Enjoy a bounty of potatoes and garden-fresh veggies tossed in easy-breezy seasonings.
As an homage to Irish-American culture, potatoes O’Brien is a down-to-earth dish that combines potatoes with flavorful garden veggies. There’s a “family feel” to this staple meal that has stood the test of time through generations. Whether you’re grabbing a garnish from your own garden or picking potatoes from the local farmers market, you can appreciate the hearty simplicity of potatoes O’Brien.
Growing up, a couple of my best friends had Irish heritage, and their loudest and proudest time of year was – you guessed it – St. Patrick’s Day. I saw it as a kind of “Irish Thanksgiving,” because their families would come from near and far to enjoy a feast of gratitude together. They would share stories, make traditional dishes, and encourage each other during tough times. This is the exact “family feel” I’m talking about.
When you take a bite of potatoes O’Brien, you’re met with a nourishing blend of fluffy potatoes with sweet onion and peppers. Aromatic seasonings seal the deal and harmonize the veggies, making this dish easy for all ages and palates to enjoy. Share this simply satisfying, savory course at your next potluck, and you might just make some new friends!
Is Potatoes O’Brien Healthy?
Potatoes O’Brien is hearty, but its healthiness depends on how you make it, and will also depend on your dietary needs. Potatoes are starchy and high-carb, so this dish wouldn’t be suitable for folks on a low-carb diet, for example. That being said, it is vegan and gluten-free, since there are no animal products or wheat.
Sweet Potatoes O’Brien
To amplify the nutrition and switch up the flavors, try using sweet potatoes instead. Their earthy sweetness makes for an even warmer welcome at the dining table. In this version, I also like to add 1/2 teaspoon each of cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg to bring out some awesome autumnal flavors. You’d be surprised by how well sweet potatoes can go with bell peppers, but make sure to try the recipe’s original version first so you know exactly what to make for any occasion.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep
Dice potatoes, onions, and bell peppers.
Sauté
Cook onions and peppers until soft.
Crisp
Add potatoes and cook until crispy.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
Store potatoes O’Brien covered in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. Reheat on the stove with a bit of oil, or in the oven at 350 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes. If you need to crisp them up again, it’s a good idea to fry them on the stove to brown the outsides.
While the exact origin of this name is mysterious and debated among food historians, it’s likely that since O’Brien is a common Irish last name, it fit the dish well. Potatoes O’Brien is inspired by Irish American cuisine, after all.
Potatoes can be tricky to cook, especially on the stove. If you overcook them, they might become mushy, but if you cook them too quickly you might not cook them enough, leading to a raw, hard texture. Frying them at high heat is also not a good idea because this risks burning the outside but not cooking the inside. My tip: keep an eye on them as you cook, stir intermittently, and don’t put the temperature any higher than medium-high.
Fresh potatoes are best because they have less moisture content. If you need to use frozen potatoes, I recommend thawing and draining them first to remove excess moisture. (This might also prevent sogginess.)
Serving Suggestions
This dish stands strong on its own, but it can be emboldened by some powerful proteins. For breakfast or brunch, try serving potatoes O’Brien with a Baked Omelette, Soft-Boiled Eggs, or Keto Breakfast Casserole with Sausage.
For dinner, pair these precious potatoes with Oven-Cooked Top Sirloin Steak, Spatchcock Chicken, or Beef and Pork Meatloaf.
Lastly, my favorite vegetarian complement to these taters is a Honey Garlic Roasted Chickpeas Wrap.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes diced
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper diced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Freshly chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
-
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and bell peppers, sautéing until soft, about 5 minutes. Remove from the pan, cover, and set aside.
-
Add the diced potatoes to the same skillet, season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder; cook until golden and crispy, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add more oil during cooking if needed.
-
Add the peppers and onions back to the pan and stir occasionally until well heated. Adjust seasoning once more and serve immediately with optional parsley as a garnish.
Nutrition Info:
Calories: 196kcal (10%) Carbohydrates: 31g (10%) Protein: 4g (8%) Fat: 7g (11%) Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 5g Sodium: 12mg (1%) Potassium: 745mg (21%) Fiber: 4g (17%) Sugar: 3g (3%) Vitamin A: 698IU (14%) Vitamin C: 73mg (88%) Calcium: 27mg (3%) Iron: 1mg (6%)
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational
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