How Long to Boil Cubed Potatoes

When determining how long to boil cubed potatoes, there are a few factors to consider, including the size of the cubes and the type of potato. The amount of time you boil your potatoes can significantly affect your dish’s outcome.

For instance, if you boil your potatoes for too long, they will absorb too much water and become translucent. This will also make it harder for them to absorb butter or milk if you use them to make mashed potatoes. Today, we will discuss what you should know about how long to boil cubed potatoes. 

How Long to Boil Cubed Potatoes

The time it takes to boil cubed potatoes depends on the type and size of the potatoes. The main types of potatoes that are boiled include:

• Sweet potatoes
• Waxy potatoes
• Starchy potatoes

How long to boil cubed sweet potatoes can depend on the size you cut them. But, in general, they tend to take less time to cook than starchy potatoes. Russet potatoes, for example, are starchy potatoes that cook quickly but tend to absorb too much water. The best potatoes for boiling are red potatoes and other waxy potatoes, since they hold their shape better.

How Big to Cut the Potatoes

When cutting the potatoes, you will need to decide how big to make the cubes. Follow these steps to determine how big the cubes should be.

1. Decide how quickly you want your potatoes to be done.
2. Determine what type of potatoes you are using. Waxy potatoes will hold up better, so they can be cut smaller than starchy potatoes.
3. Think about your goals for the dish. How soft do you want the potatoes to be? Are you making boiled potatoes or an Indian potato dish? These recipes can require different sizes of cubed potatoes.

How Long Does it Take to Boil Cubed Potatoes of Varying Sizes?

The bigger the cubes of potatoes, the longer they take to cook. See the chart, below, for the general cooking times. You can check if they are done by sticking a fork through them. If it goes all the way through, the potatoes are ready.