Don't Toss That Potato Water–Make and Use it in Cooking (2024)

Don't Toss That Potato Water

By

Elizabeth Yetter

Bread expert Elizabeth Yetter has been baking bread for more than 20 years, bringing her Pennsylvania Dutch Country experiences to life through recipes.

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Updated on 07/19/19

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Don't Toss That Potato Water–Make and Use it in Cooking (1)

As you begin to bake different types of breads, you will come across some older bread recipes that call for potato water. Potato water is the water that potatoes have been boiled in. The potatoes release their starchy goodness into the water as they are cooked. The potato water can then be used as a substitute for milk and it makes your bread deliciously moist. As well, it can be used as a thickener that is naturally gluten-free.

How to Make Potato Water

To make potato water, wash and peel two to three potatoes. It is important to either peel the potatoes or scrub them very well or your potato water will have an earthy taste.

Cube the potatoes and add them to a large pot. Cover the potato cubes with cold water and bring them to a boil. Boil for about 20 minutes or until the potatoes are soft.

Remove the pot from the heat and drain potato water into a liquid measuring cup. Let the potato water cool to warm before using it in your recipe.Potato water can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours. After this time, the potato water sweetens and can spoil the taste of your bread. You can keep it longer by freezing it.

There is no need to waste the cooked potatoes. The potatoes can be mashed with a fork and added to potato bread recipes. Or, you can enjoy the potatoes in many other dishes. Set themaside in the refrigerator if you are in the midst of the baking process and can't quite decide what to do with these leftovers.

Uses for Potato Water

The most common place you will see potato water on an ingredient list is in recipes for potato bread. It adds to the texture,keeps the moisture in the bread, and provides some flavor as opposedto just using plain water.

For whipped potatoes, add some of the potato water when you are whipping them and they will be fluffier. That tip is even passed down in the Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. For settlers who couldn't run to the store for milk, it made a good substitute.

Potato water is making a comeback for several purposes for people who are eating dairy-free or gluten-free diets. You can use it to make gravy without adding any other thickeners, such as flour (which contains gluten). Add the hot potato water to the pan with the meat drippings, heat it, and season it. While you could buy potato starch for this purpose, why not use what you just made for free? If you find that your sauce needs more thickening, you can add more potato starch or cornstarch.

You can thicken a broth, soup, or stew by using potato water rather than plain water, again avoiding using flour if you are eliminating gluten. Some people even like to turn potatowater into a broth by adding celery salt, black pepper, and a little bouillon.

Don't toss the potato water–look for ways to put it to use. Many people report using it to water their plants or moisten dry pet food as well.

Don't Toss That Potato Water–Make and Use it in Cooking (2024)

FAQs

What can you do with leftover potato water? ›

Here are 4 ways to use it.
  1. Thickening sauces and stock. The starch in potatoes, which is released when cooked, makes their water a powerful natural thickener, perfect for sauces and stock, therefore giving them a thicker texture. ...
  2. Softer leavened products. ...
  3. Watering plants. ...
  4. Getting grease off the dishes.
Oct 10, 2022

Is potato water good for you? ›

Potatoes are packed with numerous minerals and vitamins. So is potato water. By adding it to any dish, you are giving your meal an extra dose of nutrients like vitamins B and C, potassium and fibre, and phytonutrients like carotenoids and flavonoids which are beneficial to your health and well-being.

Should I use potato water for gravy? ›

You can also use potato water to make a basic gravy without having to add any thickeners. Pour the hot potato water into a pan, add a broth base from whatever meat you're cooking, and add your favorite seasonings. The gravy will have a creamy consistency and be just as delicious as any other!

What is the meaning of the same boiling water that softens the potato and hardens the egg? ›

This saying means that different objects (such as potatoes and eggs) react differently to the same external circ*mstances (boiling water). Similarly, in life, people may react differently to the same situation.

Is boiled potato water good for tomato plants? ›

Several gardening sources suggest that using water from boiling potatoes, for use in watering plants is beneficial. This makes sense, as potatoes are nutrient-rich with potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and a host of other vitamins and minerals.

Can you use potato water to cook pasta? ›

ATK even have developed a recipe where they add cornflour to the pasta water during cooking to create that starchiness, both in the liquid and as a coating on the pasta. Your potato water will do just fine. Don't forget to salt the water.

Is boiled potato water good for skin? ›

From dark circles to dark spots, potato is a one-stop solution for almost all your skin-related woes. Potatoes are enriched with the goodness of vitamin C, vitamin B, and other essential nutrients. You can either mash it, grate it, or use its juice in skincare.

Can you use potato water for rice? ›

Potato water will just add more starch to the rice, when you really want as little starch as possible.

What to do with potato juice? ›

Potato juice is used in some European countries as an antacid, and the results of at least one study suggest that freshly squeezed potato juice may improve symptoms of indigestion. Potato juice may also have beneficial effects on inflammation, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.

Can you use boiled potato water for soup? ›

You can thicken a broth, soup, or stew by using potato water rather than plain water, again avoiding using flour if you are eliminating gluten. Some people even like to turn potato water into a broth by adding celery salt, black pepper, and a little bouillon. Don't toss the potato water–look for ways to put it to use.

What does potato water do to your hair? ›

Adds Luster: Potato juice helps in closing your hair cuticles, giving your locks an added shine and texture. Conditions Hair: The many nutrients in potato juice keep your hair and scalp moisturized and conditioned, reducing dryness. This also helps in treating dandruff, itchiness and flakiness.

Why do you put baking soda in potato water? ›

Meanwhile, the alkaline water helps the exteriors of the potatoes break down more, creating much more of the starchy slurry that leads to an extra-crisp exterior. About a half teaspoon of baking soda for two quarts of water was the right amount.

What is the effect of putting a piece of potato in 100% water? ›

The water passes through the potato cell membrane (a partially permeable membrane) into the potato, making it swell and increase in mass. If there is more sugar in the surrounding solution than the potato sample, the reverse happens.

Why wait for water to boil before adding potatoes? ›

For most potato dishes it's important to add the potatoes to cold water and allow the water to come to a boil with the potatoes in the water. The potato starch can react as soon as it comes in contact with hot water, which will promote uneven cooking and mealy potatoes.

What happens when you put a potato in boiling water? ›

As the potato is cooked the cell membrane ruptures; the membrane around the vacuole breaks; the membrane around the starch grain breaks and the starch grain swells up, although it initially remains intact; the cell wall breaks down and the contents, including the starch, begin to disperse.

Is potato water good for hair? ›

Adds Luster: Potato juice helps in closing your hair cuticles, giving your locks an added shine and texture. Conditions Hair: The many nutrients in potato juice keep your hair and scalp moisturized and conditioned, reducing dryness. This also helps in treating dandruff, itchiness and flakiness.

Is potato water good for the face? ›

Yes, potato juice can be used daily on the face, especially for addressing concerns like dark circles, hyperpigmentation, or dullness. However, it's best to start with using it a few times per week and gradually increase the frequency if your skin tolerates it well.

What does salting potato water do? ›

Dense potatoes don't absorb seasonings easily, so you'll need to salt the water liberally so that the water the potatoes do drink up also carries in seasoning. And because potatoes are so timid in flavor, they need that salt to bring them out of their shells. Pour some salt in, then keep going.

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