Potatoes O’Brien

Potatoes O’Brien is a fried potato dish commonly associated with St. Patrick’s Day, probably due to the Irish name and also well, potatoes, of course!

wooden spoon in pan of potatoes o'brien


 

What You’ll Need 

One of the things I love most about this Potatoes O’Brien recipe is how short the ingredient list is. All without lacking on flavor. Check the printable recipe card for full measurements and details.

  • Vegetable oil – You can really use any type of neutral oil for this recipe. Hot oil and a hot pan are key to getting the crispiest potatoes and achieving that golden color.
  • Potatoes – As stated above, red potatoes are the best to use for this recipe. I prefer using fresh potatoes, but you can use frozen chunks of real potatoes. Just make sure there aren’t any ice crystals.
  • Peppers – Traditionally this dish is made with green bell pepper and red bell pepper. But them to about the same size that you did the potatoes. This will promote even cooking.
  • Onion – You could use either a white onion or yellow onion. I prefer the sweetness that the yellow onion provides to the dish, but the choice is up to you.
  • Salt and pepper – I used a blend of fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. You can add this to taste.
  • Worcestershire sauce – And lastly, my secret ingredient! The vegetables themselves add a nice balance of flavors to this dish. But I like to add a little something extra to mine, and this is just the ticket.
potatoes, onion and peppers cut on cutting board

Make It!

I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how easy it really is to make these breakfast potatoes. It’s literally as easy as one, two, three!

  1. Cook potatoes. Heat oil in large skillet. When it reaches a smoking point, add potatoes. Skillet must be hot to make a nice crust. Cook, tossing frequently.
  2. Add onion and peppers. Add red and green bell peppers and onions to skillet, toss. Season to your liking with fine sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
  3. Secret ingredient. Add Worcestershire sauce, toss and continue to heat. Serve immediately.

5S Philosophy 👩🏻‍🍳

    • Salt – Salt is essential for seasoning these potatoes. If you want to switch up the flavor profile, try using a salt that’s infused with herbs or smokiness.

    • Seasoning – Add a little heat to the spuds with some cayenne pepper powder or red pepper flakes.

    • Sauces – Drizzle some hollandaise over top, spoon on brown gravy, or add a dollop of sour cream!

    • Swaps – For a fun twist, try using sweet potatoes instead. Or, make it meaty with some crumbled sausage or bacon.

    • Senses – Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and with a slight crunch from the bell peppers, this dish is always a crowd-pleaser. And for flavor, this version with Worcestershire sauce that adds a little umami can’t be beat!

Round it Out

For a classic breakfast spread, serve these potatoes alongside scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or an omelet. If you’re in the mood for something heartier, try pairing them with corned beef hash or breakfast sausage.


But potatoes O’Brien aren’t just for breakfast — they make a fantastic side for lunch or dinner, too! Serve them with a juicy grilled steak, roasted chicken, or pan-seared salmon for a well-rounded meal.

close up of bowl of potatoes o'brien

Storage and Freezing

Keep these potatoes in the fridge or freezer so you can reheat them anytime you need a quick side dish.

Make Ahead

This dish is perfect to make ahead and then reheat when you are ready- like for a family function or holiday breakfast. I do suggest reheating them in a hot skillet so you can get the crunch back. The microwave will just make them mushy.

How to Store

These potatoes will be good in the fridge for 3-5 days if kept in an airtight container.

Can I Freeze Potatoes O’Brien?

They’re easy to freeze too. Just put them in an airtight container or plastic bag and try to get out as much air as you can. They will stay fresh for about 3-4 months. You can reheat them by baking at 350 until warm (approximately 20 minutes) or heat them in a skillet with a little oil for about 10-12 minutes.

You can also flash freeze them. Laying out the cooled potatoes on a parchment or foil-covered baking sheet in an even layer. Put in the freezer and freeze for about 4 hours. When frozen, transfer to a heavy-duty freezer storage bag, label, and keep in your fridge for up to 3 months!

close up of wooden spoon full of potatoes o'brien

Commonly Asked Questions

Does Ore-Ida still make potatoes O Brien?

Ore-Ida Potatoes O’Brien with onions is still a product that you can find at plenty of local grocery stores. They’re conveniently frozen for quick and easy cooking at home. This is the highest quality frozen version that I’ve tried. Cook according to package directions.

Can you put potatoes O’brien in an air fryer?

You sure can! And it cuts down on oil spatters too. Make sure not to crowd the air fryer basket and cook the potatoes at 400F for about 15-20 minutes or until they reach the desired crispness.

Why do they call it potatoes O Brien?

It was actually named after an Irish cook who was bored with typical fried potatoes. He decided to liven them up a bit by adding color using bell peppers.

overhead shot of breakfast spread

Our Favorite Potato Recipes

On the prowl for more potato goodness? Try these quick and easy recipes!

angled shot of plate of potatoes o'brien
wooden spoon full of potatoes and peppers

Potatoes O’Brien

4.64 from 33 votes
This is a traditional Potatoes O’Brien recipe with one special ingredient to really amp up the flavors! Potatoes, bell peppers and onions, you just can’t go wrong!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large skillet. When it reaches a smoking point, add potatoes. Skillet must be hot to make a nice crust. Cook, tossing frequently, for 10 minutes.
  • Add red and green bell peppers and onions to skillet, toss. Season to your liking with fine sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Cook for 5 minutes.
  • Add Worcestershire sauce, toss and continue to heat for 1 minute. Serve immediately.
  • If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was! 

Nutrition

Calories: 192 kcal, Carbohydrates: 30 g, Protein: 3 g, Fat: 7 g, Saturated Fat: 5 g, Sodium: 72 mg, Potassium: 861 mg, Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 4 g, Vitamin A: 650 IU, Vitamin C: 54.5 mg, Calcium: 25 mg, Iron: 1.5 mg
Author: Chef Jessica Anne
Calories: 192
Course: Breakfast, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: potatoes o’brien
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
collage of potatoes o'brien for pinterest
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

4.64 from 33 votes (21 ratings without comment)

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Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    I served these potatoes alongside some eggs when we did breakfast for dinner last night and it was totally delicious! Thanks for such an easy tasty side dish recipe!

  2. 5 stars
    Thank you for sharing this recipe, it’s absolutely DELICIOUS! I wanted to experiment a little, so I added one more ingredient; 1 lb of smoked beef link sausage sliced into thin round pieces. Then VOILA, I had a quick, easy lunch or dinner! Hubby LOVES this and requests it almost every week…

    1. Loved these variations. Thank you for sharing your secrets and glad you enjoy 🙂