Smothered potatoes is a traditional Southern side dish ready in only 40 minutes. It requires very simple ingredients to create the most delicious dish you will be sure to enjoy!
Potato recipes for side dishes are uncountable! From garlic Parmesan smashed potatoes, to creamy mashed potatoes or cottage cheese mashed potatoes, wedges, and potato salads (try our Turkish potato salad!), and everything in between, you will surely find something that will please every single person you are planning to feed.
These smothered potatoes not only require very few ingredients, but they are also very simple to prepare and require little time. It's a win-win situation if you ask me!
Serve them with grilled proteins or a stew, or add toppings to it. Crumble some cheese on top (try it with feta cheese, yum!), or add sliced sausage or fried chorizo, and you will need to stop yourself from finishing the bowl before dinner.
💎 Why This Recipe Works
- The combination of potatoes, onion, and garlic needs no further explanation. De-li-cious! Add thyme and paprika to the mix and you have an unbeatable warm side dish.
- This smothered potatoes recipe is extremely versatile and can be served with most main dishes, as well as be prepared in advance if you need to meal prep.
- If you are looking for a great morning alternative to Mexican breakfast potatoes or country potatoes, this is it. Serve it with scrambled eggs, sausages, sauteed mushrooms, and some ketchup.
🛒 Ingredients
- Potatoes: For smothered potatoes, choose starchy Russets for their fluffiness or Yukon Gold potatoes for a creamy texture. These varieties absorb all the flavors while cooking, and will give the best results. Ensure the potatoes are firm, without sprouts or green spots, indicating freshness and optimal cooking quality.
- Onions and Fresh Garlic: This recipe requires fresh ingredients, as these will caramelize as a first step. This adds so many layers of flavor to the smothered potatoes! Don't use garlic powder or onion powder, as it won't offer the same result.
Be sure to check out the recipe card for all the ingredients and instructions you'll need to make this dish. Don't miss out on any of the details!
♻️ Substitutions and Variations
- Seasoning: This recipe calls for paprika, however, I have tried it with chili powder too, and I love it! The added heat, paired with the earthiness of the thyme and sweetness of caramelized onions is pure perfection! Smoked paprika works too, however, it tends to overpower flavors, so start with very little and add more if required.
- Rosemary or Sage: These are great alternatives to thyme.
- Cajun Seasoning: For cajun smothered potatoes, swap the paprika and thyme for some cajun seasoning. In this case, I'd suggest also adding a chopped bell pepper too, for a very Southern smothered potatoes recipe!
- Broth: The recipe calls for chicken broth, however, if you want your smothered potatoes to be vegetarian, simply use vegetable broth instead.
- Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle some on top before serving to add a pop of color. I used parsley, however, dill or chopped green onions work great too!
- Vegetable Oil: You can use this instead of olive oil.
👩🏻🍳 How to Make Smothered Potatoes
- Saute the onion and garlic in olive oil until caramelized. Set aside. [Picture 1]
- Wash, peel, and slice the potatoes. Season them evenly. [Picture 2]
- Brown the slices of potatoes on both sides in butter. [Picture 3]
- Add the chicken broth and cook the smothered potatoes halfway. [Picture 4]
- Finish cooking and browning with the caramelized onions. [Picture 5]
- Sprinkle freshly chopped herbs on top, and serve. Enjoy! [Picture 6]
🙋♀️ People Also Ask [FAQs]
Yellow onions are preferred for their natural sweetness which caramelizes well, enhancing the dish’s flavor. If not available, shallots, brown, or white onions work well too.
Smoked sausage, bacon, chorizo, or ham can be added for extra flavor. I love using cubed pancetta too!
This dish is best served immediately when freshly made. To store in the fridge, place the potatoes in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. If you're in a rush, reheat them in a microwave or in a skillet over medium heat until hot. For best results, reheat them in an oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes, or until heated through, for the best texture. You can also freeze the smashed potatoes for up to two months. Thaw them in the fridge overnight before reheating them.
💡 Pro Tips
- Add Cream: Toward the end of cooking, add a dollop of crème fraîche or sour cream for a tangy finish, or a splash of heavy cream for a luxurious sauce. Choose the addition depending on what you are serving the smothered potatoes with!
- Cook In The Oven: If you are preparing these for a gathering and you have multiple dishes going at the same time, use your oven! After sautéing, transfer the dish to a low-temperature oven (about 325°F) to slow cook, allowing flavors to meld.
🍴 More Delicious Recipes to Try
Tried this recipe? Drop a ⭐ review and tag @TaterTales on Pinterest—we’d love to see your creation!
🍽️ Recipe
Smothered Potatoes
Ingredients
- 500 g Potatoes
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Onion
- 3 Garlic Cloves
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- 2 tablespoon All Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Paprika or Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme
- 300 ml Chicken Broth adjust as required as per recipe's instructions
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Parsley chopped to serve
Instructions
- Peel and slice the onions and chop the garlic.
- Add the olive oil in a heavy skillet or heavy-bottomed pan and heat it up on medium heat. Once warm, add the onion, garlic, a sprinkle of salt. Saute until the edges turn golden brown and the onions are cooked. This should take around 5 minutes.
- Remove the caramelized onion from the pan and set them aside.
- Wash and peel the potatoes, then rinse them again. Slice them into ¼-inch (6mm) thick rounds. Try to keep the slices uniform to ensure even cooking throughout the dish.
- Place the sliced potatoes in a large bowl and add the flour, paprika, dried thyme, salt and pepper. Mix well, ensuring each potato slice is coated in seasoning evenly.
- Add the butter to the same pan used for the onions and heat it up on medium heat.
- Once hot, add the seasoned potatoes in a single layer. If your skillet is small, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding. You will want both faces to brown for maximum flavor.
- Cook the potatoes for 5 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown. Do not turn them multiple times, just turn them once. This will keep their structure intact and the potatoes will be less likely to break.
- Fill the pan with chicken broth, just so that the potatoes are covered half way. Bring the broth to a gentle simmer, and cover the pan with a lid.
- After 10 minutes, gently flip the potatoes and add the caramelized onions on top, spreading them evenly.
- Finish cooking the smothered potatoes without the lid, allowing the liquid to completely dry out on a low to medium heat. This will take another 10 minutes approximately.
- Now the potatoes should be thoroughly cooked, so increase to medium high heat to finish the dish.
- Brown the potatoes on both sides for about 3 minutes, being careful when turning the thinly sliced potatoes so that they don't break. The flour added to the seasoning will help achieve a nice crunch.
- Once browned to your liking, these are ready to be tasted for seasoning.
- Serve immediately with some fresh parsley sprinled on top for freshness and color. Enjoy!
Notes
- Storing and Reheating: his dish is best served immediately when freshly made. To store in the fridge, place the potatoes in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. If you're in a rush, reheat them in a microwave or in a skillet over medium heat until hot. For best results, reheat them in an oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes, or until heated through, for the best texture. You can also freeze the smashed potatoes for up to two months. Thaw them in the fridge overnight before reheating them.
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