Steaming Potatoes: How Long Does It Really Take?

Steaming is one of the healthiest ways to cook potatoes, and it's also easy to do. So how long does it take? Well, that depends on the size of your potatoes. For small new potatoes, you're looking at 15-20 minutes. Larger potatoes will take 20-25 minutes, or even 40 minutes if they're really big. A good way to check if your potatoes are done is to pierce them with a knife or skewer – if it slides in easily, they're ready.

How to tell when steamed potatoes are done

The cooking time for steamed potatoes varies depending on their size. Small new potatoes will take 15-20 minutes, whereas larger potatoes can take up to 40 minutes.

There are several ways to tell when steamed potatoes are done. Firstly, the cooking time is a good indicator; if you know the size of your potatoes, you can estimate how long they will take to cook. However, visual and tactile methods are also useful. One way is to pierce the potato with a thin skewer, knife, or fork in the thickest part. If the potato is ready, the skewer will slide in easily, and there will be no hard centre. Another way is to simply look at the potatoes; they are done when their skins look "snappy".

How to season steamed potatoes

The length of time it takes to steam potatoes depends on the size of the potatoes and the method used. Small potatoes will take around 10-15 minutes to steam, while larger potatoes may take up to 40 minutes.

Now, here is a detailed guide on how to season steamed potatoes:

There are many ways to season steamed potatoes, and it's a great way to add flavour to your dish. Here are some tips and ideas to get you started:

• Keep it simple: A classic combination of butter, parsley, and salt and pepper is a great way to season steamed potatoes. You can also add minced garlic for a bolder flavour.
• Old Bay Seasoning: If you're looking for something different, try using Old Bay seasoning, a classic New England blend that pairs perfectly with potatoes.
• Fresh herbs: For a more refined dish, try adding finely minced rosemary, thyme, or sage. You can also mix and match these herbs to create your own unique blend.
• Chives: Chopped chives add a mild onion flavour to your potatoes and a lovely pop of colour.
• Parmesan cheese: Grated or shredded Parmesan cheese will add a salty, savoury note to your potatoes.
• Salt: Seasoning the water with salt before steaming will internally season the potatoes. You can also salt the potatoes after steaming or try marinating them beforehand.
• Other seasonings: Get creative and experiment with different dried or fresh herbs, such as dill, basil, or tarragon. You can also try mixing in some lemon zest or crushed red pepper flakes for a spicier dish.

When seasoning your steamed potatoes, it's important to taste as you go and adjust the seasonings to your preference. Remember, you can always add more, but it's difficult to fix overseasoning. Happy cooking!

How to steam potatoes without a steamer

Steaming is one of the healthiest ways to cook potatoes, and it's easy to do without a steamer. Here's how:

Preparation

First, wash your potatoes well under running water to remove any dirt and debris. You can steam potatoes whole or sliced, but if you want to slice them, use a knife or peeler to remove the skin first and cut them into evenly-sized pieces.

Equipment

You will need a pot or saucepan, water, a colander or metal sieve, and a lid or plate. If you want to add flavour to the potatoes, you can also add a glass of white wine and a bay leaf to the water.

Cooking

• Put the pot or saucepan on the heat and add water. If you're using wine and a bay leaf, add them now.
• Place the colander or metal sieve above the pot, making sure it's large enough that the water won't touch the potatoes when it boils.
• When the water starts to boil, carefully place the potatoes in the colander and cover with a lid or plate.
• Leave the potatoes to cook for at least 20 minutes.
• After this time, remove the lid and check if they're tender by carefully poking them with a fork.
• If they're ready, remove them from the colander and serve. You can add salt, pepper, or herbs before serving.

Tips

• If your colander doesn't rest on the rim of the pot, you can hold it in place with an oven mitt or use a strainer with a heat-proof handle.
• Make sure the lid or plate fits snugly to prevent steam from escaping.
• If you don't have a colander or sieve, you can use a plate and aluminium foil. Form three golf ball-sized balls of foil and place them in the pot with water, then place a heat-proof plate on top.
• If you're cooking sliced potatoes, larger pieces may take 20 minutes or more, while small pieces could be done in less time, so check frequently.

How to steam different types of potatoes

How to steam regular potatoes

Potatoes are best steamed with their skins on. If you are steaming main-crop potatoes, ensure they are all evenly sized so they cook in the same amount of time. If you are peeling the potatoes, use a potato peeler and pare off the skins as thinly as possible. Cut the potatoes into evenly-sized chunks, but not too small. If they are large, quarter them, and if they are small, halve them.

Pour boiling water into a pan fitted with a fan steamer, then place the potatoes in the steamer. Sprinkle with salt – about 1 rounded teaspoon per 1 lb (450 g) – and if they're new potatoes, add a few sprigs of mint. Put a tight lid on the pan and let the potatoes steam over a low heat until the water is gently boiling and the potatoes are tender. This will take 20-25 minutes, or 15-20 minutes for small new potatoes. Check if they are done by piercing them with a thin skewer in the thickest part – they should not be hard in the centre.

When the potatoes are cooked, remove them from the steamer, drain off any water beneath the steamer, return the potatoes to the saucepan and cover with a clean tea cloth for about 4-5 minutes to absorb excess steam.

How to steam little potatoes

Little potatoes are steamed in a similar way to regular potatoes. Cut 1.5 lbs of little potatoes in half and fill a pot with one inch of water. Put a steamer basket inside, place the potatoes in the basket and bring the water to a boil. Cover and cook until the potatoes are tender, which should take 10 to 15 minutes. You can then transfer the potatoes to a large bowl and add herbs and spices such as parsley, chives, oil, salt and pepper. Toss gently and serve hot.

How to steam sweet potatoes

You can steam any type of sweet potato, but what’s important is the size. Medium-sized sweet potatoes are best, about 8 ounces each. You can also steam small potatoes, but larger ones will take longer.

Place water in a pot to a level just below the steamer basket and bring it to a boil. Add the steamer basket with whole sweet potatoes. Maintain a steady boil and steam for 25 to 35 minutes, depending on the size of the potato, until tender when pierced with a fork. Allow to sit for 5 minutes, then slice in half and add toppings.

How to steam a large batch of potatoes

Steaming a large batch of potatoes is a straightforward process. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Preparation:

First, decide whether to peel the potatoes. Leaving the skins on can help protect the flesh from water or steam, which can reduce flavour. If you do peel them, use a potato peeler to remove the skin thinly and evenly. Then, cut the potatoes into evenly-sized chunks, aiming for similar sizes to ensure consistent cooking.

Cooking:

You will need a large pot with a steamer basket, or a metal sieve/colander, inside. Add around one inch of water to the pot—enough to create steam but not so much that it touches the steamer basket. Bring the water to a boil.

Place the potatoes in the steamer basket, with the largest potatoes at the bottom and smaller ones on top. Cover the pot with a tight lid to trap the steam and moisture.

Cook the potatoes over medium heat. The time will depend on the size of the potatoes and the amount of steam. Small or baby potatoes may take around 10-15 minutes, while larger potatoes can take up to 40 minutes. Check the potatoes with a knife or fork to see if they are tender and fully cooked.

Serving:

Once the potatoes are cooked, remove them from the steamer and drain off any excess water. You can then serve them as they are, or for a more flavourful dish, transfer them to a bowl and add melted butter, salt, pepper, and fresh or dried herbs of your choice. Toss or stir to coat the potatoes evenly, and serve warm.

Enjoy your freshly steamed potatoes!

Frequently asked questions