How to Peel a Potato

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Learn to peel potatoes with or without a peeler
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So you’re planning on making some mashed potatoes or potato salad, and you want to peel your potatoes quickly, easily, and safely. You’ve come to the right place! We’ve compiled a complete guide on peeling potatoes, including how to use a potato peeler, and how to boil away the potato skin if you don’t have a peeler on hand. We’ll also cover some delicious uses for peeled potatoes, so keep reading!

The Easiest Way to Peel Potatoes

  • Cut a shallow line around the center of each potato, then place them in a large pot of water.
  • Bring the water to a boil and cook the potatoes until they're fork-tender (about 15 minutes).
  • Remove the potatoes from the pot and place them in an ice bath for 5-10 seconds.
  • Grasp the potato skin on each side of the line you cut and simply slide it off!
Section 1 of 4:

How to Peel a Potato Without a Peeler

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Peel a Potato
    This is called “scoring,” and it will help you peel the skin off easily once you’ve boiled the potatoes. [1] 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.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Peel a Potato
    Make sure your potatoes are fully submerged, with the water covering them by at least 1-2 inches (2.5 - 5 cm). [2] Bring the water to a boil and let your potatoes cook.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Peel a Potato
    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!
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Peel a Potato
    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. [3]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Peel a Potato
    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!
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Section 2 of 4:

How to Peel a Potato with a Peeler

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Peel a Potato
    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. [4] So, before you start peeling, scrub your potatoes under cold water using a vegetable scrubbing brush or a clean dish towel. [5]
    • 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 . [6]
    • 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. [7]
    • Once your potatoes are clean, thoroughly dry them to ensure the best texture. [8]
  2. 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. [9]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Peel a 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. [10]
    • Remember, this isn't a speed contest! Go slowly and patiently to avoid hurting yourself.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Peel a Potato
    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. [11]
  5. 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. [12]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Peel a Potato
    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.
  7. And that’s it! Your potatoes are now fully peeled and ready for whatever recipe you may be making.
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Section 3 of 4:

How to Peel a Potato with a Knife

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  1. A paring knife is a mini chef’s knife that is perfect for precise work like peeling a potato. [13] Grip the handle of your knife with three or four fingers, and rest your thumb on the potato you’re peeling for stability. [14]
    • Make sure to wash your potatoes before peeling them.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Peel a Potato
    Hold the knife in a stable position and turn the potato against it, rather than the other way around. [15] 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. [16]
    • Make sure to keep your fingers out of the blade’s path as you rotate the potato, and go slowly to avoid any injuries.
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Section 4 of 4:

Ways to Use Peeled Potatoes

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  1. 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:

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I eat a potato with the skin on?
    Jennifer Levasseur
    Personal Chef
    Chef Jennifer Levasseur is a Personal Chef and the Owner of The Happy Cuisiniere based in Breckenridge, Colorado. She has over 12 years of culinary experience and specializes in Mountain and Contemporary Rustic cuisine. Moreover, she can craft dishes and modify menus to accommodate dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and dairy-free diets. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Houston, Chef Jennifer holds Associate’s degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts from Houston Community College.
    Jennifer Levasseur
    Personal Chef
    Expert Answer
    You definitely can! It's high in nutrients like fiber and it adds more texture, flavor, and color.
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  • Question
    How much potato may I lose when manually peeling a potato instead of using an electric peeler?
    Community Answer
    A potato peeler sometimes pull some parts of the potato. Using the second method, your potato stays in its original shape and size.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    Did the second method come from DaveHax's YouTube channel?
    Community Answer
    This method has been around much longer than DaveHax's YouTube channel, but many people have learned it as a result of seeing his video.
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      Tips

      • Save the peels and add them to soup or fry them. A potato's skin is full of vitamins and minerals and shouldn't be wasted!
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      Warnings

      • Peelers are sharp. Be mindful of how you hold the potato because a peeler can frequently "jump" when you hit a tough spot on the potato.
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      • Do not throw your scraps down your garbage disposal. It will actually cause your disposal to break and it will cost you more in the end. Throw them in the garbage bin instead.
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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cooking, check out our in-depth interview with Jennifer Levasseur .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/food/kitchen-assistant/easy-potato-peeling-trick
      2. ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/food/kitchen-assistant/easy-potato-peeling-trick
      3. ↑ https://blog.williams-sonoma.com/how-to-peel-potatoes-in-seconds/
      4. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/ten-dangerous-mistakes.html
      5. ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/how-to-clean-potatoes-7111345
      6. ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/food/veggies/potatoes/how-long-do-potatoes-last
      7. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/help-around-the-kitchen/sprouted-potatoes-safe-to-eat
      8. ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/how-to-clean-potatoes-7111345
      9. ↑ https://www.bda.uk.com/food-health/lets-get-cooking/cooking-at-home/correct-peeling-and-chopping-techniques.html
      1. ↑ https://www.bda.uk.com/food-health/lets-get-cooking/cooking-at-home/correct-peeling-and-chopping-techniques.html
      2. ↑ https://zyliss.co.uk/blogs/news/how-to-peel-fruit-and-veg-correctly-and-safely
      3. ↑ https://zyliss.co.uk/blogs/news/how-to-peel-fruit-and-veg-correctly-and-safely
      4. ↑ https://www.escoffier.edu/blog/culinary-arts/different-knives-and-the-best-uses-for-each
      5. ↑ https://www.escoffier.edu/blog/culinary-arts/different-knives-and-the-best-uses-for-each/
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/gEI55jHEyL0?t=23
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/gEI55jHEyL0?t=30

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To peel a potato, hold the potato in one hand and a potato peeler in the other hand. Starting at the base of the potato, press down with the peeler and scrape it across the skin, peeling away from your body. Rotate the potato, then peel another strip away next to the first one. If the potato is bumpy or uneven, you may have to go over the same spot more than once to get all of the peel off. Use the peeler or a sharp knife to remove any dark spots from the inside of the potato. Rinse the potato with cold water when you’re finished. If you want to learn how to peel the skin after boiling the potato, keep reading!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Kaye Parr

        Oct 12, 2016

        "I had forgotten you could cook and rub skins off. I will try it again, but I do like skins in everything but soup."
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