So many potato-based recipes start with the same step: “Boil the potatoes.” You see it time and again in recipes for mashed potatoes, potato salad, and more. But it's not a straightforward technique. The time it takes to boil potatoes, not to mention the amount of salt used (yes, you need salt!), can make the difference between an okay side dish and a truly great one. Different potato varieties require distinct cooking times (anywhere from 15 to 40 minutes).