Learn how to dice potatoes quickly and easily for your salads, roast, casseroles, and more. Dicing potatoes into cubes before cooking is easy to do with our step-by-step guide.
Potatoes are a staple food in many homes around the world and this method of dicing them speeds up the preparation time considerably. Diced potatoes are commonly used in many dishes, including salads, casseroles, roast dinners, and even homemade chips.
For dicing potatoes you need to select the correct type for the dish that you want to prepare - new potatoes are not suitable for roasting, however, they can be boiled whole or sliced before being added to stews and casseroles.
Tools needed
A sturdy surface
Chopping board
Sharp knife (large chef knife)
Bowl
To peel or not to peel
Whether you're peeling the potatoes or not is entirely up to you. If you don't wish to peel them, then scrub and rinse them under cold water (this will stop them from going brown), before chopping off any large knobbly bits.
For peeled potatoes, select those with a smooth surface and avoid ones with blemishes or little 'eyes' as these can make your diced potato recipe look rather unattractive.
Related posts: how to boil potatoes in microwave and how to boil baby potatoes.
Best potatoes for dicing
Floury potatoes (all-rounder potatoes)
floury potatoes are suitable for roasting, frying, mashing, and baking. These include King Edward, Maris Piper, Yukon gold, Desiree (coliban), and Rooster. They are also wonderful for potato salad as they absorb the dressing well.
Waxy potatoes
Suitable for boiling or steaming in their skins as they are able to hold their shapes. Flavourful dishes such as potato salad, stews, and pies also benefit from the moistness of these varieties - Pontiac and fingerling potatoes are good examples.
In conclusion, the potato you choose for a particular dish is dependent on the recipe. You can dice all sorts of potatoes into cubes, but if you're just getting started, big or medium potatoes are easiest.
By the way, an all-rounder potato (large and often labeled baking potatoes) will be excellent for dicing.
How to dice potatoes into cubes step by step
Firstly wash your potato under cold running water until it is thoroughly clean. Then peel with a vegetable peeler or a paring knife if desired.
place the potato on its side on a chopping board, with one hand hold it firmly, using a sharp knife cut it into two lengthwise slices with your free hand.
Place the two cut sides flat on the chopping board, depending on how large the cubes are to be, cut each half into 2 or 3 lengthwise. (you should have 4 to 6 steak fries like potatoes)
Hold the potatoes sticks together and cut into small cubes about 1 inch, as mentioned above, depending on how big the potato is and the size you want, you should have between 8 to 12 potato cubes or even more.
Transfer the cubed potatoes into a bowl of water to stop them from browning before you finish with the rest of the spuds.
Repeat the cutting process with the rest of the spud.
See how easy it is to cut potatoes into cubes like a pro. What will you be making with it?
How to cook diced potatoes
Cubes potatoes can be sauteed, boiled, fried, braised, or roasted. Here are some diced potato recipes you will love
Tips
- Cut the potatoes into even sizes as this will allow even cooking
- Keep the potato peel on if possible, as it is rich in nutrients that are beneficial to the body.
- Don't forget to season the potatoes properly, especially if you're going to boil it Seasoning is also important when boiling food; make sure to add salt to taste for improved flavor.
- Make sure the potatoes are dry before cutting to avoid it slipping off the knife which may cause an accident
- You can peel your potatoes or keep them unpeeled as you wish, but if you want it unpeeled remove those knobs before cutting.
FAQs
How long to cook diced potatoes?
It depends on what you're cooking. For instance, if we are talking about Roast potatoes, they need to roast for nearly an hour or so at 200C/400F. You will know the potatoes are fully cooked when they are crispy on the outside, fork-tender, and fluffy on the inside
Boiled diced potatoes typically cook between 10 to 15 minutes while microwaved diced potatoes cook between 3 to 4 minutes depending on what you are using it for.
Air fryer diced potatoes will cook at 200C/400F between 20 - 25 minutes.
More how-to recipes
Boiled carrots in the microwave
How to cook pasta in the microwave
How To Dice Potatoes
Equipment
- Chopping board
- Sharp large chef knife
Ingredients
- 1 large potato
Instructions
- Firstly wash your potato under cold running water until it is thoroughly clean, pat dry completely with a kitchen towel, and peel with a vegetable peeler or a paring knife if desired.
- Place the potato on its side on a chopping board, with one hand hold it firmly, using a sharp knife cut it into two lengthwise slices with your free hand.
- Place the two cut sides flat on the chopping board, depending on how large the cubes are to be, cut each half into 2 or 3 lengthwise. (you should have 4 to 6 steak fries like potatoes)
- Hold the potatoes sticks together and cut into small cubes about 1 inch, as mentioned above, depending on how big the potato is and the size you want, you should have between 8 to 12 potato cubes or even more.
- Transfer the cubed potatoes into a bowl of water to stop it from browning before you finish with the rest of the spuds. Repeat the cutting process with the rest of the spud. Use as desired
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