FRIED POTATOES AND ONIONS

Southern Fried Potatoes and Onions Recipe

Step 1. Use a heavy frying pan (not non stick). A Cast Iron Skillet is recommended.

Step 2. Soak the potatoes.

Step 3. Pat dry the potatoes well and heat the butter and oil to very hot.

Step 4. Put the potatoes and onions in the pan and LEAVE THEM ALONE. Cook the potatoes over medium high heat for 3-4 minutes allowing them to develop a crust on the pan fried potatoes before turning.

Step 5. Turn and let them cook on the other side. Remove to a paper towel to drain.
How to cook Potatoes and Onions on the stove

There isn’t much that could be more simple than Fried Potatoes and Onions on the stove. First, you will want to gather your equipment and ingredients.

A heavy frying pan (a well seasoned 9” Cast Iron frying pan) is best. Do not use a non stick pan for this job. If all you have is stainless steel – ok – but it sticks worse.
Good quality peanut oil and some unsweetened sweet cream butter. Olive oil is not the best oil for this job. Vegetable oil works because of its high smoke point.
Salt and Pepper
Potatoes and onions

That’s it!

OK – well maybe a little paprika and basil – but that is just me.

The main problem with potatoes is that they are sticky. They LOVE to stick to the pan. Follow my recipe with the tips and tricks that you find below the recipe and you’ll have the best chance at no sticking, crispy and tasty fried potatoes and onions.

INGREDIENTS

  • Enough peanut oil to wet the entire bottom of your pan
  • 2 tbs unsalted sweet cream butter
  • 1 lb Idaho Russet or Red potatoes (I like Reds – but that is just a personal preference)
  • Salted water
  • ½ medium sized sweet onion like Vidalia
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • Garnish with paprika and fresh basil

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Place a heavy 9” cast iron skillet over medium heat (just a little more than medium on my electric stove).
  • Pour oil into the skillet and add the butter as well.  Allow this to heat until the oil is shimmery on the surface – not smoking – if it starts to smoke, pull it off the heat and let it cool some until it is shimmery again.
  • Cut up the potatoes into pieces that are the same size – chips or cubes – your choice.
  • As you cut, place into 4 cups of water that has 2 Tbs of salt  mixed in.
  • Cut up onion into bigger chunks than you cut the potato.
  • After 5 minutes, drain the potato VERY WELL and dry with paper towels
  • When the oil is ready (shimmery) put the potato and the onion into the oil.  Do not crowd the potatoes.  If there isn’t enough room for them to lay side by side, then let some cook, remove them to drain on a paper towel and then cook the rest.
  • Cook for about 4 minutes on one side then flip and cook for another 2-4 minutes on the other side.
  • Drain on a paper towel.  Salt and pepper as soon as you remove from the oil
  • Garnish and serve hot.