Simple Braised Potatoes Recipe (2024)

Ratings

4

out of 5

864

user ratings

Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Note on this recipe and see it here.

Cooking Notes

SonomaSMB

These great potatoes have become a staple at our house. The basic recipe is really good (I do add more garlic.)

But it's a fun one to play with, too. I've used leeks or red onions for some color. Duck fat makes it heavenly. It works well with so many other seasonings: paprika, lemon pepper, cumin, Moroccan spices, endless possibilities.

And always make more than you need for dinner. Leftovers are for breakfast with poached or fried eggs. Breakfast doesn't get better than that!

Rina

This resulted in too much liquid. I suggest using only 2/3 of what's used here.

cfwagner@gilanet.com

My dear mother and her mother who grew up in Southwest Louisiana cooked these (without garlic or suggested herbs) but called them "parsley potatoes" as they added plenty of fresh chopped parsley. Do not cover and add water (or broth) only as needed. Type of broth gives different taste - all good.

Road Cook

The comments are hilarious. Southerners have been cooking potatoes like this all my life...and I'm old.

Karyn

Add white wine and lemon to the braising liquid...just trust me on this!!

josee

I made these potatoes last week. I used duck fat and homemade stock. The potatoes were outstanding alongside some pork tenderloin and roasted beets.The real fun began with the leftover potatoes. Later in the week I heated some oil in a pan, added some leftover potatoes and “squished” them to a flat pancake form. Cooked to a crisp, flipped crisped up the other side and covered with a sunny side up egg from my chickens. This recipe goes up to my number 2 all time favorite potatoes recipe.

Lyn

Just clicked on it, so haven't made it yet... Looks good and simple. Just to respond to the 1st comment: I don't think it would be too much liquid. It's meant to be simmered uncovered for 30 minutes. If covered, YES, it would be too much.

Laura

Very lovely, simple, satisfying dish! I used about 1 1/2 cups of chicken broth. I cooked them in a large cast iron skillet. I think it depends mostly on the type and depth of skillet or pot you use. Just mind the instruction to have the stock barely cover potatoes and you've set.

HESPhoenix

Huge favorite! I’ve tried various potatoes. Yukon Gold are ideal for this, both in terms of flavor and structural integrity.

Norah Robb

These are Scottish stovies. Even better when the fat used is left over from the Sunday roast.

kmbap

Be careful on salt; between the stock and salt added to the potatoes, I inadvertently made it too salty. Next time I will not add salt until the end, if needed. Added extra garlic and thyme and will again the next time I make it.

Annie

Have been doing this since I first married and was not much of a cook back then, thought it up as easy and used parsley as my herb of choice.It is still one of our favorite ways to have potatoes, something very fresh and summer-like about them in my mind.These days I often use tiny potatoes of all colors, fingerlings ,get the same results.I could literally make a total meal of them.It is important to let the liquid reduce considerably, the potatoes absorb the broth and drizzle with a bit of EVOO

rubrodisca

I also feared it would be too much liquid, so I started with 1 cup. When that dried out but the potatoes weren't quite done, I splashed on just enough water to cover the bottom of the pan and keep them from burning. (I kept the lid on my pan). When that liquid was absorbed, they were done. It was a simple and tasty recipe.

SMT

We loved these potatoes. Simple, tasty, and kid friendly which makes this a winner in our house. I think two cups of broth is just about right. I added a little extra to make sure they were just barely covered and that ended up being slightly too much. Still turned out delicious.

Edwin Carrington

I love this ! And all your comments are fun! Yes it's an old recipe but it's deliscious. Growing up in Brasil and Costa Rica they make this with a bit of "achiote" or tomato paste if you can't find that and cook them very slow. We add meat to it, nice chunks of beef mixed in with a nice salad and a cold beer!!! Mmmmmmm (easy to make too)

bob lafferty

outstanding. smallest white new spuds, homemade chicken stock. seems impossible to screw up. also; prepped spuds, onions, garlic with Duck fat. used thyme. did not cover spuds, bathed them. side dish to baked cod and tomatoes and shallots

John M.

Simple and delicious way to fix potatoes. I used Wirecutter recommended Imagine Low Sodium Chicken Broth (best I've ever used!) and aside from doubling the garlic, I made the recipe as written using a cast iron skillet. Thanks a lot, Mr. Bittman. Finally, a recipe I can memorize.

