Steaming Potatoes: Pressure Cooker Time And Tips

Steaming potatoes in a pressure cooker is a quick and easy way to cook the vegetable to perfection. It takes less than 30 minutes and can be used in a variety of dishes. The cooking time depends on the size of the potatoes, with baby potatoes taking around 8 minutes and large potatoes taking up to 14 minutes. The pressure cooker method is also said to make potatoes taste better, with a more potato-y flavour than traditional boiling, steaming or baking methods.

How to steam small baby potatoes in a pressure cooker

Step 1: Prepare the pressure cooker

First, pour some water into the bottom of your pressure cooker. The amount of water required can vary, but typically 1-2 cups of water are enough. Place a trivet or steamer basket into the pressure cooker. If you don't have a trivet, you can use a steamer basket or even get creative with some aluminium foil.

Step 2: Prepare the potatoes

Wash and scrub the baby potatoes to remove any dirt. You can peel the potatoes if you prefer, but it is easier to peel them after cooking, and cooking with the skin on preserves more nutrients and vitamins. Try to pick baby potatoes that are roughly the same size so that they cook evenly.

Step 3: Cook the potatoes

Place the potatoes on the trivet or steamer basket. Make sure they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. Close the lid of the pressure cooker, ensuring that the venting knob is closed. Set the pressure cooker to high pressure and the timer according to the size of your potatoes. For baby potatoes, cook for 5-8 minutes under high pressure.

Step 4: Release the pressure

Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes. After this, you can manually release any remaining pressure by opening the vent knob. Be careful when opening the lid, as there will still be hot steam inside.

Step 5: Check the potatoes

Open the lid and remove the potatoes, being careful not to burn yourself. The potatoes are now ready to be served or used in another recipe. If you are not using them right away, let them cool down and then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

How to steam diced potatoes in a pressure cooker

Step 1: Prepare the potatoes

Start by washing and peeling 2-3 pounds of Russet potatoes. Cut them lengthwise into 4 sections, then cut each section into 1 ½-inch chunks. If you are using Yukon Gold or red potatoes, peeling is optional.

Step 2: Prepare the pressure cooker

Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of your pressure cooker. If you prefer, you can use chicken broth or another type of liquid instead. Place a vegetable steamer basket or the rack that came with your pressure cooker inside the pot, and add the diced potatoes.

Step 3: Pressure cook the potatoes

Secure the lid on your pressure cooker, ensuring that it is in the “sealing” position. Set the cooker to “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” and high pressure. For mashed potatoes, cook the potatoes for 5 minutes, and for potato salad, cook for 4 minutes. The cooker will take around 10 minutes to come up to pressure.

Step 4: Release the pressure

When the cooking program finishes, perform a quick release by moving the pressure vent to the "venting" position or by pressing the pressure release button, depending on your pressure cooker model.

Step 5: Check the potatoes

Once the pressure has fully released, open the pot and remove the steamer basket. The potatoes are ready when they are fork-tender. If they are not quite done, you can cook them for a further 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 6: Serve or store the potatoes

If you are not using the potatoes right away, let them cool completely before refrigerating in a covered container. Potatoes will keep for about a week in the fridge. You can use the cooked potatoes for mashed potatoes, potato salad, or any other recipe that calls for steamed diced potatoes.

How to steam whole potatoes in a pressure cooker

Ingredients

• Water
• Whole potatoes (baby, medium, medium-large, or large)
• Salt (optional)
• Butter (optional)
• Freshly chopped herbs (optional)

Utensils

• Pressure cooker
• Trivet or steamer basket

Method

• Wash and scrub the potatoes to remove any dirt.
• Pour water into the bottom of the pressure cooker. The amount of water required will depend on the type of pressure cooker you are using. For example, some recipes suggest 1 cup of water for an Instant Pot, while others recommend 2 cups.
• Place the trivet or steamer basket into the pressure cooker.
• Add the potatoes on top of the trivet or into the steamer basket. Ensure that the potatoes are in a single layer and not overcrowded.
• Close the lid of the pressure cooker and set the venting knob to the closed or sealing position.
• Pressure cook on high for 8-14 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes. For example, baby potatoes will take around 8 minutes, while large potatoes will take around 14 minutes.
• After pressure cooking, allow for natural release. This means waiting for the pressure to drop naturally, which can take around 10 minutes.
• Once the pressure has released, carefully open the lid and remove the potatoes.
• Allow the potatoes to cool until they can be handled safely.
• If desired, peel and cut the potatoes into bite-sized chunks.
• Serve warm as a side dish with butter, salt, and herbs, or use in other recipes such as mashed potatoes, potato salad, or home fries.

