I know what you're thinking these are just a boiled potato with salt and butter, nope they're more than that and if you have never had them in Upstate New York fairs, outdoor picnics you're missing out.
The crusty salt that covers the potato makes them so delicious because the boiling with all that salt leaves a fine fabulous light white dusty coating.
These potatoes have always been one of my summertime treats at picnics especially since I often bring these boiled already and through them on a hot grill to get the skins extra crispy as shown in some of the photos below.
Living in Florida now we get to fire up the grill and make them often because buttered salt potatoes go great with any grilled meats.
Around these parts of Florida, we enjoy fresh seafood, and these are the perfect side dish, and using new baby white potatoes is the authentic original style potatoes to use.
The potatoes are rich in buttery flavor and can be a perfect side when having a delicious seafood feast! One of my favorites and often made here in Florida with lobster or crab
It's been written that salt potatoes are an iconic central New York side dish, got its start in the late 1800s, when salt was distilled by boiling water from marshes around Syracuse, N.Y. Workers, many of them Irish, would dump potatoes in the boiling vats and then have lunch.
These creamy spuds are a wonderful addition to a potato lovers recipe collection give these a try with our printable recipe below and don't forget leftovers grilled, fried, baked or mashed are outstanding too.
Salt Potato Kits
Back home in Upstate New York, these potatoes are so popular they actually sell kits in grocery stores that consist of potatoes and a salt-packed in that kit.
The method is simple but the ratio of salt to potatoes is different than just boiling them and adding butter with parsley, these results will give you a creamier and they are teeny tiny small potatoes and usually just takes one bite skins and all.
Take a look at the recipe and see the ratio of salt, water, and potatoes, and if you are a spuds lover do not miss trying "salt potatoes" Upstate New York style, my original recipe from Utica, New York.
Again you will see seasoned salted potatoes that were also done on a grill below, which happen to be my all-time favorite all summer long.
Salt Potato Steps
- Scrub the potatoes with skins on and use small baby potatoes bite-size any colors or the kind you like ( the kits use new white potatoes)
- Boil the potatoes with salt until a fork goes through the potato easily
- drown in butter
- Note: the amount of salt is critical to the recipe, so make sure you measure the water and salt accurately for the best results
Tips and Suggestions
- leftovers are perfect for :
- hash browns in a frittata
- grilled or fan baked
- home fries (air fried)
- smashed potatoes
- potato salad(so don't worry if you've made too much!)
- the potatoes used in this recipe are small baby potatoes or size B
- Broil them and add oregano, parsley and basil dried for herb coating
Grilling Instructions for Salt Leftover Potatoes
If you do happen to have leftover salt potatoes, try grilling them, they are delicious with a crispy outside seasoned.
Coat a cast-iron skillet with cooking spray oil, add the potatoes whole of cut in half(your choice) then season them with whatever you like.
Heat the pan on the grill to medium heat, add the potatoes and saute until crispy flipping a few times (these can also be done in the air fryer at 400 degrees for around 11 minutes).
Fresh herbs on top are terrific adding some chopped basil, rosemary and thyme, you can also add some red pepper flakes or chili powder on top.
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Best Potato Side Dish
If you're still not convinced, you just have to try these out at least once to see what the difference.
Anyone from the local Utica, New York area, and other parts of Upstate, New York are very familiar with these so if you ever get to visit there, order these!
Potato lovers will not be sorry, they really are a mouthful of blissful buttery heaven!
New York Salt Potato Recipe
Yield: 4
Author: Claudia Lamascolo
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 45 Min
Salt potatoes are a summer barbecued staple in Upstate New York, they are not just boiled potatoes, they're creamy and loaded with buttery flavor
Ingredients
- 3 quarts of water
- 1 - 1/2 cups fine salt
- 4 1/4 pounds one-to-two bite-sized new white boiling potatoes, I have also used tri-colored potatoes ( any baby-sized potatoes you like can be used)
- 1 stick cold butter 4 ounces, cut into 8 pieces
- Optional:
- Broil them for crispy skins and add dried oregano, parsley and basil for herb coating after boiling
Instructions
- In a large deep saucepot bring the water to a boil over high heat.
- At the boiling point add in the salt.
- Carefully place the potatoes into the hot water. (I use a ladle)
- Again get the water to a boiling point on medium heat.
- Simmer the potatoes until a fork or toothpick skewer easily goes straight through the potatoes around 25 to 30 minutes.
- Drain into a colander.
- Dry them by air for around 15 minutes.
- Place the potatoes into a deep serving dish and place the cut-up butter on the potatoes to melt.
- Garnish with parsley.
- Optional Note:: our family loves spicy foods, we add fresh ground black pepper, a pinch of cayenne pepper, and some oregano also on our this is not the authentic way but our favorite style of salt potatoes.
- You can also add Pecorino Romano Cheese and Italian fried bread crumbs on top as a garnish
Notes:
Tips and Suggestions
- leftoversare perfect for :
- hash browns in a frittata
- grilled orfan baked
- home fries(air fried)
- potato salad(so don't worry if you've made too much!)
- the potatoes used in this recipe are small baby potatoes or size B
Grilling Instructions for Salt Leftover Potatoes
If you do happen to have leftover salt potatoes, try grilling them, they are delicious with a crispy outside seasoned.
Coat a cast-iron skillet with cooking spray oil, add the potatoes whole of cut in half(your choice) then season them with whatever you like.
Heat the pan on the grill to medium heat, add the potatoes and saute until crispy flipping a few times (these can also be done in the air fryer at 400 degrees for around 11 minutes).
Fresh herbs on top are terrific adding some chopped basil, rosemary and thyme, you can also add some red pepper flakes or chili powder on top.
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https://www.whatscookinitalianstylecuisine.com/2015/06/new-york-salt-potato-recipe.html
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salt potatoes, new york salt potatoes, Upstate New York Salt Potatoes, How to make salt potatoes, carnival salt potatoes, grilled salt potatoes
potato recipes, salt potato recipes, Upstate New York style salt potatoes,
Italian, American
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Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2015. It was edited and re-published in 2021.
