A guide to picking the perfect potato.

Potatoes are extremely versatile and seem like a simple enough veg, but if you’ve ever been stuck with glue-like mash, not-so-crispy French fries, or shapeless gnocchi, you’ve learnt that using the wrong variety can be a total disaster.

As a rule of thumb, it’s helpful to remember that starchy potatoes don’t hold their shape, whereas waxy potatoes do - and if you’re a spontaneous chef, all-purpose potatoes have you covered. Keep scrolling to find which versatile variety is the perfect mash for your recipe.

White Potatoes

With their thin skin, white potatoes are appealing because you can skip the peeling for your mashed. They’re also an excellent all-purpose potato, holding their shape when grilled or in potato salads. 

Russet Potatoes

This starchy spud was made for baked potatoes - top it with butter or enjoy it fully loaded. Its versatile texture is also great for French fries (keep the skin on for maximum crispiness), gnocchi, scalloped potatoes, and mashed.

Fingerling Potatoes

These waxy veggies are smaller than your average potato and aren’t made for mash (trust us). Keep their peel for a crispy crust - slice them in half, season, and roast them. 

Yellow Potatoes

Slightly waxy but a more buttery variety than most, the yellow potato isn’t only a match made in heaven for mashed potatoes but is also the ideal spud for smashed potatoes - simply boil, smash, season, roast, and enjoy.

Sweet Potatoes

You know them, you love them - the sweetness of these orange potatoes is ideal for tons of recipes from oven-roasted in maple and rosemary to French fries and even pie. If you really want them to shine, try our infinity sweet potato dish or our sweet potato, pancetta, and feta quiche.

Little Potatoes

If you tend to forget about a side dish, these multicoloured potatoes are your saviours. These little guys can be roasted in no time (or even boiled whole and dipped in butter).

Purple Potatoes

Purple through and through, these firm potatoes are similar to the starchy Russet but with a slightly nutty twist. They’re an all-purpose potato and perfect for adding some colour to your plate - showcase them in a potato or green salad.

Purple Potatoes with Yellow Flesh

Also known as the Huckleberry Gold, this potato is the elevated version of the all-purpose Yukon Gold. It’s best used in recipes like homemade chips, potato wedges, and Hasselback potatoes.

Pink Potatoes with Pink Flesh

Originally from France, this pretty pink potato holds its shape when cooked, but don’t attempt mashing it (you risk a sticky situation). It’s ideal diced and fried in an omelette or steamed for a simple buttery side dish.

Red Potatoes

On the waxy side, this creamy potato’s slightly sweeter than the white potato. They hold their shape so they can be cubed and tossed into a stew or salad. For more inspo, check out our recipe for potato, pancetta, and broccoli fritters or burgers with hand-cut fries.

Blue Potatoes

Your dinner guests will be anything but blue when you serve these guys. They have thin skin (so say goodbye to your peeler), a soft, moist texture, and a nutty, earthy flavour. Cut them into wedges, enjoy them smashed and roasted, or even fry your own colourful chips.

We’d love to see what you turn your go-to potato into - share your signature dish with your fellow Lufavores on our Facebook and Instagram pages.