Potatoes O’Brien
Potatoes O’Brien is a classic breakfast dish that combines diced potatoes with colorful bell peppers and onions for a flavorful and satisfying side. This recipe elevates simple ingredients into a deliciously crispy and hearty dish that pairs perfectly with eggs, bacon, or sausage. Whether you’re serving it for breakfast, brunch, or as a side dish for dinner, Potatoes O’Brien is sure to become a family favorite.
Why Make Potatoes O’Brien
Potatoes O’Brien is a versatile and customizable dish that can be enjoyed any time of day. It’s an excellent way to use up leftover potatoes and vegetables, and it adds a pop of color and flavor to your breakfast or brunch spread. With its crispy exterior and tender interior, Potatoes O’Brien offers a delightful contrast in texture that will delight your taste buds.
How to Make Potatoes O’Brien
- Cook Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add diced onions and bell peppers to the skillet. Cook until soft and translucent. Reduce heat to low and add minced garlic, cooking for 1 minute while stirring constantly. Transfer cooked vegetables to a plate and cover to keep warm.
- Cook Potatoes: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add diced potatoes to the skillet and cook until golden brown, stirring several times to ensure even cooking.
- Steam Potatoes: Pour in water or chicken broth and quickly cover the skillet with aluminum foil or a lid. Cook until potatoes are tender, stirring several times to prevent over-browning.
- Combine Ingredients: Once potatoes are tender, add the cooked vegetables back to the skillet and stir to combine and warm through.
- Season: Season Potatoes O’Brien with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Serving Suggestions
Potatoes O’Brien is a versatile side dish that pairs well with a variety of main courses. Serve it alongside scrambled eggs, omelets, or breakfast sandwiches for a hearty breakfast or brunch. You can also enjoy it as a side dish for lunch or dinner, alongside grilled chicken, steak, or fish. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or green onions for added freshness and flavor.
Storage Info
Leftover Potatoes O’Brien can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through. For best results, reheat in a skillet to maintain crispiness.
Some Techniques or Tips
- To ensure even cooking, dice the potatoes into uniform 1/2-inch cubes.
- Be sure to stir the potatoes several times while cooking to prevent them from sticking to the skillet and to ensure they brown evenly.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, you can add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the potatoes for a bit of heat.
Variation
- Customize Potatoes O’Brien with your favorite ingredients. Add diced ham, cooked bacon, or sausage for a heartier dish. You can also toss in some sliced mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, or spinach for added flavor and nutrition.
- For a cheesy twist, sprinkle shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese over the top of the potatoes during the last few minutes of cooking, then cover the skillet to melt the cheese before serving.
FAQs about Potatoes O’Brien
- Can I use different types of potatoes for this recipe? While Yukon Gold potatoes are traditional for Potatoes O’Brien, you can also use Russet potatoes or red potatoes if preferred. Keep in mind that different types of potatoes may have slightly different textures and flavors.
- Can I make Potatoes O’Brien ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the vegetables and dice the potatoes ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until ready to cook. Simply follow the recipe instructions when ready to cook, adjusting the cooking time as needed.
- Can I freeze leftover Potatoes O’Brien? While you can freeze leftover Potatoes O’Brien, keep in mind that the texture may change slightly upon thawing. To freeze, transfer cooled potatoes to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Reheat in a skillet or microwave until warmed through before serving.
Recipe Card
Potatoes O'Brien
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- Plate (for resting cooked vegetables)
- Aluminum Foil or Lid
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
- 1 Yellow onion, diced
- 1 small Red bell pepper, diced
- 1 small Green bell pepper, diced
- 1 tablespoon Minced garlic
- 2 lbs. Yukon Gold Potatoes, diced into ½ inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons Water or chicken broth
Instructions
- In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the diced onions and bell peppers to the skillet. Cook until they are soft and translucent. Reduce the heat to low and add the minced garlic, cooking for 1 minute while stirring constantly. Transfer the cooked vegetables to a plate and cover to keep them warm.
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the diced potatoes to the skillet and cook until they are golden brown, stirring several times to ensure even cooking.
- Pour in the water or chicken broth and quickly cover the skillet with aluminum foil or a lid. Cook until the potatoes are tender, stirring several times to prevent over-browning.
- Once the potatoes are tender, add the cooked vegetables back to the skillet and stir to combine and warm through.
- Season the Potatoes O'Brien with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
