What type of potatoes do I need to use for each form of cooking?

Do you ever panic in the potato aisle trying to choose the perfect type of potato for dinner? (I have, which is why I made these notes for myself!)

It can get very confusing trying to remember which type of potatoes are best for mash, roast, chips, or salad.

So bookmark this page, to remind yourself of which type of potatoes you need to buy for your next meal!

Find the section below for the potatoes you need for your next dinner, with #1 being the best option for each section. I live in the UK so all of these potato types are British names.

Please note, there are hundreds of different types of potatoes, I have only listed the most common and popular, and what are most readily available in most shops and supermarkets.

CHIPS

You need a floury type, with a high-starch content - these absorb less oil and create a golden crust on the outside, making the inside light and fluffy.

1. Maris Piper

2. King Edward

3. Rooster (red)

MASH

Choose a potato with high starch content for a light and fluffy mash, and medium starch content for a more creamy mash. These are good for absorbing butter and cream.

1. Maris Piper

2. King Edward

3. All-rounder

4. Melody

BOILED / SALAD

Choose a waxy potato type - these are low in starch and high in moisture, they hold their shape without turning mushy.

1. Jersey Royals

2. Charlotte

3. New potatoes

4. Baby potatoes

5. Red potatoes (regal red, red alouette)

6. Fingerlings (Anya, Russian banana, pink fir apple, French)

ROAST & JACKET

The below are starchy and floury types, resulting in a roast potato that stays fluffy on the inside while crispy on the outside.

1. Maris piper

2. King Edward

3. Sante

4. All-rounder

5. Red (rooster, desiree)

6. Melody

7. Baby potatoes

8. Vivaldi