What are hash browns?
Hash browns are a popular American breakfast, using grated potatoes, cheese, and sometimes fresh herbs.
They are similar to country fried potatoes as they’re also cooked in a cast-iron skillet, but the potatoes are diced. Other ingredients might include tomatoes, meat, and spices.
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Learn more.
Why use a cast-iron frying pan?
How can I make my hash browns different?
The best part about this recipe is all about making your morning hash browns stand out!
They don’t have to be boring or humble!
Add scrambled eggs and bacon, maple syrup, smoked salmon, ketchup, parmesan cheese or try something more adventurous.
Use hash browns as an excuse to travel around the world with sauces from Japan to India, and Korea to Mexico – YUM!
Tips before you begin:
Because this recipe uses cheese it is best to have a very well seasoned cast-iron skillet.
Even though new cast iron pieces are often marketed as “pre-seasoned,” cheese may still stick if your skillet hasn’t had enough time to develop extra layers of seasoning.
If you’re still unsure, here are some extra tips and advice from my favourite cast-iron manufacturer; Lodge.
Here is the cast iron cookware used to create this recipe.
(I recommend between a 10 – 12″ well-seasoned skillet size with two handles.)
The extra slip-on handle cover makes it easier to move the skillet without the extra risk of fire if you cook over gas.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 3 c. shredded or grated potatoes, patted dry
- ½ c. shredded white onion, patted dry
- 1 c. Cheddar Jack cheese, finely shredded
- ½ t. garlic powder
- ½ t. dried rosemary (or 1½ t. fresh, finely chopped)
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 T. extra virgin olive oil (and more if needed)
- 2 T. unsalted butter
- Fresh herbs for garnish
Notes: The best herbs to use are also known as robust herbs; parsley, sage, rosemary, or thyme.
If these are too strong in flavour, choose from the more delicate herbs.
Equipment
- Chopping board
- Chef’s 8″ knife
- Vegetable peeler
- Box grater
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons
- Wooden spoon
- 10 – 12″ cast-iron skillet
- Spatula
- Paper towel
- Warm serving plate
Steps
- Add shredded potato, onion and cheese to a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine.
- Add garlic powder, rosemary, salt, and black pepper and stir until well mixed.
- Over MEDIUM heat, add olive oil and butter to the cast-iron skillet and swirl to coat the bottom until the butter has melted.
- Working in batches, add the potato mix to the skillet and shape into patties.
- Cook until golden brown, 4-5 minutes, before flipping.
Cook a further 4-5 minutes and remove. Place on a paper towel on a warm serving plate. - Repeat with remaining mixture and add more olive oil and butter as needed to prevent from sticking.
To serve:
Transfer hash browns to individual serving plates and add your choice of condiments, sauces, and garnishes.
Top off with a side of eggs and bacon!
Crispy Cheese Cast-Iron Hash Browns
Equipment
- Chopping board
- Chef's 8" knife
- Box grater
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons
- Wooden spoon
- Cast-iron skillet
- Spatula
- Paper towel
- Warm serving plate
Ingredients
- 3 cups potatoes grated and patted dry
- 1/2 white onion grated and patted dry
- 1 cup Cheddar Jack cheese grated
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
- pinch sea salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp butter unsalted
- 2 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
Garnish
- sprig rosemary fresh
Instructions
- Add the potatoes, onion, cheese, garlic powder, rosemary, salt, and black pepper to a large bowl and mix until thoroughly combined.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large cast-iron skillet over MEDIUM heat until the butter has melted. Carefully swirl the skillet to ensure the bottom is evenly covered.
- Working in batches, add the potatoes to the skillet and shape into patties. Cook until golden brown, approximately 4-5 minutes before flipping.Cook for another 4-5 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove hash browns from skillet and keep warm. Repeat Step #3 with remaining potato mixture. Add more olive oil to the skillet, as needed.
- Remove from heat and transfer hash browns to individual serving plates. Serve immediately with your choice of sauces and sides.Enjoy!
