Cubed potatoes generally take about 10 to 15 minutes to boil until tender. After cutting potatoes into roughly 1-inch cubes, place them in cold salted water, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes. You can check for doneness by piercing a cube with a fork or knife; it should slide in easily without resistance
. Here are key points for boiling cubed potatoes:
- Start with cold water covering the potatoes by about an inch and add salt.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered.
- Cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, skimming off any foam if it appears.
- Test doneness by inserting a fork or knife; potatoes should be tender but not mushy.
- Drain and use as desired (e.g., for mashed potatoes, salads, or side dishes)
This timing applies to common waxy or all-purpose potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes. Larger whole potatoes take longer (20-25 minutes or more), but cubed pieces cook faster due to their smaller size
