Learn How to Prepare Small Potatoes for Cooking

Understanding Small Potato Varieties and Selection

Small potatoes come in several distinct varieties, each with different textures, flavors, and best uses in the kitchen. Common types include fingerling potatoes, which are long and narrow resembling their namesake; red potatoes, which have thin red skin and waxy yellow flesh; and new potatoes, which are simply any potato variety harvested early in the season before the skin has fully matured and thickened. Purple potatoes, ranging from deep violet to nearly black, offer an earthy flavor and striking appearance. Baby potatoes are miniature versions of larger varieties and work well for whole cooking since they cook through quickly and evenly.

When selecting small potatoes at the market or grocery store, look for firm potatoes without soft spots, sprouts, or blemishes. Avoid potatoes with green coloring, which indicates exposure to light and the development of solanine, a naturally occurring compound that can taste bitter. A medium-sized small potato typically weighs between 1 to 3 ounces, though exact sizes vary. The skin should be relatively smooth and free of deep eyes or indentations that might harbor dirt. Small potatoes generally have a shelf life of several weeks when stored in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place—not in plastic bags, which trap moisture and encourage sprouting.

Different varieties have different starch contents, which affects cooking methods. Waxy potatoes like fingerlings and red potatoes have lower starch content and hold their shape well during cooking, making them ideal for boiling, roasting, and potato salads. Starchy varieties become fluffier when cooked. Understanding these distinctions helps you choose the right potato for your intended recipe. Small potatoes are nutritious, containing vitamin C, potassium, manganese, and B vitamins, along with fiber when the skin is eaten.

Practical Takeaway: Visit your produce section and identify at least three small potato varieties available. Note their color, size, and any label information about variety name. This familiarity helps you make confident selections based on your cooking plans.

Cleaning and Washing Small Potatoes Properly

Proper cleaning is the first essential step in potato preparation. Small potatoes benefit from thorough washing because their size means more surface area relative to volume, and any dirt or debris becomes more noticeable when the potato is cooked whole. Begin by rinsing potatoes under cool running water. Use your fingers or a soft vegetable brush to gently scrub away soil, paying particular attention to crevices and indented areas where dirt accumulates. The brush should be soft enough not to damage the thin skin of small potatoes, which you'll typically want to keep intact since it contains fiber and nutrients.

For potatoes with stubborn dirt, soak them in a bowl of cool water for five to ten minutes before scrubbing. This softens the soil and makes it easier to remove without vigorous rubbing that might damage the delicate skin. After scrubbing, rinse again under running water until the water runs clear and no soil remains. If you prefer, you can use a clean cloth to dry the potatoes, though this is optional if you plan to cook them immediately. Never use hot water for cleaning, as this can partially cook the surface and create uneven texture during actual cooking.

If you're working with new potatoes or baby potatoes with particularly delicate or thin skin, handle them gently during cleaning to avoid tearing the skin. Some cooks prefer to clean potatoes just before cooking to prevent any moisture absorption that might affect texture. Others clean them earlier and store them in the refrigerator for several hours, which is also acceptable. The key is ensuring all visible dirt and debris are removed before the potatoes enter your cooking vessel, whether that's a pot of boiling water, a roasting pan, or a steamer basket.

Practical Takeaway: Keep a soft vegetable brush near your sink and practice the rinse-scrub-rinse method. Set a timer for five minutes if you choose to soak dirtier potatoes, then scrub and rinse. This routine takes roughly three to five minutes for a pound of small potatoes.

Cutting and Sizing Small Potatoes for Even Cooking

The size and uniformity of your cut potatoes directly affects cooking time and whether all pieces finish cooking at the same moment. Small potatoes are advantageous because many recipes allow you to cook them whole, which preserves flavor and nutrients while simplifying preparation. When cooking small potatoes whole, select pieces of similar size—ideally all between 1 and 2 inches in diameter—so they cook uniformly. If you have a mix of sizes, either separate them into different cooking batches or cut the larger ones in half or quarters to match the smaller ones.

For potatoes that need cutting, use a sharp chef's knife and a stable cutting board. Rinse and pat dry the potatoes first to prevent the knife from slipping. Cut large small potatoes in half lengthwise, which preserves more surface area for browning if you're roasting. For potatoes that seem especially large, cut them into quarters. Keep the pieces as uniform as possible in size and shape—aim for pieces roughly half to three-quarters of an inch thick if you're cutting them into chunks. Avoid cutting too small, as very small pieces can become mushy or waterlogged during cooking.

If you're preparing potatoes for mashing, boiling, or stewing, cut them into 1-inch to 1.5-inch pieces. For roasting, slightly larger pieces—around 1.5 to 2 inches—work better because they develop a crispy exterior while the interior cooks through. When cutting potatoes, some cooks leave the skin on for added texture and nutrition, while others peel first, depending on the recipe and personal preference. If you're leaving skin on, simply scrub well and cut. If peeling, you can peel before or after cutting, though peeling after cooking is sometimes easier for certain varieties.

Practical Takeaway: Place several small potatoes on your cutting board and practice sizing them visually without cutting. Aim to identify which could cook whole, which need halving, and which need quartering. This develops the visual judgment needed to make consistent cuts in actual cooking.

Peeling Small Potatoes: When and How

Deciding whether to peel small potatoes depends on your recipe, the potato variety, and your texture preferences. The skin of small potatoes is thinner and more tender than large russet potatoes, making it often pleasant to eat when properly cleaned. The skin contains fiber and nutrients, so keeping it provides nutritional benefits. For dishes like potato salads, roasted potatoes, and boiled new potatoes, many cooks prefer leaving the skin on for both nutrition and appearance. Red potatoes and fingerlings are particularly suited to unpeeled cooking, as their thin skins add visual appeal and texture.

When peeling is desired, you have options based on timing. Some cooks prefer peeling small potatoes before cooking, which takes more initial effort but leaves you with less to handle during busy cooking moments. Others parboil (partially boil) potatoes for five to ten minutes, then peel them after cooking, when the skin slips off more easily. A vegetable peeler works well for small potatoes, though a sharp knife can also work if you prefer. When peeling by hand, use short, careful strokes following the contour of the potato. For small, round potatoes, rotate the potato as you peel to ensure even coverage.

If you choose to peel after cooking, let the potatoes cool just enough to handle—typically a few minutes under cool running water. The warm potatoes peel more easily than cold ones. Hold the potato with a kitchen towel to protect your fingers from heat and prevent slipping. Rub the skin gently with your thumbs or a cloth, and it often comes away in large pieces. Some potato varieties peel more easily than others, so you may need to experiment to find the method that works best for you. Whichever method you choose, ensure potatoes are clean before any peeling begins to avoid transferring dirt into the flesh.

Practical Takeaway: Select a small potato and practice both peeling methods—peeling before cooking with a vegetable peeler, and peeling after cooking by hand. Note which method feels more comfortable and efficient for you, and use that as your default going forward.

Preparing Potatoes for Different Cooking Methods

Small potatoes work beautifully with multiple cooking techniques,