Smothered Potatoes are a delicious dish widely enjoyed as an appetizer or a side dish. The dish is super easy to make and offers delicious flavors. Potatoes are among the most widely loved vegetables, and smothered potatoes take the humble vegetable to the next level. It is super easy to make, and the flavors are on the spot. So if you are wondering how to cook smothered potatoes… read ahead and find out.

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What are Smothered Potatoes?

Smothered potatoes are a popular Southern American dish with sliced or diced potatoes cooked low and slow in a savory, creamy sauce. The sauce typically consists of onions, garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, and cheese. The potatoes are simmered in the sauce until tender and infused with flavor.

Smothered potatoes can be served as a side dish or as a main dish, and they are often accompanied by other Southern comfort foods such as fried chicken, collard greens, or black-eyed peas. The dish has its roots in Southern cuisine and is a popular comfort food in the region.

Different Ways of Cooking Smothered Potatoes

There are two main ways you can cook smothered potatoes. These are:

Stovetop: The easiest way to cook smothered potatoes is in a skillet over the stovetop. It is a convenient and effortless way to cook smothered potatoes.
Oven: some people prefer to cook smothered potatoes in the oven. Once you have cooked all the ingredients, pour the stock and resume the remaining cook in the oven. It is a good option when you have to make smothered potatoes in large batches.

Tips to Remember

Here are a few points you should keep in mind when making smothered potatoes:

Slice potatoes into equal slices so that they cook evenly. You can also dice potatoes instead of slicing them.
If you don’t have stock, use water.
You can add spices like cayenne, red chili flakes, etc. Adding dried or fresh herbs is also a good option.
Although Yukon gold potatoes are a good choice for this dish, if you can’t find them, use other varieties like russet potatoes or red potatoes.
If you feel the potatoes will stick to the pan, toss them gently in all-purpose flour before frying them.

Variation Ideas

There are a few ways you make add ingredients to smothered potatoes and make the dish more flavorsome. You can customize the dish according to your liking. Here are a few ingredients you should try:

Vegetables: Try adding more vegetables like leafy greens (spinach, collard greens, kale), squash, etc. It will not just add texture to the dish but also make it healthier.
Meat: adding sausages or ground beef is also a great addition to this dish. It not just adds flavor but makes it more wholesome.
Mushrooms: Mushrooms are also a great addition to smothered potatoes. You can add sautéed white button mushrooms or Portobello mushrooms to smothered potatoes.
Cheese: Adding cheese to smothered potatoes makes them cheesy and tasteful. Add mozzarella cheese, cheddar, or parmesan cheese to the smothered potatoes.
Heavy cream/milk: Adding heavy cream or milk instead of vegetable stock makes the dish creamier.
Spices: Add more flavor to smothered potatoes by adding spices. Add Cajun seasoning, red chili flakes, cumin, etc.

What to Serve with Smothered Potatoes

Here are a few ideas on what to serve with this dish:

Breakfast: Smothered potatoes are a great breakfast or brunch dish. You can serve it with scrambled eggs and sausages. It is a good choice when you have to enjoy a wholesome breakfast.
Steak: You can serve smothered potatoes with beef or chicken steak. The dish is also a good side with whole roasted turkey or chicken.
Gravy: You can also serve it with any leftover gravy.
Rice: The dish also pairs well with Mexican or fried rice dishes.

How to Store Smothered Potatoes

You can store the leftover smothered potatoes in an air-tight container and refrigerate them for up to 3 days. Make sure you cool them completely before storing them. You can reheat them in the microwave.