Fried Garlic Potatoes

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 06/22/22
Fried Garlic Potatoes

The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Total: 40 mins
Servings: 4 servings

Potatoes of all types make low-cost, filling, and nutritious meals. No matter the variety, potatoes are a versatile ingredient and can be made with a variety of cooking methods. There is no doubt these tubercules are a staple in most households. Our easy garlic potatoes highlight the comforting and beautiful flavors of potatoes, garlic, and parsley. Simple seasoning and a touch of lemon juice make them an amazing side dish to all of your favorite proteins, such as steaks, grilled chicken, or fish. Besides, they can be a vegan- and vegetarian-friendly main when served with other plant-based dishes.

Our easy technique uses unpeeled garlic cloves that are cooked alongside the spuds and then peeled, crushed, and added back into the potatoes. This allows the garlic to develop a sweet creaminess that tones down its characteristic pungency. The bold flavor of the cloves remains but without overpowering dish. This is garlic flavor at its best.

Use these fried potatoes at all mealtimes. They make a great side to eggs for a hearty breakfast or brunch and are great served at BBQs with burgers and hot dogs. An ideal accompaniment for a roast when a more elegant dinner is taking place, these garlic potatoes also keep well in the fridge for a few days and make excellent leftovers to repurpose in potato salads or fried into a garlicky potato hash.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boiling potatoes, such as red-skinned, round white, or new, cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 5 to 6 cloves garlic, unpeeled

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed

  • 1 tablespoon chopped green onions

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

  • Kosher salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Fried Garlic Potatoes ingredients

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  2. Rinse the potatoes under cold water; drain and pat dry well.

    Washed potatoes in a colander

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  3. Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.

    Oil in a skillet

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  4. Add the potatoes, arranging them in a single layer. If needed, fry in batches. Cook, turning frequently, for about 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are browned on all sides.

    Potatoes cooking in a skillet

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  5. Add the unpeeled garlic cloves, cover, and reduce the heat to low.

    Potatoes cooking in a covered skillet

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  6. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.

    Potatoes and garlic in a skillet

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  7. Remove the garlic cloves. Carefully peel the skins off. Press, or crush the cloves with the back of a knife, and then mince very finely. Alternatively, use a mortar and pestle to make a garlic paste.

    Peel garlic skins

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  8. Add the garlic back to the potatoes.

    Garlic and potatoes in a skillet

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  9. Stir in the lemon juice.

    Add lemon juice to the potato mixture

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  10. Add the green onion and cook another minute or two, until heated through.

    Potatoes cooking in a skillet

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  11. Sprinkle with parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

    Fried Garlic Potatoes in a skillet

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  12. Enjoy.

Recipe Variations

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a skillet. Add 1/4 cup of chopped onion and cook, stirring, until the onion is translucent. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the potatoes and proceed with the recipe as instructed. Add the green onions if desired. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add about 1/4 cup of chopped bell pepper to the potatoes about 10 minutes before they are done.
  • Fry 4 to 6 strips of bacon; drain, crumble, and add to the potatoes just before they're done. You could use some of the bacon drippings as part of the cooking oil for a decadent variation.
  • Add some diced ham to the skillet along with the potatoes.
  • Finish up the dish with a generous grate of Parmesan cheese right before serving. For a vegan alternative, sprinkle with nutritional yeast, to taste, for a cheesy touch.

Quick Garlic Potatoes

Give the potatoes a dip in boiling water to cut down on the frying time:

  • Cube the potatoes and place them in a saucepan.
  • Cover with water and place over medium-high heat.
  • As soon as the water comes to a boil, drain the potatoes really well.
  • Add the drained potatoes to the skillet and proceed with the recipe.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
309 Calories
10g Fat
50g Carbs
6g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 309
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 10g 13%
Saturated Fat 1g 7%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 104mg 5%
Total Carbohydrate 50g 18%
Dietary Fiber 5g 19%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 6g
Vitamin C 25mg 126%
Calcium 45mg 3%
Iron 3mg 15%
Potassium 1245mg 26%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)