Make delicious, golden brown fried potatoes that are crispy outside and tender inside. This simple pan-fried potatoes recipe uses bacon grease for authentic flavor, perfect for breakfast or as a side dish.
Author:mayathompson
Prep Time:15 min
Cook Time:30 min
Total Time:45 min
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Side Dish
Method:Pan Frying
Cuisine:American
Diet:Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and diced small
1 small sweet onion, diced small
½ cup bacon grease (or substitute with oil for a vegetarian option)
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon Creole seasoning (or substitute with paprika and garlic powder mix)
Instructions
Prepare the potatoes: Place the diced potatoes in a large bowl and cover them completely with cold water. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch. Drain the potatoes well and pat them completely dry with paper towels. This step is key for crispy fried potatoes.
Heat the fat: Place a large, heavy-bottomed skillet (cast iron works best) over medium-high heat. Add the bacon grease and let it heat until it shimmers.
Cook the potatoes: Add the dried potatoes to the hot skillet in a single layer if possible. Do not overcrowd the pan; work in batches if necessary. Let the potatoes cook undisturbed for 8 to 10 minutes until a deep golden-brown crust forms on the bottom.
Flip and continue cooking: Stir or flip the potatoes gently. Continue cooking, stirring only every 5 to 7 minutes, to allow the potatoes to develop more crispy edges. This process takes about 15 to 20 minutes total for the potatoes to become tender inside.
Add onions and seasoning: Once the potatoes are nearly done and golden brown, add the diced onion to the skillet. Cook for another 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions caramelize slightly and the potatoes reach your desired tenderness and crispness.
Season and serve: Stir in the salt, pepper, and Creole seasoning. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve these home fried potatoes immediately as a flavorful side dish.
Notes
For extra crispiness, consider par-boiling the diced potatoes in salted water for 5 minutes before drying them completely.
If you skip the bacon grease, use a neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil, or use butter for flavor.
To achieve diner style potatoes, keep the heat medium-high and avoid stirring too frequently.