Steaming Potatoes: Using Your Pressure Cooker Perfectly

Steaming potatoes in a pressure cooker is a quick and easy way to cook this versatile vegetable. It's a healthy cooking method that helps potatoes retain their shape, texture, and nutrients. The process is simple and can be done in just a few minutes, making it perfect for weeknight meals or meal prep. Whether you're using a stovetop pressure cooker or an electric one like the Instant Pot, the basic steps remain the same. So, let's explore how to steam potatoes in a pressure cooker and unlock a variety of delicious potato dishes!

How to prepare potatoes for steaming

Preparing potatoes for steaming in a pressure cooker is a simple and quick process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Select the Right Potatoes: Choose potatoes that are suitable for steaming. Small to medium-sized potatoes such as Yukon Gold, red potatoes, or Round White Potatoes are ideal. These varieties are waxy or semi-waxy and have a lower starch content, which helps them hold their shape during cooking. Avoid high-starch potatoes like Russets, which are better suited for mashing.
• Wash and Clean: Start by thoroughly washing the potatoes under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. You can also scrub them clean if needed. It is recommended to keep the skin intact, as it adds texture and nutrients to the dish.
• Peel (Optional): Whether to peel the potatoes before steaming is a matter of personal preference. Peeling can result in a smoother texture, but leaving the skins on adds flavour and nutrients. If you decide to peel, it is easier to do so after cooking when the skins come off more easily.
• Cut into Even Sizes: Cut the potatoes into evenly sized chunks or slices. This ensures that they cook evenly and at the same rate. For baby potatoes, you can steam them whole, but cut any larger than 2 inches in half or into quarters.
• Prepare the Pressure Cooker: Place a metal trivet or steamer basket into the pressure cooker. If using a steamer basket, ensure it is placed inside the cooker before adding the potatoes. Add about 1 cup of water to the pot. The water creates the steam necessary for cooking without submerging the potatoes.

Your potatoes are now prepared and ready for steaming in your pressure cooker! Remember to adjust the cooking time based on the size and type of potatoes you are using. Enjoy your perfectly steamed potatoes as a side dish or use them as a base for other recipes.

What type of potatoes to use

When steaming potatoes in a pressure cooker, you can use any type of potato. However, some types of potatoes are better suited for steaming than others. Here are some recommendations on the types of potatoes to use for the best results:

Waxy and Low-Starch Potatoes

It is recommended to use waxy, low-starch potatoes for steaming. These types of potatoes hold their shape better during cooking and have a smoother texture. Examples of waxy, low-starch potatoes include Round White Potatoes, Yukon Gold, and All-Purpose Potatoes.

Avoid High-Starch Potatoes

High-starch potatoes, such as Russet and Idaho potatoes, are not ideal for steaming as they are more prone to fall apart during the cooking process. These types of potatoes are better suited for mashing.

Small to Medium-Sized Potatoes

When it comes to size, smaller potatoes tend to work better for steaming. Look for small to medium-sized potatoes such as baby potatoes, fingerlings, or Dutch potatoes. These potatoes will cook more evenly and have a shorter cooking time.

Red, White, or Yellow Varieties

Most red, white, or yellow potato varieties will work well for steaming. Some specific varieties to look for include Yukon Gold, Honey Gold, and Red Garnet.

Fresh Herbs

While optional, adding fresh herbs like parsley, mint, thyme, tarragon, rosemary, or dill can infuse additional flavor into your steamed potatoes.

Peeling

Whether or not to peel the potatoes before steaming is a matter of personal preference. Peeling the potatoes will result in a smoother texture, while leaving the skins on adds flavor and nutrients. Just be sure to thoroughly wash the potatoes if you choose to keep the skins on.

How long to steam potatoes

Steaming potatoes in a pressure cooker is a quick and easy way to cook this versatile vegetable. The cooking time will depend on the size of the potatoes and the desired level of tenderness. Here is a detailed guide on how long to steam potatoes in a pressure cooker.

First, it is important to select the right type of potatoes for steaming. While any type of potato can be steamed, smaller waxy varieties with low starch content are best for holding their shape during the cooking process. Examples include Yukon Gold, Dutch potatoes, red potatoes, fingerlings, Round White Potatoes, and All-Purpose Potatoes.

Now, let's get into the cooking times for different sizes of potatoes. If you are steaming baby potatoes or small potatoes (around 2-3 oz each), they will typically take around 7-8 minutes of pressure cooking, followed by a natural release of pressure for about 10 minutes.

For medium-sized potatoes (around 5 oz), the cooking time increases to 10 minutes of pressure cooking, again followed by a natural release of pressure for about 10 minutes.

If you are working with medium-large potatoes (around 6-7 oz), you will need to steam them for 12 minutes, followed by the natural release of pressure.

And finally, for large potatoes (around 10 oz), steam them for 14 minutes and then release the pressure naturally.

It's important to note that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the specific type of potatoes you are using and your desired level of tenderness. Always ensure that the potatoes are fork-tender before serving.

Additionally, the amount of water used for steaming is crucial. Typically, 1 cup of water is sufficient to create enough steam to cook the potatoes without submerging them. However, you can adjust the amount as per your pressure cooker's instructions.

How to serve steamed potatoes

Steamed potatoes are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas on how to serve them:

As a Side Dish

Steamed potatoes can be served as a simple side dish. For a basic preparation, peel and cut the cooked potatoes into bite-sized chunks. You can then serve them with butter, chopped dill, garlic, or a drizzle of homemade pesto. You can also season them with salt and pepper to taste.

With Meat and Other Vegetables

Steamed potatoes go well with various meats, such as chicken, pork, or beef, or even sausages. You can also serve them with other vegetables, like steamed broccoli or a simple salad, to create a balanced meal.

In Salads

Steamed potatoes are excellent for potato salads. Try making an Olivier potato salad, a dressed herring salad, a Ukrainian beetroot salad, or a tuna, egg, and potato layered salad. You can also experiment with different herbs and seasonings, such as rosemary, tarragon, basil, or mint.

Baked or Smashed

You can further bake the steamed potatoes in the oven at 400°F with some olive oil, salt, and garlic powder until the skin turns crispy. Alternatively, you can smash the steamed potatoes and pan-fry them.

In Soups and Casseroles

Steamed potatoes can be used in soups, such as a potato soup or a sweet potato casserole. They are also great for making spiced mashed potatoes or potato pea curry.

For Meal Prep

Steamed potatoes are excellent for meal prep as they can be used in various dishes throughout the week. You can use them in salads, sides, gratins, or soups. They can also be used to make baked potatoes, smashed potatoes, or pan-fried potatoes.

How to store leftover steamed potatoes

Once you've steamed your potatoes, you might be wondering how to store them if you have leftovers. Here are some detailed instructions on how to store leftover steamed potatoes:

Firstly, it is important to let the potatoes cool down completely before storing them. Placing hot potatoes in the fridge can be unsafe and affect the temperature of the other items in your fridge. It can also negatively impact the texture of the potatoes. To speed up the cooling process, you can place the potatoes on a tray and put them in the fridge, uncovered, for a short period.

Once the potatoes are cooled, place them in an airtight container or a Ziploc bag and store them in the refrigerator. Steamed potatoes can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you need to store them for longer, consider freezing them. It is safe to freeze potatoes for up to 3 months. However, keep in mind that freezing may alter their texture.

Additionally, it is not recommended to leave cooked potatoes at room temperature for an extended period, as it can cause food safety issues. Bacteria can grow rapidly on food left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, so it is best to refrigerate or freeze your leftover potatoes as soon as possible.

Frequently asked questions