Steaming Potatoes: A Quick, Easy, And Healthy Cooking Method

Steaming is a great way to cook potatoes, whether you're making a potato salad, mashed potatoes, or just snacking on them. They can be used as a side dish or as part of a main course. This cooking method is simple, quick, and healthy. All you need is a steamer basket, some water, and potatoes. You can steam any size potato, but smaller ones are best. The cooking time will depend on the size of the potatoes, but it usually ranges from 10 to 40 minutes. You can also season the potatoes with salt, pepper, herbs, or spices to add extra flavour.

How to steam baby potatoes

Steaming is a great way to cook baby potatoes, and it's super easy to do! Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get perfect steamed baby potatoes every time.

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

Start by washing your baby potatoes. You don't need to peel them, but you can if you prefer. If using larger baby potatoes, cut them into halves or quarters to ensure even cooking.

Step 2: Prepare the Steamer

Place a steamer basket at the bottom of a large pot. The pot should be large enough to comfortably fit all your potatoes. Fill the pot with about 1 inch of water. If you're using a very large pot, you may need to add a little more water, around 2 inches.

Step 3: Steam the Potatoes

Place the potatoes in the steamer basket. Cover the pot with a lid and turn the heat to high. Once the water starts boiling and steam escapes from the lid, reduce the heat to medium. Set a timer for 10 minutes and let the potatoes steam.

Step 4: Check for Doneness

After 10 minutes, check the potatoes to see if they're tender. You can do this by piercing them with a fork or knife. If the potatoes are not fork-tender, cover and continue steaming for another 2 to 3 minutes. Keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking.

Step 5: Season and Serve

Once the potatoes are fork-tender, carefully remove the steamer basket from the pot. Transfer the potatoes to a serving bowl. At this point, you can season them with some melted butter, salt, and pepper to taste. You can also add fresh herbs like parsley, rosemary, or thyme for extra flavour. Gently stir to ensure the potatoes are evenly coated, and serve warm.

Tips:

• Depending on the size of your potatoes, they may take a little longer to cook. Simply check them every few minutes until they're fork-tender.
• Get creative with your seasonings! Try adding garlic powder, red pepper flakes, dill, chives, or onion powder to give your potatoes a unique twist.
• You can also steam baby potatoes in an Instant Pot. Simply place the potatoes in the steamer basket, add water, cover, and press the "Steam" button. Adjust the time based on the size of your potatoes.

How to steam potatoes in an Instant Pot

Steaming is one of the healthiest ways to cook potatoes. Using an Instant Pot is a quick and easy way to cook whole potatoes, which can then be used for mashed potatoes, potato salad, roasted potatoes, french fries, and more.

Ingredients and Utensils

• Instant Pot or pressure cooker
• 1 cup of water
• 1-5 pounds of potatoes (Russet, Yukon gold, red, baby, or white)
• Wire trivet or steamer basket
• Utensil for venting

Method

• Wash and scrub the potatoes to remove any dirt. Remove any sprouts or bad spots.
• Place the wire trivet or steamer basket inside the Instant Pot insert.
• Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot.
• Place the potatoes on top of the trivet or basket, layering if necessary.
• Cover the Instant Pot with the lid, ensuring the vent is in the "Sealing" position.
• Press the "Steam" button and adjust the time based on the size of your potatoes. For medium gold potatoes, steam for 10 minutes. For small potatoes, steam for 5-7 minutes. For large potatoes, steam for 15-20 minutes.
• Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes.
• Open the vent with a utensil, being careful of the hot steam.
• Your potatoes are now ready to be used in your favourite recipes!

Tips

• It is not necessary to peel the potatoes before cooking. Cooking with the skin on will preserve the nutrients and vitamins, and the skin comes off easily after the potatoes have cooled.
• Try to choose potatoes of a similar size so that they cook evenly.
• If you are using conventionally grown potatoes, it is recommended to peel them before cooking.

How to steam potatoes without a steamer basket

Using a Plate and Tin Foil

This method involves using a plate and tin foil as a DIY steamer basket. First, fill a medium pot with about half an inch of water and place three foil balls made from tin foil in the shape of a golf ball at the bottom. Then, rest a heat-proof plate on top of the foil balls, cover the pot, and bring the water to a boil. Add the potatoes to the plate, cover, and steam until they are tender.

