Easy Smothered Potatoes

Jump to Recipe

Smothered Potatoes are a very versatile Southern side dish that goes with just about any Southern meal. Made entirely from pantry staples with minimal prep and effort in less than 25 minutes, this is well loved by the family potato side dish.

Suitable for Gluten Free diets. 

the finished smothered potatoes recipe

These Southern potatoes really are a timesaver and lifesaver. Need something for breakfast??? Make some Southern Smothered Potatoes and Onions. Need a light lunch idea? Try this side dish and make it your lunch. Need a quick dinner idea??? I’ve got you covered with this tasty Southern recipe. 

Peeps, like this Smothered Cabbage, I like this dish so much, I’ve had it as a meal on its own. Add in some protein like sausage or chicken and you’ve got yourself a delicious one-pot meal and dinner is sorted.

You can enjoy this Southern spud combination with some onion gravy Smothered Pork Chops or Smothered Chicken. The possibilities are endless.

And if you love potatoes then try these delicious Baked Potatoes On The Grill.

I loooooove that this fork tender Smothered Potatoes recipe is lighter than the traditional ones that are cooked in broths or even thick gravies. It’s a versatile dish that lets you use up any veggies you have on hand and you’ll end up with a delicious meal. Talk about the epitome of a pantry staple meal. #pantrystaplesforthewin 

top down view of smothered potatoes served in a white bowl

What Are Smothered Potatoes?

This quick and easy Southern Soul food side dish is the perfect definition of family friendly comfort food. Southern fried potatoes with butter, bell peppers and onions all cooked together to perfection.

Guys, you can make them even more comforting by smothering them with some melted cheese or tasty gravy. Talk about some tasty soul food right there. 

Why Are The Best Potatoes To Use?

I love using Yukon Gold potatoes to make this potatoes smothered with lots of goodness but you can use others like Russet or red potatoes.

Why Make This Recipe

  • Budget friendly side dish or meal on its own
  • Super easy to make with minimal prep
  • Done in just a bit over a half hour
  • Delicious comfort food
the ingredients needed for making smothered potatoes

Southern Smothered Potato and Onions Ingredient Notes

  • Potatoes – Scrub the potatoes clean before you used them. And try and slice them to the same thickness so they cook at the same rate.
  • Butter – If using salted butter then keep an eye on the amount of salt you add in.
  • Oil – Simply use your favorite olive oil or vegetable oil.
  • Onions – White onion or red onions work just as well.
  • Bell pepper – Use deseeded fresh bell peppers, which ever color you like.
  • Seasonings – this gets it great flavor from a simple mixture of creole seasoning or cajun seasoning salt and pepper.

Soooo, let’s gather up these smothered fried potatoes ingredients and I will show you……

How To Make Smothered Potatoes

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below. 

  1. Place the sliced potatoes in a mixing bowl of cool water after you cut them in rings. 
  2. In a large heavy cast iron casserole dish or skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add in onion, garlic and bell pepper and cook until tender. Remove the onion mix from the pan with a wooden spoon and leave on the side. 
  3. Now add olive oil to the skillet then add potatoes and cook until lightly browned on both sides.
  4. Spread onion mix on potatoes and add seasoning, salt and black pepper. Combine well. Cover the pan and reduce the heat to low.
  5.  Cook for about 10 – 15 mins until potatoes are tender. Serve immediately.
image collage showing the steps for making smothered potatoes

Recipe Tips

  • Don’t overmix your potatoes and veggies or you’ll end up with a crumbly mess. Use a wooden spatula to gently handle and mix the potatoes, peppers and onions as they cook. 
  • Don’t be afraid to let the potatoes brown and crisp up. There’s nothing like a caramelised crisp crust like outside to your potato side dish. 
  • Add a splash of broth or water if your spuds and veggies mix starts to dry out. 
  • A mandoline will help your sliced potatoes be a uniform size.
  • You can cut these into cubes instead of slices if you prefer.
  • Make sure anything you add with the potatoes is layered in so it cooks evenly and thoroughly. 
  • Wait to add the toppings until everything is finished cooking so it doesn’t start overcooking or burning.
  • Toss in some flour as it all cooks if you want to make a little roux for extra southern flair.  

Delicious Variations

  • Change out the potatoes: White, Russet, Red, Sweet Potatoes, Yukon Gold whatever you have will do.
  • Swap the vegetables: zucchini, squash, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, mushroom, etc. 
  • Use different spices and seasonings : cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder or fresh garlic etc. Just add seasoning to your taste.
  • Add meat : if not vegetarian then you can add in meats like leftover cooked chicken, pork chops and smoky bacon bits in the final few mins cook time
the completed smothered potatoes recipe in a skillet

FAQs

Why Are My Potatoes Greyish-Brown?

Greyish-brown potatoes are still safe to eat but they aren’t as nice to look at. When cooking these discolored spuds, they tend to become a mushy mess too. The flesh of the potatoes start to change colors from oxidation once they’re cut and the starch gets exposed to oxygen. 

