This southern fried potatoes recipe is an easy, delicious, old fashioned inspired side dish. They are so easy to make and are perfect for any meal including breakfast, lunch or dinner. These potatoes are made with simple ingredients and have the best southern flavour.
Why you will love this recipe:
- These southern fried potatoes and onions turn out perfectly and have the most incredible flavour. They are nice and crispy on the outside yet moist and tender on the inside. If you ask me they are the best fried potatoes!
- The best part is that they are quick and easy to make and are cooked in one skillet so the clean up is a breeze.
- This potato recipe is made with simple ingredients that you can find at any local grocery store.
- These home fries are really versatile. Serve them as a great side dish with any meal including breakfast, lunch or dinner and feel free to add other ingredients like cooked sausage to make them into a complete meal to be served as a main dish.
- They make great leftovers and are a great way to use up leftover bacon fat to reduce your food waste.
- This is a healthy side dish that is naturally gluten free, dairy free, paleo and Whole30 and I've included a vegan option too!
Key ingredients and substitutions:
- Russet potatoes - the base for this easy side dish. Russet potatoes are the preferred choice because their skin will get nice and crisp when you fry them however if you don't have russet potatoes you could use antlers type of potato such as Yukon gold potatoes, or red potatoes.
- Onion - to help give these pan fried potatoes the most incredible, aromatic flavour. You can use white onion, yellow onion or sweet onion to make these pan-fried potatoes.
- Bacon fat - this cooking fat helps make the most crispy potatoes and gives them an amazing flavour. You could easily use butter, coconut oil or ghee instead of bacon grease to fry these potatoes instead.
- Salt and black pepper - I kept the spices simple for this recipe but you could easily add other spices such as garlic powder or onion powder to give these diced potatoes extra flavor.
How to make this recipe:
Step one:
First you will wash and dry the raw potatoes and then chop them into pieces, approximately 0.5-0.75 inches square.
Step two:
Next you will melt the fat in a large skillet or large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Once the fat is melted, add the chopped potatoes, chopped onion, salt and pepper. Stir everything well and then cover the skillet. Cook everything together for 10-12 minutes, stirring frequently so the potatoes don't stick to the skillet.
Step three:
Now remove the lid from the skillet and turn up the temperature to medium high heat. Cook everything for another 10-12 minutes, stirring frequently to crisp up the potatoes and cook them until they are golden brown.
Top Tips:
- For best results try and cut the potatoes into similar sizes so that the small pieces cook at the same rate.
- Be sure to stir the potatoes frequently while cooking to prevent them from sticking to the skillet or pan.
- Be sure to use enough oil to cover the skillet when cooking these potatoes. Feel free to add a little more oil if the potatoes are starting to stick to the bottom of the pan.
- I love using a cast iron skillet to make these potatoes because they turn out super crispy, but any type of skillet, pan, or non-stick skillet will do to cook these sliced fried potatoes.
Variations and add ins:
- Instead of bacon fat or bacon drippings you can use butter, coconut oil, or ghee to cook these hash browns.
- Instead of Russet potatoes you could use other kind of potatoes but just note that they likely won't get as crispy.
- To turn this into a complete meal add some cooked, chopped sausage.
- To make this recipe vegan: use vegan butter or coconut oil instead of bacon fat to cook this potato dish.
- Feel free to add other spices such as garlic powder, a little bit of creole seasoning or chili powder to give these potatoes a different flavour.
- To add even more vegetables, add some chopped bell peppers to this simple recipe.
How to serve:
You can serve these cubed potatoes in many different ways. They make great breakfast potatoes and area also the perfect side dish to pair with your favorite main dishes such as steak, pork chops, lamb chops, breakfast sausage, eggs, burgers, bacon, salmon patties, or other fish dishes.
This tasty side dish is delicious served as is but you could also top these skillet potatoes with a little sour cream or ketchup if you wish.
How to store:
Store any leftover cooked potatoes and onions in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
I do not recommend freezing these potatoes. They turn out pretty mushy when they are thawed.
Frequently asked questions:
Nope! For this recipe of souther fried potatoes and onions there is no need to boil the potatoes first. They get nice and crispy simply by frying them.
You can reheat them in the microwave, but they won't stay as crisp. Instead I recommend reheating them in a skillet with a little oil or in the oven on a baking sheet at 350F.
I have personally not tried making these fried potatoes and onions in an air fryer but if you do try it please let me know how the recipe turns out.
Other potato recipes you will love:
- Green Beans and Potatoes
- Sweet Potato Rice
- Crispy Potato Wedges
- Healthy Scalloped Potatoes
- Healthy Potato Salad
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Recipe
Southern Fried Potatoes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lbs russet potatoes
- 1/4 cup bacon fat (or butter or coconut oil)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper (more or less to taste)
Instructions
- Wash and dry the potatoes and cut them into cubes, ~0.5-0.75 inches square.
- Melt the bacon fat in a skillet over medium heat and add the potatoes, onions, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and cover, cooking for 10-12 minutes, stirring every couple minutes.
- Remove the cover from the skillet and turn the heat up to medium-high. Cook for another 10-12 minutes, occasionally stirring the potatoes and onions to get that perfect brown crust on the potatoes.
Notes
- Instead of bacon fat you can use butter or coconut oil for this recipe.
- Feel free to add other seasonings such as garlic powder, or chili spice.
- If you prefer to peel your potatoes you can do so.
- To make this recipe vegan use coconut oil or vegan butter to fry these potatoes.
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