How Much Salt Do You Need For Boiled Potatoes?

Salting any ingredient is a fine art, and this is especially the case for boiled potatoes. One overly generous move and, oops — you might as well have drowned them in seawater. Luckily, whether you swing cautious or lenient with your measurements, there's a rule that will help: Use 1 teaspoon of salt per pound of potatoes. When you decide to add that spoonful is down to personal preference. Some people pour it in at the beginning to speed up heating time, whereas others do so after boiling so as not to corrode their pans. Both only provide negligible impact, so it's really your call.

You can use this measuring strategy for all types of dish variations. Salt is a tasty inclusion as a luxurious crust for whole-boiled potatoes and is a necessary pre-seasoning for water when making mashed potatoes. By adding it to the water, it's absorbed as the vegetable cooks. And on a scientific level, saltiness helps to enhance the sensitivity of chemoreceptors (the detectors inside taste buds) in our tongues. This simple recipe step helps the human body to register food molecules better, improving your overall dining experience. There's plenty of motivation to be savvy with that teaspoon measure.

When you look at all the best potato recipes, there's one shared quality, and that's innovation. Don't be afraid to break out of the standard molds. It's a common misconception that the most flavor comes from later additions like sauces rather than pre-seasoning steps; you can start mixing up the classic protocol before you even turn up your stovetop heat. For instance, did you know you can boil potatoes in pickle juice for a tangy twist? 

For increased richness, you may wish to try cooking them in milk or heavy cream. It's said that a splash of vinegar helps your potatoes to hold their shape, too, which is ideal when serving the root vegetable whole as a side dish. There are so many clever ways to add more flavor to potatoes beyond salting alone. Don't just get caught up in post-boiled prep; spice things up with a more creative initial approach.