You’re going to love how fast it is to cook Instant Pot Red Potatoes that are herbed and buttery. This easy recipe is a great side dish that has so much flavor and is ready in just over 20 minutes.

cooked instant pot red potatoes in a bowl.

Red potatoes are a nutritious and budget-friendly side dish that go with almost any main dish!

Whether you’re cooking a simple weeknight meal or a holiday spread, don’t forget to add these Instant Pot Red Potatoes to the menu.

You can add flavor to cooked potatoes with seasonings like garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Feel free to get creative as potatoes are neutral in flavor and take on a variety of seasonings nicely.

Recipe Benefits

  • Red potatoes are considered a nutritious food since they have potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, fiber, and B vitamins. Potatoes are most definitely part of a clean eating food list.  
  • Most people boil red potatoes on the stovetop to cook them. But, this method for cooking them in a pressure cooker is so much easier. 
  • Serve the cooked Instant Pot potatoes right out of the pot for a perfect side dish. Or, mash them up and serve them as mashed potatoes. You can also transform cooked red potatoes into a potato salad or use this recipe to make Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes. The possibilities are endless (see below for more ideas).

Ingredients

photo with labeled ingredients to make this recipe.
  • Red skin potatoes are generally available all year round in North America. These waxy potatoes are sometimes called new potatoes. You can also use yellow potatoes in this simple side dish.
  • Italian seasoning is a pre-made blend of dried herbs including rosemary, thyme, oregano and basil. If you don’t have Italian seasoning, you can substitute any of the other dried herbs that it includes (see my list of the best substitutes for Italian seasoning). Or, feel free to use fresh herbs (in which case add them at the end).
  • Garlic powder is a simple way of adding a little bit of garlic flavor without having to mince fresh garlic. The powder can usually be easier for people to digest who have trouble digesting the fresh cloves.
  • Vegetable broth adds even more flavor to these red potatoes in the Instant Pot. I like to use a reduced-sodium version but you can use regular. You can also use chicken broth if you wish. Or, if you don’t have broth on hand, just use water instead!
  • Butter or vegan butter for dairy allergies adds even more creaminess to this potato side dish. If you want a lower-fat option, just leave it out. For Whole30 diets, use ghee, olive oil, or avocado oil instead of butter.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Recipe Steps

I think that you are going to love how much easier it is to cook potatoes in the Instant Pot versus cooking them in the oven.

Here are the steps to making these perfectly cooked red potatoes in the pressure cooker. Note: you can also use this method to make Yukon gold potatoes.

Or, check out my recipe for how to boil potatoes in the Instant Pot.

Step One

The first step is to wash the potatoes and give them a pat dry with a clean towel. Cut them in half (or into quarters for larger potatoes).

You’ll be able to cook about 4 medium sized red potatoes in a 3-quart Instant Pot or 8-12 medium red potatoes at a time in a 6-quart Instant Pot.

See my guide for how to use an Instant Pot if you haven’t used it before.

halved red potatoes inside instant pot pressure cooker.

Step Two

Next, add the halved potatoes, cup of water or broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper to the electric pressure cooker.

Lock on the lid and set the timer to 7 minutes on high pressure.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Step Three

Once the cooking time is up, use the quick release to release the remaining pressure. Remove the lid, stir, and use a serving spoon to transfer the cooked potatoes to a bowl.

I hope your family agrees that this red potato recipe is the perfect easy side dish.

If you aren’t on a dairy-free diet, feel free to serve your potatoes with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese.

cooked red potatoes with seasonings inside instant pot.

Recipe Tips

  • If you double this recipe, you don’t need to increase the liquid.
  • If you are on a low-fat diet, feel free to leave out the butter.
  • The total cook time includes the prep time, cook time, and 10 minutes for the pot to come up to pressure. 
  • If you are using small red potatoes, you can reduce the cook time to just 6 minutes at high pressure and use a quick release. Or, see my related recipe for Instant Pot Baby Potatoes.
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat before serving.
  • If you want to cook the red potatoes to make potato salad, then you can leave out the seasonings and the butter. You can use water instead of broth and simply drain the potatoes before using them for potato salad. 
picture of a fork with a piece of cooked instant pot red potato on it.

