How to Peel a Potato

How to Peel a Potato Without a Peeler

Using a sharp knife, cut a shallow line around the middle of each potato. This is called “scoring,” and it will help you peel the skin off easily once you’ve boiled the potatoes. You only need to cut about ¼ inch deep (.6 cm) around the center of the potato, like an equator. Don't forget to wash your potatoes before boiling them.

Place your potatoes in a pot with plenty of water, and boil them. Make sure your potatoes are fully submerged, with the water covering them by at least 1-2 inches (2.5 - 5 cm). Bring the water to a boil and let your potatoes cook.

Cook your potatoes until they’re fork-tender. A good-size pot with 6-7 potatoes will take around 15 minutes to cook through. You may need more or less time, depending on how many potatoes you’re dealing with. When you think they’re done, try piercing one with a fork. If the fork punctures the skin and slides right in, you’re good to go!

Remove the potatoes from the pot and place them in an ice bath. Have a bowl of ice water ready for when your potatoes are done. With tongs or a large spoon (do not touch the potatoes directly), grab each potato and put them in the bowl of ice cold water for about 5-10 seconds.

Peel off the skin. Here’s the magic part: place your thumbs on the line where you’ve scored each potato, and pull the skin gently. It should feel very loose and slide off easily, leaving a perfectly peeled potato in its wake!

How to Peel a Potato with a Peeler

Wash your potatoes thoroughly. It’s important to clean your potatoes even though you’ll be peeling them. Unwashed potatoes can have germs, dirt, and pesticides on their skin, and peeling can transfer these things to the inside of the potato. So, before you start peeling, scrub your potatoes under cold water using a vegetable scrubbing brush or a clean dish towel. As you wash your potatoes, check to make sure there’s no signs of spoilage. Wrinkly skin, soft spots, sour smells, and mold are all signs that a potato has gone bad. If you notice any small roots or sprouts coming out of the potatoes (also called eyes) remove them. Many potato peelers have a scoop-shaped tip at the base of the handle for this purpose, but you can also use a knife to cut the eyes out. Once your potatoes are clean, thoroughly dry them to ensure the best texture.

Hold the potato in one hand and the peeler in your other hand. Stand at the sink or over the garbage before you go to peel your potato. This way you don’t end up with bits of potato skin all over your kitchen. You can also rest the bottom of the potato against a cutting board if you prefer.

Starting at the top, slowly drag the peeler across the potato. Peel in a downward motion away from your body, rather than toward it, and be careful not to get too close to the tips of your fingers holding the potato. Remember, this isn't a speed contest! Go slowly and patiently to avoid hurting yourself.

Rotate the potato and continue the peeling process. As you get one side done, rotate it in your hand to peel the other side. Don't worry about peeling the top and bottom just yet—just focused on peeling around the edges of the potato.

Peel the top and bottom of the potato. Maneuver the peeler around the curves at the top and bottom of the potato as best you can. If you miss any small spots, go back over them with small strokes.

Peel through any dark spots. You may find that as you expose the inside of the potato, you see dark spots. This is normal—few potatoes are perfect! Focus on this area and keep peeling until you’ve peeled away the dark layers entirely. Sometimes the dark “meat” of the potato goes pretty deep. If this is the case, cut out the area with a knife or the edge of your peeler. The potato won't be perfectly round, but it'll still be good to eat.

Once your potatoes are fully peeled, rinse them again. And that’s it! Your potatoes are now fully peeled and ready for whatever recipe you may be making.

How to Peel a Potato with a Knife

Hold your potato in one hand and a paring knife in the other. A paring knife is a mini chef’s knife that is perfect for precise work like peeling a potato. Grip the handle of your knife with three or four fingers, and rest your thumb on the potato you’re peeling for stability. Make sure to wash your potatoes before peeling them.

Place the knife against the potato skin, and rotate the potato slowly. Hold the knife in a stable position and turn the potato against it, rather than the other way around. Keep going until you’ve removed all the skin from the potato. Try to slice the skin off in the thinnest layers possible, but if you see any eyes or dark spots, cut out a deeper chunk to remove them completely. Make sure to keep your fingers out of the blade’s path as you rotate the potato, and go slowly to avoid any injuries.

Ways to Use Peeled Potatoes

Peeled potatoes are the basis of tons of delicious recipes. From potato salad to french fries to soups and chowders, the options are truly endless! Here are some fun recipes featuring peeled potatoes to try out: Gratin Dauphinoise Mashed Potatoes French Fries Potato Salad Roasted Potatoes Potato Bake Hash Browns Samosas