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    Home » Breakfast and Brunch

    Fried Potatoes and Onions

    May 12, 2021 by Chenée Lewis

    466 shares
    Southern Fried Potatoes and Onions Recipe | Chenée Today

    This southern fried potatoes and onions recipe is a family favorite! You can make these pan fried potatoes and onions for breakfast, brunch, or a dinner side dish. Plus, they’re so easy, they’re vegan, and they’re gluten free! If you like these potatoes, try my Air Fryer Hash Browns, my Keto French Toast, or my Leek and Asparagus Quiche with Bacon and Gruyère!

    Fried Potatoes and Onions on a plate with a paper towel and ketchup
    Fried Potatoes and Onions Recipe
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    *This post contains affiliate links — as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my disclosure for details*.

    Southern Fried Potatoes and Onions Recipe

    Who doesn't love an easy breakfast or brunch recipe? Well, I've got a great one for you today! My favorite side dish at brunch is definitely potatoes, but so often they're dry, bland, and boring. Too many times I've ordered home fries, hash browns, or some other type of potato at brunch and been disappointed. Nothing compares to my mom's southern fried potatoes and onions!

    These pan fried potatoes and onions, or as we call them, West Virginia fried potatoes, are a simple, quick recipe that can serve as a side dish for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. You can even make them by themselves and have a delicious snack. This is a 5-ingredient recipe that is so easy to throw together, you won't believe how good it tastes! Every time I order breakfast potatoes as restaurants, THIS is what I hope they'll bring out!

    Fried Potatoes and Onions - Breakfast or Dinner!

    I got this southern fried potatoes and onions recipe from my mom, who got it from her mom. My mom was born in West Virginia before her family moved to Philadelphia, so that would explain the name! I grew up eating these southern fried potatoes and onions so often, and I've made them a lot myself! They're perfect with eggs and bacon, or my mom would make them sometimes with corned beef hash.

    But you can also enjoy these potatoes as a side dish for dinner -- they go so well with steak, chicken, or pork chops!

    a fork scooping some fried potatoes and onions
    Fried Potatoes and Onions - Breakfast Recipe

    Fried Potatoes and Onions Ingredients

    Did I mention that this is a 5-ingredient recipe? The ingredients list is short and sweet!

    • vegetable oil - you'll need enough canola oil, or other oil with a high smoke point, to coat the bottom of your cast iron skillet.
    • potatoes - I use either Yukon gold or russet potatoes. The russets are a bit starchier, but I don't mind the slightly softer texture.
    • onions -- I use yellow onions for a slightly mellow flavor, but you can use white onions as well.
    • salt and pepper - to taste.

    If you want, you can add a few of the following variations:

    • garlic powder - making these fried potatoes with onions and garlic powder adds a fantastic flavor element!
    • red pepper flakes
    • chopped chives or green onions

    Equipment Needed

    Again, this is such a simple recipe. All you'll need is a knife and cutting board to slice your potatoes and onions, a skillet or sauté pan to cook them, and a spoon or spatula to move them around in the pan! I usually make these fried potatoes and onions in a cast-iron skillet to help give them that nice brown caramelization!

    Fried Potatoes and Onions Video and Step-by-Step

    1. Slice onions and potatoes, and heat oil in a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet or nonstick sauté pan over medium high heat.
    2. Add potatoes and onions to hot oil and add seasonings of your choice.
    3. Cook, stirring often, for about 10-15 minutes until potatoes are tender and browned.
    4. Transfer to a plate lined with a paper towel to drain the oil, and you're ready to serve your southern fried potatoes! It's that easy!

    What to Eat with Fried Potatoes and Onions

    What food goes good with fried potatoes? Well, I like these potatoes with breakfast classics like bacon and eggs, and I've also had them as a side dish for Eggs Benedict or my leek and asparagus quiche. But for dinner, what meat goes with fried potatoes and onions? I love these potatoes with pork chops or steak, as a classic meat-and-potatoes combination. They're also great with chicken or pot roast!

    Southern Fried Potatoes and Onions
    Southern Fried Potatoes and Onions

    Tips and F.A.Q.

    Should you boil potatoes before frying them?

    No need! Because we're slicing these potatoes pretty thin, they cook completely in the skillet as they're frying.

    Should you dry potatoes before frying?

    Sure! Drying the potato slices before frying them helps to minimize oil splatter when you add them to your skillet. Since we're not soaking our potatoes in advance, you won't have too much moisture to dry off, but it can help to make sure the oil doesn't bubble up too much.

    How do you keep fried potatoes from sticking to cast iron?

    The key is to make sure you preheat your skillet completely. Cast iron heats slowly, so give it plenty of time to get fully hot before adding your oil. Then, once you've added your potatoes to the skillet, let them sit in the hot oil, without stirring, until the bottoms of the slices are browned. This will allow the potatoes to release from the pan in order to flip them.

    What kind of potatoes should I use for these fried potatoes and onions?

    I like to use russet potatoes for this recipe. You can also use Yukon Gold or another starchy potato recipe -- the starch helps to create a slightly creamy texture in the potatoes and helps them brown.

