Have you ever thought about boiling potatoes without pots and without waiting for the water to boil? With the microwave, you can do it in just a few minutes, saving time and energy! This method is not only incredibly practical for a dinner-saving side dish but also allows you to better preserve vitamins and minerals, preventing them from dispersing in cooking water. Find out how to achieve soft and flavorful potatoes, perfect for mashed potatoes, gnocchi, or salads. All ready in 10 minutes!
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very cheap
- Rest time: 2 Minutes
- Preparation time: 2 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: Microwave
- Seasonality: All seasons
- Energy 102.67 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 23.32 (g) of which sugars 1.09 (g)
- Proteins 2.73 (g)
- Fat 0.12 (g) of which saturated 0.03 (g)of which unsaturated 0.06 (g)
- Fibers 2.80 (g)
- Sodium 8.00 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 120 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 4 potatoes (about 1.1 lbs)
Tools
- 1 Container Microwave safe
- 1 Fork
Step-by-Step Preparation
Thoroughly wash the potatoes under running water, removing any leftover soil. Dry them well with a cloth and deeply and repeatedly puncture them with a fork or the tip of a knife: this step is essential and mandatory to let steam escape and prevent them from exploding during cooking.
Place the potatoes in the microwave-safe container, with the lid closed and the vent valve open. If your container doesn’t have a vent, leave the lid slightly propped open.
Set the microwave to 800 W and cook for 7-8 minutes. Midway through cooking (after about 4 minutes), carefully open the container to release the steam and turn the potatoes to achieve even cooking on all sides.
After the cooking time, check the consistency by piercing the potatoes with a fork. If they are still too hard, extend the cooking for 1-2 more minutes.
Once cooked, let the potatoes rest in the container for a couple of minutes before peeling or using them in your recipes.
Tips and Variations
Variable cooking times: If the potatoes are larger, they may require 10-12 minutes. If the microwave has a power greater than 800 W, reduce the cooking time by 1-2 minutes.
With or without water? To keep the potatoes more moist, you can add a tablespoon of water in the container before cooking.
Aromatic version: Add herbs like rosemary or thyme to the container to flavor the potatoes during cooking.
How to know if a container is microwave-safe? There should be a symbol like this 
, sometimes the watts are written, for example, 400 W, in this case, it indicates the maximum power that type of container can be used in the microwave, if there’s also the writing NO LID, then the lid is not microwave-safe and should be removed.
Does heating food in the microwave increase cancer risks? Learn more HERE
FAQ – Boiled Potatoes in the Microwave
Can I use any container for microwave cooking?
No, it’s important to use a container certified for microwave use. Check for the wave symbol at the bottom of the container or the indication of the maximum supported power.
Are potatoes cooked in the microwave safe?
Absolutely yes! The microwave does not alter the nutritional properties of the food; rather, it helps preserve vitamins and minerals that would otherwise disperse in cooking water.
Can I cook multiple potatoes at once?
Yes, but make sure to distribute them evenly in the container and if necessary, increase the cooking time by 2-3 minutes.
Can microwave potatoes be stored?
Yes, you can store them in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, sealed in an airtight container. They are perfect for preparing potato salads or quick mashed potatoes in advance!
Boiling potatoes in the microwave is a practical and quick trick to have a ready ingredient in minutes, without needing to boil water. Perfect for last-minute mashed potatoes, a tasty salad, or a simple and healthy side dish. Try this method and see how convenient the microwave can be in the kitchen!
