This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
What’s one kitchen hack you can’t live without? This potato peeling hack is mine, especially from fall to spring. It helps me quickly peel tons of potatoes for everything from mashed potatoes to potato salad. The video has over 7.8 million views and is a 10/10. 🥔
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Hack
Peeling potatoes just got a glow-up! Skip the peeler and try this foolproof hack. It makes peeling a breeze with only boiling water and an ice bath. You’ll be ready to mash, roast, or fry those perfectly peeled potatoes without breaking a sweat!
👩🍳 How to Peel Potatoes
- Score the Potato: Make a shallow cut around the middle of the potato with a sharp knife. Don’t go too deep—just enough to break the skin.
- Boil the Potatoes: Place your scored potatoes in a pot of cold, salted water. Boil for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the potato. They should be fork-tender but not mushy.
- Prepare an Ice Bath: While the potatoes boil, fill a large bowl with ice-cold water.
- Shock the Potatoes: Once the potatoes are done boiling, transfer them immediately to the ice bath using tongs or a slotted spoon. Let them sit for five minutes to cool down.
- Pull to Peel: Gently rub or pull the skin off the potato. It will slide right off like magic!
🎥 Watch this potato peeling hack in action!
🪄 Tips and Tricks
- Types of Potatoes: This trick works best with thin-skinned potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes. For thicker-skinned varieties, you may need to score a bit deeper.
- How to Know When They’re Ready: Pierce the potatoes with a fork at 15 minutes. The fork should easily glide through. If not, continue cooking, checking every few minutes.
🍽️ Best served with
My favorite thing to make with boiled potatoes is my four-ingredient mashed potato recipe. I also use them often for potato salads in the spring.
- If you’re serving mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving or Christmas, don’t miss my Green Bean Casserole and Corn Spoonbread.
- For a family dinner, they‘d be great with chicken and air fryer green beans.
👝 How to Store
Leftover boiled potatoes will last up to four days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
🤔 Common Questions
That was the number one question I got when I posted this video, and yes, my fingers are all good! I think the potato looked so hot and steamy from my window being open, but the skin was chilled from the ice bath. Don’t forget the ice bath–it’s important!
This was the second most popular comment I got, and you’re right–the skin does contain a lot of nutrients! Whether I peel potatoes depends on the recipe. I like smooth and creamy mashed potatoes, so I always use peeled potatoes. However, if you like yours with more texture, feel free to leave the skins on.
When I use this hack, I air fry the skins until crisp and eat them as a little snack.
Potato Peeling Hack
Equipment
- Large pot
Ingredients
- Potatoes, (Yukon Gold and red potatoes work best)
- Water
- Salt
Instructions
- Score the Potato: Take a sharp knife and carefully make a shallow cut around the middle of the potato, creating a circle. Don’t go too deep—just enough to break the skin.
- Boil the Potatoes: Place your scored potatoes in a pot of cold, salted water. Bring the water to a boil and boil for 15-20 minutes, depending on the size of the potato. They should be fork-tender but not mushy.
- Prepare an Ice Bath: While the potatoes cook, fill a large bowl with cold water and plenty of ice.
- Shock the Potatoes: Once the potatoes are done boiling, transfer them immediately to the ice bath using tongs or a slotted spoon. Let them sit for 5 minutes to cool down.
- Pull to Peel: Gently rub or pull the skin. It will slide right off like magic!