MMS

I'm not sure why, but this dish simply didn't excite even though I added additional garlic. I'll try again, but next time I think I'll take Karyn's advice and add wine and lemon juice.....and probably a handful of chopped, fresh herbs.

Erin M

Delicious. Exactly what we hoped for from a braised potato dish. I will try the lemon+white wine recommendation next time. I used fresh oregano because that's what I had. Turned out lovely.

Ann Grant

Seemed like too much liquid, so I reduced it and cooked with the lid off, as others have suggested. Used dry vermouth to deglaze the pan before adding chicken broth. Seasoned with savory from the garden and a little ground pepper. Perfect for me recovering from an extracted tooth rather than potato salad--any kind of acid stings!.

Moira H.

Really delicious. Cooked frozen peas in the remaining liquid which gave them a sauce too. It’s clearly a technique that can be applied to a lot of different vegetables, which was probably Bittman’s point. A great new addition to my cooking education.

Amber

Maybe I cut the slices too large but these took forever to cook and I wasn’t wowed by them. A fine dish but not one worth repeating.

Jon

Made this for a family dinner and my daughter and son-in–law, both super-tasters, loved it. My daughter described it as "delicious with an amazing depth of flavor."

Patricia

My mother called these watered potatoes. She would use bacon fat, onions, and water. So simple and delicious.

Elisabeth

Made this exactly as written and it was absolutely perfect. Looking forward to to playing with different spices and broths, and wine, too!

Vern

Potatoes stuck on bottom of pan very quickly, so then I added the stock to loosen them up and everything turned to mush. The taste was good but it did not look appetizing.

Gabriel

Seasoning your braising liquid of choice with generous salt during the braising/simmering phase is hugely important. While the dish came out as expected (and great, btw!) it definitely needed salt and, unfortunately, salting after doesn’t allow for the salt to be absorbed into the potatoes.

Mary

Great recipe! I did need to add a lot more of salt to get it there though. I doubled the amount of garlic and found that using the full 2 cups of chicken broth did the trick. Needed to simmer for 45 minutes rather than 30. Would definitely make again!

Sylvia Flores

This is a great recipe - like other comments, I would also cut the recipe down 2/3s. I had rainbow potatoes, and it took about 45 minutes versus 30. I used bacon fat, an entire head (large!) of garlic, Walla Walla onion, and fresh Thyme with chicken bone broth. I wanted to keep it simple, but I love SonomaSMB's commentary on the additional spices additions. Cumin would be divine!

Pat

Good but not great. Followed the recipe exactly. We felt that it needed more flavor - I think that whatever your favorite herbs and/or spices are should be added generously to give this some personality. Also need to cut back the liquid - maybe a cup and a half instead of 2 cups of broth.

Private notes are only visible to you.

Simple Braised Potatoes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

When to add potatoes to a braise? ›

Turn the heat to medium/low and allow it to simmer for about 45 minutes or until the meat is tender. Clean potatoes, cut them into small cubes. Add to cooking ingredients. Let it simmer for about 30 minutes.

Why do you soak potatoes in water before roasting? ›

Soaking potatoes in water helps remove excess starch. Excess starch can inhibit the potatoes from cooking evenly as well as creating a gummy or sticky texture on the outside of your potatoes. Cold water is used because hot water would react with the starch activating it, making it harder to separate from the potatoes.

How does Gordon Ramsay make smashed potatoes? ›

Gordon Ramsay begins by boiling the potatoes in salted water. Next, he drains the potatoes. After that, he stirs in butter, sour cream, herbs, and seasoning. This is Gordon Ramsay's version of smashed potatoes, which differs from the one in this recipe.

How do you prepare potatoes quickly? ›

Wash the potato, puncture with a fork in 2-3 places, then microwave on high for about 4 minutes. Rinse it again so it's wet. Sprinkle on salt and pepper if desired. Finish baking in oven for 10 to 15 minutes.

What are the 4 steps in braising technique? ›

Using an enamel cast iron dish which heats evenly and retains temperature well will also help your braising technique.
  1. STEP 1: Sear your meat. Season the meat on all sides. ...
  2. Step 2: Saute the mirepoix. Mirepoix; chopped onions, celery, carrots. ...
  3. Step 3: Deglaze the pot. ...
  4. Step 4: Braise.
Oct 5, 2020

Do you need liquid to braise? ›

Braising is a low and slow moist cooking process in which tough cuts of meat high in connective tissue are cooked in liquid until that connective tissue breaks down into gelatin, a protein that will subsequently thicken the braising liquid, giving it a rich, mouth-coating texture.

What happens if you don't soak potatoes before baking? ›

Yes! Soak the potatoes in cold water to remove the excess starch from the outside of the potato. There are a few reasons why you want to remove that starch (it makes the potatoes burn, it keeps them from crisping up, it turns to sugar) but all you really need to remember is to soak them at least one hour.

Is it better to boil potatoes before roasting? ›

In most potato recipes, I recommend starting potatoes in cold water and bringing them up to a boil. This helps ensure that the exteriors don't turn to mush before the insides have a chance to cook through.

What happens if you don't soak your potatoes in water? ›

The main reasons to cut the potatoes and pre-soak in water are: To allow the excess starches and sugars to be removed from the outer surface of the fry strips AND to keep the potatoes from browning prematurely from exposure to air. Covering in water helps the potato from turning a dark color.

What is the recipe for Rachael Ray's smashed potatoes? ›

directions
  1. Boil potatoes until tender, 15 minutes. ...
  2. When the potatoes are tender, drain them and return them to the hot pot to let them dry out a bit.
  3. Mash potatoes with half-and-half or milk using a potato masher.
  4. Add in the cream cheese and smash until the cheese melts into the potatoes.
  5. Add chives or scallions.

Why do restaurants bake potatoes in foil? ›

Some say wrapping baked potatoes in aluminum foil helps them cook faster (aluminum conducts heat, then traps it), and it does keep them hot for longer once they come out of the oven, which is why we think restaurants use this method. Wrapping potatoes will also give you a softer, steamed skin, if that's what you like.

Why do people poke holes in potatoes before baking them? ›

"It pokes holes in the skin, which allows steam to escape. Otherwise, they could explode—it doesn't happen all the time, but it happens every once in a while. The potato is full of water it's trying to turn to steam, or water vapor. The skin acts like a pressure vessel.

Do you put potatoes in before or after the water starts boiling? ›

For most potato dishes it's important to add the potatoes to cold water and allow the water to come to a boil with the potatoes in the water. The potato starch can react as soon as it comes in contact with hot water, which will promote uneven cooking and mealy potatoes.

Should you boil potatoes first? ›

While you can wait for the water to boil before adding in the potatoes, they will cook more evenly if you add them to the pot while the water is cold. Potatoes added to boiling water can turn out mushy on the outside and tough on the inside.

Should I microwave potatoes before roasting? ›

A whole potato or sweet potato can take up to 90 minutes to cook all the way through in a conventional oven; but a potato that's been pre-cooked in the microwave—say for 5 to 10 minutes—only needs about 20 minutes in a 450°F oven to finish roasting. Why not just cook it all the way in the microwave?

When can you add potatoes to slow cooker? ›

The potatoes and carrots should only be added during the last 45 minutes of cooking so they don't overcook.

Do you add potatoes before or after boiling? ›

For most potato dishes it's important to add the potatoes to cold water and allow the water to come to a boil with the potatoes in the water. The potato starch can react as soon as it comes in contact with hot water, which will promote uneven cooking and mealy potatoes.

How long to simmer potatoes until tender? ›

Bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot with a lid and let simmer until fork-tender, about 10 to 15 minutes for small and/or cubed potatoes or 20 to 25 minutes for large potatoes. Drain and cool.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Barbera Armstrong

Last Updated:

Views: 6017

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Barbera Armstrong

Birthday: 1992-09-12

Address: Suite 993 99852 Daugherty Causeway, Ritchiehaven, VT 49630

Phone: +5026838435397

Job: National Engineer

Hobby: Listening to music, Board games, Photography, Ice skating, LARPing, Kite flying, Rugby

Introduction: My name is Barbera Armstrong, I am a lovely, delightful, cooperative, funny, enchanting, vivacious, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.