Microwave Red Potatoes

Are you ready for the fastest way to cook red potatoes, that also taste delicious, then let me show you how to microwave red potatoes.

This microwave red potato recipe is so easy, and you can mix and match with your favourite seasonings.

Microwaving Red Potatoes

Anyone that knows me well, knows that I love potatoes and that red potatoes are my true love.

In Portugal where we lived for 13 years (we moved back to the UK in 2021) the potato that featured the most in the supermarkets was always the red spud and we wanted to celebrate the red potato this week.

We have featured instant pot red potatoes, air fryer red potatoes and then today its all about microwaving red potatoes.

They are all different of course, though the air fryer version is best if you want a crispy roast potato meets potato wedges, but if you want fuss free and the fastest way to cook red potatoes then the microwave is it.

Today, we are going to show you how to cook red potatoes in the microwave, how long to microwave red potatoes, answer lots of your microwave potatoes questions and of course, give you a plan B or C if you have a different size potato to us.

If you are looking for more fast recipes that you can do in the microwave do check out our defrost series including defrost chicken in microwave, defrost steak in microwave, defrost sausage in microwave, and our personal favourite defrost bacon in microwave.

What Is The Fastest Way To Cook Red Potatoes?

The fastest way to cook red potatoes is in the microwave. In fact, microwaving red potatoes is half the cook time of the air fryer. For example, our big batch of red potatoes that we have steamed in the microwave took JUST 12 minutes and then they were fork tender.

What Are The Cons Of Microwaving Potatoes?

So, microwaving red potatoes sounds magical doesn’t it? So what are the cons of microwaving the potatoes? Well, the biggest con is the texture because they will not be crispy like they are in the air fryer.

But these microwave red potatoes will be a step up from boiling potatoes because they retain their flavour.

Can You Microwave Potatoes Instead Of Boiling?

Yes, you can microwave potatoes instead of boiling them. In fact, we do it a LOT especially when we want to hurry up the speed of our potatoes. Just like many people start off air fryer baked potatoes in the microwave, many do this for red potatoes or when you want cubed potatoes for dinner.

Can All Potatoes Be Microwaved?

Yes, any potatoes can be microwaved. Today we are talking about microwaved red potatoes, but you can really do any.

Try microwave baby potatoes, these red potatoes, microwave jacket potatoes, or why partly microwave potatoes before making our air fryer Spanish tortilla.

Can You Microwave Red Potatoes?

Yes, you can microwave red potatoes. Microwaving red potatoes is so easy and they hold their flavour after being cooked in the microwave. You can do medium red potatoes or try baked red potatoes in microwave following our white potato recipe.

Is It Safe To Microwave Red Potatoes?

Yes, it is 100% safe to microwave red potatoes. But make sure you use a steamer basket or place them into a zip loc bag with a tiny bit of water. Otherwise, they will turn out dry and tasteless.

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Red Potatoes In Microwave Ingredients

Potatoes – Lets start with some beautiful red skin potatoes. You can microwave small red potatoes or use the standard medium ones and then cut them into quarters.

Seasoning – Then for seasoning your red potatoes, you can keep it simple with just salt and pepper or add in some extra flavour. We added some mixed herbs sprinkled on top for extra flavour.

Then for the kitchen gadgets that we have used in this microwave green beans recipe it has just been our Panasonic Microwave Oven. We have this one and its wonderful for many types of microwave recipes.

As well as your microwave you will need a good steamer basket that will fit in your microwave. We recommend this one.

How To Cook Red Potatoes In The Microwave?

• Liquid. Start by adding a tablespoon of water to the bottom of your steamer basket. This is so that you can perfectly steam your red potatoes.
• Prep. Next clean your red potatoes and get rid of any eyes on the potatoes. Then if you are microwaving red potatoes that are whole, chop them into quarters, or if using baby red potatoes, keep them whole.
• Mix. Then place your red potatoes into the steamer basket, add the seasonings and mix with your hands.
• Cook. Next microwave red potatoes for 12 minutes on full power. Then check to make sure they are fork tender before serving.

How Long To Microwave Red Potatoes?

We recommend cooking red potatoes in microwave for 12 minutes. This created perfectly fork tender red potatoes. Though you might need to adjust this if your microwave has a different wattage.

If you are wondering how long to microwave small red potatoes, then the same because these red potatoes are quartered to keep a similar cook time.

How Do You Pre-Soften Potatoes In The Microwave?

If you just want a quick red potatoes method and want to use the microwave as a pre-soften method, then you can follow this microwave red potatoes recipe and then cook them for half the cook time.

Why Are My Potatoes Still Hard After Microwaving?

Your potatoes are still hard after microwaving, because either you haven’t steamed them, or because you have not steamed red potatoes in the microwave for long enough.

Simply do a fork test and adjust with a few more minutes.

How Do You Reheat Cooked Red Potatoes?

We love to reheat cooked red potatoes in the microwave. Its so fast and easy and they taste delicious.

Plus, you can add cheese and who doesn’t love cheesy potatoes?

Simply place the red potatoes in any bowl or plate that is microwave friendly and add loads of grated cheese (it’s essential right?) and then microwave for 90 seconds on full power.

Listen To Microwave Red Potatoes

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More Steaming In The Microwave

• Green Beans In Microwave
• Broccoli In Microwave
• Cauliflower In Microwave
• Carrots In Microwave
• Sweet Potato Cubes In Microwave
• Sweet Potatoes Whole In Microwave
• Check out all our Microwave Beginner Recipes!

Learn all about microwaving red potatoes below, note you can print it out with or without photos, adjust servings, or click between metric and imperial depending on where you are in the world.

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