Country potatoes cooked in a cast iron skillet are a true Southern comfort classic, bringing back memories of old-fashioned family breakfasts and hearty dinners.
These potatoes are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with flavor from onions, peppers, and a perfect blend of seasonings. Whether you're serving them up for breakfast alongside eggs and bacon or as a savory side dish for dinner, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
Table of Contents
- 🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- 🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
- 📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- 🔪 Step-by-step guide: instructions for success
- 🍴Must have tools: essential equipment
- 🥫 Leftover love: how to store and reheat country potatoes
- Marye's Tip o' the day
- 💭 Insider tips: things to know
- 👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
- 📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
- 🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with
- 🍽️ No waste: creative ways to repurpose country potatoes
- 📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.
🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- Seasoned just right, with crispy crusts and buttery, tender interior, these potatoes are always a family favorite.
- Serve this hearty side dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner - you can't go wrong!
- Be sure to let the cast iron skillet get good and hot before beginning to cook.
This country potatoes recipe is the perfect blend of crispy and tender, making it irresistible for any meal. The process is quick and easy, ideal for busy mornings or when you need a comforting side dish in a hurry.
Plus, cooking in a cast iron skillet enhances the flavor and gives the potatoes that old-fashioned, rustic charm that’s hard to beat.
🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- Does it bacon? Add some cooked, crumbled bacon for extra flavor. Or, cooked crumbled sausage is good, too.
- Cheese please: Top with some shredded cheddar cheese just before serving for a gooey, cheesy twist.
- Spice it up: You can also swap out the bell peppers for poblano or jalapeño for a little kick of heat.
- Make it hearty: Top with fried or poached eggs for a hearty breakfast option.
- More flavor: Add a pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, or fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme.
🔪 Step-by-step guide: instructions for success
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page. Click on the image to see it full size.
Cut the potatoes in evenly sized pieces.
Once the skillet is hot, add the vegetable oil and carefully add the potato, and the spices to the skillet in an even layer.
Let potatoes cook for 5 minutes or so. Add the onion and bell pepper and continue cooking.
If using fresh parsley, finely chop it and sprinkle it over the cooked potatoes.
🤫 Marye's secret for zhuzhing it up -
For an extra boost of flavor, toss in a little smoked paprika or a splash of apple cider vinegar near the end of cooking. It adds a depth of flavor that takes these potatoes to the next level.
zhuzh: verb. To make something more interesting or attractive
🍴Must have tools: essential equipment
- Cast iron skillet
- Sharp knife for dicing vegetables
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Spatula for stirring
🥫 Leftover love: how to store and reheat country potatoes
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the skillet over medium heat to restore their crispiness, or pop them in the air fryer for a quick refresh.
To freeze, spread the cooled potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 3 months.
Reheat in the oven, air fryer, or skillet until warmed through.
Marye's Tip o' the day
Russet potatoes work best for this recipe due to their starchy texture, which helps achieve that perfect crispy exterior.
💭 Insider tips: things to know
- Cut the potatoes into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Preheating the cast iron skillet ensures that the potatoes crisp up nicely from the moment they hit the pan.
- Use a high smoke-point oil like vegetable oil to ensure the potatoes get crispy without burning. If there are no allergies peanut oil is the best.
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet—this helps the potatoes get that perfect crispy exterior.
- If you’re in a hurry, par-cook the potatoes in the microwave for a few minutes before adding them to the skillet.
- I like to stir in a little bacon grease for extra flavor.
👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!
While russet potatoes work best for their starchy texture, you can also use Yukon Gold or red potatoes. Just keep in mind that different varieties may yield slightly different textures.
Feel free to customize the recipe with your favorite vegetables such as diced tomatoes, mushrooms, or even zucchini. Just ensure they are chopped into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
While a cast iron skillet yields the best results, you can use a non-stick skillet or baking sheet instead. Just adjust the cooking time and keep an eye on the potatoes to prevent burning.
⏲️ Marye's time saving hacks -
Pre-cook the potatoes in the microwave for a few minutes before adding them to the skillet. This cuts down on cooking time and ensures they get perfectly crispy. Or, use leftover potatoes.
📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with
Spoon this white sausage gravy over your potatoes instead of biscuits. Or, why choose? Do both!
For a brunch, lunch, or light dinner serve those delectable country potatoes next to this sausage and cheese quiche.
Make it an old-fashioned meal with this vintage Heinz 57 meatloaf recipe.
🍽️ No waste: creative ways to repurpose country potatoes
- Turn leftover country potatoes into a breakfast hash by adding scrambled eggs and leftover meat.
- Roll into a breakfast burrito.
- Or, toss them into a frittata for a quick and hearty meal.
📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Cast Iron Country Potatoes
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 5 medium russet potatoes, cut into small cubes
- 1 large red onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, optional
Instructions
- Place your cast iron skillet on the stove over medium-high heat and allow it to preheat for a few minutes. This ensures that the potatoes will sizzle and crisp up as soon as they hit the pan.
- While the skillet is heating up, wash the russet potatoes thoroughly and pat them dry with a kitchen towel.
- Cut them into small, uniform cubes, about ½ inch in size. The uniform size ensures even cooking.
- Peel and chop the red onion into small pieces. Remove the seeds and membranes from the red bell pepper and chop it into similar-sized pieces as the onion.
- Once the skillet is hot, add the vegetable oil and carefully add the potato, and the spices to the skillet in an even layer.
- Mix and use a spatula to spread them out into a single layer, ensuring they have enough space to crisp up.
- Let the potatoes cook undisturbed for about 5-7 minutes, allowing them to develop a golden brown crust on the bottom.
- After the bottoms have turned golden brown, use a spatula to flip the potatoes over.
- Add the onion and bell pepper and continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes, or until the potatoes are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
- If using fresh parsley, finely chop it and sprinkle it over the cooked potatoes.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- Russet potatoes work best for this recipe due to their starchy texture, which helps achieve that perfect crispy exterior.
- Use a high smoke-point oil like vegetable oil to ensure the potatoes get crispy without burning.
- Cut the potatoes into uniform cubes to ensure they cook evenly.
- Preheating the cast iron skillet ensures that the potatoes crisp up nicely from the moment they hit the pan.
- Overcrowding the skillet can lead to steaming rather than frying the potatoes. Cook them in batches if necessary.
- Feel free to adjust the seasonings according to your taste preferences. Add more chili powder for extra heat or reduce the salt if you prefer a lower sodium content.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
Comments
No Comments