Make the perfect steamed potatoes every single time in a standard 6-quart instant pot. They're fork-tender, ready for mashed potatoes, potato salad, or just for enjoying plain!
4 to 5poundsraw potatoes(red-skin, yellow, or Idaho)
¼cupwater(approximate amount)
Instructions
Instant pot instructions.
Wash the potatoes, then pierce each of them on both sides with the tines of a fork. Each potato should be pierced at least 4 times with your fork.
Plug in your instant pot electronic pressure cooker. In the bowl of the appliance, place about 1/4 cup of lukewarm tap water.
Place a heat-safe steamer basket that fits into the instant pot on top of the water.
Arrange the pierced potatoes in the steamer basket, placing any larger potatoes on the bottom, and layering the potatoes as necessary to fit all of them. Try to space them as evenly as possible, allowing space for air to circulate among them.
Secure the lid of your instant pot, set the vent to seal, press “manual,” and set the time to 14 minutes.
The pot will switch on, come to pressure, then begin counting down the 14 minutes of pressure cooking time.
Once the timer has sounded to signal the end of the cooking period, turn the pot off and allow the pressure to release naturally by allowing the pot to sit, undisturbed, for about 15 minutes.
Release any remaining pressure manually by turning the venting dial to “vent.”
Open the lid of the pot, and remove the perfectly cooked potatoes with tongs, taking care not to break the skin of the potatoes.
Place them in a single layer on a flat surface and allow them to cool before slicing and/or serving whole.
Alternative stovetop instructions.
To a heavy-bottom saute pan, add 1-inch of water, and place a steamer basket on top.
Add the potatoes to the steamer basket (small potatoes will work best here, if possible), cover, and bring the water to a boil over medium high heat.
Cook, undisturbed, for about 20 minutes.
Turn the heat off and let the pan sit, undisturbed and still covered, for another 10 minutes. They're done when a sharp knife glides right into the center of the biggest potato.