Learn how to boil potatoes perfectly for an effortless side dish to accompany all of your favorite meals. Simple and easy to make, and perfectly seasoned, with hardly any prep time.
Place potatoes in a medium pot and cover with cold water. Season generously with salt.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat slightly and simmer until potatoes are fork tender, about 20 minutes (time will depend on size of potatoes).
Drain potatoes and return to pot. Add butter, salt and pepper and toss gently until the potatoes are covered with butter. Serve immediately, with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
Start the potatoes in cold water and then bring them to the boil, rather than placing directly into boiling water. This will help them to cook more evenly.
Salt your water well. This will help to add flavor right from the beginning of cooking.
Simmer rather than boil the potatoes. They will cook quicker if you boil, but you risk the center being undercooked.
You can use baby gold potatoes, Dutch potatoes, fingerling potatoes, gold, Yukon, yellow potatoes, any waxy potatoes will work well.