Creamy 4-Ingredient Stewed Potatoes: Your Easiest & Most Flavorful Side Dish

Discover the ultimate in simple comfort food with these delightfully creamy stewed potatoes. Requiring just four essential ingredients and minimal effort, this savory side dish comes together in a few easy steps, making it perfect for any weeknight meal or special occasion. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, you’ll love how effortlessly these rich, buttery potatoes transform into a household favorite, ready to complement a wide array of main courses. Prepare to elevate your dinner table with a dish that promises both incredible flavor and a wonderfully velvety texture!

overhead of stewed potatoes topped with green onion and black pepper.

Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Stewed Potatoes Recipe

This simple stewed potato recipe isn’t just easy; it’s incredibly satisfying and versatile. Here’s what makes it a standout:

Unbeatably Simple Side Dish: These creamy stewed potatoes are the perfect accompaniment to virtually any meal. Imagine them alongside succulent roasted chicken, tender beef pot roast, flaky pan-seared fish, or a vibrant medley of roasted vegetables. They effortlessly elevate a simple lunch or a hearty dinner, providing a comforting and delicious base that complements a wide variety of flavors and cuisines.
Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Flavor: You truly only need four basic ingredients to create this culinary magic: potatoes, butter, salt, and black pepper. That’s right – this is one of the most uncomplicated yet profoundly satisfying recipes you’ll ever make. The beauty lies in the quality of these simple components, which, when combined and cooked properly, yield an incredibly rich and buttery flavor profile that belies its simplicity. It’s a testament to how fantastic food doesn’t need to be complex.
Perfect for Using Up Leftovers (or Garden Harvests!): Do you often find yourself with a few extra potatoes lingering in the pantry or a bountiful harvest from your garden? This stewed potatoes recipe is your go-to solution for preventing food waste. Instead of letting those spuds sit, quickly transform them into a hearty, creamy dish that everyone will adore. It’s a delicious and practical way to make the most of your produce, ensuring nothing goes to waste while creating something truly wonderful.
Incredible Creamy Texture Without Heavy Cream: One of the most delightful aspects of this dish is its luxuriously creamy texture, achieved without a drop of heavy cream or milk! The potatoes break down beautifully as they stew, absorbing the butter and seasoned water to create a naturally thick, velvety sauce. This results in a comforting, melt-in-your-mouth experience that feels indulgent yet remains relatively light.
Customizable and Adaptable: While the core recipe uses just four ingredients, it serves as a fantastic blank canvas for customization. Feel free to add your favorite herbs like fresh parsley, chives, or dill at the end, or introduce a hint of garlic powder or onion powder for extra depth. This adaptability ensures that you can tailor the dish to your personal taste or whatever ingredients you have on hand.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Stewed Potatoes

While this recipe keeps things wonderfully simple, choosing the right ingredients makes all the difference in achieving that irresistible creamy texture and rich flavor.

Potatoes: The star of our show! Any white potato will work beautifully here, but for the absolute best results, I highly recommend Yukon Gold potatoes. Their naturally buttery flavor and velvety texture are unparalleled, breaking down exquisitely to contribute to the dish’s signature creaminess. If Yukon Golds aren’t available, good alternatives include thin-skinned Red Bliss potatoes or even Russet potatoes (though Russets can be a bit starchier, so they might require a touch more liquid). Regardless of your choice, you’ll need two pounds. Remember to peel them thoroughly to ensure that smooth, unblemished creamy consistency, then dice them into uniform 1-inch cubes for even cooking.
Butter: Butter is crucial for both flavor and richness. I typically use salted butter to add an extra layer of savory depth to the potatoes. However, unsalted butter works just as well, giving you more control over the overall saltiness (you can always add more salt to taste). For those looking to make this recipe vegan or dairy-free, simply swap in your favorite high-quality vegan butter. Brands like Miyoko’s Kitchen or Earth Balance offer excellent dairy-free alternatives that will still impart a delicious, rich flavor.
Salt: A fundamental seasoning that brings out the natural flavors of the potatoes and balances the richness of the butter. I use 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt or kosher salt to start. Remember that different types of salt have different levels of salinity, so if you’re using a coarser salt, you might need slightly more. Always taste and adjust seasoning towards the end of cooking.
Black Pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper adds a wonderful aromatic warmth and a subtle spicy kick that perfectly complements the savory potatoes. While pre-ground pepper works, a half teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper will provide a much more vibrant and pungent flavor. Don’t underestimate the power of freshly ground spices to elevate a simple dish!
Water: While not a “purchased” ingredient, water is essential for stewing the potatoes. It’s the medium that cooks the potatoes and, as it reduces, combines with the starches and butter to create the creamy sauce. You’ll need just enough to barely cover the potatoes in the pot.

