These delicious and creamy seasoned thin-skinned “salt” potatoes couldn’t be easier to prepare using the Instant Pot. They are decadent whether you coat the potatoes with butter, ghee or olive oil before adding your seasoning. Add this perfect little side to your next dinner menu!
I want to thank my friend Angela at Short Order Cook for sharing her method for salt potatoes. She raved about it so much I put it on my must-try list right away. I only made a couple of changes for my household because this recipe is so easy.
What seasoning to use?
Angela used powdered ranch for her seasoning, which sounds delicious! Since that wouldn’t work for my lactose-intolerant family members I looked into my pantry for an alternative. Having just bought a large container of Costco’s organic no-salt seasoning I decided to give that a try instead. We loved it! Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute would have a similar blend of herbs and spices, though it doesn't bill itself as organic.
Both Costco’s and Trader Joe’s seasoning mixes can get very peppery if you overdo, though. If you want more seasoning than the two tablespoonfuls I’ve added, increase the flavor with extra garlic or onion powder instead.
What potatoes should I use for salt potatoes?
Salt potatoes are also called Syracuse Salt potatoes and according to this website, are a Central New York favorite. I had never heard of this dish, even though I was born in Syracuse, probably because we left New York for Michigan soon after that thrilling event. The dish is typically made when the first new potatoes are harvested, usually with bite-sized tan potatoes.
At our food co-op I found small multicolored thin-skinned potatoes. Whenever I can, I purchase Hawaii-grown produce - always keeping our local options open. The potatoes came out melt-in-the-mouth tender - almost like a creamed potato in the centers, and with just the right amount of salt flavor on the outside.
Is this recipe dairy-free?
You have a number of options for the buttery coating once you've cooked the potatoes, depending on your taste preferences: butter, ghee or olive oil.
Angela’s recipe contains butter - lots of it! Much as I enjoy butter, I wanted to be sure these potatoes would turn out just as well dairy-free, since then all my family members could eat them. When I roast thin-skinned potatoes, I coat them in olive oil, so it was natural to use that as my fat of choice here.
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If have a chance to try this recipe, please leave me a comment so I know how it went!
This recipe was featured among other Crock Pot and Instant Pot recipes in the themed linkup #43 on Grammy's Grid - thank you!
Thanks so much and enjoy!
Beth
Other side dish recipes you may enjoy
Roasted Sweet Potato Fries with Sriracha-Lime Mayo
Lemon-Roasted Broccoli and White Sweet Potatoes
Southwestern Roasted Sweet Potatoes; Paleo
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Instant Pot Seasoned Salt Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds small thin-skinned potatoes Yukon gold and/or red and purple
- ⅔ cup sea salt or kosher salt
- 5 cups water or as needed to cover
- ¼ to ⅓ cup of salted butter cut in chunks, (or ghee, or ¼ cup olive oil)
- 2 tablespoons Costco or Trader Joe's organic no-salt seasoning mix
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives slivered
Instructions
- Wash the potatoes and remove any that have soft or rotten spots.
- Pour salt into your Instant Pot and add water.
- Turn on the saute feature to heat the water, and stir until the salt is dissolved - about 2 minutes.
- Add the potatoes and if needed, a bit more water to cover.
- Place the lid on the IP and lock it. Make sure the lid is “Sealed”.
- Use the MANUAL setting and set for 3 minutes on HIGH pressure.
- It will take about 10 minutes for the IP to come to pressure.
- At the end of the 3 minutes, let the IP release naturally for 10-15 minutes. (15 minutes for very soft potatoes and 10 minutes for slightly firmer ones that are still done.) Turn off the IP.
- Toward the end of this time, place the butter, ghee or olive oil into the bowl you will be using for the potatoes, and chop it slightly into pieces if it's solid.
- Carefully (I use a long-handled wooden spoon to avoid steam burns) manually release the remaining pressure by turning the knob to Venting until the pressure button drops.
- Drain the potatoes in a colander without rinsing. See note **
- Remove the hot potatoes to the bowl with your chosen fat and stir gently to coat. Sprinkle the seasoning on and continue to stir. Let the potatoes rest for 5-10 minutes to let the seasoning hydrate.
- Chop some fresh chives (thyme or basil would work great also) and sprinkle on the top. Serve warm.
Notes
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Marta
I not only loved the convenience of the Instapot, the flavor of the seasoning was exceptional as well.
Thanks!
