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Home Vegetarian Cooking 101 Ingredient Guides Knife Skills

How To Cut Potatoes

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By: Sarah BondUpdated: Mar 13, 2023 Leave a Comment

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Learn how to cut potatoes quickly, easily, and effectively with this simple step-by-step guide. From French fries to hasselback potatoes, it’s all covered here. Plus, you may just come away with some tips and tricks you never thought about!

How to cut a potato.

All about potatoes

Potatoes are an incredibly nutritious, inexpensive, and versatile staple in many cuisines around the world. This tuber comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors (see our complete guide to types of potatoes here), and you can use it in so many ways!

Not only are potatoes easy to prepare, but they’re also packed with vitamins and minerals that keep you healthy and energized! Whether you’re new to cooking or a seasoned chef, learning how to cut potatoes is a skill that can seriously up your kitchen game.

How to cut potatoes

Knowing how to cut potatoes will open up so many recipe doors! Find out how to slice and dice them into 5 different shapes — wedges, fries, cubes, slices, and hasselback.

Rinse & scrub

First things first — you need to wash your taters! Potatoes (and tubers in general) are covered in dirt, so remember to rinse and scrub them with a vegetable brush.

Don’t scrub them too hard as you want to keep the skin intact, especially since they do not need to be peeled!

Option 1: Wedges

With a freshly sharpened chef’s knife, slice the potato in half lengthwise. Flip each half so the flat side is facing down, then slice each one in half to make quarters.

Slicing a potato in half.
Quartering a potato.
Cutting a potato into wedges.

Slice the quarters in half on a 45-degree angle to make wedge shapes. You should end up with 4 wedges per potato half. If the potatoes are extra large, you may want to make one more cut.

Potato wedges are perfect for cooking into oven fries or roasted with rosemary (my personal fav!)

Option 2: Fries

Slice a small piece off of the potato lengthwise to make a flat surface. Flip the potato onto the flat side, then make slices as thick or as thin as you want your fries (about ¼-inch).

Slicing the end off of a potato.
Slicing a potato into slabs.
Cutting a potato into French fries.

Stack the slices on top of each other, then make lengthwise slices to form your French fries. Again, cut them approximately ¼-inch thick. 

French fries can be served fried, or level them up like we do with these Kimchi Fries or Truffle Fries!

Option 3: Diced

Repeat the same steps as laid out for the French fries. Once you reach the point of fries, keep them in a stack and rotate them 90 degrees. Cut them into small cubes, which are perfect for a morning hash!

Cutting a potato into French fries.
Cubing a potato.

Option 4: Chips

With the potato at a 90-degree angle to you, slice off one end. Continue making thin slices all the way through the potato.

Slicing a potato into chips.

Diced potatoes are a great addition to stews, like this Saag Aloo or Collard Green Potato Curry!

Option 5: Hasselback

Similar to potato chips or slices, place the potato at a 90-degree angle to you. Make thin slices all the way down the potato, but stop your knife a few millimeters before the bottom.

Making a hasselback potato.

If you are having a difficult time knowing where to stop cutting, place the potato between two chopsticks as a guide. It’s a fun, unique, and extra crispy way to enjoy potatoes! 

Try cooking hasselback potatoes in the slow cooker for maximum yum.

Tips for cutting potatoes

  • Sharp knife: Don’t forget to use a very sharp knife for precision cuts and safety! 
  • Use chopsticks: It’s easier to use chopsticks to cut up hasselback potatoes. You can do it without them, but they make a great guide.
  • Wash and dry: Rinse the potato under running water and dry it with a clean towel. This will help prevent slipping during cutting.
  • Cutting board: Always use a cutting board to prevent slippage and protect your knives and countertops.

Storing cut potatoes

If you find yourself with too many cut up potatoes, here are a few storage options to keep them fresh:

  • Fridge: The best way to keep your potatoes from turning brown is by submerging them in water and keeping them in your fridge. They will last for up to 24 hours this way. 
  • Freezer: Place your cut potatoes in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. Store them for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Cutting a potato in half.

Recipes with potatoes

Find out what I mean when I say potatoes are one of the most versatile vegetables out there! Here are just a few potato recipe ideas to get you excited about cooking with this tuber: 

  • Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
  • Mashed Potato Croquettes
  • Potato Leek Soup
  • Smashed Potatoes with Avocado Pesto

MANDOLINE SLICER

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Potato FAQs

Do I have to peel the potatoes before cutting them?

No, you don’t have to peel the potatoes before cutting them, but it’s best to give them a good scrub. Many of the healthy nutrients, like fiber, are found in the skin of potatoes. 

Can I use a mandoline to cut potatoes?

Yes, a mandoline can be very useful to cut potatoes if you’re cutting them into thin slices or potato chips. Just be careful using it as mandolines are extremely sharp.

How do I prevent potatoes from turning brown after cutting them?

The best way to prevent potatoes from turning brown after cutting them is to use them immediately, or keep them submerged in cold water before using them.

How to cut potatoes.

How To Cut Potatoes (5 Methods!)

No ratings yet
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Author: Sarah Bond
Calories:
Servings: 1 serving
Print Rate
Learn how to cut potatoes quickly, easily, and effectively with this simple step-by-step guide. From French fries to hasselback potatoes, it’s all covered here. Plus, you may just come away with some tips and tricks you never thought about!

Instructions 

Rinse & scrub

  • Potatoes (and tubers in general) are covered in dirt, so remember to rinse and scrub them with a vegetable brush.

Option 1: Wedges

  • With a freshly sharpened chef’s knife, slice the potato in half lengthwise. Flip each half so the flat side is facing down, then slice each one in half to make quarters.
  • Slice the quarters in half on a 45-degree angle to make wedge shapes. You should end up with 4 wedges per potato half. If the potatoes are extra large, you may want to make one more cut.

Option 2: Fries

  • Slice a small piece off of the potato lengthwise to make a flat surface. Flip the potato onto the flat side, then make slices as thick or as thin as you want your fries (about ¼-inch).
  • Stack the slices on top of each other, then make lengthwise slices to form your French fries. Again, cut them approximately ¼-inch thick.
    Cutting potatoes into fries.

Option 3: Diced

  • Repeat the same steps as laid out for the French fries. Once you reach the point of fries, keep them in a stack and rotate them 90°. Cut them into small cubes, which are perfect for a morning hash!
    Cutting potatoes into dices.

Option 4: Chips

  • With the potato at a 90° angle to you, slice off one end. Continue making thin slices all the way through the potato.
    Cutting potatoes into chips.

Option 5: Hasselback

  • Similar to potato chips or slices, place the potato at a 90° angle. Make thin slices all the way down the potato, but stop your knife a few mm before the bottom.
  • If you are having a difficult time knowing where to stop cutting, place the potato between two chopsticks as a guide. It’s a fun, unique, and extra crispy way to enjoy potatoes!
    Cutting potatoes into hasselback.
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