Salt and Vinegar Roasted Potatoes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Does soaking potatoes in vinegar make them Crispier? ›

Cook in vinegar water = superior crispiness

Once the potatoes are rinsed, place them in a pot with cold tap water, vinegar and salt. Bring to a boil on high heat then immediately turn down to low so the surface is barely rippling. Cook for 10 minutes.

The Vinegar Trick

In his recipe, López-Alt shares his secret for perfectly cooked potatoes every time: Adding vinegar to the water (specifically, 1 tablespoon of vinegar per 1 quart of water) prevents overcooking.

Soaking potatoes in water helps remove excess starch. Excess starch can inhibit the potatoes from cooking evenly as well as creating a gummy or sticky texture on the outside of your potatoes. Cold water is used because hot water would react with the starch activating it, making it harder to separate from the potatoes.

The acid in the vinegar can also help to slightly break down the surface of the potatoes, aiding in the development of a crispier texture during frying. Additionally, the vinegar can contribute to a golden-brown color on the exterior of the fries.

After rinsing potatoes in cold water to remove dirt (if necessary), submerge potatoes in a vinegar bath of approximately 3 parts water and 1 part white vinegar. Ensuring they're all completely submerged, soak potatoes for 5 to 10 minutes, and then pat dry for immediate use.

Soak the potatoes in enough cold water to cover, stir in 2 tablespoons vinegar and place in the fridge for at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours. When you refrigerate the potatoes, the starch will turn to sugar which is a good contrast to the vinegar in this recipe.

Vinegar might seem like a questionable addition, but it helps tenderize the beef as it cooks and balances the richness of this dish. Make sure you cook it down until it no longer smells pungent though, or you could end up with a vinegary tasting pot roast.

Vinegar helps boiled potatoes hold their shape

Since the objective is to fully cook the potatoes (without making them mushy), it's important to note that you just need a bit of vinegar to get the job done. Adding too much vinegar could cause the potatoes to cook way slower than desired, so it's all about balance.

Just like you might use a squirt of lime juice to keep guacamole from browning, a bit of lemon juice or white vinegar in the bowl with the potatoes will ward off gray hues. Use one teaspoon to a half gallon of water to get all the anti-browning impact with no noticeable flavor changes.

Vinegar causes the potatoes to form a thin crust that further helps in retaining their shape. Vinegar increases the acid pH levels of water which further helps the potato just like when you add a little salt to the water while boiling eggs.

Why are my roasted potatoes not crispy? ›

If roasted potatoes lack their crunchy sheen, overcrowding is usually the culprit. Just as overcrowding bacon or mushrooms in a saucepan causes disappointingly mushy results, placing potatoes too close to each other on a baking sheet will prevent them from crisping while they roast.

The main reasons to cut the potatoes and pre-soak in water are: To allow the excess starches and sugars to be removed from the outer surface of the fry strips AND to keep the potatoes from browning prematurely from exposure to air. Covering in water helps the potato from turning a dark color.

Roasted Salt and Vinegar Potatoes

These potatoes make the perfect side dish for so many things. Serve with grilled steaks, seafood, a pot roast and more. So here are some of my favorite things to serve as the protein entree!

Combine potatoes, 1 cup vinegar, and 1 Tbsp. kosher salt in a medium saucepan; add water to cover by 1”. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until potatoes are tender, 20–25 minutes; drain and pat dry.

Place the potatoes in water to cover and add some acidity like a teaspoon of concentrated lemon juice or white wine vinegar to keep from browning.

Vinegar helps boiled potatoes hold their shape

The presence of acid in boiling water can retain structure-providing carbs in potatoes, so they don't break down and soften as easily as they would in a pot of boiling water sans vinegar.

Vinegar causes potatoes to develop a thin crust on their exterior layer, which is what is required to preserve them from becoming mushy or disintegrating.

The soaking, Mr. Nasr said, is the secret to the crisp texture of the fries. It draws out the starch, making them more rigid and less likely to stick together. The cooks fry them twice, first blanching them until slightly limp in peanut oil heated to 325 degrees, and again in 375-degree oil to crisp and brown them.