Learning how to make home fries has never been easier! My simple home fries recipe makes the crispiest potatoes with just a few ingredients. I love to make this for my family on weekends or anytime they’re craving a hearty breakfast. They’re perfectly seasoned and pan-fried with onions for a savory side dish.

home fries with sauce and a spoon

This post may include affiliate links that earn us a small commission from your purchases at no extra cost to you.

I love that this home fries recipe only calls for a handful of ingredients, most of which are already in my pantry. Learning how to make home fries has made me the hero of breakfast! They are super simple for me to cook up anytime one of the kids gets a craving.

What’s in This Home Fries Recipe?

  • Potatoes: Yukon Gold potatoes work best for home fries since they have a high starch content. Russet potatoes will work too.
  • Vinegar: Adding vinegar (I used distilled white vinegar) to the pot of water will help the potatoes stay intact while boiling so they don’t fall apart or get mushy.
  • Fats: Use both butter and vegetable oil for pan-frying. This adds in more richness and helps everything get super crispy.
  • Onion: Diced onions add flavor and texture into the mix.
  • Seasonings: Salt and pepper, plus fresh thyme and cilantro are all you need to season these potatoes.
home fries in skillet
Email This Recipe
Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Tips for Success

  • I only needed to boil the potatoes for about 5 minutes, just until they started to get tender. I don’t like when they get too soft!
  • Be sure to let the potatoes cool and dry after par-boiling (don’t transfer them directly to the skillet).
  • I recommend adding garlic (as much as you like) while cooking the onions for a more savory flavor. I also love to mix in bacon crumbles, different herbs and spices, or even make them cheesy!
  • Let the skillet, butter, and oil fully heat up before adding the potatoes.
  • These potatoes are going to be their best if served fresh. When I do want to make them ahead of time I just boil, cool, chop, and refrigerate the potatoes until it’s time to eat. Then I quickly pan-fry them and serve.

How to Store and Reheat

Once cooked, I let the home fries cool completely, then store leftovers in an airtight container. We keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze these home fries in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in a warm skillet with more butter to help them crisp.

close up on homestyle diner potatoes, fried until golden brown

Serving Suggestions

These classic diner-style home fries go well with all our favorite breakfast foods! I love to serve them with a stack of buttermilk pancakes, scrambled eggs, buttery toast, crispy brown sugar bacon, and plenty of iced coffee.

They also make a great side for steak and eggs, a breakfast burger, or these croissant breakfast sandwiches.

5-Star Review

“I forgot to take a pic! They took longer to cook than the recipe called for, but that’s okay. (I’m at 7000 feet: everything takes longer!) I added some diced green pepper to the onions and smashed the potatoes a bit at the very end–just like NYC Greek diner home fries but better since fresh and homemade (and crispier)! Hubby loved them. Thanks!” -Annie L

Recipe Card

How to Make Home Fries

4.43 from 106 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Becky Hardin
This HOME FRIES RECIPE is the perfect side dish for any meal, whether it's breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Crispy Breakfast Potatoes are a hearty way to start your day along with eggs and toast. And of course you can devour these savory Homes Fries for a little snack. These tasty potatoes go with just about everything, and they're oh so delicious!
These crispy home fries are the best potatoes to pair with your favorites. Learn how to make home fries with this easy recipe!
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
Save this recipe!
Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you, plus new recipes weekly!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Ingredients 

  • pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
  • 1 sweet yellow onion diced
  • 1-2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
  • Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro parsley or chives

Instructions 

  • Place the potatoes in a medium pot and cover with cold water. Add 1 tablespoon of kosher salt and 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Stir well. Set the heat to high and boil the potatoes until just tender (approximately 5 minutes after water has reached a boil). Drain and cool.
    1½ pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
    whole potatoes in a pot of water.
  • While the potatoes cool, heat 1 tablespoon of oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet set over medium heat just until the oil shimmers. Add the onion, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook until translucent and tender, about 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and remove the skillet from the heat.
    3 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 sweet yellow onion, Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
    sautéed onion in a pan with a wooden spatula.
  • Cut the potatoes into quarters. Place in a bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon of oil.
    cut potatoes in a glass bowl.
  • Set the skillet back over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Heat the oil and butter until the oil shimmers, then add the quartered potatoes. Season the potatoes with salt and pepper, and cook in a single layer until crispy and lightly browned on the bottom, about 6 minutes.
    3 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
    searing potatoes in a pan with a wooden spatula.
  • Add the cooked onions and thyme to the potatoes; toss and season to taste. If desired, add cilantro, parsley, or chives. Serve immediately.
    1-2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme, 1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
    seasoned home fries in a pan with a wooden spatula.

