These Instant Pot baby potatoes are a wonderful salt potato (aka Syracuse Salt Potatoes) rendition. These little potatoes that are made in the Instant Pot are a delicious, easy, and popular recipe. They are creamy on the inside and drenched in a butter ranch seasoning making for the best salt potatoes you have ever had.
This elevated boiled potato recipe is simple and fast to make thanks to the Instant Pot or any electric pressure cooker. It makes for a wonderful side for any meal. You can use small red potatoes or the dutch yellow ones that I used here today.
The original recipe and photos are all over the internet and social media. However, though it is delicious as is, I wanted a bit more seasoning and flavor. I admit it was one of the first recipes I tried when I got my Instant Pot years ago. Since then I have tried to add more flavor to the basic boiling potatoes in salted water recipe and came up with this tastier version. You will surely love it!
Pressure cooking has made a comeback in the last few years for sure. Whether you have an Instant Pot or another electric pressure cooker, these are not your grandmother's pressure cookers. That is for sure. Most noteworthy, they do not seem as "scary" as those manual versions in the past. No need to be scared of these, I promise.
Here is the model I have had for a few years. It does so many things like making homemade yogurt, rice cooking, saute, and soup mode. The 8-qt size is the one we have. It is also big enough for our family of 5 - now when the boys are teens that may be a different story but for now, it is just perfect!
Why are Salt Potatoes so Popular
The reason they are so popular is simple. They are:
- Creamy on the inside
- Salty and tender on the outside
- Budget-friendly, even when making a huge batch
- Only need a few ingredients for a punch of flavor
- So easy to make and ready in no time
- The leftovers are so amazing and versatile (turn into a hash for breakfast!)
- Perfect side dish for any meat - try these recipes!
Ranch Salt Potatoes are even Better!
So take all those above reasons for why salt potatoes are amazing and then add traditional ranch flavoring. Melted butter and the dried ranch dressing mix are drizzled over the top for more flavor without taking away from the crisp skin that salt potatoes have. This adds a bit of tang from the buttermilk and earthiness of the dried onions and herbs that are in the ranch seasoning. This is hands down the best mini potato recipe you can make in the Instant Pot.
Making the Best Instant Pot Salt Potatoes is Easy
Creamy on the inside and drenched in butter ranch seasoning make for the best salt potatoes you have ever had. Easy to make thanks to the Instant Pot. You only need a few ingredients to make these and several things you probably already have in your home.
If your family likes ranch dressing or ranch dip, you probably already have the packets or the big container of the ranch seasoning. If not, you will be buying these more often once you get addicted to these potatoes. Fresh chives are optional but we love having them on these plus it adds a pop of color and freshness. These Instant Pot baby potatoes are so quick and easy to make plus they are packed full of flavor with just a few simple ingredients.
What Kind of Potatoes Work for Salt Potatoes
You will want 3 pounds of small baby potatoes for this pressure cooker recipe. You can use whatever are your favorite as long as they are small or bite-sized. This recipe makes the best Instant Pot mini potatoes. The kinds of potatoes we have used and find work great are the following:
- Yukon Gold
- Red Potatoes
- Dutch Yellow
- Fingerling
- Petite - comes in many colors like red, white, and purple?
To find out more about potato varieties, check out IDAHO POTATOES OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Here are the fees steps you need for the perfect side dish. Scrub the potatoes and remove any that look bad. In the insert of the Instant Pot, add 1 cup of salt and top with 6 cups of warm water. You want to make sure the water is warm enough to help dissolve the salt. Stir to ensure all the salt is dissolved.
Once dissolved, add the potatoes. Lock the lid in place and set the valve closed. Select MANUAL on the Instant Pot and set to 3 minutes.
Once the potatoes come to pressure and cook for the 3 minutes, leave the lid on and let it continue. Once the clock comes up to 15 minutes, release any remaining pressure. Move the valve to open carefully - STEAM WILL BE HOT!
Drain the potatoes in a colander. The potatoes will be hot, tender, and the skins will be a bit shriveled from the salted water. Place the salt potatoes in a serving bowl and get the ranch mixture ready while the potatoes are still warm and will adhere to the mixture easily. Try to NOT gobble up too many at this time, they are so good even just this way but just wait - OMG!
