Homemade Hash Browns
Family breakfasts and brunches just wouldn’t be complete around here without golden hash brown potatoes. Hash browns are a great way to prepare potatoes. When made the right way, they make the perfect side for your favorite breakfast. Savory and crispy, they’re a classic staple to a midmorning meal, breakfast-for-dinner, or as a late-night snack. And sure, you could rip open a bag of frozen shredded potatoes, but cooking hash browns from fresh potatoes tastes so much better and takes hardly any extra time at all!
The RIGHT Way to Make Hash Browns
The trick to getting that tender potato texture and flavor is to parboil your potatoes beforehand. Cover the potatoes with cold, salted water, then bring to a boil. Rinse the potatoes with cold water before shredding. This process eliminates that “raw potato” taste and removes excess starch. No need to squeeze the liquid out of the potatoes using this method; the salt water does the dehydrating for you!
What Kind of Potatoes Work Best?
I’ve never met a potato I didn’t like, but for this recipe, a good ol’ Idaho Russet works best. Am I biased because I live in Idaho? Perhaps. But hey, we Idahoans know our potatoes. They shred easily, using either a food processor or box grater, and fry up beautifully. If you prefer your hash browns more dense and less crispy, Yukon gold potatoes are a good choice. Yukon golds hold their shape because they are more waxy, making them great for patties or potato cakes. HERE is a fun guide I found that goes into great detail about all the different potatoes and what they work best in.
How to Season Hash Browns
The best time to season your potatoes is after parboiling but before frying. Salt and pepper are the obvious seasoning choices here, but you could also add seasoning salt, garlic or onion powder, paprika, or even cayenne pepper for a little extra kick. We are usually pretty generous with our seasonings, especially when it comes to potatoes. It’s best to season and taste as you go along so you get it just right.
Crispy Hash Browns
I like my hash browns crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. However, some people like crispy hash browns all the way through. If you are one of these people, you have a few different options:
Microwave method: By microwaving the potatoes, you can remove excess moisture which will help the shreds get crispy. First, shred the raw potatoes squeeze as much liquid as you can out with a potato ricer, kitchen towel, or cheese cloth. Next, sprinkle the potatoes with ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste) and place them on a plate lined with paper towels. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Cook the hash browns per the instructions below (starting with step 3).Cook thin layers: When you add your potatoes to the pan or skillet, make a thin layer. On medium-high heat, cook until crispy.Fry them: If you are making hash brown patties like McDonalds (see previous paragraph) and want them EXTRA crispy, squeeze out as much moisture as you can from the shredded potatoes then carefully form them into patties and coat with more flour. Add vegetable oil to a shallow pan. When the oil is hot, carefully transfer potatoes to the oil and fry them until golden brown.
Can Hash Browns Be Baked?
Yes! After parboiling the potatoes, shred them and toss with melted butter, a little oil, and seasonings. Bake them on a cookie sheet for about 30 minutes at 400 degrees and you’re in business! You can also form the hash browns into patties (see next paragraph) before baking and then flip half-way through.
How to Make Hash Brown Patties
Fast food places like McDonalds usually serve up hash browns in a convenient patty shape. You can easily make these homemade hash brown patties using real potatoes at home! By mixing in an egg and some flour, your shredded seasoned potato mixture will stick together and form patties. Fry them in a little bit of oil, sort of like you would a hamburger. When they are nice and golden brown on one side, flip them over and cook them until they are crispy and cooked through.
How to Freeze Hash Browns
Freezing potatoes to use later is easy and can save you lots of time on busy mornings. Once the potatoes are par boiled and shredded, allow them to cool completely. To keep them from clumping together, spread the potato shreds on a large baking sheet and freeze in a single layer. Transfer frozen potatoes into freezer containers or Ziplock bags and place back in the freezer. Stays good for up to three months.
Kick Em’ Up A Notch
Want to take those breakfast potatoes to the next level? Try some of these variations:
Cheesy Hash Browns – Just sprinkle with shredded cheese and cover until cheese melts. I like to cover with my large skillet lid because it is raised and cheese won’t stick to it. Works like a dream.Fully Loaded – Top with cheese, fresh crumbled bacon, and/or cooked sausage. Cover until cheese melts.Poutine-style – Think biscuits and gravy but with hash browns! Top with cheese and country-style gravy.Idaho Sunrise – Form your potatoes into a doughnut shape on your skillet and crack and egg into the middle. Cover and allow to cook until the egg is fully cooked through (or to your desired doneness).
Recipes With Hash Browns
The tried and true breakfast of eggs, bacon, hash browns, and pancakes or waffles is enough to get my mouth watering! But these hashbrowns are so versatile you could serve them a million different ways. Use them to make any of these delicious recipes:
Cheesy Potato Casserole
California Breakfast Casserole
Breakfast Burritos
Crockpot Breakfast Casserole
Breakfast Basics
This hash browns recipe is a great “breakfast basics” recipe to know. Here are some more recipes to master for a perfect breakfast every time: READ NEXT: 33+ Super Easy Breakfast Ideas
How To Make Scrambled Eggs
Easy Homemade Waffles
How To Make Maple Syrup: Homemade Step-By-Step (2 Mins Prep Time)
Air Fryer Bacon
More Delicious Breakfast Ideas
Looking for even MORE breakfast ideas? Here are some more easy recipes to try:
Breakfast Ideas
5+ Quick and Easy Breakfast Sandwiches
Easy Breakfast Egg Muffins
Biscuits and Gravy
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