Learn how to Boil or Steam Potatoes in the Instant Pot. This is part of the Instant Pot Cooking Basics series. Potatoes are perfect for steaming in a pressure cooker, and it takes less than 30 minutes to get perfectly cooked potatoes. I use these potatoes in many dishes, such as potato curry and spiced mashed potatoes.
I had always cooked potatoes in my stovetop pressure cooker or in the oven to make baked potatoes. However, it did need some monitoring and a lot of time. With the Instant Pot, just set the time and do a natural pressure release, while I can do other chores.
With just a cup of water and minimal effort, you can have perfectly fork-tender potatoes in a fraction of the time it takes on the stovetop or in the oven. Over the last 8 years, I have tested this recipe with all kinds and sizes of potatoes. Be sure to follow the time chart below so you can cook them perfectly based on their size.
Having pre-boiled potatoes at hand is great for meal planning. I can then use them as needed to make quick sides such as potato salad, mashed potatoes, loaded baked potatoes, and potato curry.
Table of Contents
Watch How to Make Boil Potatoes in the Instant Pot
How to Cook Potatoes in the Instant Pot?
It is as easy as it gets, and it really is the quickest and most foolproof way to cook potatoes. This method gives us perfectly steamed potatoes, as we use a trivet and the potatoes are cooked by the steam without direct contact with the water.
These potatoes are perfect for potato salad, roasting, or any recipes where you want them to hold their shape.
- Scrub and clean the potatoes. Many people pierce them with a fork, but that is not required when cooking potatoes in a pressure cooker.
- Add a cup of water and place a trivet in the Instant Pot steel insert. You can use the trivet that came with your Instant Pot, or buy a trivet. Here is my recommendation for a trivet that also works for eggs.
- Place the potatoes on top of the trivet. If needed, it is totally fine to stack potatoes on top of each other.
- Press the pressure cook button and set it on high pressure. Adjust the time based on the size of the potatoes. It usually takes between 8 and 18 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes. Use the time chart below for the cooking time.
- Let the pressure release naturally for 10. minutes. Then, quick release any remaining pressure and carefully open the lid.
How Long to Cook Potatoes in the Instant Pot?
| Size | Weight | Cook Time on High Pressure |
| Baby Potatoes | 1-3 oz each | 5 minutes |
| Smaller Potatoes | 4-5 oz each | 10 minutes |
| Medium Potatoes | 6-7 oz each | 12 minutes |
| Large Potatoes | 8-10 oz each | 15 minutes |
| Extra Large Russets | 11-14 oz each | 18 minutes |
Pro-Tips
Even-Sized Potatoes: Using even-sized potatoes when pressure cooking will give the best results. So they all cook perfectly, fork-tender in the same cooking time.
Checking Doneness: Insert a fork or knife into the center of the potato — if it slides in easily with little resistance, it’s done. If the center still feels firm, cook for a few more minutes and test again.
Storage: Let the potatoes cool down to room temperature. They can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container up to 3 days.
Can I Cook Potatoes Without a Trivet?
The short answer is, YES!
Let me explain, you can always place the potatoes directly into the Instant Pot steel insert. They can be submerged in water halfway or fully. This will give you perfectly boiled potatoes.
The potatoes absorb some of the water as they cook, which makes them softer and sometimes a little more watery. This is perfect for making mashed potatoes, but not ideal if you want crisp edges later, such as in baked potatoes or roasted potatoes.
Check my detailed post on cooking baby potatoes in the Instant Pot, and if you want to make seasoned potatoes directly, check out these spicy Bombay Potatoes. Yum!
Does this Recipe Work for Different Types of Potatoes?
Yes, this Instant Pot method works beautifully for almost all types of potatoes. Whether you’re using russet potatoes for fluffy mashed potatoes, Yukon Gold for their naturally creamy texture, or red potatoes that hold their shape well for salads, the pressure cooking method delivers fork-tender results every time.
The key difference isn’t the type — it’s the size — so simply adjust the cook time based on how large the potatoes are.
How to Cook Diced Potatoes in the Instant Pot?
For diced russet potatoes about 1 inch in size, pressure cook for 3 minutes when using a steamer basket. If you are cooking them in the main pot, just 1 minute on pressure cook mode will be enough.
Try these easy steamed potatoes and don’t forget to share how you used them!
