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!
*This post contains affiliate links — as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my disclosure for details*.
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!
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!
Jump to:
- Southern Fried Potatoes and Onions Recipe
- Fried Potatoes and Onions - Breakfast or Dinner!
- Fried Potatoes and Onions Ingredients
- Equipment Needed
- Fried Potatoes and Onions Video and Step-by-Step
- Storage for Fried Potatoes and Onions
- Do you fry onions or potatoes first?
- What to Eat with Fried Potatoes and Onions
- Tips and F.A.Q.
- More Breakfast Recipes You'll Love
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
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 -- try them with these egg souffles -- and bacon, or my mom would make them sometimes with corned beef hash.
But you can also enjoy these sliced potatoes as a comfort food side dish for dinner -- they go so well with steak, chicken, or pork chops! And if you want another yummy potato dish, you can try these foil packet potatoes or crispy parmesan potatoes! I also love this smoked loaded baked potato!
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. I wouldn't use olive oil because it can smoke too easily.
- 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 black pepper - add 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 large 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 golden brown caramelization!
Fried Potatoes and Onions Video and Step-by-Step
- Slice onions and potatoes, and heat oil in a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet or nonstick sauté pan over medium heat.
- Add potatoes and onions to hot oil and add seasonings of your choice.
- Cook, stirring often, for about 10-15 minutes until potatoes are tender and browned.
- 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!
Storage for Fried Potatoes and Onions
These delicious potatoes and onions are best stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They'll stay fresh for up to four days.
Do you fry onions or potatoes first?
I like to start them at the same time, but if you start with one or the other first, definitely start with your potatoes first. Onions cook a little quicker than potatoes, so you want to make sure your potatoes are cooked through.
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!
Tips and F.A.Q.
No need! Because we're slicing these potatoes pretty thin, they cook completely in the skillet as they're frying.
In other recipes like for French fries, soaking potatoes in ice water helps to draw out the starch, making them fluffier and crisper when frying. But we won't have to soak our potatoes in water for this recipe, since we're going for a different texture.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Honestly, it's up to you! I find that oil gives them that golden-brown crust, but butter gives them an amazing flavor! So I like to alternate, or you can add a couple of pats of butter into the oil for the best of both worlds!
I love these with my Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls or my Keto French Toast. Or you can have them as part of delicious breakfast spread with Earl Grey Scones with Vanilla Bean Glaze or 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins. And if you're still looking for more ideas, check out How to Make Quiche Lorraine or Pumpkin Banana Muffins!
These crispy pan-fried potatoes can also be accompanied by bacon or a fried egg, and topped with fresh herbs -- I used chives. They're also perfect with some ketchup or even a little hot sauce to spice things up!
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!
More Breakfast Recipes You'll Love
- Earl Grey Scones with Vanilla Bean Glaze
- 24 Thanksgiving Breakfast Ideas to Start Your Day Right
- 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins
📖 Recipe
Equipment you may need
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
Nutrition
PIN this southern fried potatoes and onions recipe for later!
Last Updated on July 28, 2025 by Chenée Lewis
Kim says
These were so good - of course the kids picked the onions out, but we all really enjoyed them!
Chenée Lewis says
Understandable! But glad everyone liked it other than that!
Wanda says
I made these fried potatoes for dinner last night to go with roast chicken. They were a huge hit - making again soon!
MacKenzie says
These potatoes remind me of what my mom used to make. I made them tonight with our steak dinner and they were fantastic.
Chenée Lewis says
So great to hear it! Thank you so much!
Kim says
These came out perfect! Just the right amount of crisp with fluffy insides - they were a huge hit.
Chenée Lewis says
That's great to hear! Thanks!
Shelby says
This is such delicious, easy, and versatile side dish. Perfect for breakfast or dinner!
Chenée Lewis says
You said it! I love them for both! Thanks so much for the feedback!
Gabby says
This is comfort food for me, so delicious. I used it mostly as a side dish but on the rare occasion we have leftovers you know I'm tucking in for breakfast too!
Sara Welch says
Enjoyed this with dinner last night and it was a savory success! Easy, inexpensive and delicious; definitely, a new favorite side dish!
Chenée Lewis says
So glad you liked this recipe! It's one of my favorite side dishes.
Charah says
Another way to enjoy potatoes, yay! thanks for sharing
Tiffany says
These are so good! No leftovers at my house when I make them and they go with almost anything! Thanks
Chenée Lewis says
They really do! Thanks so much!
Elisa says
Love this fried potatoes and onions recipe, we love both of the ingredients, so is perfect for dinner. Will make it soon, looks delicious. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Kim says
My mom makes these every year for Easter and they are my favorite part of the meal! These look so good.
Chenée Lewis says
Wonderful! I'm so glad you both like it enough to make it a part of your holiday meal.
Vivian Mahoney says
I was just soooo happy to finally someone likes and frys potatoes exactly like I do. I learned from my dad.
We ain't no West VA kids. We grew up in the sticks of the Catskill Mts in upstate NY.
But we were and are as Southern as ya can get. Almost. 😂
However my 1st born was named after a WVA County singer, Donna Darlene. I later learned, when I met and chatted with DUSTY OWEN'S that he gave her that stage name.
Soon funny...I told my kids, "We're having fried taters & onions tonight." "But 1st I need to check my phone."
God is my witness; I flipped my phone on and, yes, believe it or not.....There on the phone you were with tlyour Fried Potatoes and Onion Recipe!!
Thank you my unknown, till now, Friend!!!
Chenée Lewis says
Wow! That is amazing! I'm so glad that you found the recipe. Thank you so much for your comment!
Ned says
This is the perfect combo with onions and potatoes! My family loved it so much, I'm going to make it again tomorrow for dinner.
Chenée Lewis says
That's great! I love that it works as a side for both breakfast and dinner.
Joanie says
I'm from WV! This is exactly how I make mine!
Fran Gillespie says
Exactly what I was looking for. This is a very good dinner idea I have also added green peppers as in Irish potatoes
Chenée Lewis says
Sounds yummy!! I'm so glad you liked them!
Jon Phillip Wilson says
Great recipe!
Sometimes I add green bell pepper with the onions and it's a great addition.
Chenée Lewis says
Love that idea!!
James Scott says
I also was born and raised in West Virginia and my mother made the fried potatoes and onions that I loved and to this day is one of my favorites.
As a matter of fact I love just about any dish that contains potatoes.
Thanks for the story and reminding me of my childhood memories of mom.
Chenée Lewis says
I'm so glad I could bring up those memories for you! These potatoes always remind me of my mom and grandma too!
Deanna says
So funny my mom made these and so do I. My mom was from West Virginia but never called them West Virginia fried potatoes. However she did one thing differently. She fried her potatoes in bacon grease
Chenée Lewis says
Ooh that sounds good!
Leigh Robinson says
I found this recipe to be very easy to follow and make. I used Yukon Gold potatoes and did not peel them. Definitely make these again.
Chenée Lewis says
So glad you liked them! 🙂 Thanks!
Elizabeth says
Dear Chenee,
My husband and I are (very) senior citizens, and I am now bedridden...awful word.
So he has been learning to cook, and he fixed your fried potatoes and onions for the first time tonight; they are golden, beautiful, and delicious...and we had them with tilapia fillets.
So, I want to thank you for this easy and yum recipe, and let everyone know that they are just perfect with fish!
Bless you.
Chenée Lewis says
Thank you so much Elizabeth! I'm so glad to hear that you two like the potatoes!