Fried Potatoes and Onions

Fried Potatoes and Onions, nicely crispy golden brown on the outside with a moist, fluffy center loaded with amazing flavors from Creole seasoning and sweet, savory caramelized onions. Quick and easy comfort food you can enjoy any time of the day!

A skillet full of fried potatoes and onions

Fried potatoes and onions are one of my favorite comfort foods up to now. In fact, it is so much of a favorite that I cook it way too very often. I just can’t resist the crispy golden brown skin and the melt-in-your-mouth softness of the potatoes loaded with incredible flavors.

How can I forget the buttery and garlicky goodness in every bite? Aaah! So amazingly tasty! Plus, the subtle sweetness and spiciness of the caramelized onions really take it to a higher level of deliciousness.

Content…

How to Liven Them Up
Recipe Ingredients
How to Fry Them
Recipe Variations
Tips and Tricks
Make-Ahead Instructions
Serving and Storage Instructions
FAQs
What to Serve
More Easy Comfort Food Recipes to Try
Conclusion
Watch How to Make It

cooked potatoes and onions on a serving spoon

How to Liven Up Fried Potatoes and Onions

And on top of that, I add a pinch of Creole Seasoning instead of the classic salt and pepper. Yes! It works wonders. It can really turn a simple dish into a restaurant-quality meal. Once you taste it, you’ll never go back! 

Recipe Ingredients

What you need to make this recipe

Traditional Recipe:  The fried potatoes and onions recipe has only five ingredients:

  1. Olive Oil – refined or light olive oil is best for pan-frying. 
  2. Salt and Pepper – Bring out the best flavor in every dish with these basic pantry staples.
  3. Potatoes – Russet or Yukon Gold are the recommended type of potatoes to use. They are both starchy and waxy, perfect for frying.
  4. Onion – These babies get sweeter as they caramelize. Here’s how I cut my onions

My Recipe: You know me… I can whip up a good recipe from simple to amazing dishes without complicated techniques. My secret to these delicious Southern Potatoes? Just add:

  1. Creole Seasoning (optional) – This flavor booster adds to the comfort in this comfort-food fried potatoes and onions. Here’s the recipe for my homemade Creole Seasoning so you can make it yourself if you can’t find it in your local store.
  2. Garlic (Optional) – Who doesn’t love that garlicky taste and aroma in any dish? It’s also super easy to add depth of flavor to anything that involves sauteing.  
  3. Parsley –  This tasty herb serves as a contrast to emphasize the other flavors in this dish, and it’s also a gorgeous garnish.

How to Fry Potatoes and Onions

Heat the oil and add the main ingredients
Add the onions and finishing touches
  • Heat – On medium-high heat, heat oil and butter on a heavy skillet or cast iron pan. Then, add the sliced potatoes to the pan. (Photos 1-3)
  • Season – With salt, pepper, and creole seasoning, generously season your potatoes.  (Photo 4)
  • Crust Let it crust for 2-3 minutes, then turn it over. Add the onions and garlic. (Photos 5-6)
  • Caramelize the Onions – Keep gently turning over the onions and potatoes for about 20 minutes until the onions caramelize and the potatoes become evenly golden. Adjust seasoning and garnish with parsley. Serve immediately with an omelet or steak. (Photos 7-8)
fried potatoes and onions with omelet on a plate

Recipe Variations

  1. Seasoning Swap – Basil, oregano, Italian seasoning, rosemary, and thyme are aromatic herbs that add a distinct flavor to any dish.
  2. Cheese – It only gets better when you add grated parmesan or cheddar. Umami is such a fun word, and it tastes even better than it sounds.
  3. Bacon makes everything better. Don’t you agree? This smoky protein takes your potatoes and onions over the top.
  4. Spice it Up – Sriracha, chili pepper flakes, and cayenne give this recipe a pleasant bite.

Tips and Tricks

  1. Soak your potatoes in water for at least 20 minutes because too much potato starch will prevent a nice crisp exterior.
  2. Dry the potatoes before frying, so the oil doesn’t spatter.
  3. Don’t overcrowd the potatoes in the pan because it can result in soggy, mushy potatoes.
  4. Make sure that the pan is hot enough. Uncover the pan for about 5 minutes before the end of cooking to release the steam to achieve crispy potatoes with a soft and fluffy center.
  5. Don’t over-stir the potatoes, or you may end up with mashed potatoes.
  6. Don’t overcrowd onions, as the moisture will steam them instead of caramelizing them.