Melt the butter and whisk in the ranch seasoning mix.
Pour the ranch butter mixture over the potatoes. Stir gently to coat evening. Dice the chives and sprinkle over the Ranch Salt Potatoes. If you like fresh herbs, diced chives, parsley, and dill are all wonderful with this Instant Pot salt potato recipe.
What to Serve with Salt Potatoes
All of these recipes are great main course ideas to serve with potatoes. Salt potatoes are a simple dish that goes well with chicken, beef, or any protein. Try one of these and have a complete meal.
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Product Recommendations for this Recipe:
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Instant Pot Ranch Salt Potatoes
Equipment
- pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 3 pounds bite-sized potatoes use thin-skinned like those described above
- 1 C sea salt or kosher table salt
- 6 C hot water
- 1 stick salted butter
- ¼ C ranch seasoning mix
- 2 TBS fresh chives minced - Optional but so good
Instructions
- Scrub the potatoes clean. Toss any that look bad (very soft, split, etc)
- Pour salt into the insert of your Instant Pot. Add the hot water to the insert. Stir to dissolve the salt. Once dissolved, add the potatoes.
- Put the lid on and lock it in place. Set the valve to ensure it is closed and it will come to pressure. Select MANUAL and the time to 3 minutes.
- Mine usually takes about 10 or so minutes to come to pressure. The pot will then begin counting the cooking time down. Once the 3 minutes is up, the Instant Pot will then begin counting up.
- Let it count up to 15 minutes for it to naturally release. You will then need to release the remaining pressure by opening the valve carefully – STEAM WILL BE HOT!
- Drain the potatoes in a colander, DO NOT rinse. Transfer to a large serving bowl.
- In a small bowl, combine melted butter and the ranch seasoning. Whisk until smooth. Pour the butter ranch mixture over the potatoes and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Dice some fresh chives and sprinkle on the top. Serve warm.
Notes
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 8 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 239 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 11.7g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat 7.3g | 37% |
| Cholesterol 30mg | 10% |
| Sodium 1217mg | 53% |
| Total Carbohydrate 27.1g | 10% |
| Dietary Fiber 2.9g | 10% |
| Total Sugars 1.7g | |
| Protein 3.4g | |
| Vitamin D 8mcg | 40% |
| Calcium 21mg | 2% |
| Iron 1mg | 7% |
| Potassium 780mg | 17% |
Angela Sedlak | Mean Green Chef says
I love using our IP's they make things fast and delicious, love these ranch potatoes they go with so many dishes!! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Suzan | It's My Sustainable Life says
I've yet to purchase and Instant Pot. I do, however, still have several pressure cookers. Certainly ones that are more up to date than the pictured LOL!
Angela says
Yeah, that giant scary thing is classic - it was in a museum, rightfully so!
Beth Shields says
Love the picture of the old vintage pressure cooker - no wonder we thought they would blow up. Love the idea of the potatoes. I don't have an instapot (yet) but my daughter and daughter-in-law do - so I will be passing this on for sure. Sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing and love the pictures. Very helpful.
Angela says
Thank you - maybe for Mother's Day you may get one - if you hint and want one?!!? I have other great Instant Pot recipes on the blog and more to come!
Angie says
Salt potatoes are great. Can't wait to try them this way.
Holly says
Great recipe..my mom still had her old pressure cooker..she makes corn beef for st Patrick's day every year..that is how she was taught. I tried to show her the instant pot and she thought it was cheap looking...unsafe .so funny!
Angela says
Thanks for sharing that story, love it.
Tricia Snow says
LOL I remember that pressure cooker and you are correct! Totally scary! Your potatoes look amazing too!
Tiffany says
I love my instant pot and always looking for new ways to cook side dishes in it - this would be a winner in my house!
Candy K says
Looks delicious! Thank you for sharing this yummy dish.
Jenny says
I got my instapot a couple of months ago and I love it. I will try this recipe soon, sounds delicious
Charlotte says
I love crispy and salty potato skin! I’ll have to give this a try!
Lucy says
I'm going to have to give these a try! Potatoes take so long to prep and cook so might as well throw them in the crockpot! 😅
Angela says
I haven't tried this in a crockpot yet but if you do, let me know how it turns out and how long it takes. In the pressure cooker / Instant Pot it is fast and delish.