Using a Microwave

Place the potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl with a few tablespoons of water and cover the bowl tightly with microwave-safe plastic wrap. Alternatively, you can use a microwave-safe plate instead of plastic wrap. Microwave for about 4-6 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.

Using an Elevated Wire Cooling Rack

If you have an elevated wire cooling rack, you can use it in place of a steamer basket. Add an inch of water to a pot with a tight-fitting lid, place the wire cooling rack in the pan, and then place the potatoes on top of the rack. Close the lid and steam until the potatoes are cooked to your desired doneness.

Using a Disposable Aluminum Pie Pan

You can also use a disposable aluminum pie pan as a steamer basket substitute. Poke several holes into the bottom of the pan and place it upside down into a pot filled with about an inch of water. The edges of the pan will create the necessary distance between the water and the potatoes, and the flat surface of the pan will hold the potatoes comfortably.

How long to steam potatoes

The cooking time for steamed potatoes depends on the size of the potatoes and the type of potato you are using. For example, small new potatoes will take 15-20 minutes to steam, whereas larger potatoes will take 30-40 minutes.

When steaming potatoes, it is important to ensure that the potatoes are evenly sized so that they cook at the same rate. If you are using a mix of large and small potatoes, place the larger potatoes at the bottom of the steamer and the smaller ones on top.

To check if your potatoes are done, pierce them with a thin skewer in the thickest part. If the potatoes are ready, the skewer should slide in easily, with no resistance from the centre. Be careful not to undercook the potatoes, as this can result in lumps.

It is also important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the type of steamer and heat source you are using. As a general guideline, bring the water to a boil, place the potatoes in the steamer, cover, and reduce the heat to medium. Steam the potatoes for 20-40 minutes, depending on their size.

How to season steamed potatoes

Steaming potatoes is a great way to cook them, and there are several ways to season them to elevate their flavour. Here is a guide on how to season steamed potatoes:

Seasoning Steamed Potatoes:

First, you need to decide on the type of potato you want to steam. Baby potatoes, Russet potatoes, Yukon gold, and red potatoes are all great options for steaming. Keep in mind that different types and sizes of potatoes will have slightly different cooking times.

Once you have chosen your potatoes, follow these steps:

• Wash the potatoes. There is no need to peel them as the skin adds extra nutrients, flavour, and texture to the dish.
• Cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces. For baby potatoes, cut larger ones into quarters and smaller ones in half. For Russet potatoes, cut them into 1-inch cubes.
• Place a steamer basket at the bottom of a large pot and add about one inch of water. You can also use an Instant Pot or a similar appliance.
• Put the potatoes in the steamer basket, cover the pot, and turn the heat to high.
• After about 10 minutes, once the pot is filled with steam, set a timer. Baby potatoes will take around 10 minutes to cook, while larger potatoes may take up to 20 minutes. Check the potatoes with a fork to see if they are tender.
• While the potatoes are cooking, prepare your chosen seasoning. You can go for a simple option like melted butter with salt and pepper, or get creative with herbs and spices.
• For a garlic herb butter seasoning, melt butter and mix in fresh chopped herbs like parsley, rosemary, thyme, and garlic. Add some lemon zest, salt, and pepper to taste.
• Once the potatoes are fork-tender, remove the steamer basket from the pot and transfer the potatoes to a serving bowl.
• Drizzle your chosen seasoning over the potatoes and gently stir to ensure they are evenly coated.
• Serve the potatoes while they are still warm.

Additional Tips:

• You can also season the potatoes before steaming them. A light seasoning of salt or a drizzle of olive oil can enhance the flavour.
• If you want to make a potato salad, toss the hot steamed potatoes in a tangy mixture of vinegar, scallions, salt, and pepper. Allow them to cool, then add mayonnaise and more scallions.
• Play around with different herbs and spices to find your favourite combinations. Some options to try include rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, dill, chives, and onion powder.

Frequently asked questions