Video

Calories: 284kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 4gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 1764mgPotassium: 762mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 209IUVitamin C: 36mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

How to Make Home Fries Step by Step

Boil the Potatoes: Place 1½ pounds of Yukon Gold potatoes in a medium pot and cover with cold water. Add 1 tablespoon of kosher salt and 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar. Stir well. Set the heat to high and boil the potatoes until just tender (approximately 5 minutes after water has reached a boil). Drain and cool.

whole potatoes in a pot of water.

Sauté the Onion: While the potatoes cool, heat 1 tablespoon of oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet set over medium heat just until the oil shimmers. Add 1 diced sweet yellow onion, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook until translucent and tender, about 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and remove the skillet from the heat.

sautéed onion in a pan with a wooden spatula.

Cut the Potatoes: Cut the potatoes into quarters. Place in a bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon of oil.

cut potatoes in a glass bowl.

Cook the Potatoes: Set the skillet back over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Heat the oil and butter until the oil shimmers, then add the quartered potatoes. Season the potatoes with salt and pepper, and cook in a single layer until crispy and lightly browned on the bottom, about 6 minutes.

searing potatoes in a pan with a wooden spatula.

Season the Potatoes: Add the cooked onions and 1-2 teaspoons of minced fresh thyme to the potatoes; toss and season to taste. If desired, add cilantro, parsley, or chives. Serve immediately.

seasoned home fries in a pan with a wooden spatula.

More Potato Side Dishes We Love

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.43 from 106 votes (100 ratings without comment)
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

17 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Marly
Marly
November 16, 2024 11:04 am

This recipe was delicious! I’ll definitely be making this again5 stars

Erin
Erin
November 1, 2024 12:28 pm

The home fries were great! I added paprika and only had dried herbs so I used those instead of fresh herbs.5 stars

Jasmine
Jasmine
November 9, 2023 9:49 am

Hi, are we supposed to peel the potatoes at some point?4 stars

Samantha Marceau
November 9, 2023 12:43 pm
Reply to  Jasmine

We did not peel ours!

Debra Savoie
Debra Savoie
January 2, 2023 1:10 pm

How long will dough keep in the fridge

Samantha Marceau
January 2, 2023 4:34 pm
Reply to  Debra Savoie

I’m not sure what dough you’re referring to? These home fries will keep well for about 4 days in the fridge!

Annie L
Annie L
November 14, 2021 9:08 pm

I forgot to take a pic! They took longer to cook than the recipe called for, but that’s okay. (I’m at 7000 feet: everything takes longer!) I added some diced green pepper to the onions and smashed the potatoes a bit at the very end–just like NYC Greek diner home fries but better since fresh and homemade (and crispier)! Hubby loved them. Thanks!4 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
November 18, 2021 1:08 pm
Reply to  Annie L

Sounds amazing, Annie!

Zahra Riaz
Zahra Riaz
October 22, 2021 10:31 pm

They didn’t have much taste. I’d suggest adding garlic powder and broiling the potatoes after sauteeing.3 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
October 26, 2021 10:23 am
Reply to  Zahra Riaz

Definitely modify to your liking!

Andrina Mathew
Andrina Mathew
January 15, 2019 7:10 am

nice and delicious5 stars

Elaine
Elaine
May 26, 2018 2:08 am

You can also microwave the potato and it turns out great. Just don’t microwave until they are mushy.

The Modern Proper
The Modern Proper
May 23, 2018 5:15 pm

I love a good homefries recipe. They are perfect for a side at so many meals!

Hannah@butterloveandcowboys.com
Hannah@butterloveandcowboys.com
May 22, 2018 3:31 pm

I love potato dishes like these. It sounds like the perfect side dish to about any meal. I can’t wait to try them!