Steamed potatoes in a pressure cooker are an easy and quick side dish, perfect for those who don’t have much time to cook but don’t want to give up something tasty and light. A pretty classic recipe, I’d say, and one that we’ve all probably tried to make more than once. Today I am not only leaving you the recipe itself, but also some tips and advice on preparing steamed potatoes using both traditional and electric pressure cookers. This cooking method allows you to cook whole potatoes in just a few minutes, preserving the nutritional properties of this vegetable.
Let’s start with the fact that not all pressure cookers are the same or have the same cooking times. Therefore, I always recommend referring to the manual of the pressure cooker you own. For several years now, I’ve been using the traditional pressure cooker, the kind you use on the stove. A few months ago, my husband and daughters thought of gifting me the electric one. Despite my initial skepticism, I must confess that it is indeed a great substitute for the traditional model.
Let me explain the advantages of using an Instant Pot. Like all pressure cookers, it certainly reduces cooking times without altering the nutritional and organoleptic properties of the food. Moreover, it is a pot that allows you to put in all the ingredients and forget about them! You can then leave the house, and it will turn off on its own after doing its job, leaving you with dinner ready when you return. It is also very quiet, emits no heat, making it great to use in the summer, and lastly, it produces no odors. Lastly, but not least, it’s perfect for those who have little time, like all pressure cookers.
Using this type of pot is not complicated, but it requires, like many other things, a bit of practice, and I’m sure I can help you with that too. After all these premises, let me leave you with my first recipe using the Instant Pot on my blog. So, let’s head to the kitchen together, because the steamed potatoes in the pressure cooker will be ready in a click!
If you’re interested in other pressure cooker recipes, also read:
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 4 people
- Cooking methods: Instant pot, Pressure Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
- Energy 78.97 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 17.92 (g) of which sugars 0.84 (g)
- Proteins 2.12 (g)
- Fat 0.10 (g) of which saturated 0.03 (g)of which unsaturated 0.05 (g)
- Fibers 2.17 (g)
- Sodium 9.04 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 3 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
- 14 oz potatoes (medium)
- 1 cup water (at room temperature)
- chopped parsley (to taste)
Tools
- Pressure Cooker electric
- Steaming Basket
Steps
To prepare steamed potatoes in the electric pressure cooker, first wash them very well under water to remove soil residues. Then pour the water into the pot and subsequently insert the steel steaming basket at the pot’s bottom.
Then distribute the potatoes in the basket, close the pot, and move the vent lever to “sealing.” Set the pot to “Pressure Cook” (High) and the time to 15 minutes. The time and amount of water do not vary with the quantity of potatoes. However, it is very important, for even cooking, that the potatoes are all the same size. Therefore, cooking times may vary depending on the size of the potatoes you are using. If you use smaller or larger potatoes, I recommend decreasing or increasing the cooking times compared to what is written above.
The cooking time I have given is for boiled potatoes with a soft but firm texture. If you need to use potatoes to prepare mashed potatoes, and thus need to mash them, I recommend increasing the cooking time by at least 2 or 3 minutes.
After the potatoes are cooked, the pot will emit a sound. Wait 5 minutes and then initiate quick release by moving the lever to “venting.” Then open the pot and check the cooking by inserting the tines of a fork into the potatoes. If they need a few more minutes of cooking, you can proceed as indicated above by setting the necessary minutes.
Preparing steamed potatoes in a traditional pressure cooker is just as simple. Wash the potatoes very well under water. Then pour some water into the pot and place the steaming basket. Remember, the water should never exceed the basket. Then place the potatoes inside it and close the pot, bringing it to maximum power.
From the start of the whistle, cook the potatoes for 8 minutes. Obviously, the same consideration mentioned above applies. Cooking times may vary depending on the size of the potatoes, and in this case, also depending on the type of pressure cooker you own.
After the cooking time has elapsed, gradually release the steam and open the pot. Check the cooking by inserting the tines of a fork into the center of the largest potato. If they need a few more minutes of cooking, close the pot and cook for the necessary time.
The steamed potatoes in the pressure cooker are ready! Let them cool, peel them, and season them according to your taste.
Variations and Tips for Steamed Potatoes in Pressure Cooker
Steamed potatoes in a pressure cooker can be stored in the refrigerator for one or two days in a covered container.
FAQ Questions and Answers for Steamed Potatoes in Pressure Cooker
Is this cooking method valid for all types of potatoes?
Yes, the only precaution is to place potatoes in the basket that are all the same size, and consequently, the time may vary, increasing or decreasing based on the size of the potatoes being cooked.
Is it better to use the InstantPot or the traditional pressure cooker?
There’s no precise answer to this question, as each pot has its cooking methods. Certainly, from my experience, I can say that lately, I’ve been preferring the Instant Pot. It doesn’t mess up the stove, and despite high-temperature cooking, it keeps the nutritional properties of the food even more intact. Moreover, with a single pot, you can use different cooking methods.
