Potato…. Pot-tah-to, either way you like to say it, let’s give the potatoes some love. We are talking all about red vs russet potatoes. The best culinary uses for each potato are right in this ultimate guide. Not all potatoes are equal when it comes to those delicious tubers.
There are so many different kinds of potatoes grown in the United States. The potato varieties range in flavor, texture, and cooking usage. In addition, some potatoes have high starch content, and some potatoes have medium starch content. The amount of starch content and water content in the potatoes is useful to consider when it comes to the type of potato for the cooking methods.
Before you head to the grocery store to get your potatoes, be sure to think about the purpose potatoes for which they will be used. Since potatoes are one of the major categories of the produce section of the grocery store, it is a very popular food for many households. Since it is a root vegetable, it lasts longer upon storage and is a very versatile ingredient. Lastly, potatoes are one of the most filling food items.
Guide to Red vs Russet Potatoes | Table of Contents
What is the Difference Between Red vs Russet Potatoes?
Are Red Potatoes Better for You than Russet?
Can I Substitute Red Potatoes for Russet?
What is a Red Potato?
Red Potatoes: Nutrition
Red Potatoes: Culinary Uses
What is a Russet Potato?
Russet Potatoes: Nutrition
Russet Potatoes: Culinary Uses
Best Potato for Potato Salad
Best Potato for French Fries
Other Types of Potatoes
What is the Difference Between Red vs Russet Potatoes?
The difference between red vs russet potatoes is that they are best for different culinary dishes. The red potatoes are best for potato salad and potato soups and stews. While the russets are best for baking and fluffy mashed potatoes.
In addition the red skin of the red potato is a thin skin, while the brown skin of the russet potato is much thicker.
The nutritional value of both types of potatoes are the same.
Are Red Potatoes Better for You than Russet?
When it comes to red potatoes and russet potatoes, the nutritional content is the same per serving. Rest assured that if you like either red or russet potatoes
Can I Substitute Red Potatoes for Russet?
Of course, if you need a substitution, you can swap out the russet potatoes for the red potatoes. However, they won’t be exactly the same. That said, the russets can be in place of the red, but if you are looking for a traditional baked potato with sour cream and chives, the red potatoes will not be the same.
Other than that, you can make some general substitutions but there will be some variance in the texture of the potato.
What is a Red Potato?
The red potato is a potato with smooth red skin and a waxy texture. It has a white flesh and a mild flavor that pairs well with many dishes.
Red Potatoes: Nutrition
The red-skinned potatoes have the following nutritional contents: 5.3 ounce potato is 110 calories, 26 g carbohydrate (carbs), 2 g dietary fiber, 3 g protein, potassium 620 mg, and vitamin C 27mg.
Red Potatoes: Culinary Uses
These delicious red potatoes are perfect for so many dishes. However, the best way to use red potatoes are the following according to USA Potatoes.
roasted potatoes with olive oil
potato salad
soups and stews with potatoes
steamed
boiled
Living in South Louisiana, we often use red potatoes for seafood boils. The texture of the red potato holds up well to the boiling seasoning and high temperatures of the cooking process.
In addition, red potatoes are great for making a potato salad and potato soup.
What is a Russet Potato?
The classic russet potato is brown skin potato that is generally a large size. The multi-use potato is easy to work with and ideal making baked potatoes and crispy golden potatoes.
Potatoes are on our white foods list as well.
Russet Potatoes: Nutrition
Delicious russet potatoes are nutritionally dense foods that provide carbohydrate for energy and contain potassium and vitamin c.
Just like the red potato, the russet 5.3 ounce potato is 110 calories, 26 g carbohydrate (carbs), 2 g dietary fiber, 3 g protein, potassium 620 mg, and vitamin C 27mg.
Many people consume potatoes when counting macro snack list.
Russet Potatoes: Culinary Uses
It’s amazing when you think of the variety of culinary uses that russet potatoes actually have and with good reason. Nevertheless, russet potatoes have a fluffy texture that is perfect for several traditional dishes that we eat such as baked potato with sour cream.
According to USA Potatoes, the russet potato is perfect for the following types of potatoes:
baked potato
sauteed potato
creamy mashed potatoes
french fries
hash browns
potato skins
Since russet potatoes are so versatile, many people use them for a variety of dishes, but baked potatoes and french fries are definitely one of the more common uses. Moreover, you can use russet potatoes in the air fryer as well to make a crispy french fry without the grease and saturated fat.
Did you know that you can make a baked potato in the air fryer? Here’s a recipe for an air fryer baked potato.
Best Potato for Potato Salad
The classic red potato is a great choice for potato salad.
Best Potato for French Fries
Russet potatoes are ideal white flesh potatoes for french fries. Fun fact, my daughter tried out for a kids cooking show and she was asked to cut french fries out of a russet potato.
Best Potato for Baked Potato
You guessed it, the versatile russet potato is the best for a baked potato. The russet potato skin is the ideal thicker potato skin for a baked potato. In addition, the russet potato skin is perfect for making ‘baked potato skins.’
Did you ever wonder how long cooked vegetables last? Find the full details.
Other Varieties of Potatoes
There are so many different types of potatoes that we would be doing this post an injustice if we didn’t mention them. From waxy potatoes to sweet potatoes, Idaho potatoes to Yukon gold potatoes, we are so lucky to have the choices of potatoes that we have in our local grocery stores.
starchy potatoes
white potatoes
purple potatoes
fingerling potatoes
baby potatoes
new potatoes aka round red potatoes
Potatoes are one a most filling food leaving one satisfied after eating the potato. However, potatoes are best paired with a variety of foods such as non-starchy vegetables, unsaturated fats like olive oil, and protein sources.
Nutritional Benefits of Potatoes
Potatoes are nutritionally dense foods that provide carbohydrate for energy and contain potassium and vitamin c.
a 5.3 ounce potato is 110 calories, 26 g carbohydrate (carbs), 2 g dietary fiber, 3 g protein, potassium 620 mg, and vitamin C 27mg.
Many athletes like potatoes because of the dense source of carbohydrates that they provide for energy. Additionally, potatoes are an important source of potassium which an electrolyte that athletes seek to replenish.
The potatoes are a source of vitamin c which is supportive of the immune system.
Potatoes sometimes get a negative connotation for their carbohydrate content. However, we need carbohydrates and potatoes are a great source of potassium and carbohydrates to fuel the body.
Moreover, potatoes are plant-based and in the vegetable category. Most people do not eat enough vegetable servings each day. Therefore, potatoes can help bridge that gap while also being a good way to mix other vegetables for a nutrient variety.
