Potatoes are sometimes called “poor people’s bread”. After rice, wheat, and corn, they are the most-consumed food in the world so they are indeed a staple for many people.
People who live in the colder climates of Eastern Europe consume the most potatoes. Little wonder because they really are the ultimate comfort food!
Potatoes are highly nutritious too. Many people who are trying to lose weight avoid them because they think they are “fattening.” This is a mistake because they are a valuable addition to the diet if they are cooked correctly.
Frying potatoes adds excess calories but baking, boiling, or cooking them in the crockpot are great ways to prepare these versatile tubers
Here’s an idea of what they contain with the skin on. Remember, peeling potatoes decreases their nutritional value significantly so try to leave the skin on wherever possible.
- Calories: 161
- Fat: 0.2 grams
- Protein: 4.3 grams
- Carbohydrates: 36.6 grams
- Fiber: 3.8 grams
- Vitamin C: 28% of the RDI
- Vitamin B6: 27% of the RDI
- Potassium: 26% of the RDI
- Manganese: 19% of the RDI
- Magnesium: 12% of the RDI
- Phosphorus: 12% of the RDI
- Niacin: 12% of the RDI
There are different ways to cook potatoes, but the taste you get by cooking them in a crockpot is unique.
Certain varieties work best for different cooking methods, and in this article, we are going to explore the potato varieties that work best in the crockpot and also how to cook them in this useful appliance.
Which Potatoes Are Best For Crock-Pot?
Various kinds of potatoes are available on the market, (over 200 varieties in the US alone) but for the perfect meal, it’s always good to use the right potato for the right recipe.
It also depends on what dish you’ll be making so let’s dive in.
1. Red Potatoes
Most red potatoes have thin skin and a waxy texture that stays firm after cooking. If you are going to make potato salad, then there is nothing better than red potatoes to cook in your crockpot.
Simply cook them whole with a small amount of salted water until soft then peel and cube them once they’re cool. This variety is also good for making stews and curries in your crockpot if you want whole pieces.
You can steam them on a trivet or bake them too.
2. Gold Potatoes
Gold/yellow potatoes have a buttery flavor and creamy texture. They make delicious mash but also work well for salads or in stews.
3. Baby Dutch Potatoes
You may need to look a bit harder for Baby Dutch potatoes but they are worth it. They’re small, buttery, and round.
Once cooked, they make a fantastic side dish alongside any meat or fish. Make extra and turn them into a potato salad or fry them up for breakfast.
To cook them in your crockpot, simply cover them with salted water and cook until they’re tender. This should take about 1 ½ to 2 hours on high.
Finish them off in a frying pan if you like with a little butter and olive oil, herbs, garlic, and seasoning.
4. White Potatoes
One of the best choices of potatoes for preparing in the crockpot is white potatoes. They are readily available and taste like good old-fashioned home cooking.
They’re yummy with gravy. You can make different dishes with this variety such as cheese potatoes or mash. They are best used if you need soft mash because they don’t retain enough firmness for potato salad.
How to Bake Potatoes in Your Crockpot
Using your crockpot to bake potatoes is great if you don’t have enough room left in your oven or if you don’t want to heat the entire kitchen by using the oven.
Of course, they’re not technically “baked” but doing them this way retains a lot of flavors. You can wrap each potato in foil but it’s not necessary. If they are on top of one another, that’s fine.
The cooking times differ depending on the size of the potatoes but you can work for 2 ½ to 3 hours on high. Be careful of leaving them on “keep warm” mode because they might discolor a little (although you can still eat them).
Here’s how to bake potatoes in your crockpot:
- Wash your potatoes and prick them with a fork.
- Rub them with oil and seasoning.
- Put them in the slow cooker and bake them on high for 2-3 hours until they are tender all the way through. If you like crispy skin, put them under the grill for a couple of minutes once done.
Conclusion
Above are some of the best kinds of potatoes to be cooked in a crockpot. Each type of potato has its benefits, and every kind is different from the other in terms of its taste. You can cook the one that suits your taste and fits your dish.