    How do you fry potatoes without getting soggy?

    I personally don't mind if the potatoes get a little soft, but if you prefer them to be crispier, make sure that you keep the potatoes in one layer in the skillet without overlapping too much.

    fried potatoes and onions on a paper towel
    Fried Potatoes with Onions and Garlic

    If you try this recipe, I would love it if you could leave a star review rating and comment below! It’s so wonderful hearing your feedback! And don’t forget to share your creations with me by tagging @chenee_today on Instagram!

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    Fried Potatoes and Onions on a plate with a paper towel and ketchup

    Fried Potatoes and Onions - Easy Southern Fried Potatoes and Onions Recipe

    Print Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    This southern fried potatoes and onions recipe is a family favorite! You can make these pan fried potatoes and onions for breakfast, brunch, or a dinner side dish.
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine :American
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 246kcal
    Recipe Source: Chenée Lewis

    Equipment you may need

    • large sauté pan
    • 10-inch cast-iron skillet

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup (55 g) vegetable oil - I used canola
    • 3 medium Russet potatoes - peeled
    • 1 large yellow onion - sliced thinly
    • salt and pepper - to taste

    Optional Add-ins:

    • ½ teaspoon (2 g) garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon (2 g) red pepper flakes
    • 1 tablespoon (3 g) chives - chopped (add to finished potatoes)

    Instructions

    • Heat oil in a sauté pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
      ¼ cup vegetable oil
    • Slice onions and potatoes to ¼-inch thick.
      3 medium Russet potatoes, 1 large yellow onion
    • Carefully add potatoes and onions to hot oil. Season with salt and pepper. Add garlic powder and red pepper flakes.
      salt and pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • Cook, stirring often, until potatoes and onions are well browned and tender, about 10-15 minutes. If desired, cover skillet to help with cooking and produce a creamier texture.
    • Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain the excess oil for a few minutes, top with chives, and serve!

    Video

    Notes

    Variations: This southern fried potatoes recipe is meant to be simple, deriving most of its flavor from the sautéed onions, but if you would like to spice it up a bit, It would be delicious cooked in butter or bacon fat instead of oil, and tossed in some chopped dill. Just be careful with the butter at high heat because it burns more easily than vegetable oil. 
    Accompaniments: We usually eat these southern fried potatoes with ketchup, but you could also serve it with a garlic aioli or some honey mustard sauce! 
    Vegan: This recipe as written is vegan and gluten free! Be aware of any variations that you add that may affect the nutrition (for example, gluten in any seasonings or animal products in any of the variations above).

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 246 kcal | Carbohydrates: 29 g | Protein: 3 g | Fat: 14 g | Saturated Fat: 3 g | Sodium: 11 mg | Potassium: 705 mg | Fiber: 5 g | Sugar: 3 g | Calcium: 23 mg | Iron: 1 mg
    Nutrition Disclaimer
    Tags: best fried potatoes recipe, cast iron skillet potatoes, cooking potatoes on stove, fried potatoes, fried potatoes and onions, fried potatoes and onions breakfast, fried potatoes and onions in cast iron skillet, fried potatoes and onions recipe, fried potatoes and onions video, fried potatoes with onions and garlic, pan cooked potatoes, pan fried breakfast potatoes, pan fried potatoes, pan fried potatoes and onions, sauteed potatoes, sauteed potatoes and onions, skillet fried potaotes, skillet fried potatoes, skillet potatoes and onions, skillet potatoes recipe, southern fried potatoes, southern fried potatoes and onions, southern fried potatoes and onions recipe, stove top potatoes, what meat goes with fried potatoes and onions, what to eat with fried potatoes and onions
    Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can't wait to see (and share) your results! Follow me on Instagram at @chenee_today and tag #cheneetoday!

    PIN this southern fried potatoes and onions recipe for later!

    Last Updated on October 13, 2021 by Chenée Lewis

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    466 shares

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    1. Patricia

      January 23, 2023 at 6:33 pm

      5 stars
      This was so good and much faster than my old way to make fried potatoes (cooked potatoes first) My husband really loved it, next time I have to make twice that much.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        January 29, 2023 at 8:11 pm

        So glad to hear that! Thanks!

        Reply
    2. Jeff McCain

      August 03, 2022 at 2:34 pm

      Good deal my mother came from Kentucky and I ate tons of these growing up I oil cook all my potatoes a little bit about 15 minutes a batch then when done I cook with onions garlic in butter in covered pan on medium low flipping the pile multiple times about about 15 minutes then 15 to 20 minutes on low no flipping like heaven.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        September 29, 2022 at 10:05 am

        Sounds delicious!! 🙂

        Reply
    3. GG

      July 20, 2022 at 5:08 pm

      Mine potatoes just stuck to the bottom of my seasoned cast iron skillet. What am I doing wrong?

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        July 20, 2022 at 9:14 pm

        Oh no! I would make sure you heat your cast iron fully before adding your oil -- that usually helps me to prevent any sticking!

