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Bratkartoffeln (German Fried Potatoes)

By Erica Turner

Published on August 7, 2023

Time

50 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Bratkartoffeln (German Fried Potatoes)

Ingredients

3 slices bacon, chopped fine½ cup finely chopped onion 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and sliced crosswise ½ inch thick½ teaspoon table salt 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Before You Begin

For the most traditional flavor use a hickory-smoked bacon. If the bacon is difficult to chop, place it in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes to firm it up. These rich, hearty potatoes pair nicely with bratwurst, schnitzel, or scrambled eggs.

Instructions

  1. Cook bacon in 12-inch nonstick or carbon-steel skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown at edges and just starting to render, 3 to 5 minutes. Add onion and continue to cook until onion is soft and golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon and onion to bowl, leaving fat in skillet (you should have about 1 teaspoon).
  2. Add butter to bacon fat and melt over medium heat. Add potatoes and salt and stir to coat potatoes evenly with fat. Cover and cook, shaking pan occasionally, for 9 minutes. After 9 minutes, potatoes should be bubbling at edges; if there is no moisture around potatoes, lower heat slightly; if there is no or little sizzling around potatoes, increase heat slightly. Cover and continue to cook until potatoes can be easily pierced with tip of paring knife, 6 to 9 minutes.
  3. Remove lid and gently stir potatoes (it is OK if some potatoes break). Continue to cook, uncovered, gently stirring every 2 to 3 minutes until potatoes are golden brown (not all surfaces will be brown), about 10 minutes.
  4. Gently stir in bacon, onion, and parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper, transfer to platter, and serve.

Bratkartoffeln (German Fried Potatoes)

Save

Time

50 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

3 slices bacon, chopped fine
½ cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and sliced crosswise ½ inch thick
½ teaspoon table salt
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Ingredients

3 slices bacon, chopped fine
½ cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and sliced crosswise ½ inch thick
½ teaspoon table salt
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Ingredients

3 slices bacon, chopped fine
½ cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and sliced crosswise ½ inch thick
½ teaspoon table salt
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Why This Recipe Works

Bratkartoffeln is a comforting German side dish of pan-fried potatoes, bacon, onions, and fresh herbs. We wanted tender, golden-brown potatoes with slightly crisp edges, infused with smoky flavor from the bacon and slight oniony sweetness. While the dish is typically made with leftover boiled potatoes, we wanted a recipe that started with raw, so we cooked the potatoes in a covered skillet, allowing them to steam and absorb flavor. When we removed the lid, the potatoes were allowed to brown and crisp around the edges.

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Before You Begin

For the most traditional flavor use a hickory-smoked bacon. If the bacon is difficult to chop, place it in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes to firm it up. These rich, hearty potatoes pair nicely with bratwurst, schnitzel, or scrambled eggs.

Instructions

  1. Cook bacon in 12-inch nonstick or carbon-steel skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown at edges and just starting to render, 3 to 5 minutes. Add onion and continue to cook until onion is soft and golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon and onion to bowl, leaving fat in skillet (you should have about 1 teaspoon).
  2. Add butter to bacon fat and melt over medium heat. Add potatoes and salt and stir to coat potatoes evenly with fat. Cover and cook, shaking pan occasionally, for 9 minutes. After 9 minutes, potatoes should be bubbling at edges; if there is no moisture around potatoes, lower heat slightly; if there is no or little sizzling around potatoes, increase heat slightly. Cover and continue to cook until potatoes can be easily pierced with tip of paring knife, 6 to 9 minutes.
  3. Remove lid and gently stir potatoes (it is OK if some potatoes break). Continue to cook, uncovered, gently stirring every 2 to 3 minutes until potatoes are golden brown (not all surfaces will be brown), about 10 minutes.
  4. Gently stir in bacon, onion, and parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper, transfer to platter, and serve.

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