Chef’s Expert Tips for Flawless Stewed Potatoes

Achieving the perfect bowl of creamy stewed potatoes is easier than you think, especially with these insider tips from the kitchen:

Prioritize Peeling for Ultimate Creaminess: I know, peeling potatoes can feel like a chore, but please, do not skip this vital step for this recipe! The skins, while nutritious in many potato dishes, will introduce an undesirable fibrous texture that detracts from the velvety smoothness we’re aiming for in these stewed potatoes. Peeling ensures every bite is pure, unadulterated creaminess, allowing the potatoes to truly break down and merge into a silky consistency.
Do NOT Cover the Pot During Cooking: This is a critical instruction! We begin by covering the diced potatoes with water, which is necessary for cooking them through. However, for the magic to happen – for that liquid to transform into a thicker, richer base – it needs to evaporate. By cooking the potatoes uncovered throughout the entire process, you allow steam to escape freely. This controlled evaporation is what gradually reduces the liquid, concentrates the flavors, and ultimately creates that perfectly thick, luscious consistency for your stewed potatoes. Covering the pot would trap the steam, preventing reduction and resulting in watery potatoes.
Master the Art of Boiling for Desired Thickness: The final boiling step is where you gain control over the ultimate consistency of your stewed potatoes. It’s a matter of personal preference, so feel free to boil for as much or as little time as you desire.
- For Thinner Stewed Potatoes: If you prefer a lighter, soupier consistency with more distinct potato chunks, boil for a shorter duration in the final stage, just enough to reduce the liquid slightly and allow some potatoes to break down.
- For Thicker, Creamier Stewed Potatoes: If you crave a rich, almost mashed-potato-like consistency, continue to boil and stir more vigorously. The longer you boil and stir, the more the potatoes will break down and release their starches, thickening the liquid into a dense, creamy sauce. Through experimentation, I found that approximately 10 minutes of active boiling and stirring at this stage was perfect for achieving my desired, wonderfully thick and comforting consistency. Don’t be afraid to use a potato masher a few times during this step if you want to speed up the mashing process and achieve an even smoother texture.
Season Thoughtfully: While the recipe provides a starting point for salt and pepper, always taste and adjust your seasoning before serving. Potatoes are notorious for needing a good amount of salt to truly shine. Add a pinch more if needed, and consider a final flourish of freshly ground black pepper.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pot: Use a large pot that gives the potatoes enough space to cook evenly and allows the liquid to evaporate efficiently. An overcrowded pot can lead to unevenly cooked potatoes and hinder the thickening process.
Optional Flavor Boosters: Once the potatoes are cooked and creamy, consider stirring in a tablespoon of fresh chopped herbs like parsley, chives, or dill for a burst of fresh flavor. A pinch of garlic powder or onion powder can also add a delightful subtle savory note.

More Easy Potato Recipes You’ll Love

Garlic Butter Parsley Potatoes
Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
Vegan Potato Soup
Red Potato Salad

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5 from 4 votes

Creamy 4-Ingredient Stewed Potatoes

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 40 minutes

Total: 50 minutes

These stewed potatoes are incredibly creamy, rich, and require just four basic ingredients to make! This savory and comforting side dish comes together in just a few simple steps, perfect for any meal.

Cheryl Malik Cheryl Malik

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6 servings

Ingredients

▢ 2 pounds potatoes (peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes, preferably Yukon Gold for best texture)
▢ ½ cup butter (salted or unsalted, or use vegan butter for a dairy-free option)
▢ 1 teaspoon salt (fine sea salt or kosher salt)
▢ ½ teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground for best flavor)
▢ Water (just enough to cover potatoes in the pot)

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Equipment

Large pot (with a heavy bottom to prevent scorching)
Vegetable peeler
Sharp knife and cutting board

Instructions

Carefully place your peeled and diced potatoes, ½ cup of butter, 1 teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of black pepper into a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Add just enough cold water to barely cover the potatoes. Ensure the water level is not too high, as we need it to reduce later.
Bring the contents of the pot to a rapid boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and continue to cook, uncovered, until the potatoes are very soft and can be easily pierced with a fork. This usually takes about 20-30 minutes, depending on the potato type and size of your cubes. Periodically stir gently to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking. Remember, do not cover the pot at any point during this process.
Once the potatoes are tender, increase the heat back to a rolling boil. Stir frequently and vigorously during this stage to encourage the potatoes to break down and the liquid to evaporate and thicken. Continue boiling and stirring for approximately 10 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced considerably and the potatoes have broken down to your desired creamy consistency. If you prefer a smoother texture, you can use a potato masher a few times during this step. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt or pepper if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

Potatoes: For the most luxurious, creamy results, Yukon Gold potatoes are highly recommended due to their buttery flavor and tendency to break down beautifully. However, any firm white potato will work if peeled and diced appropriately.
Butter: Feel free to adjust the amount of butter to your preference. For an extra rich flavor, you can add a touch more. For dairy-free, simply ensure your vegan butter is a good quality substitute.
Seasoning: The provided salt and pepper measurements are a starting point. Always taste your potatoes towards the end of cooking and adjust the seasoning to your liking. A pinch of garlic powder or a sprinkle of fresh chives can also elevate the flavor.
Consistency: The boiling time in the final step is key to customizing the thickness. Boil longer for a thicker, almost mashed-potato-like stew, and less for a looser, saucier consistency. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
Storage: Leftover stewed potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: To reheat, gently warm in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water or milk (or dairy-free alternative) if they’ve thickened too much, stirring occasionally until heated through.

Recipe yields approximately 6 servings. Nutritional values shown reflect information for one serving of stewed potatoes made with gold potatoes and unsalted butter. Macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition Information

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.