What Are Country Potatoes?
Country potatoes are a simple, satisfying dish with a crispy outside and a soft, fluffy inside. They’re the perfect comfort food!
What’s great about this recipe is that it’s super flexible. You can serve country potatoes for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Plus, it’s easy on the wallet and you can change it up however you like.
This guide will show you how to make the perfect, delicious country potatoes, with tips and tricks to make them your own.
Ingredients for country potatoes
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of these savory spuds:
Core ingredients
- Potatoes: 4 medium potatoes (about palm-sized), or around 700 grams (1.5 lb). Russets, Yukon Golds, Maris Pipers, King Edwards, or Sebago potatoes all work well.
- Onion: 1 small onion, diced.
- Olive oil: 3 tablespoons.
Seasoning
- Salt and pepper: 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper.
- Optional spices: 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder.
Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your liking. A little cayenne pepper can add a nice kick!
Preparing the potatoes
Potato Prep
First, give your potatoes a good scrub. If you like, you can peel them, but I prefer to leave the skins on for added flavor and texture.
Dice the potatoes into roughly half-inch cubes. Try to make them about the same size, so they’ll cook evenly.
Optional parboiling
Want to take your potatoes to the next level of crispy? Parboil them for a few minutes before you toss them into the skillet or oven. This step is completely optional, but I highly recommend it if you want the crispiest country potatoes ever.
How to make country potatoes in a skillet
- Sauté the aromatics: Heat some olive oil in a big skillet over medium heat. Toss in the chopped onion and cook it for about 5 minutes, until it’s soft and translucent. If you’re using garlic, add it now and cook for another minute until you can really smell it.
- Add the potatoes: Put the diced potatoes in the skillet. Now’s the time to add salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme.
- Cook: Cook the potatoes, stirring every so often. You want them to get tender and golden brown, which should take around 20 to 25 minutes. Try not to stir too much, or they won’t brown and crisp up. Check them every 5 minutes to make sure they’re not burning.
- Finishing touches: Before you serve them, sprinkle some fresh parsley or other herbs like chives or cilantro on top.
How to make country potatoes in the oven
This is a simple method that delivers crispy, flavorful potatoes with minimal effort. Here’s how to do it:
- Prep for roasting: Preheat your oven to 450ºF/230ºC. In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Make sure all the potatoes are evenly coated.
- Roast the potatoes: Spread the potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast for 15 minutes. Then, add the diced onions to the baking sheet (adding them later helps prevent burning).
- Keep roasting: Continue roasting for another 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown and crispy. Remember to flip the potatoes halfway through the roasting process for even browning.
- Final touches: Once the potatoes are done, toss them with freshly chopped herbs before serving. Parsley, chives, or rosemary work great!
Tips for Perfect Country Potatoes
- Even Cooking: Chop the potatoes into pieces of uniform size.
- Crispiness: Don’t pile too many potatoes into the pan. They need space to brown. Parboiling them can also help them crisp up.
- Burning: Keep a close eye on the potatoes while they cook, especially in the oven. You may need to adjust the cooking time. Add the onions later, so they don’t burn.
Variations and Add-ins
Country potatoes are already delicious, but you can always make them your own! Here are a few ideas:
- Veggies: Dice up some bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, celery, peas, or sweetcorn and toss them in with the potatoes.
- Spices: Get creative with your spice rack! Cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, dill, cumin, coriander, Italian herbs, chives, or red pepper flakes can all add a unique kick.
- Potato Power: Try mixing regular potatoes with sweet potatoes for a sweeter, earthier flavor.
Serving Suggestions
These potatoes are so versatile! Here are just a few ideas:
- Breakfast: Serve them up with fried eggs, crispy bacon, and savory sausage for a hearty start to your day.
- Lunch: They’re a fantastic side dish for a sandwich or salad.
- Dinner: Pair them with grilled chicken, flaky fish, a juicy steak, or tender lamb. You can even use them as the base for a delicious hash!
In Closing
Country potatoes are a humble dish, but they’re so satisfying. Plus, you can enjoy them in so many ways!
Don’t be afraid to play around with the recipe and add your own special touches.
Whether it’s a fast weeknight supper or a slow weekend brunch, country potatoes are always a crowd-pleaser.