Genius Tricks for Cooking Potatoes Perfectly Every Time

Potatoes are a staple ingredient in countless dishes, but getting them just right can be tricky. Whether you want crispy fries, fluffy mashed potatoes, or perfectly roasted spuds, these four genius tricks will help you cook potatoes to perfection every time.

1. The Cold Water Start for Boiling Potatoes

If you want evenly cooked boiled potatoes, always start them in cold water rather than dropping them into boiling water. This allows the potatoes to cook evenly from the inside out, preventing the outer layers from becoming mushy before the inside is fully cooked.

How to Do It:

• Place peeled or unpeeled potatoes in a pot of cold, salted water.

• Bring the water to a gentle boil over medium heat.

• Simmer until a fork easily pierces through, then drain.

✅ Best for: Mashed potatoes, potato salad, and soups.

2. Soak Potatoes for Extra Crispy Fries

One of the secrets to achieving crispy fries or hash browns is removing excess starch. Soaking your cut potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes (or overnight) helps draw out the starch, resulting in a crispier texture.

How to Do It:

• Cut potatoes into desired shapes (fries, wedges, cubes).

• Place them in a bowl of cold water and let them soak.

• Drain, pat dry thoroughly with a towel, and cook as desired.

✅ Best for: French fries, hash browns, and crispy roasted potatoes.

3. Baking Soda for Extra Crunchy Roasted Potatoes

Adding a small amount of baking soda to your boiling water before roasting breaks down the potato’s surface, leading to a crispy, golden crust in the oven.

How to Do It:

• Boil peeled and chopped potatoes in water with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.

• Drain and toss with oil, salt, and seasonings.

• Roast at 425°F (220°C) until crispy.

✅ Best for: Roasted potatoes with a crunchy exterior and soft interior.

4. Microwave for Faster Cooking

Short on time? Pre-cooking potatoes in the microwave before frying or roasting speeds up the cooking process while maintaining texture and flavor.

How to Do It:

• Pierce whole potatoes with a fork and microwave for 4-5 minutes per potato.

• Let them cool slightly before slicing and finishing in a pan or oven.

✅ Best for: Quick baked potatoes, roasted potatoes, or pan-fried potatoes.

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Final Thoughts

Mastering these potato-cooking tricks will save you time while ensuring perfect results. Whether you want crispy fries, fluffy mashed potatoes, or golden roasted spuds, these techniques will take your potato game to the next level.

🔥 Which trick will you try first? Let us know in the comments!