how long should i boil potatoes for mashed potatoes

For classic mashed potatoes, boil potato chunks for about 15–20 minutes, starting in cold salted water, until they’re very tender and easily pierced with a fork all the way through. Whole medium potatoes usually take closer to 20–30 minutes, depending on size and variety.

Quick Scoop

• Cut potatoes into 1–2 inch chunks and start them in cold, well-salted water for even cooking.

• Once the water reaches a boil, reduce to a gentle simmer and cook 15–20 minutes for chunks, 20–30 minutes for whole potatoes.

• They’re ready for mashing when a fork slides in easily with almost no resistance; if the centers feel firm, keep cooking and check every few minutes.

• Drain immediately when tender to avoid waterlogged, gluey mash, then let them steam in the hot pot for a minute before adding butter and milk or cream.

Mini Tips For Fluffy Mash

• Use starchy potatoes like russet or Yukon Gold for the fluffiest texture.

• Keep the pieces roughly the same size so they cook at the same rate and don’t leave you with hard chunks.

• If unsure about time, rely more on the fork-test than the clock; different varieties and freshness can change boiling time by several minutes.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.