How to Boil Plantains

Last Updated: January 15, 2023 References

Boiled plantains are a staple of African, Caribbean, and Central and South American cuisine. When boiling your own plantains at home, always start with green or yellow fruit that’s firm to the touch and relatively free of spots in order to make sure they don’t come out too soft. Slice off the ends, then cut them in half and add them to a pot of boiling water. Cook the plantains for 15-30 minutes, during which time they’ll turn a deep yellow color and become scrumptiously sweet.

Ingredients

2-5 green or yellow plantains
Water
Salt (to taste)
1 tablespoon (15 mL) of olive oil (optional)
½ tablespoon (7.4 g) of onion powder (optional)

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Cutting and Peeling the Plantains

1
Pick out a few firm, ripe plantains. Since the hot water will soften the fruit up quite a bit, it’s best to start with plantains that are ripe but still firm to the touch. Yellow plantains should have just a little give, with few (if any) brown spots. Green plantains should be harder, with a uniform color and no spotting.^{[1]
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- If you use overly ripe plantains, they may become mushy by the time they’re done.^{[2]
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2
Slice the ends off the plantains. Lay out your plantains on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to remove the stems roughly 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the top and bottom of the fruit. Getting these parts out of the way will make it easier to peel the plantains.^{[3]
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- Removing the stems also lets in more heat, helping the plantains cook through faster.
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3
Cut the plantains in half. Lay out the plantains on a cutting board and slice them through the middle width-wise. This will reduce them to a more manageable size, allowing them to fit more easily inside a pot.^{[4]
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- Plantains can be pretty tough, so make sure the knife you’re using is nice and sharp.
4
Peel the plantains to reduce their cook time slightly. Once you’ve cut the plantains in half, use the tip of your knife to score the skin from one end to the other. Take hold of the skin on either side of the cut and pull it apart to expose the fruit underneath. Be gentle to avoid damaging the fruit.^{[5]
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- Your plantains won’t take as long to boil if you remove their skin first.
- If you prefer, you can also simply score the skins from end to end and finish peeling them once they’re fully cooked.^{[6]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Heating the Water

1
Fill a large pot with water. Make sure the pot you’re using is big enough to hold all the plantains you want to boil. A full-sized stockpot is recommended for boiling several plantains at once, but you may also be able to get by with a deep saucepan if you’re only preparing 1 or 2.^{[7]
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- Be careful not to overfill the pot, or the water could slosh out once it comes to a boil.
2
Bring the water to a boil. Turn on the cooktop to high heat and allow the water to begin warming up. Depending on the size and volume of your pot, the water should reach a boil within about 6-10 minutes.^{[8]
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- If you’re in a rush, you can save a few minutes by putting your water on while you slice and peel the plantains.
3
Add a pinch of salt to the water. If you like, you can throw some salt in with your boiling water. A little bit of salt will impart a subtle savory note, balancing out the starchy sweetness of the plantains.^{[9]
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- If you’re not sure how much salt to use, start with about 1 teaspoon (4.2 g). You can always add more once the plantains have finished cooking in order to get the desired flavor.^{[10]
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- Avoiding adding too much salt, as this could overpower the mild flavor of the plantains and make them unappetizing.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Cooking the Plantains

1
Boil the plantains for 15-30 minutes. As the plantains cook, the heat from the water will begin breaking down their rich sugars, unlocking more of their natural sweetness. By the 15-20 minute mark, the fruit should have taken on a deep yellow color and become nice and tender.^{[11]
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- Set a timer to help you keep track of how long the plantains have been boiling.
- If there are still white spots in the fruit at the end of your cook time, it means it’s not quite ready. Leave the plantains on the stove for another 5-6 minutes until they’re a uniform yellow color.^{[12]
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- Green plantains may need as long as 30 minutes to cook all the way through.
2
Remove the plantains from the hot water using a pair of tongs. The plantains will be extremely hot, so be sure to fish them out with a separate utensil. If you don’t have any tongs handy, you could also spear them with a knife or scoop them out using a metal spatula or serving fork.
- Place the plantains on a layer of paper towels to absorb some of the excess water, or simply transfer them straight to their intended serving dish.
- Never attempt to remove cooked items from a pot of boiling water by hand. Doing so could result in a serious burn!
3
Allow the plantains to cool for 2-3 minutes before serving. Once most of the steam has dissipated, the plantains will be ready to eat. They're best when they're warm, but not scalding hot.
- If you dig in before your plantains have had time to cool down sufficiently, you could burn your mouth.
4
Peel the plantains if you boiled them with the skin on. To avoid burning your hands, use a fork and knife to safely open up the peel and uncover the delicious fruit underneath. Once that’s done, discard the skins and enjoy!^{[13]
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- Plantains should always be peeled prior to eating.
5
Mash boiled plantains to savor their soft texture. As an optional final step, you can use the flat side of a fork to mash your plantains to a smooth, creamy consistency. Keep mashing and stirring until the purée is mostly free of lumps. This is just another way to enjoy the versatile fruit.^{[14]
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- Mashed boiled plantains are an incredibly popular breakfast dish in the Dominican Republic, where they’re known as mangú.
- Traditional versions of mangú also incorporate olive oil and onion powder for more of a savory take on a sweet treat. For every 2 plantains you use, add roughly 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of oil and ½ tablespoon (7.4 g) onion powder.

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Question

Is boiled plantain good for you?

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Yes, plantains are rich in fiber, vitamins (like vitamin C, A, and K), and minerals, such as potassium and magnesium. They’re very starchy, but the starch they contain is resistant to digestion, so it doesn’t cause a sharp spike in blood sugar like some other sources of starch (like white rice, bread, or potatoes). They’re good for your balance of healthy gut bacteria and may also help you control your weight and blood sugar levels.
Question

How do you know when a plantain is ready to cook?

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You can cook a plantain at almost any stage of ripeness, but you’ll get a different flavor and texture depending on how far along it is. If your plantain is really ripe (yellow with a lot of spots or dark brown all over), boiling it will produce a fairly mushy result. Riper plantains are also sweeter, so you might want to choose a green or slightly yellow plantain if you’d prefer a more firm and savory dish.
Question

What can I eat boiled plantain with?

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You can use boiled plantains in place of potatoes in soups or stews, or pair them with scrambled eggs and salsa for a zesty breakfast. Boiled plantains also make a great snack on their own or paired with a spicy mango sauce or savory salsa.