Cooking potatoes in a Crock-Pot is a great way to make tender, flavorful potatoes for dishes like pot roasts, soups, stews and more. The low, slow heat of the Crock-Pot breaks down the starch in potatoes beautifully, resulting in soft, creamy potatoes every time. But exactly how long does it take? Here’s a look at how long you need to cook potatoes in a Crock-Pot to get them perfectly soft.
What Size Are the Potatoes?
The most important factor in how long potatoes take to soften in the Crock-Pot is the size you cut them. Smaller pieces cook faster than larger ones. Here are general Crock-Pot cooking times based on potato size:
| Potato Size | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| 1-inch cubes or smaller | 4-6 hours on Low |
| 1.5-inch cubes | 6-8 hours on Low |
| 2-inch cubes | 8-10 hours on Low |
| Halved small potatoes | 6-8 hours on Low |
| Whole small potatoes | 8-10 hours on Low |
| Halved medium potatoes | 8-10 hours on Low |
As you can see, the smaller you cut the potatoes, the less time they need in the Crock-Pot. Cubed potatoes about 1-inch in size are your best bet for getting tender potatoes in just 4-6 hours on the Low setting. Larger pieces may need up to 10 hours.
What Type of Potato?
The variety of potato also impacts cook times in the Crock-Pot. Waxy potatoes like red potatoes tend to hold their shape longer, while starchy russet potatoes soften quicker. Here are general guidelines based on potato type:
| Potato Variety | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Russet | 6-8 hours on Low |
| Yukon Gold | 7-9 hours on Low |
| Red | 8-10 hours on Low |
Russet potatoes have a fluffy, mealy texture when cooked, so they tend to fall apart easily in the Crock-Pot. Red potatoes hold their shape better, so allow extra time for them to reach tenderness. For most dishes, Yukon golds offer a nice middle ground between the two.
Amount of Liquid
Having enough liquid in the Crock-Pot is key for potatoes to cook evenly and soften all the way through. The liquid conducts heat to the middle of the potatoes. Here are some tips for getting the right amount of liquid:
- Pot roasts – The meat and vegetables release lots of liquid as they cook. No need to add extra.
- Soups or stews – Make sure potatoes are submerged in the broth completely.
- Side dishes – Add around 1 cup broth or water for every pound of potatoes.
Checking halfway through and adding more liquid if needed helps guarantee tender potatoes. The liquid should come a little over halfway up the potatoes in the Crock-Pot.
Fill Level of the Crock-Pot
In addition to liquid, the fill level of the Crock-Pot can impact how quickly potatoes cook. A too full or too empty Crock-Pot can create hot and cold spots that prevent even cooking. For best results:
- Fill the Crock-Pot 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 full for most dishes.
- Make sure potatoes are fully submerged in liquid.
- Avoid packing the Crock-Pot 100% full.
- If cooking a small amount, place potatoes in the center of the Crock-Pot.
Model of Crock-Pot
All Crock-Pots cook at slightly different temperatures, which can affect total cook times. Here are some cooking time adjustments based on Crock-Pot model:
| Crock-Pot Model | Time Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Older, non-programmable models | Add 1-2 hours |
| Newer programmable models | Use recommended time |
| Multi-cooker models | Subtract 1 hour |
The newer programmable Crock-Pots tend to run hotter than older versions, so cook times are shorter. Multi-cookers like the Instant Pot reach pressure cooking temperatures, speeding up cook times. Adjust times accordingly based on your model.
Altitude
Higher altitudes can impact cook times in the Crock-Pot. Lower air pressure causes food to cook slower. Here are adjusted cooking times based on altitude:
| Altitude | Time Adjustment |
|---|---|
| 0 – 2,000 feet | No adjustment needed |
| 2,000 – 4,000 feet | Add 30 minutes |
| 4,000 – 6,000 feet | Add 1 hour |
| 6,000 – 8,000 feet | Add 1.5 hours |
| 8,000+ feet | Add 2+ hours |
The higher you go, the more time you’ll need to allow potatoes to reach tenderness in the Crock-Pot. At higher altitudes above 8,000 feet, increase cook times by 2 hours or more.
Using the “High” Setting
The High setting on the Crock-Pot runs hotter than Low, getting ingredients up to temperature faster. However, too much time on High can overcook potatoes and turn them to mush. Here are some tips for using High:
- Bring potatoes to a boil on High first for 30 minutes. Then switch to Low.
- Use High only for the last 1-2 hours if potatoes aren’t quite tender enough.
- Don’t cook potatoes on High for more than 4 hours total time.
Starting potatoes on High helps shorten the total cook time. But the majority of time should be spent on Low for fork-tender potatoes without turning them to mush.
Conclusion
Cooking potatoes in the Crock-Pot takes anywhere from 4-10 hours depending on size, variety and other factors. Small 1-inch potatoes cubes take as little as 4 hours on Low. Whole potatoes or large chunks may require up to 10 hours. Checking doneness periodically with a fork and adjusting cook time is the best way to ensure tender potatoes every time.