Perfect Instant Pot Steamed Potatoes

Instant Pot steamed potatoes are simple, healthy, delicious, and can be used in so many ways. Try this pressure cooker method to steam whole potatoes to see how simple and fast this method is. 

I often make salads, such as Olivier or Ukrainian beets and potato salad, that require plain boiled potatoes. It is easy to boil the potatoes, but it takes whole 30 minutes or even more to cook whole potatoes on a stove. This instant pot potatoes recipe will make your life so much easier when you need some perfectly boiled potatoes for your favorite potato salad. 

Jump to:

• Why you will love this recipe
• What potatoes are the best for steaming and boiling 
• What you will need to make these instant pot potatoes
• How to steam potatoes in an instant pot
• How long to cook potatoes in instant pot
• Tips for success
• How to use steamed potatoes
• Frequent questions
• Other recipes to try in your instant pot
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

Why you will love this recipe

• Instant pot will cook whole potatoes so much faster than the stove method. 
• The potatoes come out perfectly cooked, hold their shape and the skin comes off easily after they cool down. 
• Steaming is one of the healthiest methods of cooking potatoes. 
• Instant Pot boiled potatoes are great for meal prep because they can be used in a lot of ways during the week (salads, main dishes, sides). 

What potatoes are the best for steaming and boiling 

You can boil any type of potatoes, but some potatoes are better for a certain cooking method.

A perfectly boiled potato will hold its shape while being fully cooked inside. It has a smooth texture and the skin comes off easily after it cools down. 

I recommend choosing waxy, low-starch potatoes for boiling. Avoid Russet and Idahos potatoes, because they are the best for mashing. 

• Round White Potatoes are waxy and have lower starch content. They are not too big and not too small and are perfect for boiling purposes. 
• Yukon Gold are semi-waxy types of potatoes and are suitable for boiling or steaming in the instant pot or on the stove.
• All-Purpose Potatoes are also great for boiling as they have a moderate amount of starch. They will more likely crack while boiling but still will hold shape if you need them cubed for salads. 

What you will need to make these instant pot potatoes

Potatoes - Waxy or semi-waxy potatoes, such as Round, Yukon, or All-purpose will be the best for steaming. 

Water - And of course, you will need some water to add to the instant pot to steam the potatoes. 

How to steam potatoes in an instant pot

First, wash and scrub the potatoes to get rid of any dirt. 

Now, pour 1 cup of water into the pressure cooker. Place the metal trivet in your Instant Pot. Add 5-6 potatoes on top of the trivet. You can add as many as the space allows. 

Close the lid, and make sure the venting knob is closed. Pressure cook on high for 10 minutes followed by 10 minutes of natural release. It means that you will have to wait for another 10 minutes until the pressure naturally releases. After that, open the vent knob and let the rest of the steam come out. 

Open the lid carefully, remove the potatoes and let them cool down until can be handled safely. 

How long to cook potatoes in instant pot

The cooking time will not change if you cook 1 or 5 potatoes in instant pot. 

You will have to adjust the cooking time depending on the size of the potatoes. That's why it is important to pick approximately the same size potatoes. 

Baby Potatoes - 8 minutes of pressure cooking followed by 10 minutes of natural release. 

Medium Size Potatoes (5oz) - 10 minutes followed by 10 minutes of natural release.

Medium-Large Potatoes (6-7oz) - 12 minutes followed by 10 minutes of natural release. 

Large Potatoes (10oz) - 14 minutes followed by 10 minutes of natural release. 

Tips for success

• pick approximately the same-size potatoes
• adjust the cooking time depending on the size of the potatoes (see how long to cook potatoes in instant pot paragraph).
• do not peel potatoes before cooking

How to use steamed potatoes

Below are a few of my favorite ways how can you use this instant pot steamed potatoes. 

I enjoy them warm as a side dish - peel and cut cooked potatoes into bite-size chunks and serve with butter, chopped dill, garlic, and a sprinkle of salt on top. 

For meal prep - steam potatoes in instant pot to use in various ways during the week. Salads, sides, gratins, soups.

Potato salads - this is so far the best way to steam potatoes for salads. They are soft but keep their shape when cut into cubes. They are super easy to peel. 

Roasting - you can easily make perfect roasted potatoes using already steamed ones. Just roast them in the oven at 400°F with some olive oil, salt, and garlic powder until the skin turns crispy.

Frequent questions

How to store steamed potatoes in the fridge?

Let the potatoes fully cool down and place them in the air-tight container or a Ziploc bag. Store in the fridge for 4 days.

You can reheat potatoes in the microwave or on a frying pan with some olive oil and butter. 

Can I freeze steamed potatoes?

It is safe to freeze potatoes for up to 3 months. Let the potatoes cool down completely and place them in a freezer-friendly bag. Keep in mind, that potatoes are not the best vegetable to freeze and they will change texture after freezing.

Do I need to peel potatoes before cooking them in instant pot? 

No, you do not have to peel them. Of course, you can cook peeled potatoes. But it is so much easier to peel them once they are cooked, and cooking them with the skin will preserve the nutrients and vitamins. Also, your potatoes will not taste watery when cooked with the skin on. 

Other recipes to try in your instant pot

Instant Pot Steamed Beets

Vegan Instant Pot Potato Soup

Buckwheat in Instant Pot

📖 Recipe