Smoky Fried Potatoes [+Video] – Oh Sweet Basil

Learn how to make crispy and flavorful smoky fried potatoes with this easy recipe and step-by-step video tutorial. Perfect for a hearty and satisfying breakfast or a tasty side dish for any meal!

A while back, we did a series of Farm to Table posts with McCormick Gourmet Spices and it was so much fun for us to do as it’s how we live in our own home. It’s so fun to share our passion. This potato side dish recipe taps into my family history too, which is the reason I love cooking and food so much! It connects us!

Family History and Potatoes

These potatoes are really simple and all about using what you have on hand all winter versus buying expensive, out of season produce at the store. My grandpa served in World War II while my grandma held down things back home. Both were from Idaho and we all know what Idaho grows a lot of, potatoes!

Well they were clearly a staple that were kept in cellars to eat all winter long, but they have taken on a little more meaning for my family. Grandpa was honored for the work he did in the Czech Republic after he had passed and Grandma went and learned how to make these potatoes there. Little did we know, they are really just potatoes with seasoning, the salt being key, but Grandma said her secret was that if she called them Czech potatoes the kids all ate them, even the picky eaters. Sometimes you just need a fun name!

They are simple, fried potatoes with smoked paprika and salt and pepper, though occasionally we throw a little garlic powder in there as well. Now whenever we make them we think of them and our history. I’m going to share information below about how to be smart about produce just like my grandparents, so scroll to the end for all our tips!

Ingredients for Fried Potatoes

You only need a few household ingredients to make these home fries. Here is everything you will need:

• Vegetable Oil: cooks the potatoes so that they are crispy outside and soft inside
• Russet Potatoes: , chopped in 1″ pieces
• Smoked Paprika: adds the smoky flavor , or Hungarian paprika
• Salt: adds flavor
• Garlic Powder: adds flavor
• Black Pepper: adds flavor and a little heat
• Butter: adds extra flavor

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post. Keep scrolling for all the details.

How to Make Smoky Fried Potatoes

As you can see from the video, this crispy potatoes recipe is all made on the stove top and in one pan. It is so easy to pan fry potatoes! Here are the basic steps:

1. Prep: Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat.
2. Toss: When the skillet is hot, add the oil. Once it is shimmering, add the potatoes and spices and toss everything together to coat.
3. Cook: Leave the potatoes alone and let them cook for about 10 minutes. Add a lid if desired.
4. Stir: Stir the potatoes and add a little oil if needed. Cook another 5-10 minutes.
5. Repeat: Stir one more time and let it cook for another 5-10 minutes or until golden brown on all sides and tender.
6. Optional: Add the butter and toss until melted and coating all the potatoes.
7. Serve: Serve immediately!

The recipe card at the end of the post contains all the instructions in full detail. You can also print or save the recipe there.

Watch How Smoky Fried Potatoes are Made…

What are the Best Potatoes to Use?

We love to use Russet potatoes for this recipe. They are starchy and develop a good golden crust on the outside as they cook. You could also use red potatoes or yukon gold potatoes.

What to Serve with Fried Potatoes

Since these fried potatoes make a great meal for breakfast or dinner, I’m going to give you a few ideas for both meals.

If you’re eating them for breakfast, serve them with…

If you’re eating them for dinner, serve them with…

Tips for Using Produce

When it comes to keep your grocery bill down and supporting local famers, we have figured out 5 tips to help you out!

1. Find Out What’s in Season
   • Well that seems like a no brainer doesn’t it! Except, most people have no idea when things are in season. In fact, I bet most would be surprised to learn that depending on where they live they could just be harvesting peaches while other states have been done for months (Arizona versus Utah for example). Knowing what’s in season will help you to be better prepared to shop smart and plan out better dinners.
2. Freeze It
   • In case you have missed it, we are big believers in freezing produce. Check out our freezing corn and fruit posts. Freezing seasonal produce is awesome because it traps in the flavor and texture much more than canning, it’s faster and easier and it helps us to make our produce last longer. We don’t just want tomatoes in August or September, we want roasted tomato soup all year long!
3. Store Produce Properly
   • The trickiest part about using in season produce can be to avoid wasting it. Raise your hand if you’ve had broccoli go bad and stink up the fridge, or tomatoes go wilty before you’ve had even one! Winter months are harder on your produce so you need to be smart. Even if you’re getting your produce from a CSA you can still look to a good grocery store for proper storage.
   • If it’s being chilled at the store you should do the same thing. Potatoes want to be dry and cool while lettuce likes to be chilled etc. For example, lettuces, carrots, and zucchini like that chilled box in the fridge, whereas onions, acorn squash, and apples prefer to be in darker, dry places.
4. Summer is to Grilling as Winter is to Roasting
   • Winter doesn’t mean you have to steam everything just because it’s snowing outside. Bust out the cookie sheet and roast away. Roasting your seasonal produce is a fantastic way to bring out flavor and break down the veggies so they are soft and delicious to eat. Practically everything agrees with a little olive oil, salt and pepper. Even tomatoes roasted are fabulous!
5. Smell the Produce with Spices
   • Yes, your neighbor would think you weird if they walked in on you sniffing thins, but as you’re roasting your acorn squash, open the door and then grab some seasonings like, Saigon Cinnamon and smell it with the food. If it smells good together it will probably taste good together. For example, brussel sprouts and cayenne, or saigon cinnamon with that squash and a little brown sugar, or carrots and ginger!
   • The possibilities are endless which is why we are big fans of leaving off the goopy sauces and instead bringing out the natural flavors of the produce in roasting and pairing with a McCormick spice. With more than 130 premium herbs, spices and blends, McCormick’s Gourmet line includes everything from ancho chile and smoked paprika to Thai red curry blend and Chinese 5 spice so trust me, you have got options!

Storing and Reheating

Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container. They will keep in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Pan-fried potatoes also freeze really well. Let them cool completely and then place in a ziploc bag or freezer-safe container. They will keep for up to 3 months.

If they are frozen, let them thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat in a skillet on the stove top. Add a little oil and toss in the skillet until heated through. You can also use the microwave to reheat them, but you’ll lose the crispiness.

Smoky fried potatoes are boldly flavored, golden and crispy on the outsides and tender and fluffy on the inside. They are one of our favorite side dishes and flood my mind with so many family memories.

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