Ways to Serve Instant Pot Red Potatoes

This easy potato dish is perfect just served as a side dish out of the pot. Here are some additional serving suggestions:

  • Use this recipe as the base for mashed potatoes. Instead of stirring the potatoes after they are cooked, use a potato masher to mash them together. Serve hot.
  • After you cook the red potatoes in the Instant Pot, transfer them to a bowl with a lid. Place them in the fridge to cool completely, then use them to make potato salad.
  • Make smashed potatoes! Place the cooked potatoes on a baking sheet, use a fork or potato masher to gently smash them, drizzle with olive oil, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Broil until they’re crispy.
  • Make potato soup by pureeing the potatoes with some vegetable or chicken broth. Add in sautéed onions, garlic, and any other vegetables you like. Season and serve with a sprinkle of cheese or fresh herbs.

Recipe FAQs

Are red potatoes healthier than gold potatoes?

Maybe, because the red skin likely has more antioxidants than plain skin. But, otherwise they essentially have the same nutritional value.

What do red potatoes taste like?

They have a creamy texture and are usually less crumbly than a cooked Russet potato.

How do I store any leftover cooked potatoes?

Store any cooked potatoes in a glass dish with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. If you have extras on hand, you can also freeze them (see my guide for how to freeze potatoes). 

Can I cook Russet potatoes this way?

Yes, but they may need more cooking time. See my full recipe for Instant Pot Baked Potatoes.

Do I need a steamer basket or a trivet to make this recipe?

No, you don’t need either. Just put all the ingredients straight into the pot.

serving dish with cooked pressure cooker red potatoes.

More Easy Instant Pot Recipes You Might Like

Or, see all of my healthy Instant Pot recipes. You may also like my round-up of the best healthy Instant Pot Side Dishes!

Don’t Miss These Instant Pot Thanksgiving Recipes

Instant Pot Turkey Tenderloins (Boneless Turkey Breast)

Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce (3-Ingredients)

Instant Pot Stuffing with Sausage (Gluten-Free Option)

Instant Pot Pumpkin Pudding

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

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bowl of cooked instant pot red potatoes

Instant Pot Red Potatoes

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5 from 11 reviews

Print Recipe

You’re going to love how fast it is to cook Instant Pot Red Potatoes that are herbed and buttery. This easy recipe is a great side dish that has so much flavor and is ready in just over 20 minutes.

  • Total Time: 22 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1.5 pounds red potatoes (about 12 medium potatoes or 16 small potatoes), scrubbed and halved
  • 1 cup reduced-sodium vegetable broth
  • 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning or dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons butter or ghee

Instructions

  1. In the base of a 6-quart pressure cooker, combine the halved potatoes, broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, sea salt, black pepper. Stir gently to combine.
  2. Place the butter on top and lock on the lid.
  3. Set the time to 7 minutes at high pressure.
  4. When the cooking time is complete, carefully use the quick release to release the pressure and remove the lid.
  5. Stir the potatoes and transfer to a serving dish.
  6. Serve hot.

Notes

  1. If you double this recipe, you don’t need to increase the liquid.
  2. If you are on a low-fat diet, feel free to leave out the butter.
  3. The total cook time includes the prep time, cook time, and 10 minutes for the pot to come up to pressure.
  4. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat before serving.
  5. If you want to cook the red potatoes to make potato salad, then you can leave out the seasonings and the butter. You can use water instead of broth and simply drain the potatoes before using them for potato salad.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
  • Calories: 118
  • Sugar: 1.8 g
  • Sodium: 113 mg
  • Fat: 4.1 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 19.2 g
  • Fiber: 2.2 g
  • Protein: 2.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 10.2 mg

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About the Author: Carrie Forrest is the author of the best-selling Instant Pot-authorized cookbook, The Healthy Meal Prep Instant Pot Cookbook. She has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition and receives over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.