More Instant Pot Basics Recipes
Instant Pot Beets / How to cook beets in Pressure Cooker
Amazing Steamed Broccoli – Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
Amazing Instant Pot Steamed Carrots
How to Cook Sweet Potatoes in Instant Pot?
How to Boil Potatoes in Instant Pot?
Video
Equipment
Instructions
- Clean potatoes with water. Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot steel insert. Place the trivet, then place potatoes on top of it. Close the lid with the vent in sealing position.
- Press the pressure cook button and set it on high pressure. Adjust the time based on the size of the potatoes.Smaller Potatoes (4-5 oz each): 10 minutesMedium Potatoes (6-7 oz each): 12 minutesLarge Potatoes (8-10 oz each): 15 minutesExtra Large Potatoes (11-14 oz each): 18 minutes
- Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. Then, quick release any remaining pressure and carefully open the lid.
- Remove the potatoes from the Instant Pot to stop additional cooking.
Do the potatoes need to be poked with a fork before boiling them in the instant pot?
I’ve heard that they do but I still can’t get mine to come out cooked
Hi Tracey – I usually don’t poke the potatoes and they boil well under pressure. Hope you give it a try!
I want to par boil the potatoes then add canned green beans and ham then finish them. Any suggestions?
Hi Carol – I have not tried potatoes with beans and ham. My friend Sandy has a recipe on her blog which could be helpful – https://www.simplyhappyfoodie.com/instant-pot-green-beans-potatoes-bacon/
Perfect potatos !
Making my mom’s potato salad recipe was a breeze with these steamed potatos . My first time making it & I will be making it A LOT more now !
Hi Rachel – So glad to hear you could make your mom’s potato salad very easily with the boiled potatoes. Mom’s recipes are the best!
Which potatoes work best for you for boiling? Russet?
For indian recipes like potato pattice or sabudana wadas I have noticed that they never come out perfect.
Thanks!
Hey Zeel – I always use russet potatoes for indian cooking. They the the ones commonly used in India for all cooking. You can try to cook them a little more if they don’t feel soft enough for snack recipes where you are mixing with other ingredients. Here in US, I like to use the baby potatoes too, but typically not for the snack recipes where without skin is preferred.
Can I peel the potatoes and them steam them? I need to make mashed potatoes.
Hello Linda – Yes, you can peel and steam the potatoes in the instant pot. Hope you enjoy the mashed potatoes!
If you cook the unpeeled potatoes in the instapot for 1 minute and cool. You can use your hands to peel the potatoes. The peels will almost slide off.
I just boiled potatoes in the instant pot. I used two two potatoes and steamed them for 11 min. Natural release for 25 min.. They came out looking great.
Do you know how long I have to wait to peel them? I want to make potato salad.
Thanks
Patti
Hey Patti – Glad to hear the potatoes turned steamed well. Usually there is not set time to wait, however I wait for when they are cool enough to handle. IF I am in a hurry, I also put them in cold water to stop the cooking and cool them quickly. Hope you enjoyed the potato salad.
Thank you soooooo much. This formula worked perfect. My potatoes were smaller in weight so I adjusted time as indicated. It’s the start of summer and I was not looking forward to a hot kitchen from boiling potatoes. This is great!!!
Hey Karen – Glad the potatoes cooked perfectly for you. Thank you for sharing back your experience!
Hi, Do you leave the value in sealing mode or venting mode?
Hey Jyothsna – Valve would be in sealing mode to boil potatoes. Hope the the potatoes are perfectly boiled!
Does the number of potatoes affect the cook time or amount of water needed? I’m wanting to cook 10-12 potatoes.
Hey Becky – The number of potatoes will not change the cook time or water. However the size of potatoes will change the cooking time. I have provided some directions in notes 🙂
Hi Meeta,
I tried to boil my potatoes using this method in my steel steamer basket which has legs to raise it above the water. My potatoes were smaller, so I used the “Steam” mode on high pressure for 8 minutes, and did a 10 min quick pressure release. I noticed that my Instant pot did not come to pressure at all, though my potatoes ended up cooking well. Do you know why this may have happened?
I added about 2 cups of water under my steamer basket. Was that too much water?
Thank you!
Hey Dhanya – Two cups of water is enough liquid for the instant pot should come to pressure. I wonder there may be another issue – check if the pressure valve was in sealing mode and sealing ring was set properly. Sometimes when the sealing ring is hot and you are using it again it does not fit properly. In this case, you can place it in the freezer for few minutes and use again. Hope that helps!