Tips

• It is important to select the right type of potatoes for steaming. Waxy, low-starch potatoes are recommended, such as round white potatoes or Yukon Gold. Avoid Russet and Idaho potatoes, as they are better suited for mashing.
• The cooking time will remain the same whether you cook one potato or several, as long as they are of a similar size.
• You can freeze steamed potatoes for up to 3 months, but they may change texture after freezing.

How to steam potatoes without a trivet

To steam potatoes without a trivet in a pressure cooker, you will need to make some adjustments to the cooking process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Prepare the Potatoes: Start by selecting the type of potatoes you want to cook. You can use any variety, such as Yukon Gold, red, russet, or baby potatoes. Scrub and cut the potatoes into 1 1/2-inch pieces. The size of the potato pieces is important to ensure even cooking.
• Use a Steamer Basket: Instead of a trivet, you can use a steamer basket to elevate the potatoes above the water. Make sure the steamer basket fits comfortably inside your pressure cooker without obstructing the lid.
• Add Water: Pour water into the inner pot of the pressure cooker. The amount of water required will depend on the size of your cooker. As a general rule, use enough water to cover the bottom of the pot or refer to your pressure cooker's instructions.
• Place the Potatoes: Put the cut potatoes into the steamer basket. If you are using baby potatoes, you can cook them directly in the water without a steamer basket, as they cook faster and don't absorb much water.
• Secure the Lid: Close the lid of the pressure cooker and ensure it is set to the "sealing" position. This step is crucial to building pressure inside the cooker.
• Set the Cook Time: For cut potatoes, set the cooking time to 3 minutes at high pressure. The time may vary slightly depending on the size and type of potatoes you are using.
• Release the Pressure: When the cooking program finishes, perform a quick pressure release by moving the pressure vent to the "venting" position or by pressing the pressure release button. This will allow the steam to escape and prevent overcooking.
• Check for Doneness: Once the pressure has fully released, open the pot and use heat-safe mitts to remove the steamer basket. Check if the potatoes are fork-tender. If not, you can cook them for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
• Cool and Store: If you don't plan to use the potatoes immediately, let them cool completely before refrigerating them in a covered container. Cooked potatoes will generally keep for about a week in the fridge.

By following these steps, you can successfully steam potatoes in a pressure cooker without a trivet. Just remember to adjust the cooking time based on the size and type of potatoes you are using, and always be cautious when handling the hot components of the pressure cooker.

How to adjust cooking time based on the size of the potatoes

The cooking time for potatoes in a pressure cooker varies depending on the size of the potatoes you are using. Smaller potatoes will take less time to cook, while larger potatoes will require a longer cooking time. Here is a guide on how to adjust the cooking time accordingly:

If you are cooking cubed or cut-up potatoes, aim for pieces that are roughly 1 1/2-inch in size. This ensures that the potatoes cook evenly and results in a shorter cooking time overall. For this size, the potatoes will need to be cooked under pressure for around 8 to 10 minutes. After releasing the pressure, check the potatoes for doneness. If they need a little more time, you can cook them for an additional 2 minutes under pressure.

For whole potatoes, the cooking time will be longer. It is recommended to cook whole potatoes for at least 20 minutes in the pressure cooker. Keep in mind that the skin of the potatoes may crack and become soft, so if you want to avoid this, a shorter cooking time of around 15 minutes might be preferable.

Additionally, the type of potato you are using can also affect the cooking time. Starchy potatoes like Russets may take a bit longer to cook compared to waxy or all-purpose potatoes, which are usually smaller and thinner-skinned.

When cooking potatoes in a pressure cooker, it is important to ensure that they are all roughly the same size. This helps them cook at the same rate. If you have a mix of small and large potatoes, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly, removing the smaller potatoes earlier and allowing the larger ones to cook longer.

Remember to always check your potatoes for doneness after the initial cooking time. You can do this by poking the potatoes with a fork or knife; if they are easily pierced all the way through, they are ready. If not, simply cook them in increments of a few minutes until they reach the desired level of doneness.

Frequently asked questions