Learn how to make this classic New York side dish, Syracuse salt potatoes! Make a flavorful and hearty dinner in just 30 minutes with the help of your electric pressure cooker.
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Pressure Cooker Syracuse Salt Potatoes
The Instant Pot has taken the cooking world by storm, and for good reason!
This amazing pressure cooking kitchen appliance can cook meals in a fraction of the time it would take to make them on the stove.
If you’re looking for an easy and delicious use of an Instant Pot potato recipe, look no further than Syracuse potatoes!
It makes the perfect side dish.
These are way better than regular boiled potatoes because of the copious amounts of salt used.
Syracuse potatoes are a type of potato dish that originated in Syracuse, New York.
They are made with small, new potatoes that are boiled in salt water.
The dish is typically served with butter, and it is a popular side dish in the Syracuse area.
If you’re from Syracuse, New York, then you know all about potatoes.
These little spuds are boiled in a brine made with salt, and they are absolutely delicious.
The salt gives them a creamy interior texture and a unique flavor that is simply irresistible.
And now, thanks to the Instant Pot, you can make potatoes at home in just minutes.
Simply add new potatoes to the pot, cover them with brine, and let the pot do its work.
In no time at all, you’ll have a delicious batch of new salted potatoes that are perfect for any occasion.
These yummy potatoes only require a few simple ingredients, and they cook up perfectly in the Instant Pot.
So go ahead and give this easy recipe a try – your whole family is sure to love the Instant Pot Syracuse Salt Potatoes.
My First Taste of Hinerwadels Salt Potatoes
I can still remember the first time I tasted salt potatoes. It was at the Erie County Fair in Hamburg, NY.
They were swimming in butter and just melted in your mouth. That was it! I was hooked.
Whenever we went to the fair, it was our first stop. Doesn't everyone go to the fair to eat?
But I had no idea that they were from Central New York.
It wasn't until we moved to Florida and I had my snack bar that I realized I couldn't find them at any grocery store anywhere in Florida.
Have no fear though, you don't need to be in New York state in order to have this Central/Western NY delicacy.
I bought a bag of mini potatoes, added the bag of salt that comes in the super pretzel box, and boiled them until they were done.
I didn't have my Instant Pot back then so I had no choice but to boil them. They tasted just like the fair!
After I soaked them in melted butter of course. 😉
Serves: 8
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Instant Pot Best Salt Potatoes Ingredients
- 5 pounds of potatoes
- 1 cup of Salt
- 1 stick of Butter melted or melted Ghee
- 8 Cups of water
- For exact amounts, please see the recipe card below.
What Type of Salt Should I Use
You can use regular table salt, sea salt, a cup of kosher salt, or I have used the salt package that comes with the frozen pretzels for my salt brine.
What are Salt Potatoes
This dish remains relatively unknown outside of Upstate New York.
Salt potatoes are simply boiled new potatoes that are then covered in melted butter.
They can be eaten hot or cold, making them a versatile side dish for any meal.
They have been enjoyed in Upstate New York for generations.
If you’re looking to add a little bit of local flavor to your cooking, give salt potatoes a try!
Where Did Salt Potatoes Originate
These potatoes are a Syracuse, New York tradition that dates back to the 1800s.
The story goes that the Irish salt miners who worked in the local salt mines would bring small new potatoes to work for lunch.
To cook them, they would boil the potatoes in the salty brine that was used to extract salt from the rocks in the salt springs.
Today, they are a popular summertime dish in Syracuse, New York which is located in Upstate New York.
Though salt potatoes are now enjoyed by people all over the world, they got their start in Central New York.
In the early 1900s, John Hinerwadel started serving them as a side dish at his famous clambakes.
People loved them so much that he began packaging five-pound bags of potatoes along with a 12-ounce box of salt and labeling them Hinerwadel’s Famous Original Salt Potatoes and can still be found in the grocery store..
Are Salt Potatoes Different Than Regular Potatoes
The key to this dish is to use small, whole potatoes. Fingerling potatoes or baby potatoes are ideal.
Do not prick, peel or cut the potatoes in half. The key to this dish is to use small, whole potatoes.
What Are Salt Potatoes in a Bag
Once the potatoes are cooked, they will form a salty crust on their skin that will help to prevent them from tasting waterlogged.
As a result, they have a unique texture that is similar to that of a baked potato.
So if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to make salt potatoes, be sure to give this method a try!
How Long Does it Take to Cook Raw Potatoes in an Instant Pot?
Depending on the size of the potatoes, it can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes if you are boiling potatoes.
It also depends on if you are baking them or boiling them.
Why Are Salt Potatoes So Creamy
Salt potatoes are boiled in a very salty solution, which forms a crust on the skin of the potatoes.
The higher boiling temperature of the salt water allows the starch in the potato to cook more completely, resulting in a creamy texture.
What Kind of Potatoes Do You Use for Salt Potatoes
It is important to use small potatoes that are no larger than 1 – 2 inches in diameter.
Ultimately, these small potatoes will cook evenly and result in the perfect petite potato.
Red Potatoes, gold potatoes, russet potatoes, yellow potatoes, or any other little potatoes can be used to make salty potatoes.
However, you will have to adjust the cooking time and amount of salt for larger potatoes.
These can also be made in the air fryer if using the large potatoes. Rub the skin with olive oil, and place in the steamer basket of the air fryer. Cook for 15-20 minutes depending on the size of your potatoes.
How to Store Delicious Potato Side Dish Leftovers
Leftover salt potatoes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days.
You can also freeze them and reheat them later if you want, or just eat them cold.
When storing salt potatoes in the fridge, make sure to place them in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Can you Reheat Salt Potatoes?
They can be eaten as-is, or used as an ingredient in another dish like mashed potatoes or potato salad.
Leftovers can be easily reheated in the microwave or air fryer.
More Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe – Instant Pot chicken gnocchi soup is loaded with potato gnocchi, chicken, carrots, spinach and spices that elevate the flavor of this hearty soup recipe to a whole new level of goodness.
- Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Nachos Recipe – Fully loaded chicken nachos are the perfect way to feed a crowd! Nachos are packed with tender shredded chicken and loaded with cheesy goodness.
- Instant Pot Potato Salad – Another easy side dish filled with Tender potatoes, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, mayo, mustard, and green onions, make the easiest and best Instant Pot Potato Salad for your get-together.
- Easy Instant Pot Crab Boil Recipe – Crabs, corn, potatoes, Old Bay seasoning, and beer. It’s a no-fuss dish – just dump all the ingredients in the instant pot and let the crab boil and cook.
Upcoming Recipes
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
How to Make Syracuse Potatoes in the Instant Pot
Start by placing your potatoes in the bottom of the Instant Pot inner pot.
Add your cup of salt.
Pour in 8 cups of water.
Put your pressure cooker cover on, seal the vent, and set it to high pressure for 10 minutes.
While it’s cooking, melt your butter.
Once finished cooking, do a quick release.
Drain your potatoes. Do not rinse. However, for best results, remove the instant pot baby potatoes with a slotted spoon to help keep their fluffy texture and thin salt crust
Lastly, place in a dish, pour the melted butter over the top, and enjoy!
You can also top it with sour cream and fresh herbs.
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