How to Peel Potatoes the Easy Way
Updated: Jul. 25, 2023This is how to peel potatoes with a fork. Yes, a fork!
Yes, making mashed potatoes from scratch seems like a hassle, especially on a weeknight. You have to spend a chunk of time peeling potatoes just to get to the good part! That’s why we were thrilled to find a hack on TikTok that explains how to peel potatoes the easy way.
It’s much less time consuming, which means you’ll be able to enjoy buttery mashed potatoes in no time.
The Easy Way to Peel Potatoes
Gone are the days of spending tons of time peeling a bag of potatoes. Sure, you can leave the skins on for tons of dishes, including these Cheese & Herb Potato Fans. But sometimes there’s just no way of getting around it… like when you want to enjoy a plate of creamy mashed potatoes.
TikTok user @thatdudecancook showed us a quick way for how to peel potatoes—and it’s simple. Just stick a fork in the potato, peel the long sides using a peeler, pull the fork out and peel the top and bottom of the spud. That’s it!
@thatdudecancookBest potato hack ever #potato #kitchenhacks #cookingtips #cooking #learnontiktok♬ original sound – Sonny Hurrell
Psst: Here’s why you find yourself with pink potatoes when you’re cutting them.
Does This Potato Peeling Hack Work?
It seems to work best with medium and larger sized potatoes, because you take longer strokes with the potato peeler. Of course, you still need to work your way around the bumpy parts, but the time spent on the project overall is way less. Don’t forget that you have to stick the fork pretty deep into your potato to keep it steady while peeling—otherwise it will roll away.
Now that you know the TikTok way to peel potatoes, check out this TikTok hack for mashed potatoes.
How to Peel Potatoes Without a Peeler
Haven’t got a potato peeler? Use this hack for no-peel mashed potatoes. Start with a whole baked potato and cut it in half crosswise. Then, with a wire rack placed over a bowl, place the half piece of potato flesh-side down and press it through the rack. The potato will squeeze through the holes, leaving only the skin on top.
Another trick is using ice cold water. Before boiling your potatoes, cut a line across the center of the spud using a knife—but don’t cut too deep. Then boil your potatoes as you normally would. When they’re tender, transfer the potatoes to a bowl of ice water or rinse them off in a colander with cold water. Using the line you cut as your guide, gently peel the skin off of the potatoes. The skin should come off easily—and you won’t need any tools besides your hands!
Recipes to Make with Your Peeled Potatoes
Tater Tot Breakfast CasseroleI keep frozen spuds on hand for meals like this Tater Tot breakfast casserole. It’s a super brunch, breakfast or side dish for kids of all ages. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada. Here are a few tips for making sweet potato tater tots.
Crispy Smashed PotatoesGolden brown and buttery, these crispy smashed potatoes live up to their tantalizing name. A sprinkle of fresh herbs when they’re hot out of the oven maximizes the flavor…and the pretty. —Althea Dye, Howard, Ohio
Glazed Sweet PotatoesFresh sweet potatoes Mom grew disappeared fast at our family table when she served them with this easy, flavorful glaze. She still makes them this way, and now her glazed sweet potato recipe has become a favorite with the grandchildren as well! —Rosemary Pryor, Pasadena, Maryland
Potato-Bean Salad with Herb DressingMy veggie garden inspired this creamy combo of beans, potatoes and fresh herbs. I toss them with a ranch-style dressing sparked up with Creole mustard. —Chris Cummer, Bayonne, New Jersey
Baked Sweet Potato FriesI can never get enough of this baked sweet potato fries recipe! Even though my grocery store sells them in the frozen foods section, I still love to pull them out of my garden and chop them up fresh! —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas
Favorite Cheesy PotatoesMy family loves these potatoes. I make a large batch in disposable pans and serve them at all our get-togethers. The holidays aren't the same without them. It's also a super recipe for Christmas morning brunch. —Brenda Smith, Curran, Michigan
Tzatziki Potato SaladMy son has an egg allergy, so this potato salad is perfect for him. For extra color, add radishes, apple and garlic dill pickles. —Cindy Romberg, Mississauga, Ontario
Savory Potato SkinsFor a simple hot snack that really hits the spot on a cool fall evening, put together a plate of these crisp potato skins. —Andrea Holcomb, Torrington, Connecticut
Pepper Jack Hash Brown CasseroleI found myself in need of an impromptu potato dish, but I had no potatoes. Frozen hash browns and the plethora of cheeses I had in the freezer offered me the solution to my side-dish dilemma. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida
Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes with BaconThis side always takes my guests by surprise because of the smoky, creamy flavor. No doubt you'll get major kudos when you place these potatoes on your table. —Cynthia Boberskyj Rochester, NY
Loaded Smashed PotatoesIf mashed potatoes are a must at your family Thanksgiving, then why not go all out with the works? I love garlic, onions and bacon, and this dish has all three! —Kathy Harding, Richmond, Missouri
Twice-Baked Red PotatoesBefore my baby was born, I was in nesting mode and made lots of freezable recipes like these creamy red potatoes. The yogurt is a healthy swap for sour cream. —Valerie Cox, Secretary, Maryland
Looking for some healthy potato recipes? Check these out.
Mashed Potatoes with CheddarWho doesn’t love fluffy, homemade mashed potatoes? Make them even better with sharp cheddar cheese. To get them really creamy, my mother's secret was to add whipping cream instead of half-and-half. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed PotatoesWith five different dairy products, you know this make-ahead mashed potato casserole is going to be super rich and, of course, delicious. It gets even better topped with onions and bacon! —JoAnn Koerkenmeier, Damiansville, Illinois
Lemon Red PotatoesButter, lemon juice, parsley and chives enhance this simple side dish. I usually prepare these potatoes when I'm having company. Since they cook in the slow cooker, there's plenty of room on the stove for other dishes. —Tara Branham, Austin, Texas
Skillet Red PotatoesWhen I'm in a hurry to prepare potatoes, I resort to this recipe for skillet potatoes that I created myself. The mix of seasonings is just right and makes a delicious, attractive side dish. It's been a family favorite for a long time and fits with most any meal. —Lois Collier, Vineland, New Jersey
Party PotatoesThese creamy, tasty potatoes can be made the day before and stored in the refrigerator until you're ready to pop them in the oven (I often do that). The garlic powder and chives add zip, and the shredded cheese adds color. —Sharon Mensing, Greenfield, Iowa
Ranch Potato CasseroleWe operate a busy fruit farm. I cook every day for my family, so I appreciate this dish for another reason—I can put it together a day ahead and bake it just before we're ready to eat. —Lydia Schnitzler, Kingsburg, California
Southern Potato SaladThis Southern potato salad is perfect for a church supper or potluck. The pickles add extra sweetness. —Gene Pitts, Wilsonville, Alabama
Sweet Potatoes au GratinThis rich, sweet potato casserole couldn't be any easier to make—or more delicious to eat! —Patti Kirchhoff, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Red Roasted PotatoesSome fragrant rosemary, fresh or dried, gives these roasted red potatoes a distinctive and subtle taste. This dish is simple to prepare yet elegant in color and flavor. It's a wonderful addition to any menu. —Margie Wampler, Butler, Pennsylvania
Originally Published: February 25, 2021
