Garlic Butter Potatoes

These garlic butter potatoes whip up in the microwave in just 15 minutes. This means you can spend more time focusing on your main dish, like a perfectly cooked steak, crusted salmon or a veggie bratwurst. Just make sure you pay close attention to your microwave as the potatoes cook, since you want all sides to cook evenly.

Finally, it helps to check the wattage of your microwave—if it’s less than 1,100, increase the cooking time by one to two minutes. If it’s higher, reduce the cook time.

Ingredients for Garlic Butter Potatoes

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• Red potatoes: As one of the waxy types of potatoes, red potatoes maintain their texture and shape when cooked. This makes them great as a side or for tossing into soups and stews.
• Butter: Of course, butter adds a delicious flavor and mouthfeel to this dish, but it also helps to coat the potatoes with the seasoning.
• Seasoned salt: There isn’t one fixed blend for seasoned salt, so be sure to check the ingredients before you choose one. Alternatively, you can make a homemade seasoning salt.
• Paprika: There are three types of paprika, including smoked, sweet and spicy. Feel free to use whichever you like here.
• Dried parsley: While dried parsley provides more color than flavor, you can use fresh, minced parsley if you want a stronger flavor.
• Garlic: As one of the main ingredients in these garlic butter potatoes, minced fresh garlic adds a savory, pungent kick.

Directions

Step 1: Season the potatoes

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Place the potatoes in a 2-quart microwave-safe dish. In a separate bowl, combine the melted butter, seasoned salt, paprika, parsley and garlic. Pour the mixture over the potatoes and toss to coat.

Step 2: Microwave the potatoes

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Microwave, uncovered, on high for 8 to 10 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.

Editor’s Tip: Stir the potatoes frequently, so they cook evenly.

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Garlic Butter Potato Variations

• Make em’ crispy: While the microwave yields a tender potato, you can also choose a high-heat cooking method to achieve a crispier result. To this end, roast, saute, pop them in an air fryer or make crispy smashed potatoes.
• Switch up the seasoning: Because potatoes and butter are a versatile dish, you can take the seasoning in a bunch of different directions. For example, sprinkle on some Herbes de Provence or freshly minced rosemary, or toss the potatoes in olive oil and fresh basil.

How to Store Garlic Butter Potatoes

To store garlic butter potatoes, keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. To reheat, simply pop them in the microwave, stirring frequently. You can also use the stovetop or oven, though the oven is less energy efficient.

Can I freeze garlic butter potatoes?

To freeze this butter potatoes recipe, simply place the potatoes in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag and store them in the freezer for up to six months. That said, the quality of the flavor and texture will be best preserved if you eat them within three months.

Garlic Butter Potato Tips

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Why do you soak potatoes in water first?

While it’s not necessary, some people like to soak potatoes in water before cooking them. This releases some of the excess starch from the potato so that as you cook it, it’s less likely to become soggy.

What cooking method is best for potatoes?

There are many ways to cook potatoes, and which you prefer comes down to a few things. First, how much time do you have? If the answer is “not much,” opt for the microwave. Do you like a fluffy bowl of mashed potatoes or the crispy skins on oven-roasted ones? Have fun experimenting, and see what you like.

Should you cook potatoes in oil or butter?

If you’re using a high-heat method, we recommend cooking the potatoes in oil and coating them in melted butter to finish. This is because most oils have a higher smoke point than butter, so you reduce the risk of burning your dish.