Beth
Thank you so much Marta, we love how easy this makes it to get flavorful potatoes in no time and without turning on the oven.
Chef Dennis
I use that seasoning all the time, we love that no salt mixture and it makes the potatoes so delicious!
Beth
I know what you mean, Dennis - it's amazing what flavor a sprinkle of all those dried herbs and vegetables can add.
Stine Mari
I have never heard about salt potatoes, but I do love salty potatoes and so this is perfect for me. I love all the different colored potatoes too.
Beth
Hi Stine Mari, I had never heard of them either but when I did try them, they were an immediate hit with my family!
Amy Liu Dong
I actually love this because it's easy, delicious and a healthy recipe to make for everyone, perfect substitute for rice.
Beth
Hi Amy, these are truly a good, more flavorful, sub for rice and we sometimes serve this soup that way. It makes great sauce to pour over rice, too.
Maria
I can't wait to try this seasoning. I love the simplicity of this recipe, and it sounds like the perfect side dish for so many meals.
Beth
Thank you, Maria , this method has been such a great discovery at hour house - it's great to use in a stir-fry after.
Leslie
I could totally eat this instant pot seasoned salt potatoes recipe every day of the week!
Beth
Hi Leslie, they can go into so many dishes, we probably eat them that often ourselves, thanks.
Sondra Barker
Looks great! I am craving potatoes now! Thanks for sharing.
Beth
Haha, I know what you mean, Sondra - I crave potatoes most of the time.
Ramona
These potatoes are a must make. I did not hear about these before but I really need to try them immediately so they are a side tomorrow night. I’ll use some of my last garden potatoes and I’m sure these will be amazing. Thank you so much for sharing your lovely recipe and idea 😊
Beth
Ramona, these potatoes have been a game-changer in my kitchen - though we love roasted potatoes, these are so versatile and quick.
Julie
What a great recipe for salt potatoes! These made the perfect side dish for my family dinner. Will make again!
Beth
Thanks, Julie. This has become my default for cooking potatoes! Glad you liked them too.
Kushigalu
Love potatoes and this IP version sounds amazing. Can't wait to try this way. Thanks for sharing
Beth
Thanks, Kushi, this recipe is a great use of the IP.
Emily
I'm all about using my instant pot lately to make cooking easier and this instant pot potatoes recipe was so delicious and simple!
Beth
Glad you enjoyed it, Emily, and thanks for letting me know.
Gail Montero
Hubby loves potatoes so he'd totally enjoy these seasoned salt potatoes! What a great idea to use the instant pot for this!
Beth
Thanks, Gail. I'm with your hubby, and I love never having to guess if the potatoes are done all the way through.
Alexis
We love potatoes in the instant pot, these seasoned ones took it over the top. Such a quick and yummy dinner side dish.
Beth
I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe - it's been great as an easy go-to side.
Josh
Well - I found the instant pot does a great job with potatoes; nice and creamy.
The salt taste was way, way too much for us - had to toss them away.
Haven't done that since a funky batch of Hamburger Helper circa 1977 that the dog won't even eat.
Did redo the recipe with about 1/4 cup salt - still too much.
Beth
Hello, Josh, I am distressed and surprised that your potatoes came out too salty to eat - that has not been our experience at all. In fact we have found the amount of salt remaining on the potatoes fairly mild and only affecting the skins, and when one of my sisters made them, she thought they weren't salty at all. I've even thought to myself it seemed a waste of salt that almost all of it goes down the drain with the cooking liquid. I double-checked my recipe to make sure it said to drain off the water, and I'm sure you did. And I double-checked a couple of other salt potatoes recipes and all call for about 1/3 cup of salt per pound of potatoes. So again, I'm sorry that yours were so bad you tossed them out and so glad you liked the other recipe you tried.
Dee | Grammy's Grid
YUM, sounds tasty! I've never seen a bag of multi-colored potatoes in a bag like that. Thanks so much for linking up with me at #AThemedLinkup 42 for Crock Pot and Instant Pot Recipes, open until February 17. Shared on social media.
Beth
Thank you so much, Dee, I really enjoy your site and link parties. Aren't the potatoes fun?
Dee | Grammy's Grid
CONGRATS! Your post is FEATURED at #AThemedLinkup 43 for Handcrafted Jewelry from my previous linkup for Crock Pot and Instant Pot Recipes.
Beth
Thank you so much, I really appreciate being featured in the Crock Pot and Instant Pot recipes! I'm really enjoying the roundups and look forward to more.