        Reply
        • Larry

          November 06, 2022 at 5:18 am

          This is an easy and super tasty recipe! Reminds me of my mother’s fried potatoes and onions! Oh so good for my taste buds and wonderful memories of mom!
          Thanks for posting!
          Larry
          Mobile, AL

        • Chenée Lewis

          December 09, 2022 at 8:31 am

          So great to hear that! Glad you liked them

    4. Amie McClellan

      November 20, 2021 at 11:00 pm

      These potatoes were the bomb, so quick & easy, seriously tasty, thank you so much! 💕🌟

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        November 21, 2021 at 11:51 am

        Thanks! I'm glad you liked them!!

        Reply
      • Jill

        March 20, 2022 at 3:39 pm

        5 stars
        I Love This EasyPeasy Recipe. I Add Sliced Hot dogs & make it a Meal... I serve a dipping sauce of of ketchup, mustard & mayo. ( sounds weird, but Yummy) My kids Ask me to make it All The Time.

        Reply
        • Chenée Lewis

          March 21, 2022 at 9:49 am

          So glad you and the kids like it! It's one of my favorites 😊

      • Dot kline

        October 06, 2022 at 1:34 pm

        5 stars
        Yumy

        Reply
        • Chenée Lewis

          October 06, 2022 at 4:04 pm

          Glad you liked them! 🙂

    5. Sue

      May 23, 2021 at 2:09 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious!! I love potatoes, and the onions really take this over the top!!!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        May 26, 2021 at 6:02 pm

        Thank you! They add so much flavor!

        Reply
    6. Claudia Lamascolo

      May 23, 2021 at 7:21 am

      5 stars
      these looks and sound fabulous making them with our steak dinner today!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        May 26, 2021 at 6:07 pm

        What a great idea!

        Reply
    7. Beth

      May 23, 2021 at 1:10 am

      5 stars
      Yummy! These are so delicious and our new favorite way to eat potatoes! I can’t wait to make these again!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        May 24, 2021 at 2:51 am

        It's my favorite way too! Glad you liked them!

        Reply
    8. Meenakshi Thakur

      May 23, 2021 at 12:12 am

      5 stars
      The onions look so well done. The overall recipe looks very approachable yet delicious. Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        May 26, 2021 at 6:03 pm

        It's definitely easy but so good!

        Reply
    9. Biana

      May 22, 2021 at 9:55 pm

      5 stars
      These potatoes and onions look delicious. Perfect for brunch!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        May 26, 2021 at 6:07 pm

        Definitely! I make them for brunch all the time!

        Reply
    10. Beth

      November 05, 2020 at 3:24 am

      5 stars
      Yum! This looks so delicious and tasty! I can't wait to give this a try! My husband is going to love this!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        November 05, 2020 at 6:20 am

        I hope it's a hit! Thanks for trying it out!

        Reply
        • Barbara

          January 12, 2023 at 9:51 am

          Hello, my mother used to make these for us back in 60’s 70’s and I love them. Just made them Monday evening they didn’t come out the way she made them but will try your recipe thanks

        • Chenée Lewis

          January 13, 2023 at 10:46 am

          Hope you like them! 🙂

    11. Kylie

      November 05, 2020 at 2:11 am

      5 stars
      This was the absolutely most delicious side dish ever!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        November 05, 2020 at 6:21 am

        Thank you! I love making this as a dinner side dish!

        Reply
    12. Denay DeGuzman

      November 05, 2020 at 1:06 am

      5 stars
      I love making and eating southern recipes. These fried potatoes and onions were delicious!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        November 05, 2020 at 6:21 am

        Thank you! Im so glad you enjoyed!

        Reply
    13. Whitney

      November 05, 2020 at 12:58 am

      5 stars
      This is the perfect side for pretty much any meal. Would love to make it for my next dinner then have the leftovers with eggs the next day!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        November 05, 2020 at 6:21 am

        That's a great idea!! I hope you love it!

        Reply
    14. Tara

      November 04, 2020 at 11:43 pm

      5 stars
      Oh yum! Love the color on these potatoes. Such a perfect side for brunch and the flavors sound incredible.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        November 05, 2020 at 6:22 am

        Thank you! It's so simple but so full of flavor!

        Reply
    15. Andrea Alverson

      July 21, 2020 at 7:15 pm

      5 stars
      This looks so good and so easy to make! My mouth is drooling... ?

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        July 22, 2020 at 5:18 pm

        It's SUPER easy! And yes definitely drool-worthy!

        Reply
    16. hari

      July 21, 2020 at 12:50 am

      5 stars
      wow! such a ripper of a recipe!
      I always love potatoes and I'll try this for sure!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        July 22, 2020 at 5:17 pm

        Great! Let me know what you think of them! 🙂

        Reply

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    About Chenée

    I’m Chenée (kinda rhymes with “today”) and I love all types of baking! But my favorite recipes are ones that are quick and easy, and still yield impressive results. The ones you can't help but make again and again! That's what I share here, and I hope I can make your baking life a little easier along the way. MORE ABOUT CHENÉE >>

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