Cody Casey
Salt potatoes are a popular dish in Western New York, often served at barbecues, picnics, and festivals. They are known for their creamy, tender, salty, and buttery taste. While they are traditionally boiled in brine, they can also be cooked in a crock pot or slow cooker. This method is simple, requiring only a handful of ingredients and minimal prep work. The potatoes are cooked until tender, and can be served with various toppings such as butter, herbs, or even bacon.
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What You'll Learn
Selecting the right potatoes
Variety: Choose small potatoes such as baby reds, baby yellow potatoes, fingerling potatoes, or mini potatoes. These varieties tend to cook more evenly and have a creamy texture when cooked in a crock pot.
Amount: Depending on the size of your crock pot and the number of servings you need, you'll want to select an appropriate amount of potatoes. For a standard 6-quart slow cooker, 2 pounds of small potatoes is a good starting point, which typically yields around 6 servings.
Whole or Cut: You can choose to use whole potatoes or cut them into halves. Leaving them whole results in a creamier texture, while cutting them in half can reduce cooking time slightly. Some people prefer a mix of whole and halved potatoes for variety.
Freshness: Opt for fresh, firm potatoes with smooth skin. Avoid potatoes that are sprouted, shrivelled, or have soft spots, as these may not cook evenly or have the desired texture.
Cleanliness: Before adding the potatoes to the crock pot, be sure to wash or scrub them thoroughly to remove any dirt or residue. This ensures that your salt potatoes are not only safe to eat but also free from any unwanted flavours or textures.
By selecting the right type, amount, and quality of potatoes, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious salt potatoes in your crock pot.
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Preparing the crock pot
Next, add your olive oil, ghee, or butter. You will need around two tablespoons of oil or ghee, or enough butter to dot over the potatoes. You can also add some garlic, Italian seasoning, sea salt, and black pepper to taste. Cover with the salt, ensuring all the potatoes are covered. The salt will form a crust that keeps the moisture in, so it is important to cover the potatoes completely.
Finally, cover the crock pot and set it to cook. You can cook the potatoes on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 5-6 hours. Do not uncover during this time. When the potatoes are tender, they are ready to serve.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for salt potatoes in a crock pot vary depending on the size of the potatoes and the desired level of doneness. Here are some general guidelines:
If you're using a slow cooker setting, it's recommended to cook the potatoes on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 5 to 6 hours. This will result in tender potatoes. However, it's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the potatoes and the specific slow cooker being used. It's always a good idea to check the potatoes for doneness by piercing them with a fork; if there is resistance, they need to be cooked longer.
For a quicker option, you can cook the potatoes on high heat. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes. The potatoes are done when they are tender but still firm. This method forms a salt crust on the potatoes, which adds to their unique texture and flavour.
Additionally, when using a crock pot, it's important to ensure that the lid fits properly to trap in the moisture and heat. You can also experiment with different ingredients and seasonings, such as olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, and herbs, to enhance the flavour of your salt potatoes.
If you're short on time, a pressure cooker can be used to cook Syracuse salt potatoes. Simply add salt, water, and potatoes to the cooker, whisking to dissolve the salt. Lock the lid and pressure valve, then cook on high pressure for 2 minutes. After the beep, wait 15 minutes before releasing the pressure. This method produces Syracuse salt potatoes with a smooth and creamy texture.
Finally, if you're making a large batch of salt potatoes for a crowd, it's possible to keep them warm in a crock pot after they've been cooked. This is a convenient way to transport them to events, although some of the salt crust may be lost due to condensation.
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Adding flavour
Salt potatoes are a popular dish in Western New York, especially during the summer. They are known for their creamy, tender, salty, and buttery taste. While traditionally boiled in salted water, salt potatoes can also be cooked in a crock pot for added convenience and flavour.
Use a variety of potatoes: Try using a mix of whole and halved mini potatoes, such as small red potatoes, baby yellow potatoes, or fingerling potatoes. This will add visual appeal and a variety of textures to your dish.
Season generously: In addition to salt, you can season your crock pot salt potatoes with other ingredients such as garlic, Italian seasoning, or ranch seasoning. Be generous with the garlic if you're a garlic lover!
Add herbs: Fresh herbs can take your crock pot salt potatoes to the next level. Try using herbs such as parsley, chives, or green onions. These herbs will add a burst of flavour and a pop of colour to your dish.
Include other vegetables: For extra flavour and variety, you can add cut sweet potatoes, carrots, or even chopped onions to your crock pot. These vegetables will enhance the overall taste and make the dish more nutritious.
Meat lovers: If you enjoy meat, consider adding some protein to your crock pot salt potatoes. Oven-baked bacon bits will add a salty surprise, while chopped sausages or ham can also be delicious additions.
Butter it up: Butter is a classic addition to salt potatoes, and for good reason. It adds a rich, creamy flavour and helps to enhance the texture of the dish. You can drizzle melted butter over the potatoes or simply add a few pieces and let them melt on their own.
Remember, when cooking salt potatoes in a crock pot, it's important to follow the basic steps of adding potatoes, olive oil, and salt, then cooking until tender. From there, you can get creative with your flavour additions to make a dish that's uniquely yours!
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Serving suggestions
Syracuse salt potatoes are a simple and inexpensive dish that can be served as a side with the main meal. They go well with melted butter or ghee, and a sprinkling of green onions or chives. You can also add fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme, or spices for more flavor.
Salt potatoes are also a great addition to the holiday table and can be served with a roast, such as juicy beef brisket or BBQ pork ribs. They can be paired with extras like sour cream, sweet chili, or ketchup.
If you're looking for a vegetarian option, these potatoes can be served with simple sauced pork chops. For those who enjoy a burst of color and flavor, sweet potatoes can be added to the crockpot. For a little sweetness, you can also toss in some chopped carrots or chives. Bacon lovers can add a few pieces of oven-baked bacon for a salty surprise.
For a different flavor profile, you can swap the dried herbs for fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme, or try different combinations of herbs and spices.
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Frequently asked questions
The ingredients required are small potatoes, olive oil, garlic, and salt. You can also add herbs, an extra drizzle of olive oil, or flaky salt.
First, add the potatoes, olive oil, garlic, and salt to the crock pot, stirring to combine. Cover and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 3 to 4 hours on high, or 5 to 6 hours on low. Do not uncover during this time. After it's cooked, you can add any extras that you want, such as herbs or flaky salt.
Yes, you can use a variety of small potatoes, such as small red potatoes, baby yellow potatoes, or fingerling potatoes. You can also use a combination of whole and halved mini potatoes.
The potatoes are done when they are fork-tender. You can test this by piercing them with a fork, which should easily slide into the potato. If there is resistance, the potatoes need to be cooked for a bit longer.
Yes, crock pot salt potatoes are a great option for large batches, making them ideal for get-togethers, holidays, and batch cooking. The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled as needed.