Jennifer says
I didn't realise you could pressure cook potatoes
Stacey Billingsley says
This sounds really good! I haven’t had salt potatoes before, and the ranch flavor would make them even better. Yum!
Sydney Delong says
This looks easy and delicious!!
Debbie says
Those Ranch Salt Potatoes sound merry wonderful. I’ve done something similar in the oven with the ranch dressing powder.
vanessa says
These look very tasty indeed. I hadn't heard of them, but may give them a try.
Lisa Manderino says
I love to find great insta pot recipes! These look delicious!
Lina says
Oh how we have advanced with the instant pot. 🙂 This recipe looks great. WIll keep this for future.
KENDRA says
These look and sound incredible. I'll have to make these when I add carbs back into my life. LOL
Angela says
I hear you Kendra - a special occasion sort of recipe when you are doing low-carb.
Noelle says
These look amazing! I shared this post with a friend who also loves these potatoes.
Angela says
Great, thank you for sharing!
Jenna says
These look so good!!!
Irene says
Great photos and yummy rcipe!
Christina Furnival says
Potatoes. Salt. Ranch. How can you go wrong? Sounds so good.
Amandalee Jones says
Yum, I love all things potato! SImple, scrummy and inexpensive! Love this post, thanks so much!!
Brianna says
This looks so delicious! Thank you for sharing!
Lisa says
I am always looking for potato recipes. Thanks for sharing!
Adrienne says
These look really yummy! With four boys (two teens), my husband, and myself, I can see needing to make a couple batches. Thanks for sharing! I've bookmarked for future reference as well as printed for my "make soon" binder. ~Adrienne from Gluten Free Preppers and a member of the Blogger's Pit Stop Crew
Dee | Grammy's Grid says
Sounds tasty! I was so afraid to use my Instant Pot at first. I now find it my go to appliance as it's so quick and easy! Thanks so much for linking up with me at #AThemedLinkup 12 for Crock Pot and Instant Pot Recipes, open February 28 to March 10. All entries shared on social media if share buttons installed. My Unlimited Monthly Party 10 is open March 1 to 26 if you’d like to link up for more views and shares. Won’t you join me at my Short Story Prompt Party for fun and creativity? Open March 2 to 9. Just start typing, see what you come up with! Remember, no story is too short! The prompt is: I woke from a long nap to see…
Dee | Grammy's Grid says
Visiting again to say thanks so much for linking up with me at my #UnlimitedMonthlyLinkParty 10, open March 1 to 26. All entries shared on social media if share buttons installed.
Julie Gazdecki says
My youngest would love these! Two of her favorite things.....potatoes and ranch!
Angela says
Great, I hope she loves them.
Kay says
We love our pressure cooker and this recipe will be getting used very soon
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Allyson says
Those look amazing! I'm seriously regretting getting rid of my instant pot! I have a pressure cooker and I'm going to give it a try!
Angela says
Yes give it a try in the pressure cooker and let me know what you think.
Beth says
I made these potatoes, following your directions except for a different seasoning, since I had Costco's multi-herb seasoning but not ranch. They were just as easy and delicious as you described and this has become a go-to cooking method for potatoes. Thanks so much for the clear directions!
Angela says
I am so happy to hear you made this and enjoyed them with what you had. The method is great for potatoes. Whenever I make this for any company they all decide they need to make it often themselves at home too.
Gillian Kent says
I love fingerling potatoes. They would go really well with the ranch flavor. Yum!
Angela says
They sure will!
Alpa says
Wow! I tried these and they were just perfect
Angela says
I am so happy to hear that. Glad you loved them and thanks for coming back to share that with me. I love hearing from readers. You made my day!
Tamara says
I have made these 3 or 4 times now and each time my family gobbles them right up. So yummy! I make my own ranch seasoning mix because I can never seem to find it in the store.
Angela says
Tamara thanks for sharing how much your family loves these. It makes me so happy to hear that! Great job making your own ranch mix too.
Kora says
We are a meat a potato family and we love these potatoes. I have made them at least once a month since finding this recipe. I will be making them today to go with corned beef. Better than plain red potatoes.
Cindy Moore says
I’ve never heard of salt potatoes! I love my pressure pot. I’ll try these with play based butter.