Make-Ahead Instructions

You can peel and slice your potatoes ahead of time. Just put them in a clean bowl submerged in water, covered. They’ll last raw in the fridge for two days. Drain and fry them up according to the instructions. Or you can also use leftover baked or boiled potatoes. Just slice them and fry them up. The flavor and texture will be slightly different but still delicious.

Serving and Storage Instructions

Potatoes are usually best served hot off the stove. I love this for breakfast, just add some scrambled eggs and pour a cup of coffee, and you’re good to go.

Store leftover fried potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator after they’ve cooled to room temperature (not longer than 2 hours after cooking). They’ll last 2-3 days, and you can crisp them back up in a skillet with a little oil.

fried potatoes and onions on a cast iron pan

FAQs

Should you cook the potatoes first?

You don’t need to. Raw-fried potatoes and cooked-fried potatoes have slightly different textures. I love to fry leftover potatoes that are already cooked using the same method but in less time.

Should you soak raw potatoes before frying them?

Soaking peeled and sliced or cut potatoes before frying them removes the excess starch and helps them fry crisper. Putting cut potatoes in water also keeps them from turning dark before you have a chance to cook them.

How long do you soak potatoes before frying?

It’s good to soak them for at least an hour, but I like to soak them overnight. They’ll be adequate for two days if they’re in the fridge and completely covered with water. Be sure to drain and dry them before frying so that the oil doesn’t spatter.

What to Serve With Fried Potatoes and Onions

Nothing beats comfort food like this fried potatoes and onions recipe. It is great served with the delicious entrees below.

  1. Pan-Seared Oven Roasted Steak
  2. Blackened Spatchcock Chicken
  3. Salisbury Steak
  4. Beef Tenderloin Roast
  5. Easy Meatloaf

More Easy Comfort Food Recipes to Try

  1. Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
  2. Fried Okra
  3. Southern Fried Chicken
  4. Sweet Potato Casserole
  5. Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup

Conclusion

So there you have how to make one of the easiest comfort food of all time. Do you have a favorite spice to kick it up on the flavor scale? Please let me know in the comments. ❤️

Watch How to Make It

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Fried Potatoes and Onions

Fried Potatoes and Onions, nicely crispy golden brown on the outside with a moist, fluffy center loaded with unique flavors from Creole seasoning and sweet, savory caramelized onions. Quick and easy comfort food you can enjoy any time of the day!
5 from 4 votes

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 pound potatoes, scrubbed and sliced thin
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon Creole seasoning (optional)
  • 1 large onion, sliced thin
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced (optional)
  • Parsley, for garnishing

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil and butter in a heavy skillet or cast-iron pan on medium-high heat.
  • Then add the sliced potatoes to the pan.
  • Generously season your potatoes with salt, pepper, and Creole seasoning. Let it crust for 2 to 3 minutes, then turn it over.
  • Add the onions and garlic.
  • Keep gently turning over the onions and potatoes for about 20 minutes until the onions caramelize, and the potatoes crust to an even golden crust or until desired doneness.
  • Adjust seasoning and garnish with parsley. Serve immediately with an omelet or steak.

Tips & Notes:

  1. Soak your potatoes in water for at least 20 minutes because too much potato starch will prevent a nice crisp exterior.
  2. Dry the potatoes before frying, so the oil doesn’t spatter.
  3. Don’t overcrowd the potatoes in the pan because it can result in soggy, mushy potatoes.
  4. Make sure that the pan is hot enough. Uncover the pan for about 5 minutes before the end of cooking to release the steam to achieve crispy potatoes with a soft and fluffy center.
  5. Don’t over-stir the potatoes, or you may end up with mashed potatoes.
  6. Don’t overcrowd onions, as the moisture will steam them instead of caramelizing them.
  7. Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 250g| Calories: 170kcal (9%)| Carbohydrates: 38g (13%)| Protein: 3g (6%)| Fat: 3g (5%)| Sodium: 590mg (26%)| Potassium: 912mg (26%)| Fiber: 4g (17%)| Sugar: 1.5g (2%)

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4 Comments

    1. Amazing to hear that. Thank you for trying my recipe and giving me a valuable feedback. Stay tuned to the blog and enjoy more healthy recipes 🙂

5 from 4 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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