Boiled potatoes get an infusion of butter and parsley to make this super easy, three-ingredient side dish. This is one of my all-time favorite side dish recipes for any meal!
Buttery Parsley Boiled Potatoes Recipe
This is one of those recipes that comes so naturally, without much thought, that I didn’t really think about sharing it.
I bet we had these potatoes at least once a week when I was growing up. They’re the ultimate pairing for any and all comfort food because they’re so insanely simple to add along to any main. And so intensely delicious.
Baby red potatoes are the simple cook’s dream side dish. They’re creamy in texture. They cook quickly. You don’t have to skin them. And they’re easy to prepare no matter what your method. Roasting. Grilling. Smashing. And like here, with your basic quick boil in water.
Buttery Boiled Potato Ingredients
Based on the name of this recipe, I bet you can guess all the ingredients you’ll need to make these addicting boiled red potatoes. But hey, who’s going to complain about a simple ingredients list that delivers maximum flavor? Not me.
Here’s what you’ll need to make these buttery boiled potatoes:
- Small red potatoes
- Kosher salt and pepper
- Salted butter
- Fresh Italian parsley
How to Boil Potatoes
I think I discovered the secret to making these potatoes extra good thanks to my inability to get food on the table all at once. Invariably when I prepare these, they are ready before the main dish so they end up sitting and steaming in the pan with all that delicious butter, salt, pepper and parsley.
And that’s when the magic happens.
I use small white or red potatoes for this easy side dish. To prepare the potatoes, I simply give them a light scrub under cold water and use a small paring knife to remove any major blemishes.
Then, I add the potatoes to a saucepan and cover with cold water. I bring the potatoes to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook the potatoes until done. Once cooked through, I drain the potatoes.
Once the potatoes are drained, any remaining water in the pan simply steams these spuds just a little more and the butter infuses into these little red bundles of starch with the chopped parsley and a bit more kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. The skins begin to fall off these little red orbs. And with a few good shakes of the pot, the creamy centers become just a bit more mashed/smashed/dashed with love.
Finally, cover the potatoes and let them sit on the stove for about 10 more minutes. You don’t even have to turn on the heat, but you can rewarm them before serving if you feel they need it.
Who knew 3 ingredients plus a dash or six of salt and pepper could be so good?
Who am I kidding? We all know, that’s who.
How Long to Boil Potatoes
Cooking red potatoes is incredibly easy. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat and let the potatoes simmer for 20 minutes or so.
How to Tell When Boiled Potatoes are Done
You’ll know the potatoes are done boiling by look — the skins will being to break apart from the golden whites of the vegetable — and with touch — by using a fork to check for doneness. The fork should easily slide in and out of the potato.
Watch the Video: How to Make Buttery Parsley Boiled Potatoes
Can I Use Other Fresh Herbs Besides Parsley?
Of course! If you don’t like parsley potatoes, feel free to use another fresh herb instead. Or, use a blend of herbs.
Can I Use Dried Herbs?
I don’t recommend using dried herbs in this boiled potatoes recipe as they’re much more potent in flavor and they’re also quite crunchy. Fresh herbs are the way to go here!
Tips for Making Buttery Boiled Potatoes
The secret to flavoring boiled potatoes of any size, especially how to boil potatoes for potato salad like the recipe where I share how to make the best potato salad, is to generously salt the water. But don’t salt it before the water comes to a boil or you’ll end up pitting your pan. I bring the water and potatoes to a boil together, then lower to a rolling simmer and add the salt then.
There’s no need to cut the red potatoes before boiling them. Just cut out any impurities and add the potatoes to the saucepan as is. You want the potatoes to remain whole so that the centers become ultra creamy.
Also, you’re welcome to play around with the flavorings used in this boiled potatoes recipe. If you like garlicky potatoes, add a little garlic powder. You can also use flavored salts, if desired.
The Best Buttery Parsley Boiled Potatoes
Boiled baby red potatoes get an infusion of butter and parsley to make this super simple side dish one of my all-time favorites for any meal.
CourseSide Dish
CuisineAmerican
Keywordboiled potatoes
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Servings6
Calories130kcal
Ingredients
- ▢1 ½ to 2 pounds small red potatoes
- ▢1 teaspoon kosher salt , plus more to taste
- ▢3 tablespoons salted butter cut into slices
- ▢¼ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
- ▢freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add the potatoes to a medium saucepan and cover with cold water by 2 inches.
- Bring to a boil and add 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. Reduce to a rolling simmer and cook until the potatoes are fork tender and the skin is beginning to fall away from the potatoes, about 20 minutes.
- Drain the water from the pan. Quickly add the potatoes back to the saucepan with the butter and parsley, and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Give the potatoes a vigorous stir with a wooden spoon or shake with the lid on so the potatoes break up a bit. Let sit on the still warm (but off) burner for 5-10 minutes and serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 130kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 459mg | Potassium: 530mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 386IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg