ANSWER: Waxy potatoes or those called boiling potatoes stand up well in soups and stews. These have thin skin and are high in moisture and low in starch. Potatoes that are low-starch and high-moisture hold together better. Yukon Gold potatoes are on the medium-starch side and will hold their shape in soups.
Are Yukon potatoes good for soup?
Yukon Gold potatoes, white potatoes, and yellow potatoes are also great multi-purpose options. Yukon Gold (or Maris Piper) potatoes have more moisture than Russet potatoes, and make a great base for soups.
Are red potatoes good for soup?
You absolutely can substitute red potatoes for the russets in potato soup. Red potatoes are waxy, have more moisture, and tend to keep their shape better when cooked, so some people actually prefer them when making soup.
Are white potatoes good for soup?
Round white potatoes (top left): These round, white spuds are low in starch and are often called waxy potatoes. They hold their shape better after cooking. This makes them one of the best potatoes for soup when you want chunks of potato with skins still on.
Are red potatoes good for soups and stews?
Red Potatoes
A red potato is small and round. It has a firm density and is often used in stews and soups. These potatoes are great for a hearty beef stew. The potatoes will hold shape, and while they do get softer, they do not mash down into the soup and disappear.
How do you keep potatoes from getting mushy in soup?
If you cook potatoes in water, it’s likely they will become mushy after a while. To fix this and keep your potatoes intact, pour a little bit of vinegar (white, wine or cider) in cooking water. It works like magic! Don’t forget to rinse your potatoes afterward.
Should I cook potatoes before putting them in soup?
Potatoes are usually cooked in the soup rather than before so they soften and absorb the flavors of the soup. They can be added early or near the end of cooking for different results. If you would like the potatoes to perform as a thickener for your soup, it is best to add them at the beginning.
Should I peel red potatoes for soup?
What potatoes are best for potato soup? All potatoes can be used for potato soup. Russet potatoes will need to be peeled first, but white or red potatoes can be cooked with their skins for a more rustic potato soup.
What is the best potato for beef stew?
Red potatoes and Yukon Gold potatoes hold up better than russet potatoes in a stew. Russet potatoes can get grainy because they are more starchy. Yukon Gold and Red potatoes are also nice because they don’t need to be peeled.
What are yellow potatoes good for?
Yukon gold and other yellow potatoes are low- to medium-starch potatoes, and are well suited to roasting, mashing, baked dishes, and soups and chowders. Round red and round white potatoes have less starch and more moisture, making them best for boiling, but they can also be roasted or fried.
What are red potatoes best used for?
Good for roasting, pan-frying, and smashing
High in moisture and low in starch, red potatoes hold their shape well when cooked. That makes them a good candidate for roasting and skillet cooking.
Can I substitute Russet potatoes for Yukon Gold in soup?
Substitute For Yukon Gold Potatoes
Don’t substitute Russet potatoes for Yukon Gold because they are too starchy, and they don’t hold their shape as well when boiled.
What is a russet potato best used for?
Russet potatoes – otherwise known as Idaho potatoes in North America – are in many ways the consummate potato. A large all-rounder with mealy white flesh and dark brown skin, they’re great for baking, mashing, roasting, french-frying – the lot. They’re also perfect for potato chips (or crisps to the Brits).
Are yellow potatoes the same as Yukon Gold?
The Yukon Gold potato, though yellow fleshed, is a cross between a yellow and a white potato and is usually labeled as such. A “yellow” or “gold” potato is not a Yukon Gold potato, but all three potatoes have similar starch contents and flavors and can be used interchangeably in recipes.
Can I use russet potatoes in stew?
Russet potatoes have the highest amount of starch, points out Sidorenkov. Patel warns against using this variety in stews. Russets’ starchiness can lead to a gluey, unappealing texture in stews. “I use them for baked potatoes or French potatoes,” she says.
Are russet potatoes and red potatoes the same?
Red Potatoes
…have less starch and more sugars than russet potatoes (and are therefore stickier). … are advantageous for boiling, pan frying, grilling, scalloping, and steaming. Try them in your salads, soups, chowders, and fried potato dishes.
Should I soak my potatoes before making soup?
Peel and cut the potatoes and let them soak in cool water to remove some of the starch. This helps eliminate a few carbs. Drain and rinse the potatoes, then cook them in low-sodium chicken broth to add flavor.
What happens if you don’t peel potatoes for soup?
Benefits of the Skin
However, contrary to popular belief, the potato skin does not contain the majority of nutrients according to the Washington State Potato Commission. Leaving the skin on also provides a different texture and flavor to the finished soup.
Why do my potatoes fall apart when boiling?
If potatoes are produced during a very dry growing season, they will tend to have a higher than normal solid content and less moisture. When these are cooked, they absorb more water than usual and, as a result, fall apart at the end of cooking.
What to put in soup to make it taste good?
10 Secret Ingredients for Making Soup with Oomph
- Lemon Juice. Acidity in a soup can really make a difference because it adds a high back-note.
- Wine. Wine is the perfect liquid to unstick the brown stuff from the bottom of your pan.
- Fish Sauce. It’s not just for Asian food!
- Worcestershire Sauce.
- Sesame Oil.
- Yogurt.
- Pesto.
- Beer.
What order do you put vegetables in soup?
Usually the root vegetables are added all together at the start before bringing the soup up to the boil, with leeks then greens (if used) left until last. Again it depends on cooking temperature and size of vegetable chunks, but a steady simmer is preferable to a rollicking boil as it develops the flavours more.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.