness.
How do you cut a potato into fries?
Slice your potato into roughly ½ inch pieces lengthwise. Then, stack the slices on top of each other, and cut lengthwise again, creating fries as thick or as thin as you’d like. Cut your potato into fries, using the method above. Then, cut across widthwise, creating equal-sized cubes. There are endless ways to use potatoes of all shapes!