With the weather getting warmer and dreary winter days well behind us, it’s time to start thinking about spending more time outside – grilling, picnicking, gardening, swimming and eating! One of people’s favorite side dishes is baby potatoes. They’re small (about 2 inches in length) and usually have a flavor far superior to their larger, starchier brethren. Baby potatoes are easiest to handle when they’re new and just dug from the ground. How long to boil baby Dutch yellow potatoes is a bit different than when you are boiling larger potatoes.
Prepping Your Baby Potatoes
Baby potatoes are perfect if you’re looking for a healthy side dish. They’re small, so they cook faster and absorb less water, so they don’t become soggy or waterlogged. Baby potatoes are also delicious when boiled, roasted, or baked; you can make them into potato skins!
Rinse and Scrub
Rinse the baby potatoes under cold running water and scrub them gently with a vegetable brush (do not scrub too vigorously, as this can cause bruising in the potato’s skin) until all dirt is removed. If desired, cut off any sprouts or skin bruises or blemishes before cooking.
To remove any excess dirt or debris (which could affect the potatoe’s taste or appearance) between the potato’s crevices, use a small paring knife and carefully scrape these areas. This will help ensure that when you cook your baby potato, it will come out cleanly.
Cover With Water
Thoroughly cover with water all potatoes in the pot, plus an additional one inch of water. How long to boil baby red potatoes? As long as you don’t put too much water in the pot, this article provides boiling time guidance.
Add Salt
Add approximately one tablespoon of salt to the pot with water and potatoes. This will help draw out some of the starch while cooking, making the potatoes a bit crispier.
How Long Does it Take to Boil Baby Potatoes?
How long do baby potatoes take to boil? It depends on the size of your potatoes. The smaller ones will cook faster than the larger ones, so if you have a choice, choose the smaller ones.
Rapid Boil Five Minutes
Bring to a rapid boil over high heat, uncovered. Once boiling, keep boiling for 5 minutes.
Reduce to Medium Heat and Continue to Cook for 10 to 15 More Minutes Until Fork Tender
Reduce heat to medium-high for 10 to 15 minutes until potatoes are fork tender. Keep an eye on them after 12 minutes. If you don’t reduce the heat to medium-high, the potatoes may be cooked on the outside but raw on the inside. Also, it is helpful to use only potatoes that are relatively the same size. Otherwise, the baby-size potatoes will be cooked before the other potatoes, which could take as long as thirty minutes.
Drain in a Colander
Drain in a colander, then prepare to season.
What to Do with Boiled Baby Potatoes
You can eat boiled baby potatoes just as they are. To make mashed potatoes, add butter and cream to taste. They also make great additions to salads or soups.
Seasoning: Boiled baby potatoes are best served simply seasoned with salt and pepper. You can add other seasonings, such as garlic powder, or herbs, like rosemary or thyme.
Frying: Fry pre-boiled baby potatoes whole using oil with a high smoke point (such as vegetable oil), which means they won’t break down under high heat. Fry until they’re crispy brown on all sides (about 10 minutes), then drain them thoroughly on paper towels before serving.
Mashed: Baby potatoes are great for mashing because they’re so small – just peel and cut into chunks. Cook in boiling water until tender (about 15 minutes), then drain and mash with butter, salt and pepper.
Make potato salad: Cut boiled baby potatoes into cubes or slices about 1/4 inch thick. Stir in mayonnaise, mustard, salt and pepper to taste and celery or onion, if desired (1/2 cup chopped celery or onion per 2 cups of potatoes is usually sufficient). Chill until ready to serve. It’s often said that baby potatoes cook faster than normal-sized potatoes. The reason? Potatoes have lower water content and don’t have to “dry out” before the inside is cooked, so it’s easier for baby potatoes to cook through.