Putting the potatoes in a bowl of cold water once you chop them will help stop oxidation and will pull some of the starch from the potatoes, giving them a crisper texture while cooking. 

What Toppings Should I Use?

Try adding on some shredded cheese or even some homemade gravy to these delicious Smothered Potatoes and Onions.

Make Smothered Potatoes And Sausage

Absolutely. Just add in some previously browned sausage to the potatoes in the final few minutes of cooking. If your sausages are uncooked, then brown the first, set aside then continue with the recipe before adding in the meat at the end.

smothered potatoes served in a bowl with a spoon

Prep Ahead And Storage

Prep Ahead – This recipe is so easy and you can easily wash and cut up your potatoes and veggies ahead of time.

Store – Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. 

Freeze – Follow the handy tips below on how to freeze this.

  • Let cool down then transfer into these convenient Ziploc freezer bags.
  • Squeeze out all the extra air and seal the bags.
  • Label the bags and then lay them flat in the freezer.
  • Store in the freezer for three months.

Reheat– Toss the mix with butter or olive oil in a frying pan for a few minutes to heat it back up and bring the flavors back to life.

close up view of smothered potatoes served in a white bowl

Serving Suggestions

This sliced potato side dish goes great with some pork chops like these Smothered Pork Chops and juicy

Alternatively you can serve it alongside some Southern Salmon Croquettes or the best ever Air Fryer Salmon, catfish or easy 10 minute Blackened Salmon. I love serving these simply with eggs for breakfast.

More Potato Recipes And Other Veggies

Then try these family loved crispy Garlic Smashed Potatoes, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes, family loved Baked Potatoes On The Grill the most delicious Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes and fluffy creamy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes.

And to throw in a few different veggies this Southern Squash Casserole and Southern Butter Beans. and dump and start Instant Pot Collard Greens.

Tools You Need 

Thank you for reading my Smothered Potatoes recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

Get The Southern Smothered Potatoes Recipe:

Don’t forget to tag #recipesfromapantry on Instagram or Twitter if you try Easy Smothered Potatoes! It is really, really awesome for me when you make one of my recipes and I’d love to see it. You can also share it on my Facebook page. Please pin this recipe to Pinterest too! Thank you for reading Recipes from a Pantry.

the finished smothered potatoes recipe
Print Recipe
5 from 5 votes

Easy Smothered Potatoes

Smothered Potatoes are a classic Southern side dish made with starchy potatoes, butter, peppers, onions and fragrant Cajun or Creole seasonings.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish
Cuisine: american, western, southern
Diet: Gluten Free
Servings: 3 servings
Calories: 363kcal
Author: Bintu Hardy

Ingredients

  • 3 medium potatoes cut finely in rings
  • 3 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 medium red bell pepper cored, seeded and chopped
  • 1 medium onion sliced
  • 1 garlic clove chopped
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon creole seasoning or cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt more if needed
  • 1/4 black pepper

Instructions

  • Place the potatoes in a bowl of cool water after you cut them in rings.
  • In a large heavy skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add in onion, garlic and bell pepper and cook until tender. Remove the onion mix from the pan with a wooden spoon and leave on the side.
  • Now add olive oil to the skillet then add potatoes and cook until lightly browned on both sides.
  • Spread onion mix on potatoes and spices. Combine well. Cover the pan and reduce the heat to low.
  • Cook for about 10 – 15 minutes until potatoes are tender. Serve immediately.
**EASY AIR FRYER RECIPE EBOOK**Get the easy Air Fryer Recipe Binder which includes 40 quick and easy recipes all under 30 minutes cook time.
** INSTANT POT DUMP AND DASH RECIPE EBOOK**Get the Instant Pot Dump And Dash Recipes Ebook with easy recipes for busy lives.

Video

Notes

      • Don’t overmix your potatoes and veggies or you’ll end up with a crumbly mess. Use a wooden spatula to gently handle and mix the potatoes, peppers and onions as they cook. 
      • Don’t be afraid to let the potatoes brown and crisp up. There’s nothing like a caramelised crisp crust like outside to your potato side dish. 
      • Add a splash of broth or water if your spuds and veggies mix starts to dry out. 
      • A mandoline will help your sliced potatoes be a uniform size.
      • You can cut these into cubes instead of slices if you prefer.
      • Make sure anything you add with the potatoes is layered in so it cooks evenly and thoroughly. 
      • Wait to add the toppings until everything is finished cooking so it doesn’t start overcooking or burning.
      • Toss in some flour as it all cooks if you want to make a little roux for extra southern flair.  

Nutrition

Calories: 363kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 917mg | Potassium: 1120mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1869IU | Vitamin C: 73mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




5 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I love these smothered Southern potatoes! They are so delicious with the cajun seasoning and such a delicious side dish!

  2. 5 stars
    These potatoes bring back memories of my mother’s potatoes. She made them just like your recipe and they are a great comfort food. I’m definatly made a pan of these.