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.
Thank you! Best “boiled” potatoes ever, so easy to cook & peel.
Great recipe! i just made and it is the best! thank you so much!
Hi Blanca – Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Boiled my potatoes for breakfast this morning thanks to your recipe! Loved it. Thank you!
Hi Margie – Glad to hear you are enjoying the potatoes.
Trying this now…. Hopefully it saves time with peeling. I’ve heard it’s easier to peel them after they’ve been cooked.
Hi Mari – Absolutely, potatoes are easier to peel once they are boiled. You don’t need a knife or peeler to peel them. You should be able to peel with your fingers. Hope they turned out well.
Oh they did! Except I decided to leave the peel on and they were amazing. Thank you
Great recipe!!! Potatoes turned out perfectly!!! Saved me so much time, and no mess! Sooooooo perfect!
Hi Allison – So good to hear that! Thank you for sharing back! 🙂
I give this “recipe” a one star because it didn’t really tell me what to do. I’ve had my instant pot for about 5 minutes & I don’t know what I’m doing. I’ve used it a couple of times…but I need more actual instructions than what is given here. My suggestion would be to try reading your post from the eyes of a novice before you post it. You don’t have to dumb it down to the point of being annoying to the average “man-on-the-street” instant pot user…but you need to give some actual, real time instructions. I’m off to search other sites for some clearer directions. Bye-bye. Btw, your food looks/sounds delicious! I’ll try it when I’m better qualified to use my instant pot!
Hi Morgana – If you are new to using an instant pot, I recommend to start with the quick start guide and to do the water test. There is a bit of a learning curve with using an electric pressure cooked if you have never used one before. Here are all the details to get you started – https://pipingpotcurry.com/instant-pot-beginner-manual-quick-setup-guide/
Boiled my potatoes for breakfast this morning thanks to your recipe! Loved it. Thank you!
Hi!
Is the trivet and the steal insert the same thing? Or am I looking for two metal items for my pot?
It’s like a little round rack that goes in to raise the potatoes off the bottom
Hi Gina – The steel insert is the large steel pot that goes into the instant pot. The trivet is so keep the food from touching the base of the instant pot steel insert. Hope that clarifies.
Works perfectly
Thankyou
I tried this with russet potatoes I put one cup of water , set 3 potatoes on the rack cooked high pressure for 15 min and then let it naturally release for 20 and they were not cooked at all. Hard inside. Am I doing something wrong?
Hi Maggie – I wonder if the pot came to pressure. As otherwise 15 minutes of pressure cooking is enough for potatoes. If the potatoes were too large in size, you can try increasing the pressure cook time too.
I had the same experience. My potatoes were 7oz and after 10 minutes stream on high pressure and a full (18 minutes) natural release, they were still rock hard.
Then I did 5 more minutes. And another 5. And another 7 minutes. Then another full natural release. I’m still waiting to see if I can eat now…
Hi – I do really think that if the potatoes are taking so long to cook, there are 2 possible issues – 1. The pot did not come to pressure. I want to confirm that you did add 1 cup water to the main instant pot steel insert? 2) The instant pot is set on low pressure. The recipe uses the default high pressure setting. If you find the issue, I would love to hear back.