Here’s a hot (potato) tip: You don’t actually need a peeler to peel potatoes. In fact, if you have a big batch of potatoes to peel and are short on time, I found a technique that will save you time and alleviate wrist pain. While I don’t want to call it a hack—that word is a bit overused these days—it is a really clever approach to an otherwise annoying kitchen task. And I’m betting you already have everything you need to do it.
How to Peel a Potato Without a Peeler
The trick comes from—where else?—social media. I first saw it on @thegoochpage, which is a tips and tricks-focused account run by a former Ringling Bros. circus clown (Ah, I love the internet).
Here’s how to do it, per the video’s instructions: First, use a pair of kitchen shears to score all the way around each potato’s skin. Hold the potato vertically, so the cut is around the middle like a belt. When they’re all scored, drop the potatoes in a pot of boiling water for a few seconds. You’re not trying to cook them, so you don’t need to set a timer. In the video, the potatoes aren’t even fully submerged in the water. Use tongs to remove the potatoes and drop them in a bowl of ice water. That stops the cooking process and makes the potatoes cool enough to handle. Now here’s the fun part: Just pick up each potato and give the skin a gentle tug. It should slide right off.
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
Although this video calls for scissors, you can easily do this with a paring knife. In fact, it’s better to use a paring knife if you don’t have kitchen-specific shears. The important thing is that you don’t slice too far into the potato. You’re only trying to pierce the skin, not cut into the flesh.
This method is admittedly not any faster than actually peeling potatoes with a vegetable peeler, but I can picture three scenarios in which it’d be helpful. The first is when you’re cooking at a vacation home. I don’t know about you, but some of the rentals I’ve stayed in don’t even have cutting boards; a peeler is probably asking too much. The other reasons you may want to use this technique is if you struggle with wrist pain or arthritis, or you have to peel a big batch. Then this would definitely be easier and faster.
Do You Actually Have to Peel Potatoes in the First Place?
Nope! Potato skin is safe to eat, and it’s actually a good source of potassium and a decent source of fiber. Plus, potato skin gets crispy if you roast it at a high temperature, fry, or air-fry it, and that’s delicious.
But there are some reasons you may want to peel potatoes. Some recipes, like mashed potatoes, usually call for peeled potatoes. Although you can leave the potato skins on, removing them will result in a creamier, smoother texture. Or, if you’re cooking for picky eaters who don’t like the skin, this technique could definitely come in handy.
Whether you peel your potatoes or not, be sure to scrub them thoroughly under running water before prepping them.
