I hesitated in writing this post, thinking, “Everyone already knows how to make fried potatoes, right?”  

While this is probably true, I think everyone needs a good reminder once in awhile.

I personally can go months or years forgetting about some of my all-time favorite meals!

Fried potatoes with onion, red pepper, garlic, and spicy Chilean pebre sauce

About The Recipe: Pan-Fried Potatoes

Fried potatoes is my ultimate go-to meal. One that I always seem to have the right ingredients on hand to make.

For me, nothing beats a pan full of hot and crisp fried potatoes. I never make them the same way twice – but I am particularly fond of spice so I usually add in a spicy element (like cayenne, serrano peppers, Fresno chilies, or spicy Chilean pebre sauce).

Also, I usually throw in whatever extra ingredients I have on hand, such as green or red bell pepper, garlic, roasted corn, mushrooms, or even eggs.

Check out this extra-crispy oven baked potatoes recipe:

Par Cooking The Potatoes

If you are shredding potatoes or cutting them very thin, you can avoid par cooking them.

However, if you’re cutting the potatoes into larger chunks, you may want to partially cook them in water before transferring to the skillet. You want the potatoes to be crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Par cooking, or boiling the potatoes in water to partially cook them before you start frying, helps ensure that the potatoes are fully cooked on the inside. If you’re starting out with raw potatoes, you’ll need to fry them longer to ensure they’re cooked through.

Fried potatoes with onions, eggs, and cheese

I think these fried potatoes are worthy of a blog post because they’re super cheap, modifiable, and appropriate not only for breakfast or lunch, but also for a quick throw-together meal for one. Hearty, unfussy, and nourishing. A use-what-you-already-have sort of meal. Please feel free to add your own ideas below!

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Pan-Fried Potatoes

Yield: 2 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

This is the basic, bare-bones recipe for fried potatoes. Add your own favorite vegetables, herbs, and spices to make this dish your own.

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Ingredients

• 2 medium potatoes, your choice
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Shred or slice potatoes and rinse with cold water. Drain and dry potatoes completely, using a paper towel to remove excess water, if necessary.
2. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add onions and then potatoes. Cook for about 4 to 5 minutes on one side, then flip over to brown the other side. Stir potatoes to avoid burning, and to ensure even cooking. Add a bit more oil to the pan, if necessary. Season with salt and pepper.

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